Cragg finishes last in 3000m as Campbell also fails to deliver
Cragg finished in an unimpressive 8 minutes 00.77 seconds, a long way off his best.
The event was won by Ethiopian distance star Kenensea Bekele in 7:28:24.
Cragg was never in the hunt as Bekele dominated the event for most of the distance. There was no joy either for David Campbell, who finished seventh in the 800 metres in 1:47:54.
Campbell was well off the pace in an event won by Ismal Ahmed Ismail of Sudan in 1:45:85.
Conditions were windy in Paris, but both Cragg and Campbell will still have reason to be disappointed with their respective performances.
Meanwhile, a record number of 2,500 participants will take part in today’s Waterways Ireland triaAthlone 2009, the country’s biggest ever triathlon.
Thousands of supporters will throng the medieval streets of Athlone to cheer on the athletes of all levels competing in Ireland’s biggest triathlon, one of Europe’s top 10 triathlons and host for next year’s European Championships.
Irish elite athletes Aileen Morrison, Emma Davis and Gavin Nobel will compete in this crucial European cup race against a field of international elite triathletes from around the globe.
UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Switzerland and Spain are all well represented.
Waterways Ireland triAthlone has developed into one of the biggest emerging summer festivals where sport, entertainment and music meet and the organisers say they are thrilled with the response to their efforts in recent years.
Waterways Ireland triAthlone chairman Liam Heavin said: “This is the biggest year yet for Waterways Ireland triAthlone, and we want to encourage as many people as possible to come along and support the triathletes taking part and enjoy the festive atmosphere which will be rife throughout Athlone this weekend.
“We are already looking forward to hosting next year’s European Championships in 2010.” Martin Dennany, director of marketing and communications for the event’s premium sponsors Waterways Ireland, said it was “a phenomenal sporting event which continues to grow in popularity each year and we are delighted to support”.
He added: “We are delighted that Waterways Ireland triAthlone are part of this event that utilises the inland waterway system and also provides huge benefit to the local economy.”
The event has also received significant support from Athlone Town Council, who predict it will continue to grow in popularity and prestige
Running alongside the triathlon is the Trifest music festival, where the likes of The Blizzards and Mundy will perform over the weekend.
Tickets and further information are available at www.trifest.ie.
Four major charities who are officially involved will benefit from this year’s event, including Respect, Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Camara and Croi.
Well-known RTÉ travel presenter Kathryn Thomas will participate and fundraise on behalf of the Respect charity.
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