HEROIC HAWKINS PIPPED AT POST
But Scot leaves Sir Mo trailing in his wake
CALLUM HAWKINS fell agonisingly short of becoming the first-ever Scottish winner of the Great Edinburgh Cross Country yesterday, being overtaken in the last five metres by USA’s Leonard Korir.
The Scot still finished well clear of Sir Mo Farah in seventh, becoming the first British athlete to beat him in seven years, and showed that he is in fantastic shape as he looks to build on his marathon successes of last year.
The 24-year-old led from the gun over the 8km mud bath around Holyrood Park, but ultimately could not hold on as Kenyan-born Korir overtook him moments before the finish line. Korir had been nestled in second position from the first few minutes, and to the audible dejection of the Edinburgh crowd had just enough left to steal first place from Hawkins in the final few strides.
However, the man from Elderslie did more than enough to showcase the talent that has led many to predict him as the future of British distance running. Afterwards, though, he admitted that he was frustrated at being unable to close the race out.
Reflecting on a gutsy run, Hawkins remarked: ‘I’m disappointed to get beaten, especially like that. But I’ve developed a mentality that I should just go out there and if I die — I die. As long as I’m up there, it doesn’t matter.
‘I thought I had won though — I couldn’t hear Korir because of the crowd. I noticed a gap and I thought I had done it.
‘But I gave it my all and in reality it’s a great start to what is a very important year for me. This has given me a massive boost ahead of the marathon at the World Championships in the summer. That’s what I’m 100 per cent focused on.’
Double-double Olympic champion Farah, who had an afternoon to forget by his usual high standards, praised Hawkins after the race, saying: ‘He’s a great athlete and all credit must go to him today.
‘He’s shown what a great performer he is.’
Farah highlighted the strength of endurance running in Britain, and, in particular, Scotland. ‘Callum is a great fighter and the future is bright,’ he said. ‘It’s the same with Laura Muir, they’ve both got something about them. They’re going to go very far, it’s good for Scotland. ‘Callum has the most fantastic range. To be able to do the marathon at the Olympics, then come and do so well on such a tough course here — it shows how good he is.’ Reflecting on his own disappointing performance, the 33-year-old said: ‘This isn’t a setback. I will get it right. I’m not where I want to be, but that’s the reality. I need to refocus and push on for the summer and my track farewell. That’s what matters.’ Team GB came third in the overall team results — behind Europe in second and the victorious USA team.