Athletics: Cross-country series-New master record for Simon Labiche as favourites cruise to victory |22 January 2013

The victories pushed them closer to the biggest prizes at the end of the third series.

The cross-country series will also allow the Seychelles Athletics Federation (SAF) to select athletes to take part in the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Southern Region cross-country championships which will be held in Lesotho on February 23.

Labiche clocked 28 minutes 39.13 seconds (28:39.1) to win the male master (over-40) 8km (4-lap) race, erasing the old record of 31:06.6 set by Herbert Adrienne on February 19, 2011. Adrienne finished second inside his old record time after clocking 30:34.2. Third was José Victor in 35:22.0.

In the girls’ under-16 2km (1-lap) race, Lisa Agnes took 7 minutes 30.6 seconds (7:30.6) to finish first, ahead of Naomie Barra who was second in 7:32.1 and race one winner Marie-Nella Larue who was ranked third in 7:45.6.

Gerard Tirant made it a second win as he cruised to victory in the boys’ under-16 2km (1-lap) race in 7:54.5. Devan Hoareau was second in 7:55.2, while Annette finished third in 7:58.3.

In the male under-18 4km (2-lap) race, Yannick Magnan clocked 13:45.7 to finish first ahead of Ned Azemia who was second in 14:01.7. Third place finisher Travis Boniface completed the distance in 14:05.4.

Hillary Robert clocked 18:31.7 to win the female under-18 4km (2-lap) race ahead of Ezra Almaze who finished second in 18:48.3 and in third position was Francesca Course with a time of 19:58.3.

Sheryl Lepathy outpaced her twin sister Estelle Lepathy to register victory in the female under-20 6km (3-lap) race in 29:01.5. Estelle was second in 29:01.6.

In form Steward Louise won the male junior (under-20) 8km (4-lap) race in 32:05.4 for his second win of the series. In second position was Samuel Moustache who clocked the same time, while Yannick Barrack was third in 32:14.6.

In the male senior (over-20) 12km (6-lap) race, Ivan Moïse clocked 45:27.2 for his second win of the series. He finished ahead of runner-up James Barra who clocked 46:35.4 and third place finisher Franky Baccus who completed the race in 53:33.1.

Unchallenged Anna Barra finished the female senior (over-20) 8km (4-lap) race in 38:02.3.

Record holder Vivienne Vadivello was the grand winner of the female master (over-40) 6km (3-lap) race in 30:47.4, relegating race one winner Florise Ernesta into second position in 32:16.2, while Maggy Harray was third in 35:29.2.

The third and last race of the series will be held on Saturday February 2, starting at 3pm at the Roche Caïman fitness trail.

R. D.