BACK TO WINNING: Dorcus Inzikuru won the 5km race in Portugal on Sunday

By Norman Katende

5km
1 D. Inzikuru  (UGA)  17:22
2 A. Rosa  (POR)   17:35
3 M. Rosa  (POR)  17:41
4 A. Chelangat (KEN)  17:42
5 J. Augusto  (POR)   17:52

DORCUS Inzikuru announced her comeback in style. She ran the last lap of the IAAF permit cross country in Portugal alone, enroute to victory.
In the second IAAF sanctioned meet in Oeiras on Sunday, the World 3000mSc champion proved that she was recovering fast after she clocked 17 minutes 22 seconds to win the 5km race ahead of 30 competitors from Europe and Africa.
“I think I am at the apex of my recovery. With more training, I will regain the form to defend my World Championship title,” she told her coach Flavio Pasqualato moments after the race.
Among the stars who fell on her way was local champion Jessica Augusto, who had taken a big lead from the big field. The experienced Inzikuru closed the gap, before overtaking her in the second of the three-lap race.
But it was in the last lap that the Commonwealth champions showed her prowess, giving the crowd a strong sprint finish for which she received a standing ovation.
She was followed by a Portuguese Analia Rosa and Maria Rose. Kenya’s Alice Chelangat was fourth after she put up a dramatic sprint finish. Augusto settled for fifth position.
“This was a hard course but it wasn’t difficult to win. My goal is the World Championship (track) in Osaka next year, but maybe I may also compete in the World Cross Country,” said Inzikuru.
Inzikuru has been struggling with an allergy ailment she suffered during training at the high altitude Iten camp in Kenya early this year.
Ends