Elvan Abeylegesse ran the women’s 10,000 meters with a time of 31:10.24, securing Turkey’s second-ever European Championship. Abitova followed in second by a difference of 100 meters.
Elvan Abeylegesse departed for Barcelona with intentions to win gold medals in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races, and appears to have secured her first goal. In last night’s session, Elvan took the lead in the first quarter and continued to keep her tempo high. At the 5,000 meter point, she was practically 100 meters ahead of her rivals and she never let that difference drop, completing the race first in 31:10.24. After Süreyya Ayhan, Elvan is the second person to bring home the gold medal in the European Championship to Turkey.
MERYEM TAKES FIFTH
During the race, Portugal’s Jessica Augusto followed in second for the majority; however in the final meters of the race she gave up her spot in second to Russia’s Inga Abitova and had to suffice for third. Our other representative in the race, Meryem Erdoğan, came in fifth. Like Elvan, Meryem is also of Ethiopian heritage and recently took on Turkish citizenship. Meryem’s time of 31:44.86 marked her best ever, which is a signal of hope for the young athlete’s future. Racing for Holland, Hilda Kibet secured fourth place for her country.
SEVEN TURKS TO TAKE THE FIELD
Seven Turks will be racing in the European Championship today. This morning’s program in the women’s 1,500 meters will have Aslı Çakır Alptekin, Sultan Haydar and Binnaz Uslu running for Turkey, while İzzet Safer will run the 200 meter for the men’s race. Tonight’s session will have Halil Akkaş, Mert Girmalegese and Kemal Koyuncu running the men’s 5,000 meters.
