On an historic night in Pace, Brittany, France Efrem Gidey has tonight, May 24, won the European 10,000 cup, becoming the first ever Irish athlete to achieve this feat. Efrem has been in magnificent form this season, setting Irish records over 10k on the road and 10,000 on the track, the only thing missing has been that major title. Only a matter of weeks ago in the inaugural European running championships Efrem was denied a bronze medal in the half marathon by a single second. Tonight nothing was left to chance.
From the starters gun it was clear that he meant business, he sat in behind the 2 pacemakers, hitting 5000 in 13.46.34, finding himself now the pacemaker he led for a couple of laps but then pulled to one side for someone else to help with the ‘spadework’. The pace increased and dropped until with 4 laps to go there are still 4 in it including Efrem’s half marathon nemesis Gondouin (FRA), Debongies (BEL) and Bour (FRA). Who would blink first? Efrem kept his nerve holding his move until the back straight on the penultimate lap then he unleashed a kick (and there was us thinking that he didn’t possess such a devastating weapon!) and had a gap opened with 600 to go. He then enjoyed every single step of that final 100, Efrem is the European 10,000 cup champion! For the record Efrem’s time 27.40.47. The time is immaterial, what is important is that gold medal hanging around his neck.
Huge congratulations to Efrem, his coaches and teammates, both in Hoka and of course Clonliffe Harriers for the part played in this magnificent journey.
To watch European Athletics YouTube Highlights: https://youtu.be/KTGw8N3W0fU?si=USZo0WinzurKwbua