Gdeon Kimosop claims Omagh title in style

The Irish based Kenyan running for Project Africa led for every step of the way in a carbon copy of his Larne success although with no-one to press him he finished just outside the record.

From the gun it was Kimosop with Irish 50k record holder Gary O’Hanlon trying to stay with him.

By two miles Kimosop was on his own with O’Hanlon equally isolated in second.

Kimosop running very smoothly went through half way over a minute clear of O’Hanlon with Shane Brady next just in front of Gary Henderson and Gary Slevin.

At this stage Laura Graham, also the winner at Larne, was well up among the leading men as she headed the Ladies from Louise Smith.

It was now all Kimosop as he stormed passed the walkers who had started an hour earlier and he came to the finish at the leisure centre to a great reception from the large crowd.

O’Hanlon, third two years ago, came second with Gary Henderson just taking bronze from the determined Gary Slevin with Ciaran McGonagle close behind.

Laura Graham, the revelation of the season, looked full of running as she came in clocking 78:07 to smash her personal best by over a minute.

Louise Smith improved from last year’s 3rd to take runner up position with Jackie McMonagle continuing her great form in 3rd just ahead of Colette Monaghan. Karol Doherty was top wheelchair.

The superb event organised by Omagh Harriers was the third round of the Pure Running/ChampionChip Ireland Series. There were 3000 athletes in the half marathon, 5K fun run and walk.

The nominated charity was the Foyle Hospice.

Paul Pollock produced a tremendous run to lead the Irish team home in 14th at the World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff.

The 29 year old started quickly and then held on in the windy and wet conditions. He was 20th at 10K then moved up to 16th at 15K before crossing the line in 62:46 a seasons best.

He was pleased. “The conditions were horrible with heavy rain for the last two miles. The London Marathon will be a different ball game but I am in good shape” he said.

Tom Frazer was 40th in 65:20 with Kevin Seaward 41st in 65:23 both personal bests while Sergui Ciobanu came 50th in 66:30. Sean Hehir failed to finish as Ireland took 7th in the team race.

The race was won by defending champion Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenyan in spite of a fall at the start. Mo Farah came 3rd in a sprint finish.

In the Home Countries International on the same course Scott Rankin was 16th in a best of 68:32, Paddy Hamilton 20th in 68:55, Andrew Annett 22nd in 69:21, Conor Duffy 25th in 69:38 both bests and Mark McKinstry 54th in 73:01.

In the Ladies Catherine Whoriskey ran 80:09 in 10th and Karen Alexander 83:19 for 15th.