Athletics: Murray returns from Delhi to shine in Great South Run

Capital star Freya Murray (Edinburgh AC) shook off the effects of Commonwealth Games fatigue to achieve one of the best results of her career in finishing runner-up to Kenyan ace Grace Momyani in the Great South Run 10 miles road race in Portsmouth yesterday.

Murray immediately praised her coach Steve Jones for her startling debut in which she turned the tables on Scottish Commonwealth Games teammate Steph Twell, who beat her by three places in the 5000 metres in Delhi.

In near-perfect conditions Murray, fifth in the Games' 10,000 metres behind gold medallist Momyani, finished much closer to the African in yesterday's race, clocking 52:27, just 24 seconds down, with the Hungarian marathon specialist Anita Kalovics third (53:09) and Twell sixth (53:52).

"I didn't know what to expect so I just went out to run hard and enjoy it - when I spoke to Steve (Jones] he said not to be afraid to push it so I tried to remember that," said the 27-year-old Edinburgh AC member.

Aldershot-based Twell, who is still only 21, was philosophical about her run: "I ran quite a conservative race as all my training has been geared towards the 1500 metres (in which she took the bronze medal in Delhi] and that's not the best preparation."

Without Murray to strengthen them, Edinburgh finished just out of the medals in the Scottish Cross Country Relays finishing fourth just behind first time medallists Fife at Cumbernauld on Saturday.

Sarah Hood (15:27) was second over the first 2.5 mile stage and Laura Dunn (15:32) held that position on the second leg but although Jennifer Mac Lean produced the fastest lap of the trio, 15:22, she dropped to fourth on the final stage with victory going to East champions Dundee Hawkhill Harriers ( Sarah Kelly, Eilish McColgan and Lily Partridge) with Kilbarchan second.

Lothian were fifth with Sarah Inglis (15:11) best on the anchor stage and Rosie Smith (14:54) was third fastest individual overall for seventh-placed Hunter's Bog Trotters.

EAC young females ( Emma Stewart (11:06), Alex Hunter (10.50) and Emma Dunnett (10.03) scored a decisive victory in 31:59 over VP Glasgow (32:25) and Dundee HH (32:40).

The most excitement however was provided by the final lap (under-17) runners of the EAC B and C teams, who were both timed in 32:57, though the C team were just given the verdict for eighth place thanks to Louise Stewart's fastest of the day 10.00 anchor leg., edging Rachel Dunn, third fastest in 10:21.