Kiplagat claims Ballycotton 10 for Kenyans as Vaughan returns to form

SOONER or later it had to happen. The Kenyans, who have dominated all the major events in the world at some time or other, arrived in Cork yesterday to claim one of the most prized titles in these islands in the form of the Ballycotton 10.

Charles Kiplagat, who finished fourth in the adidas Dublin Marathon and then fourth in Rás na hÉireann ­ swooped to win Ballycotton with consummate ease in glorious sunshine in 48 minutes.

That time equalled Neil Cusack's winning time in 1983 and was joint ninth in the top 10 times recorded in the 27 year history of the event.

Second place went to the other Kenyan in the field, Isaac Kimuge, in 48:46 with Martin McCarthy (Leevale), third in 49:36 and well clear of Thomas Carey (Limerick), 50:26 and Welshman, Richard Gardener, 50:31.

McCarthy, bidding to become the first Corkman to win the title since Liam O'Brien's fourth victory in 1989, had been hoping for a time of around 48 minutes as he continued his build up to next month's London Marathon.

He even had the course record in his sights as he took the field through the first mile in 4:29.

Now a leading group of five ­ McCarthy, the Kenyans, Tom Carey and Richard Gardener widened the gap as they passed two miles in 9:10.

The two Kenyans took up the running and only McCarthy could stay with the pace as they hit three miles in 13:56 but McCarthy had lost touch at halfway as they passed five miles in 23:45.

The gap grew at six miles (28:36) when he suffered a stitch.

The Kenyans ran shoulder to shoulder until the eighth mile when Kiplagat eased away from Kimuge.

"I thought he looked tired but I was surprised when I looked back and saw that he was no longer with me," Kiplagat said.

"I was enjoying the race. It was a very good course and the weather was perfect. I could not ease back to ask him what was wrong," he said.

McCarthy, who was runner-up to Noel Berkeley three years earlier, was relatively pleased with the result.

"Obviously you are going to be disappointed when you don't win but I really wanted to know where I am at right now and I think I am OK," he said. "I went out pretty fast because I wanted it to be a true race."

Valerie Vaughan (Blarney/Inniscarra) showed a welcome return to form in winning the women's race in 56:36 and placing 53rd overall in a field of close on 2,000.

Rosemary Ryan, the national inter-counties cross-country champion, took second place in 57:17 having stayed with the winner for the early stages of the race but Valerie Vaughan was on her own when she passed through five miles in 28 minutes.

"I was delighted with the way the race went. I only ran this race once before when I was second to Sonia O'Sullivan and today I ran about the same time," she said.