Twell leads British women in Hyde Park (From Surrey Comet)

Twell leads British women in Hyde Park

10:41am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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Steph Twell led the British contingent by finishing third in the adidas Women’s 5km Challenge in Hyde Park.

Kenya’s world 10,000m champion Linet Masai dominated from the start to win in 15:06, four seconds ahead of compatriot Sylvia Kibet, while Twell continued her great form in her first 5km on the road for two years.

The St Mary’s Twickenham athlete clocked 15 minutes, 32 seconds, to smash her previous best of 16:18 set at a low-key event in Boscombe.

“I am so happy to have run so well. I tried to cover Tinet’s move and maintained it for a long time.

“But this is a deceptively challenging course and I was left on my own.

“To run 15:32 is great for me and third is just what I aimed for.”

Teddington’s Jo Pavey, an early-front runner, was a little disappointed to finish seventh in 15:53, but it was her first race since the toe injury that kept her out of the European Championships.

“I would have liked to have run faster,” admitted Pavey.

“The Kenyans are fantastic athletes but I wanted to be a bit more competitive.

“It is always difficult in your first race back from injury, but I am just glad to be racing again.”

Clapham Chasers’ Justina Heslop was pleased with her ninth place in 16:06.

“My legs were tired going into this but I really enjoyed it,” she said.

“I felt quite strong but got a little bit into no man’s land towards the long stretch down the back.”

Bookham international Emelia Gorecka, at 16 one of the youngest runners in the field, was 14th in a lifetime best 16:48, with training partner Alice Lethbridge, who is based in Epsom, 19th in a PB 17:25.

East Molesey-based Sonia O’Sullivan, the former Irish Olympic runner, was 23rd out of 15,000 runners in 17:46.

The 40-year-old, who represents Thames Hare & Hounds, was running merely for pride, fun and charity.

“I always like to be part of this event,” she said.

“I put in the same effort as always but it is not the same speed these days.

“It is just nice to have a challenge every now and then and running with all these women is so much better than training on your own.”

Thames Hare & Hounds' Pippa Major was the second over-45 veteran in 45th (20:03), with Hercules Wimbledon's over-40 veteran Masumi Dobson 56th in a personal best (20:50) and Belgrave’s Emily Moll 93rd (22:43).