JEDDAH, 29 March — Visitor Jim Leavitt trounced the competition in the annual Sigma Paints 7kms race in the Jeddah Road Runners season recently. A very infrequent visitor, Jim has been in the Kingdom for a number of years; nevertheless, he showed the more experienced club runners a clean pair of heels wirming very comfortably in 27.25. The cool conditions of the early morning resulted in some good race times. Approximately fifty to sixty meters separated the second and third places, being filled by Randy Thomson and Wahid Doman, respectively. For end-of-season honors, Doman is slightly ahead of Thomson in the points table, and the forthcoming last two runs in the club’s calendar, promise to result in an exciting duel between the two for top veterans spot.
The veterans category produced seven of the top nine finishing positions. Norman Gibson, in his first full season, also promises to be one to watch out for in future years, and he was well ahead of sadly out-of-form club runners Jaubert and Esma. The open category was closely contested, and Salah Bagafar narrowly failed to produce an upset, being pipped at the finishing line by Bagatan by a small distance. Osama Afif is also coming back to form and he completed the course in a good time of 32.37.
A big cheer greeted club member from Madinah, Harry Mediavillo, who, once again, was top masters, with Smarn Hongto second and club favorite Dave Zebedee a comfortable third. There was only 1 visitor in the A category and R.
Blonk ran a steady race and easily completed the course in 43.16. Other notable runs were made by Huw Lewis, just recently returned from his exploits in the Luxor 22kms, and a welcome return to Pat Browne rejoining his club comrades for the early morning runs.
The trophies were presented at the post-race reception on behalf of Sigma Paints, who were thanked for their continuing support to the running community here in Jeddah.
The club expressed their appreciation for the contribution made by Sigma over the past many years, and hoped that this will continue in future seasons.
Results:
Winner: Jim Leavitt (27.25) — Open: lst H. Bagatan (29.20); 2nd: S. Bagafar (29.36); 3rd: O. Afif (32.37) — Veterans: lst: R. Thomson (27.47); 2nd: W. Doman (28.12); 3rd: N. Gibson (29.04) — Masters: lst H. Mediavillo (32.55); 2nd: S. Hongto (34.21); 3rd: D. Zebedee (37.43) — A Category: R. Blonk (43.16).
Bernadette triumphs in
GNP Half-Marathon
Ten visitors joined the regular members of the Jeddah Road Runners and braved an early morning start on the Jeddah Corniche recently to run the annual half-marathon, which this year was sponsored by the Ghassan Pharaon Hospital (GNP). The temperatures were warm after a cold spell, which unfortunately did not extend to the day of the race, as longer-distance runners generally prefer the cooler conditions. However, the pack were set on their way by committee members Mike Ilart and Dave Zebedee, who marshaled the course and the water-stops with their usual customary efficiency. Included in the pack were some visitors from France, and they would take two of the top four finishing positions, with another two visitors and one club member comprising the other three positions. Christoph Bernadette’s best half-marathon time is 1 hour 11 minutes, and whilst a lack of training and unfamiliarity with the course and the conditions meant that his personal record would unlikely to be broken, he nevertheless cruised to victory in the very fast time for half-marathons held in Jeddah of I hour 19 minutes. Second, some way behind, was a welcome return to the running scene in Jeddah for Colin Vickery, now based in Riyadh, completing the 21 kms in a very good time of 1.27. First club member back was Randy Thomps, doing very well in his first season with the cluh in Jeddah. A second visitor Sanquer coming home in fourth followed by another visitor, Walker-Read. The A Category winner was top club member, Kinnunen in a very respectable 1.44, lollowed home by Trotter in 1.51, pipping home by a whisker from visitors Matthys, Philipps and Fardell. Kelly, White and Fryer rounded out the category. Other notable club performances were made by Norman Gibson, also in his first full season and long-time stalwart, Russ Law. Harry Mediavillo, who travels from Madinah to take part in the club events, also turned in a good performance, as did Chris Fryer.
As an aside to the half-marathon, a full marathon was also held earlier in the morning, with five runners taking part: McIvor winning in 2.53, followed by Tabiin and visitor Mckenzie who just missed out on his four hour target. Club members Bagafar and Osama Afif completed the group.
Club medals and T-shirts were distributed at the post-race breakfast by GNP representative Marshall, and the club thanked the GNP hospital for their generous support and contribution towards the running season in Jeddah. The club also thanked the many helpers for their assistance and who had risen way before the crack of dawn to ensure that the runners were well looked after on the course.
