Out of Africa with wind in Hall’s sails
SARA Hall overcame multiple bouts of illness in Africa to win the women’s Gold Coast half-marathon and erase the disappointment of her runner-up finish two years earlier.
The American elite middle distance runner spent three weeks training in Ethiopia in the lead-up to the Gold Coast race but revealed two of those weeks were marred by illness.
“I was pretty sick with food and water issues,” Hall said.
“I got sick three times in two weeks from different food. I tried to be careful but somehow it got me.
“I didn’t quite know what to expect coming out here.
“I was feeling a lot better but I thought this could really be bad.
“On the starting line I was like I’m just going to go for a PR (personal record) because you don’t get days like this too often.
“I went out in PR pace and didn’t quite hold that pace at the end but I’m really happy with the win.”
Hall’s struggles made her ability to win in a time of 1 hour 10 minutes and 32 seconds all the more impressive.
“It’s such a pleasure to be back here. It’s one of my favourite races I have ever done and you can’t beat the conditions on the course out here.
“It’s perfect, especially for July when everywhere in the states is boiling hot. This is the place to be.
“I just feel very blessed. The wind and time for where I’m at. I’m really thankful.”
The 34-year-old mother of four is a US national cross country champion and PanAmerican Games steeplechase gold medallist.
The result continues a strong 18 months for Hall who recorded a personal best time of 2:28.26 at the 2017 Tokyo Marathon and 1:10.07 half-marathon personal best in Houston, Texas, last year.
Hall isn’t going to compete at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in London in five weeks’ time but she is building up towards competing in the full marathon distance.
“I haven’t really started the long stuff yet so this definitely felt long,” Hall said.
“I’m really excited to keep building in long training and get another crack at a PR sometime.”