From: Anthony (anthony@mail.biu.ac.il)
Subject: Race report: Ramat-Gan 10K (Israel)
Date: 2002-02-24 01:01:04 PST

When:  Friday 22 February, 2002.
Where:  Ramat-Gan, Israel.

  This 10K race is the first in a series of 10k races that will continue
until May.  The race is a loop which starts in the picturesque Ramat-Gan
National park, and winds its way through the streets of upmarket
Ramat-Gan.  Ramat-Gan is not far from Tel-Aviv.

  The temperature was warmer than average.  Maximum of about 21C (70F)
on the day.  Lots of sun.  This race was my first competitive race 2
years ago where I ran 41:59.  I was hoping to go under 40 for the first
time.  I arrived near the race start about 40 minutes before the start,
but got a bit lost jogging to the race packet pickup point.  Eventually
I found it, and managed to get myself organised in time.  I would guess
I did about a 3k warmup including some strides.  There were 300 people
running including the somewhat controversial Kenyan, Jason Mbote.  He is
a member of the Saucony training team in Kenya and was 1 of 4 Kenyans
brought out for a race 2 weeks ago.  He decided to stay for most of the
upcoming races, and the local top runners are going to miss out on some
of their (much needed) cash prizes...  It's always heartening to see the
hand-cycle/ wheelchair racers, and they went out a few minutes before
the rest of us.

  I started at what felt a comfortable pace, and was happy with an
opening km of 4 flat.  From around the 2km point I was gradually passing
people and still feeling good.  I made it to the 5k point at 19:54 and
felt confident I could maintain that pace.  There were a few slight ups
and downs, but mainly a flat course.  Lots of turns though.  3 water
points - I had a little sip and poured the rest over my head.  There
were some wind gusts, but overall the wind was not a factor.  Coming
back into the park around the 9K point I was able to push myself, and
finish in 38:53.  39/294 overall and 4/32 in my age category (40-44).
One of the other posters requested other info: I'm 40, 175 cms (5'9")
and 66k (145 lbs).

  The winner (Mbote) ran 29:37.  The first Israeli (2nd place and also a
40 y.o.) was Haile Satain who is 1 of the Ethiopian immigrants who are
now the top local runners.  He ran 30:04.  First woman was Nili Avramski
in 36:11.

  My splits:  4:00/ 3:40/ 4:00/ 4:17/ 3:57/ 4:01/ 3:43/ 3:57/ 3:58/ 3:20

  You can see a photo of me in the race on our club's homepage at:
www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Track/8449

Anthony.  Jerusalem, Israel.