By Richard Slater
RIYADH — Mo Foustok led the field home at the Riyadh Road Runners’ 30km race last weekend. On a cool but sunny morning at Dirab Golf Club, Foustok and Roghi once again proved too strong for their rivals over the club’s second longest race of the season.
The male race followed a predictable format, with Foustok dropping his nearest rivals within the first kilometer and then gradually extending the lead throughout the race. He eventually finished in a shade under 2 hours, an excellent result which equates to sub 4:00/km pace. Behind him Sam Richards and Abdulwahed Al-Murshidi were neck and neck on the first lap, however Al-Murshidi, who completed the 72km Wadi Bih challenge in Oman a few days before, tired over the last two laps and Richards managed to claim second by a 7-minute margin.
In the female race, Claudine Roghi showed her dominance over the longer distances again, however she was chased all the way by her compatriot Mpi Arminjon, whose preparation for the Paris Marathon looks to be having a positive effect on her running.
In third place came Mia McDowell, again showing remarkable consistency and improvement to easily claim the final podium place in her last run before the annual Riyadh Marathon at the end of February.
The club would like to thank Carrefour Tala Mall for water and fruit, as well as Dirab Golf Course for the use of their venue.
Results:
Male race: 1. Mo Foustok (KSA) 1:59:53, 2. Sam Richard (GB&NI) 2:17:05, 3. Abdulwahed Al-Murshidi (OMA) 2:24:30.
Female race: 1. Claudine Roghi (FRA/NZ) 2:37:17, 2. Marie-Pierre Arminjon (FRA) 2:39:07, 3. Mia McDowell (FIN) 2:47:19.
