Jeilan Again - Solo 13:21.29 at Saitama Time Trials

by Brett Larner

Just a week after running one of the fastest 10000 m of the year, 2008 World XC Jr. Champion Ibrahim Jeilan (Ethiopia/Team Honda) ran a solid 13:21.29 to win the men's 5000 m A-heat at the Saitama Prefecture Time Trials on Oct. 2. It was a completely solo performance as second-placer Makoto Iwase (SDF Academy) was over a minute behind in 14:23.73. Despite neither being a PB, Jeilan's two solid efforts show he is adapting to life and training in Japan and will be a major factor in the upcoming jitsugyodan ekiden season.

In other results from the meet, Atsushi Yamazaki (Team Subaru) led three under 29 minutes in the men's 10000 m A-heat, while Josai University runners Hiromi Katakai and Miki Yamada went 1-2 in the women's 5000 m A-heat.

2010 Saitama Prefecture Time Trials
click here for complete results
Men's 10000 m A-Heat
1. Atsushi Yamazaki (Team Subaru) - 28:52.06
2. Keita Baba (Team Honda) - 28:55.16
3. Hiroaki Sano (Team Honda) - 28:57.75

Men's 5000 m A-Heat
1. Ibrahim Jeilan (Ethiopia/Team Honda) - 13:21.29
2. Makoto Iwase (SDF Academy) - 14:23.73
3. Junichi Sakai (SDF Academy) - 14:25.15

Women's 5000 m A-Heat
1. Hiromi Katakai (Josai Univ.) - 16:13.85
2. Miki Yamada (Josai Univ.) - 16:15.81
3. Rika Shintaku (Team Shimamura) - 16:16.86

(c) 2010 Brett Larner
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