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More news articles Farah returns to form at Inter Counties
Mo Farah dominated the senior race while Freya Murray upset Stephanie Twell for the women’s title
AFTER an inauspicious start to the season, Mo Farah returned to form with a dominant victory at the Inter Counties in Cofton Park, Birmingham to confirm his berth on the British team for the World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz on March 28.
The Newham & Essex Beagle, who was a distant third in his last race at the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country, has clearly benefited from a recent training stint in Africa as Farah dominated the 12km race.
The European 5000m silver medallist pulled away from his main rivals after the halfway point and Farah, who did not face any pressure once he broke away, showed he was back in shape with victory in 34:41.
Farah defeated the English National Cross Country champion Andy Vernon by 44 seconds while Moumin Geele comprised the podium in third and 59 seconds behind the victor.
After the race, Farah said: “I felt great. I went out to test myself and I’m pleased with that. I finished tenth in Mombasa in the 2007 World Cross so I’ll be happy if I can match or better that this time around.”
In the women’s senior race, Freya Murray upset pre-race favourite and national champion Stephanie Twell. Murray, who recently won the Scottish title, forged away from the world junior 1500m champion in the closing stages to take victory in the 8km race in 27:21 to Twell’s 27:30.
Faye Fullerton took third in 27:41 while Emily Pidgeon was a very pleasing fifth in 27:54.
The winner commented: "I really gave it my best shot. It was a great battle with Steph and I think we worked well together. I hope we can both go to Poland and do the same good job for the GB team.”
The junior races went with the formbook as Richard Goodman and Emelia Gorecka took victories.
Goodman, who won the under-17 race at the Nationals, showed his supremacy in the under-20 race as the Shaftesbury Barnet outkicked Ben Norris 25:04 to 25:06.
“I’ve not been used to such close finishes this season,” said Goodman. “I know Ben’s got great endurance so my coach Geoff Williams said if I held on to him and it came to a sprint finish I’d have a great chance.”
In the women’s under-20 race, Gorecka, who stepped up from the under-17 ranks, took a 13-second victory over Annabel Gummow – 20:40 to 20:53.
The Aldershot Farnham & District athlete said: “I think I’ve definitely done enough to get picked for Poland,” said Gorecka who stepped up from the under-17 age. “I felt good and I really enjoyed it – it was great to line up with those older girls and get that experience.”
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