Merrien begins series in record-breaking style
LEE MERRIEN showed who is boss when it comes to local distance running with a stunning record-breaking run as the 2015/16 FNB Cross Country series got under way at Delancey Park.
The Olympian – one of two in the record field of 164 – took more than half a minute off the old record as he crossed the line in 14min. 14sec. after three laps of a twisting but firm one-mile loop.
With Nat Whitty, Sarah Mercier and Louise Perrio off island and finishing a creditable 17th in the National Cross Country Relays, the women's race was wide open but the experienced former German Olympic marathon runner, Ulrike Maische, showed a touch of class to win.
Although she clearly favours the roads, Maische ran a well-paced race to cross the line as first woman in 20th overall and a time of 17min. 2sec.
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