Mitchell salutes ‘perfectionist’ O’Sullivan

VICTORIA MITCHELL, her training partner, won the race but Sonia O’Sullivan won the hearts of the thousands who turned out to watch her final road race in Ireland in Dublin’s Phoenix Park yesterday.

A total of 9,000 runners, joggers and fun-runners turned up to join her in the race she helped create, the BUPA Great Ireland Run.

O’Sullivan was swept away on a wave of emotion by the cheering fans lining the course. For the record, she finished 11th in 37 mins 04 secs.

Victoria Mitchell crossed the line first in 33:06 — 11 seconds ahead of pace setter, Helen Clitheroe, a UK international from Preston with Allesandra Auguilar from Spain third in 34 minutes.

Mitchell, immediately paid tribute to the woman she said had been a huge influence on her career. The 25-year-old Australian, a former NCAA steeplechase champion and now ranked third on Australian all-time list, described Sonia as her role model and mentor.

“I have learned so much from Sonia,” she said. “She is one of the greats. Sonia has always been an inspiration to me. She is a total professional in her preparations. She is a perfectionist even when it comes to eating, drinking and sleeping habits. She does everything right. She is the perfect role model.”

Mitchell drew on all she had learned in yesterday’s race which was dominated for 7k by Helen Clitheroe when set out to lead from the gun. Clitheroe, split the field early.

As Clitheroe and Mitchell drew away the lead group split and they were well clear when they went through half way in 16:22 with Sonia O’Sullivan battling it out for 10th place with the Belgian, Mounia Boulahen.

O’Sullivan admitted it had been very difficult to concentrate: “There were so many people around the course cheering me and when you can hear everyone and almost touch them it gets very emotional.”

“In fact I enjoyed it so much that I will probably come back next year. But if I do I will do what I did last year — run around with Eamonn (Coghlan).”

Craig Mottram, the Aussie who has endeared himself not just to the Irish but to athletics fans the world over, found himself involved in another familiar battle with an African rival in his bid for a fifth successive victory in the race.

This time, however, Abraham Chebii from Kenya, was first across the line after taking control of the race just before the 5k mark.

After Mark Carroll had kept Irish interest alive in the front group it was Killian Lonergan who eventually claimed the honour of being first Irishman across the line in sixth place in 29:58. Mark Carroll finished 10th in 30:50.