Steph happy in Holyrood (From Epsom Guardian)

Steph happy in Holyrood

4:04pm Thursday 14th January 2010 in Sport By Tom Pollak

St Mary’s University College Twickenham student Steph Twell finished fifth in the women’s 5.8km race in the Bupa Great Edinburgh international meeting in Holyrood Park on Saturday.

Twell, whose preparations for the European event were disrupted by exams, was pleased with her run, although she was pipped by British team-mate Hayley Yelling-Higham, the surprise winner of the European championship.

“I am happy with my performance,” said Twell.

“It was one place lower than last year but it was different opposition and a very strong field.

“With the Africans and European women’s champion Hayley in there, I knew it was going to be tough, but I wanted to have a strong race.”

Twell, 20, who was making her first appearance for Scotland on home turf since deciding to switch her allegiance from England, added: “Everyone was really getting behind me.

“I had great support all around the course and it was fantastic.”

She clocked 21 minutes, 51 seconds, one second behind Yelling-Higham and 14 seconds behind the winner.

Fellow St Mary’s student Jessica Sparke also ran well in Edinburgh, finishing seventh in 22:02.

Twell also finished fourth at the Campaccio International Cross, held on the outskirts of Milan.

Hungary’s Aiko Kalovics won the race in 20 minutes, 17 seconds. Twell clocked 20:37.