Merrien’s record run was ‘boring’

Tuesday 17th June 2008, 2:29PM BST.

‘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.’