Although the only final of the day, the 5000m, was devoid of GB-eligible athletes, sprinters Asha Philip and Adam Gemili progressed impressively into their 100m finals, which take place on Monday,

Philip, who bids to improve on her fourth from Glasgow 2014, was the quickest of the three semi-final winners in the Carrara Stadium, clocking 11.21, after earlier in the day taking her heat too.

“I feel good to say they are my first 100m races of the season,” Philips commented afterwards. “I’m in the final and that’s what I wanted. I can go back and relax now knowing I’ve got the first part of the job done.”

“I’m tired now after two rounds in one day. But I’m so confident moving into the final so I’m excited to get back on the track.”

England team-mate Corinne Humphreys and Northern Ireland’s Amy Foster went out at the semi-final stage, with the Northern Irish sprinter now turning her attention to the 200m.

Gemili sprints through

England’s Adam Gemili was safely through in second in 10.11 behind Jamaica’s former world champion Yohan Blake (10.06) – although his clutching his hip as he crossed the line was a cause for concern.

“I’ve made the final but I didn’t really run as well as I could have done,” he said. “I started well but in the transition phase, I left myself a lot of work to do. The top speed was ok so I’m happy to reach the final. It’s all about focusing on the recovery now to be at my best for it.”

However, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was just fourth in his semi-final and his 10.26 was narrowly not enough to see two England vests in the final.

The England team suffered great disappointment in the 400m when former European silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith, who appeared to qualify with great ease from his heat with a winning 45.57, was disqualified for a lane infringement.

His team-mates Dwayne Cowan (45.68) and Rabah Yousif (46.09) safely made it through to the semi-finals, though.

Guernsey’s Cameron Chalmers had a nervy wait before qualifying as a fastest loser with 46.16. Grenada’s Bralon Taplin was the fastest overall from the heats with 45.11.

5000m gold for Cheptegei

Meanwhile, Joshua Cheptegei took the first running gold of the Commonwealth Games.

The Ugandan pre-event favourite, who won 10,000m World silver behind Mo Farah last year, crossed the line first in a tactical 5000m, clocking 13:50.83 to easily beat Canada’s silver medallist Mohammed Ahmed (13:52.78).

Kenya’s 16-year-old Edward Zakayo took bronze in 13:54.06.

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Alex Yee, in his first major race after his serious bike crash eight months ago, showed great determination to win the men’s title at the BUCS Cross Country Championships on Saturday. While European U20 champion Harriet Knowles-Jones impressed to take the women’s honours in Hillingdon House Farm. A full report can be found here.

Late on Saturday night in New York, Chris O’Hare became the first British man since John Whetton in 1965 to win the Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile. O’Hare finished ahead of fellow Scot Josh Kerr who equally impressed with a personal best performance to move to number five on the UK all-time ranking. A report on the action in New York can be found here.

Indoors (Saturday, Feb 3 and Sunday, Feb 4)

At the Non Thomas Open in Cardiff on Sunday the impressive 18-year-old Jake Heyward broke the British junior 3000m indoor record.

The European under-20 1500m champion posted 8:00.93 to better Ian Stewart best that had stood from 1968.

Also in Cardiff, Tom Marshall set a Welsh national record for 1000m indoors. Marshall, who features in the ‘class of 2018’ clocked 2:21.25 to finish ahead of Cardiff AAC club-mate Stephen Morris.

Hannah England was the clear winner in the women’s 3000m crossing the line in 4:17.72, almost nine seconds ahead the rest of the field.

At the opening meet of the IAAF World Indoor Tour in Karlsruhe, Germany on Saturday, world relay silver medalist Asha Philip finished third in the 60m final with 7.12 after posting 7.18 in the heats.

Andrew Osagie finished fourth over 800m with 1:47.02, while Morgan Lake had a best jump of 1.85 in the high jump.

Jonny Davies impressed over 3,000m at the Meeting National Elite in France, winning in a personal best of 7.56.13. David King was fourth in the 60m hurdles with world indoor qualifying time of 7.66.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey posted 6.68 in the 60m heats before clocking 6.74 in the final to finish to fifth.

Roads (Sunday, Feb 4)

Representing England, Ruth Barnes and Sophie Cowper made it onto the podium at the Granollers Barcelona Half Marathon finishing second and third respectively with two personal bests.

Avon Valley’s Barnes, who finished 12th last week at the South of England XC Championships, clocked 74.59 to take over 30 seconds off her best with Cowper clocking close to a four-minute PB with 76.25.

Cardiff AC’s Matt Clowes finished eighth in the men’s race with a personal best 64.39, while Matt Sharp was in close pursuit taking ninth place with 65:39.

Aldershot’s Richard Allen out sprinted Highgate Harriers Andy Maud to win the Chichester Priory 10k in 29:45, with Maud crossing the line in 29:47. Fellow Aldershot runner Joe Morwood completed the podium in 30:37.

Katrina Wooton took the honours in the women’s race in 33:23, with Bristol & West’s Kate Maltby second in 33:59.

Rebecca Murray, who will make her marathon debut in London this April finished third in 34:09.

At the Dewsbury 10K on Sunday, Mo Abu-Rezeq won the men’s title in a time of 29:42. The Altrincham & District runner finished 20 seconds ahead of Fikre Wondiye. Wakefield Harrier Charlene Thomas won the women’s race in 34:50.

Jack Martin won the men’s title at the Alsager 5 in Staffordshire on Sunday. The Stockport Harrier crossed the line in 24:19 over the 5-mile course.

Team New Balance Manchester’s Lauren Howarth followed up on her second place at last week’s Northern Cross Country Championships with the women’s title in a personal best 26:56.

Commonwealth Games marathoner Josh Griffiths won the Pontypridd Reverse 10 in Ystrad Mynach Wales. Griffiths won in 51:00 and most impressively the race formed up part of his 23 mile Sunday long run. Cardiff AAC’s Clara Evans won the women’s race in 61.23.

Cross Country (Sunday, Feb 4)

Tonbridge AC finished eighth in the senior men’s competition at the European Champion Clubs Cup Cross Country in the Portuguese town of Mira. Robbie Farnham-Rose was the highest place finisher for the club in 15th with a time of 30:56.

He was followed by club mates Maximilian Nicholls and Ryan Driscoll in 45th and 46th respectively, with Ben Cole 53rd, Charlie Joslin-Allen 78th and Jamie Bryant 81st.

Aldershot, Farnham & District impressed to finished sixth in the women’s team event. Louise Small was the first home finishing 14th in 20:55, followed by Katie Bingle in 18th, Lauren Hall 33rd, Laura Gent 40th, Hannah Kitchen 44th and Carolyne Baxter 48th.

6th best club in Europe!! Always enjoy racing with my @AFDACofficial girlies!! #Mira2018 #EuroClubs #14thplace #HokaOneOne pic.twitter.com/s8HGGnXlgk

— Louise Small (@LoulouSmall) February 4, 2018

The post Records indoors, cross country and road racing galore appeared first on Fast Running.

London’s new track has been funded by a £3.45 million grant from The London Marathon Charitable Trust and is the final part of £6.9 million legacy grants following the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

The opening was marked by pupils from the newly opened Bobby Moore Academy testing out what will become their school sports facility alongside World Championships medallists Asha Philip and Rabah Yousif.

Newham & Essex Beagles Athletic Club, one of the leading athletics clubs in Britain, which has produced athletes that include Daley Thompson, Mo Farah, Asha Philip, Rabah Yousif and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, will also be based at the new Community Track.

“I warmed up here ahead of winning my silver medal and it’s great it is now being opened up for kids and my fellow Newham & Essex Beagles to use,” said Asha Philip. “Having such an amazing new facility next to the Stadium that hosted the Olympics, Paralympics and World Championships is really exciting.”

Tony Shiret, Chair Newham & Essex Beagles, added: “We have a proud history in athletics and have seen some of the greats compete for our club including Sir Mo Farah, Daley Thompson and now Asha Philip and Rabah Yousif. This fabulous new facility will help us bring on the next World and Olympic champions and to serve the families of Newham, as we have done for the last 30 years.”

The London Marathon Community Track also features a 200-seat stand.

The London Marathon Community Track was used as a warm up facility at the recent 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships and will be managed by the London Stadium. It is available for community use throughout the year with designated sessions for schools and community groups as well as pay and run sessions for local residents. The Community Track will also have a new clubhouse area and gym.

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