Anna Pichrtova running up Mt Grintovek (© c)
Ovronnaz, SwitzerlandWith two Grand Prix races still to be contested, Anna Pichrtova of the Czech Republic has already clinched the series with a fourth victory in Saillon-Ovronnaz, Switzerland today (24), taking her score to the maximum possible of 400 points. The minor places are still open for several athletes to fill.
Pichrtova, with two minutes and 10 seconds to spare over second place World Trophy silver medallist Martina Staehl of Swizterland, was unable to explain her World Trophy lapse of form where she struggled to finish seventh. Her next big target is the $50,000 first prize in the Obudu Ranch Mountain Race in Nigeria on 25 November. Angeline Flueckinger, aiming for an Olympic Marathon qualifying time next year, was third a further 50 seconds behind.
The men's overall Grand Prix series first place battle was thrown open as Italy's Marco Gaiardo took advantage of Jonathan Wyatt's absence to beat the rapidly improving young Slovenian Peter Lamovec in a time of 46 minutes, 44 seconds over the 9.5Km, 1054m ascent course. Wyatt is still recovering from a dog bite he suffered in Turkey.
Lamovec was over a minute behind with Simon Gutierrez of the U.S. chasing hard just five seconds back.
The fifth Grand Prix race is scheduled for Slovenia on 7 October.
Full results can be found at www.wmra.info.
Danny Hughes for the IAAF
