Ethiopia's Gete Wami, the reigning 10,000 metres World Champion, beat British rival Paula Radcliffe in the Balmoral International five-mile road race on the 14th of April. Wami once again outkicked Radcliffe winning in 25.14. Equipped with remarkable finishing speed that had abandoned her in final stretch of long course World Cross in Belgium, Wami effortlessly pulled away with Radcliffe finishing four seconds back in 25.18. Mohammed Mourhit (Belgium) showed he has fully recovered from his long course victory in Ostend narrowly winning the men's race in 22.40 over Ethiopian Assefa Mezgebu who finished with the same time.

Peter Matthews
photo by T Patrick O'Dowd

Anne Keenan Buckley (North Laois A.C.) ran 26.55 for fifth in the five-mile race with the oft-overlooked Teresa Duffy (Beechmount Harriers A.C.) in fourteenth in 28.01. Duffy who was selected by the AAI watched the Sydney marathon from her Belfast home after being snubbed by the Olympic Council of Ireland. Duffy produced a personal record (2.37.36) in dreadful conditions at this year's Dublin marathon. Peter Matthews (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) placed thirteenth in 23.38 in the five-mile race around Balmoral Castle, the residence of the Scottish royal family.