Julian kicks clear and Marna wins as expected

Machine-translated from Faroese and not yet reviewed. Read the original.

The Ólavsøka Run took place today, and as always there was great suspense over who would win, because winning the Ólavsøka Run carries great prestige. In the men’s race, Jan Elmar Sørensen could not escape the role of favourite. With his 15:49 over 5,000 m at VU Spelen, he was the only man in the field who had been under 16 minutes.

But there were certainly challengers in the race. Last year’s winner Signar Røsvig is perhaps in even better shape this year, and Andrias Hansen has also shown good form. Sam Vang’s form is heading in the right direction, and the most dangerous man of all over the final kilometre, Julian Gregersen, who also won on Flag Day, was ready too. So the suspense was high.

These three came to form the front of the race, with Jan Elmar doing most of the leading and Signar and Julian mostly following. (Photo: Einar Vang)

It became a three-way battle between Jan Elmar, Signar and Julian. Jan Elmar was not at his best and could not find the energy needed to put pressure on the others and perhaps break away from them. The other two had no great difficulty keeping up. So all three stayed together as they headed home towards the finish for the fifth and final time with about 400 metres to go. Everyone went flat out, and here Julian showed by far the strongest sprint finish, while Jan Elmar fell behind.

Andrias and Sam each battled on their own a little behind the leading group. The fight for 6th and 7th place was also decided in a sprint. Young Dánjal Dahl Ljósheim just keeps getting faster and faster, and is about to work his way right up to the top of Faroese running. He outsprinted Henry Olsen, who is now getting his legs back up to speed after a long time out injured.

1. Julian Gregersen 16:21
2. Signar Røsvig 16:24
3 Jan Elmar Sørensen 16:35
4. Andrias Hansen 17:03
5. Sam Vang 17:21
6. Dánjal Dahl Ljósheim 17:33
7. Henry Olsen 17:34

The women’s race was won by Marna Egholm. That too was expected, as she is in a class of her own. Today’s race was part of her training ahead of bigger challenges in the marathon and half marathon this autumn. But the race for the other two medals was very exciting. Rigmor N. Arge and Duruta R. á Lofti had a gruelling battle more or less the whole way, with Rigmor chasing Duruta, who was only a few metres ahead. Not far behind, Beinta Hoydal Joensen lay in wait, ready to strike should either of the others stumble.

Marna Egholm is in a class of her own and could treat today’s race as part of her training. (Photo: Einar Vang)

Heading out on the final lap, Duruta had built up enough of a gap back to Rigmor that it seemed decided. But now Beinta had started to close in, and the hard battle was now for the bronze. By the skin of her teeth, Rigmor managed to fight her way to the bronze, just three seconds ahead of Beinta in fourth place.

1. Marna Egholm 19:08
2. Duruta R. á Lofti 20:23
3. Rigmor N. Arge 20:41
4. Beinta H. Joensen 20:44
5. Ann-Mari av Skarði 21:38

All the results are here