Kenyan-born
Israeli athlete Lonah Salpeter, 29, took gold for Israel in the women’s European 10,000m Cup at Parliament Hill. The race
was incorporated into the Highgate
Night of 10,000m PBs, and also served as the principal GB selection race
for the European Championships later this year.
Salpeter,
who moved to Israel 10 years ago and worked as a nanny, dominated the 25-lap
race from start to finish. Taking up position immediately behind the designated
pacemaker, she moved to the front just before halfway. Salpeter quickly established a lead of 20 to 30 metres, then
gradually extended it to finish 10 seconds clear of Ancuta Bobocel of Romania. Her
winning time of 31:33.03 improved
by 6.6 seconds the Israeli record that she set three weeks previously.
“This meeting was
so nice,” said Salpeter. “It’s the first time I have run with a crowd where
they come so close to the inside lanes of the track. The track felt shorter
because they were so close.”
She
continued, “I am now a full-time athlete. My next race is probably a 15km in
Valencia, and I am aiming for the 5000m and 10,000m at the European
Championships."
In the men's race, also serving as the European 10,000m Cup, the three-strong
Israeli contingent placed fifth in the team event. Their top individual
performer was Girmaw Amare who placed ninth in 28:15.41.
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