It was a cooler start for the 84 runners who participated in the Riyadh Road Runners third event of the season, which took place recently.

The course was flat, consisting of 4 2.5km laps of the Salwa compound, though some runners chose to shorten or extend their distance.

Russ McArthur’s main competitor Gerd Muetze was back in the race this week, squeezing Russ into second place. Gerd crossed the line just two seconds ahead of Russ, with a time of 40:55. With a time of 40:57 Russ took a strong lead in the veteran category (age 40-49.) Third overall, and second in his category was open competitor Alfonso Orona (43:43). He was followed by Padraig Cusack, running his first race back with the club since his stunning performance at the Berlin Marathon the previous week.

Second in the veteran category was Gerhard Kick Veteran, who completed the course in 48:51. He was beaten by Matti Aalto who was winner of the Senior division (60+) with a time of 48:41.

Veteran runner Kerstin Kick Veteran was winner of the women’s division, completing the course in an impressive 49:16, followed by Elizabeth Greeff from the Senior division (age 60+) who crossed the line at 52:43 and took an easy first place in her category. Mona Shahab, third overall female and first Open female runner, completed the course in 54:51. Mary Ann Earl led the master’s division for the third time running, with a time of 55:24.

The next race will be an 8 a.m. 10 miler. See the website www.riyadhroadrunners.com for more information.