Osias, Erni run to victory in Solo 10K

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Osias Kamlase and Erni Ulatningsih won the Solo 10K run, held as part of the IOC-initiated Olympic Day Run 2003, in Salatiga in Central Java on Sunday.

In the race, which started and finished at the Manahan Stadium, Osias recorded a time of 30 minutes and 41 seconds to win the men's category, Antara reported.

Ferry Junaedi from Bangka Belitung came second with a time of 31 minutes and 46 seconds and Susmaryono from Magelang, Central Java, was third with 31 minutes and 50 seconds.

In the women's race, Erni triumphed with her time of 35 minutes and 47 seconds to outrun Unik Setyorini, in 36 minutes and 54 seconds, and Ariyani, who recorded 39 minutes and 4 seconds.

The Olympic Day Run is sponsored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is held annually in member countries to commemorate its founding on June 23.

The Indonesian round on Sunday, which was inaugurated by National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Agum Gumelar, attracted 7,000 runners.

Osias, from Bali, and Ferry both pulled away from the runners bunch after two kilometers. Osias, who finished fifth in the Jakarta 10K last week, kept his rival at bay for the remainder.

"The competition lacked rivalry because many national runners did not join the race," Osias said, lamenting the absence of rivals Agus Prayogo and Gede Karang Asem.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association (PASI) prefers to bring in a foreign coach to train athletes at home over a KONI-sponsored scheme to send athletes overseas in the run-up to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

PASI secretary-general Tigor Tanjung, speaking on the sidelines of the Salatiga race, said it would be inefficient for the athletes to leave the country so close to the SEA Games in Vietnam in December.

KONI has offered a package of overseas camps exclusively to potential athletes in athletics, shooting and swimming in a bid to increase Indonesia's medal prospects in Vietnam, given that the three events traditionally provide the bulk of the medals.

Tigor said that PASI was now pondering to hire three coaches from either Germany or Australia with the task of supervising events, including some track and field disciplines.