Benita takes the win by the horns in Spain

Benita Johnson finished her European campaign on a high taking out the XIX Cross Internacional Ayuntamiento de Camargo-Punta de Parayas in Spain yesterday in a time of 18:20.

She easily accounted for British runner Liz Yelling (19:29) ‘who was complaining about getting little gum nuts caught in her spikes” throughout the race.

“I had a good run today. I felt good as soon as I started so thought I'd get things rolling straight away,” said the 27-year-old Johnson.

“It was a tough course with real cross country-type hills filled with gum trees.”

Compatriot Andrew Letherby finished sixth in the men’s race.

Busy preparing for the London marathon, Benita returns to Melbourne today before leaving for a Falls Creek training camp which concludes in mid February. She returns to her ‘second home’ London in late March and will compete in the Berlin half marathon on April 1. The much anticipated London marathon will take place on April 22.

Although the London Marathon is currently her main focus, she still has her sights set on qualifying for the IAAF World Championships in the 10km.

Also competing in Spain, Anna Thompson finished 12^th in the 25rd Cross Internacional de Itálica’ held in Seville in a time of 22:08. The 30-year-old set the pace early but was dropped off the lead pack at the 3km mark. The favourite, Ethiopian Gelet Burika, the eventual winner in 21:14.