Tewelde awarded second place after 10k ordeal

SALTWELL new boy Abraham Tewelde was the second-fastest athlete on view at last weekend’s Simplyhealth Great North 10k.

Originally the Eritrea-born athlete was in the results as having finished in 75th position with victory going to Gateshead international Matty Hynes.

However, after the organisers were contacted by Conrad Franks - who crossed the line behind Hynes suggesting Tewelde should in fact receive the runners-up award, the results have now changed with the African slotted into second place.

After the leading runners set off on their journey along the banks of the Tyne , Tewelde was trying to make his way through the packed throng of runners and supporters waiting to cross the start line.

It took him nearly eight minutes before he managed to set off but by then there were hundreds of competitors ahead of him spread right across the highway.

It made life difficult but Tewelde plugged away regardless and it was remarkable he managed to weave his way past so many.

On reflection, it looked to be a tall order to win the event, Hynes posting 31min 45sec and Tewelde finishing with a gun time of 41:29 and an actual (chip) time of 33:42.

Tewelde has been in excellent form leading up to the GN 10k, having never finished outside the top three in nine outings.

He was third in the Blaydon Race but got back to winning ways in the Tynedale 10k and Angel View events.

He was third in the Bridges of the Tyne five-mile earlier this month before his latest outing on the Gateshead side of the Tyne - which he will surely want to forget!