Quality field brings out best in Mackay

0 - 0 • Published 3 Jun 2009 14:00

Inverclyde AC athlete Chris Mackay competed in the European Clubs Cup Final in southern Spain on Sunday evening and finished a very creditable sixth in a quality field.

After travelling most of Friday, Chris had to wait until Sunday evening - his was the last event - to compete.

He lined up against athletes from Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Russia, Czech Republic, Turkey and host country Spain over 3000m.

The athletes included Olympic and World Championship medallist Rui Silva, who had already comfortably won the 1500m on the Saturday.

The race started very cagily with no one really wanting to lead as the field cruised through the first kilometre in a sedate 2mins 48secs.

At this point the Keyan athlete Kiptum, representing the Czech club, moved to the front looking to inject some pace.

However, this failed to materialise and the field, with Chris sitting comfortably in fourth place, was still bunched together through two kilometers in 5.32.

With the field all together it became obvious it would be a burn-up over the last couple of laps and, not suprisingly, it was Silva who now began to dicate the pace. He moved to the front with two laps to go and immediately injected some pace, stretching out the field.

Chris was unfazed, however, and covered this move easily and it looked as if four athletes could go clear with Mackay in this group.

At the bell Silva kicked again, running 54seconds for his last 400 and a comprehensive victory.

Mackay meanwhile was battling hard to maintain his position, running 61 for his last lap to finish sixth in a new personal best time of 8.10.64.

It was a great experience of racing against these international quality athletes.

Chris"s next race is on 8 June when he represents the Glasgow team in the inaugural Super 8 competition in Cardiff over 1500m.

Meanwhile other Inverclde athletes were competing in the BMC Grand Pix in Manchester. Mark Pollard ran 3.53, Craig Ruddy 3.59 and Andrew Campbell 4.03 for a superb new personal best time.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 03 Jun 09

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