The return of the LEL

By David Martin, Press Association Sport

Former world half-marathon champion Martin Lel signalled he is back in superb condition after injury with a brilliant victory at the Bupa Great North Run today.

Lel, who was forced to pull out of chasing a fourth title at the London Marathon in April due to a hip injury, showed he is back to full fitness with a fine winning time of 59 minutes 32 seconds to regain the title he won in 2007. The 30-year-old Kenyan admitted beforehand that, having not raced since winning the Lisbon half-marathon in March, he was not sure what kind of performance he would produce.

But he mustered another vintage display, powering away in the final half-mile to stifle the challenge of countryman Kiplimo Kimutai, who also clocked a highly respectable time of 59mins 44secs. Two-time world marathon gold medallist Jaouad Gharib finished third in 1hr 04secs, a bout of cramp after 10 miles causing the Moroccan major problems in the closing stages.

After posting the GNR's second fastest-ever time behind Zersenay Tadese's four-year-old mark of 59:05, Lel now feels he is ready to bid for a third New York marathon victory in November. "I was well prepared for this race but, as I had not competed for so many months, I was still not certain of what might happen," Lel said.

"I always felt in control and there was no problems from my hip in what was a very fast race and against a very tough field whom I respected."

The reigning World Marathon Majors champion, who missed his lifetime best by only two seconds, added: "Now I will put in some intensive training before New York, where winning for a third time will be more important than chasing a fast time."

Jessica Augusto was a runaway winner of the women's title, and admitted afterwards she was surprised none of her more experienced rivals attempted to follow her as she made a breakaway with Nikki Chapple after three miles.

The Portuguese and Australian runners quickly opened up a gap of more than 25 yards over a high-profile pack including Ethiopia's former champion Berhane Adere and the fastest competitor in the field, Salina Kosgei from Kenya.

Running very confidently in her third GNR appearance, Augusto soon dropped Chapple and continued to power further and further ahead to break her previous best by two and a half minutes with a time of one hour, nine minutes, eight seconds.

The 27-year-old European cross-country silver medallist promised after running a disappointing race three weeks ago at the Great Yorkshire Run that she would be ready for the GNR, and was true to her word. "After the World Championships I had a rest and had done no training before Sheffield," said Augusto, who was a 3,000m steeplechase finalist in Berlin last month. Augusto, whose previous best GNR placing was ninth a year ago, added: "Straight after I went into full training, increasing my mileage and running for 40 minutes longer in my daily sessions.

"I knew I was in good shape but with so many good Ethiopians and Kenyans here I didn't expect to get a medal and I was surprised when they did not challenge me when I pulled away. This is the biggest win of my career and to also run my fastest-ever half marathon time is something I am really happy with."

Adere, who had been widely expected to repeat her 2006 win, made no attempt to get on terms with Augusto and, when she did start to motor with just three miles left, it was already a lost cause. The former world half-marathon champion finished 34 seconds behind.
Augusto's team-mate Ana Dulce Rosa ran an impressive race to place third in a new personal best of 1hr 9mins 48secs.

Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist Dan Robinson was the first British man across the line in 12th place in 1hr 4mins 14secs, with Angela Hibbs the first woman in a time of 1hr 18mins 27secs.

David Weir knocked over a minute off his wheelchair course record with a winning time of 41mins 34secs to secure a third GNR success.Runner-up Josh Cassidy also broke the old figure, clocking 42:12 with Denis Lemeunier of France third in 43:21.

American Amanda McGrory, the Paralympic gold medallist, broke the women's record with a time of 49mins 47secs. Canada's Diane Roy was second in 51:11, with Francesca Porcellato of Italy third in 52:33.

mzungo.org says: The big boys will be out to play in NYC! Hendrick, Lel and Paule - we're so excited, we just can't hide it!