‘BORING’ was Lee Merrien’s instant appraisal of his maiden 10,000 metres track race at Watford in which he ripped apart an island record dating back 39 years.
Merrien (pictured) admitted concentration had been a problem for him during the 25 laps of the UK national championship race and Olympic trial, in which he clocked 29min. 23sec.
While the time bettered Dave Kreckeler’s previous best of 30-25.2 which was achieved at Crystal Palace in April 1969, Merrien said he won’t be rushing to do more track 10ks.
‘I semi-enjoyed it but it was tough to concentrate for so long,’ said Merrien, who is targeting the national 5,000m championships next month. He had hoped to run faster. ‘I thought I’d run an island record because of what I had done on the road. But I actually had been hoping to be close to the 29min. barrier.’
Merrien finished just four seconds adrift of the UK bronze medallist and blamed a lapse of concentration for losing ground between the halfway point and up until 800m remained.
‘I just let it slip a little bit. That’s what cost me, because on the last couple of laps, I finished strongly.’
Not that he was too disappointed.
‘It bodes well for the future – I’m getting stronger all the time in the longer stuff.’
Meanwhile, four more of Guernsey’s NatWest Island Games athletics team were competing at the South of England Championships at Crystal Palace.
Most successful were hurdlers Kylie Robilliard and Michael Batiste.
The latter finished fifth in the final of the under-20 400m hurdles in 57.11, which matches his season’s best.
‘I was disappointed with the time because I felt I was going much quicker,’ said the 18-year-old, who has another year in the age group.
Robilliard matched her own island 100m hurdles record with a fine run in the semi-finals of the senior women’s event.
Her excellent 14.21 put her through to the final where a hesitation late on cost her a couple of places and she had to settle for sixth in 14.90.
Nevertheless, it was another indication of her return to form and fitness and leaves her ranked 21st nationally and top in the south-east region.
Matt Loveridge, also 18, made it through the heats of the 800 metres, but was narrowly edged out in the semi-finals with a time of 1-58.80.
Also going over two laps at the famous arena was Kimberley Goodall, who posted an encouraging 2-15.30 in her first 800 metres race for a long while.
Jersey’s top 800 runner, Katie Silva, was a full three seconds slower.
Article posted on 17th June, 2008 - 2.29pm
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