by Reemus Fernando

Marathoner Madumali Perera and many time men’s steeplechase champion R.M.S. Pushpakumara won the senior women’s and men’s races, while W.M. Kasuni and Jaliya Sangeeth clinched victory in the junior women’s and men’s events respectively of the cross-country trial held at Diyagama on Sunday.

Pushpakumara clocked 32 minutes and nine seconds to finish the 10 kilo metres as he finished almost head to head with S.R. WIjewickrama (32:10 secs). K. Shanmugeshwaran finished third, more than a minute later. They were the favourites from the time they entered the third lap in a two-kilometer loop and maintained the lead throughout the last two loops.

Run on natural terrain, the athletes were tested by heat, dirt, mud and hillocks that are located around the vicinity of Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium.

Perera completed the women’s 10 km race in a time of 38 minutes and 22 seconds. The Navy athlete finished more than a minute ahead of the rest. The Army duo Wathsala Herath and Chamini Herath finished second and third respectively.

The junior events which commenced around 8:45 am were hit by heat but was conspicuous by the absence of medical staffs. With several sports events happening around the country, the Sports Ministry’s Sports Medical Unit seemed to have given priority to others. Several junior athletes who suffered mid race injuries and would have otherwise been attended to by medal staffs were seen aided by their coaching staffs.

W.M. Kasuni clocked 25 minutes and three seconds to finish the six kilometers distance and win the junior women’s event.

The junior men’s event was dominated by Jaliya Sangeeth who clocked 28 minutes and 59 seconds to win. Jehan Angelo (29:05) and A. C. P. Madubashana (30:09) finished second and third respectively. They ran eight kilo metres.

The event was conducted by Sri Lanka Athletics to pick teams for the South Asian Cross Country Championships which will be held in India.

Results

Senior Men’s

1 R.M.S. Pushpakumara SL Army 32:09 secs

2 S.R. Wijewickrama SL Army 32:10 secs

3 K. Shanmugeshwaran SL Army 32:23 secs

4  H.D.S.D. Gunasekara SL Army 33:03 secs

5 V. Valshan SL Army 33:19 secs

Senior Women’s:

1. M.S.P. Madumali Perera Sri Lanka Navy 38:22 secs

2   G.W.M. Herath SL Army 39:40 secs

3  H.M.C.S. Herath SL Army 39:41 secs

4. Velu Krishanthini SL Navy 40:07 secs

5 W.M. Nimesha Sl Army 40.51 secs

Junior Women’s

1 W.M. Kasuni 25:03 secs

2  G.W.O.N. Fonseka 25:39 secs

3 Hashini Lakshani 26:22 secs

4 W.T. Peshalika 26:28 secs

5 Nayana Sewwandi 27:31 secs

Junior Men’s

1 Jaliya Sangeeth 28:59 secs

2 Jehan Angelo 29:05 secs

3 A. C. P. Madubashana 30:09 secs

4 M. T. N.M. Bandara 30:18 secs

5 A.K.D. Dilhara 30:53 secs