 Merima Denboba had to settle for second place at Stormont |
Etalemahu Kidane won a thrilling finish in Saturday's Reebok international cross-country meeting in Belfast. Kidane's acceleration edged her ahead of former Ethiopian team-mate Merima Denboba to win the 5.6k race in 20 minutes 26 seconds.
Denboba, now an Italian citizen, dead-heated with Meselech Melkamu for second, while Jolene Byrne of Ireland ran well to take fifth place.
America's Dathan Ritzenhein scored a surprise win in the men's 9k race.
The 22-year-old, third in the 2001 World Championships junior cross countryrace in Dublin, won in a time of 29 minutes 24 seconds.
His inspirational performance saw him scorch to a 10-second success ahead of Ernest Meil, who just held off his Kenyan team-mate Barnabas Kosgei.
Northern Ireland team member Gary Murphy ran an excellent race to finish top Irishman in ninth with those behind him including Britain's Rob Whalley, who was 10th.
Eddie McGinley was 28th while Stephen Cairns and Deane Fisher were 29th and 31st.
MMIX
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