Defending champion Salpeter set off at a fast pace in the European Cup race and had soon built up a significant lead, passing through 3,000m in 9.18. She held her advantage until the midway stage of the race before Steph Twell, cheered on by home supporters, started to close the gap. She caught up with Salpeter with four laps remaining and stayed on her shoulder before hitting the front with 500 metres to go.
Salpeter was unable to respond as Twell accelerated to the finish line in 31:15.78. As Twell was competing as an individual club member in the race, not as a national, Salpeter claimed first place in the European Cup standings, Her time was a 17-second improvement on her previous Israeli record.
Emma Taylor, 18, threw the javelin more than 34 metres for a second time this season when she placed third at the Youth Development League meeting at Allianz Park with 34.47m, proof that a change of training regime is paying dividends.
“I changed coach a year ago, and that involved learning a new technique,“ said the JFS pupil, whose natural talent for the javelin at the age of just 12 prompted her PE teacher to direct her to her local athletics club, Shaftesbury Harriers.
