This week saw the long awaited return of non-elite racing in England. Whether you are an athlete, coach, spectator, or all of these, it has been something to look forward to for the past few weeks.

It is fair to say it did not disappoint. Here’s a whirlwind run-through of an action-packed few days.

Brilliant Beth in Barrowford (Podium 5k)

I do not think I am wrong to suggest that, 24 hours ago, no one would have predicted I would be kicking off this round up with a (possible) World Record, run just outside a village in Lancashire on a Saturday evening. However, that is exactly what happened at the year’s first Podium 5k.

Beth Potter, based about 50km to the east in Leeds as part of their elite triathlon group including Alistair and Johnny Brownlee, had asked to run in the men’s race to try to hit a good time. It is safe to say she delivered on that attempt.

The Scot ran a simply incredible 14:41 to become the second fastest woman over the distance in history, and go two seconds faster than the current World Record (14:43), set by Beatrice Chepkoech in Monaco in February.

Yes, you read that correctly, World Athletics didn’t recognise the road 5k as a WR event until 2018, so the “World Record” is not actually the fastest in history – that honour goes to Joyciline Jepkosgei’s 14:32 split in Prague in 2017. The time also takes ten seconds off Paula Radcliffe’s British Record, set over 17 years ago.

I spoke to Beth to get her thoughts after the run of her life. She explained that, whilst the pace was faster than advertised, she knew there was a need to keep with the pace to avoid running in no-mans-land. This was clearly working, and it was towards the final kilometre that she realised something special was on the cards;

“Coming onto the last lap, with just over 1km to go, I saw the clock at 11-something and in my head I was thinking ‘about 3 minutes for this last lap and we are going to be 14-something’. When I crossed the line I saw the time and couldn’t really believe it”.

That time is a 43 second PB for the Scot, improving her time set on the same course last August. Of course, there was much animation on social media as people began to realise not only the British Record had been broken, but that the World Record might have been bettered also. How about on the ground in Barrowford?

“Well I had no idea what the WR was, the only thing I wanted to immediately do is confirm the time, as of course it was very fast! About five minutes later people started saying things about the WR and it went from there”.

Conditioned to perform

Whilst the last three years have seen focus on the triathlon (including a win at the Super League Triathlon at the Olympic Park just last weekend), Beth is no stranger to running. She has competed on the track at the Olympics, World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games, as well as at the World and Euro XC Champs.

She was also crowned British Champion over 10,000m in 2017, at my personal favourite edition of the always-superb Night of the 10k PBs.

Photo: James Rhodes

Beth notes the role that this change in direction in her sporting career has had in reaching performances such as Saturday’s. “Being a triathlete now I am not running as much as I used to, but I really believe the conditioning that comes from all the cross-training is so, so valuable”. It is also worth noting, since making the switch towards triathlon, Beth has put her physics teaching career on hold to focus on her sporting dreams. Plus, as many athletes have noted, lockdown has allowed Beth to “really get my head down with no distractions”, and alongside an injury-free four years, “everything has come together”.

This is the things athlete’s dreams are made of. Did the dreams of a much younger Beth, at the start of her athletics career, ever envisage something like this? Of course, but she is also not forgetting of the support she has received throughout her career;

“This sort of thing is something I have always aspired to. To be in the same conversation as Paula or some of the other great runners is amazing. But I am really just happy for all the people around me. It is the work day in day out that get results like this”.

Whilst World Athletics has confirmed the time is unlikely to be ratified as the World Record due to full procedures not being in place, it is still an outstanding performance. If I am honest, I am still a bit speechless.

If I am speechless, how about Beth herself, has the magnitude of what was achieved sunk in?

“No, not really. I just went to try to push myself and see what I could run and that was the result. The support, messages and calls from everyone has been overwhelming. But you are only as good as your next race, so it is head down and continue working for me!”.

That work has included a four hour bike ride today, in preparation for the next triathlons; the Arena Games in Rotterdam in a fortnight, and hopefully the World Triathlon Championship Series in Yokohama in mid-May.

Mortimer takes win with big PB

The men’s A race was won by Tom Mortimer, who outsprinted Phil Sesemann to cross the line in 13:39, a 32 second PB. The first ten finishers all ran under 14 minutes with Sesemann running 13:40 and Andrew Heyes 3rd with a fine 13:36.

Elsewhere, Mick Hill set a V45 British Record (14:44) and Revee Walcott Nolan made an excellent debut over the distance with 15:50. Samantha Harrison put in a strong display off the back of recent marathon training to clock 15:53 and Mhairi Maclennan was the 3rd fastest woman on the night racing in the 16:30 race she clocked 15:47.

After Marc Scott’s 13:20 British Record last August, Podium is certainly living up to its tagline as the fastest “course in the country”. By my count, a total of 133 athletes ran a PB. [Writer’s Note: shoe-related chat has been deliberately avoided. There are plenty of other articles focusing on this element, should you wish]

Comeback 5000

Thanks to COVID, it had been over a year since a non-elite 5000m had been raced on the track in England. Wednesday saw the much anticipated return of the distance at the Comeback 5000 at Battersea Park, jointly hosted by Belgrave and Herne Hill Harriers.

Despite this time away from 12.5 laps, competitors certainly put on a show, with over two thirds running a PB. These included 8 of the 14 in the men’s elite race, won by steeplechase specialist Phil Norman in 13:46.80 (in his first race at the distance since 2016), won thanks to a sprint finish against Adam Clarke (13:48.97) and Rory Leonard (13:50.22, a PB and European U23 qualifier).

The women’s elite race provided a demonstration opportunity for Jenny Nesbitt, crossing the line in 15:46.62, the second fastest of her career. Behind her was a gutsy run from Fast Running’s own Hannah Irwin, who ran the second half solo and was rewarded with a 23 second PB and 16:01.29 for second. Seven of the 11 in the field ran PBs, including Charlotte Alexander’s 16:35.09, which is under the European U20 qualifying time, but doesn’t count due to the use of male pacemakers.

The event was a demonstration of what is possible with domestic middle distance racing when passionate and dedicated people are involved. In the absence of on-site spectators it provided a high-quality livestream for all races, a prize pot built up by fans in excess of £1500, and some superb fields.

It would also be reminds of me to not express my gratitude to Steve Gardner for organising the event, as I came away with a 10 second PB in one of the earlier races (16:40.66).

Photo: James Rhodes

Istanbul Half Marathon

You wait a while for a World Record, then two come in the space of 15 hours! Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich took 29 seconds off the half marathon World Record with a 64:02 performance in Instanbul on Sunday morning, bettering the previous mark set last February by Ababel Yeshaneh.

Notably, it is also faster than the 64:28 run by Brigid Kosgei at the 2019 Great North Run, a course ineligible for World Records. The pace was fast from the start, with the leaders passing through 5k in 15:07 and 10k in 30:21. By 15k, the leading pack was down to three (Chepngetich, Yalemzerf Yehualaw and debutant Hellen Obiri) and went through in 45.29, 13 seconds ahead of WR pace. The reigning marathon World Champion and two-time winner in Istanbul broke away to record the fastest time in history.

Hellen Obiri’s 1:04:51 for third is the fastest half marathon debut ever, but it also allows for another milestone for the athletics history books – she is the first woman to run under 4:00 for 1500m, 8:30 for 3000m, 14:30 for 5000m, 30:00 for 10km and 65:00 for the half. An unprecedented range.

The men’s race was won by World Record holder Kibiwott Kandie in 59:35, the sixth half marathon win of his career. He certainly put the burners on in the last quarter of the race to shake off Geoffrey Kamworor, running the last 1.1km in 2:55 – that is 2:39/km pace!

Road Racing Round Up

After three months away, there were plenty of other road races dotted across the country. Saturday saw a return to marathon racing at Dorney Lake, with wins for Jordan Andrews (2:25;50) and Samantha Amend (2:52:36). The races provided good depth, with the top six men all ran under 2:30 and 52 going quicker than 2:45.

Seven women finished in under three hours; these included Fast 10’s Karla Borland, who ran 2:57:11 for fifth. That is a 27 second PB, run in the middle of 100 mile training, bettering a time set at the 2015 London Marathon. A very impressive result.

Saturday also saw the return of Runthrough’s events with a suite of races from the 5k to marathon at Kempton Park. The 26.2 mile distance provided wins for Ollie Garrod (2:27:03, a seven second PB) and Laura Thompson (3:22:03), whilst Elisha De Mello (1:08:35) and Becki Timmings (1:20:08) took the honours in the half distance.

The 10k races saw dominant wins for Scott Overall (29:59) and Julia Bijl (35:58), the latter winning with a six minute margin. The shortest race of the day saw victories for Daniel Bulbrook (16:34) and triathlete Olivia Matthews (16:56).

Libby Matthews breaks 17 minutes for the first time

James McMurray (30:00) and Jen Baird (37:08) took victories at the St Albans 10k, whilst the Race Organiser’s Olympic Park 10k saw wins for George Gurney in 33:14 and Lily Rae Zechmann in 38:50. Taunton’s Elle Twentyman (37:21) and Exeter Harrier Ben Holmes (32:29) claimed top spots at the Fast Friday 10K. The 5k was won by Oliver Smart (14:46) and Hannah Taunton, of Taunton AC, in 17:32.

Performances Continue in America

Athletes based in the collegiate system in the United States (as well as those based there to train) continue to provide us with plenty to write about.

The highlight belongs to Charles Hicks, who ran 28:25.29 on his 10,000m debut; a time that is almost 45 seconds under the qualifying standard for this summer’s European U23 Championships. Not a bad first outing for the Shaftesbury Barnet athlete!

Following its rebuild ahead of hosting the 2022 World Championships, the new Hayward Field hosted its first competition on Friday and Saturday, with a handful of Brits in action. These included Patrick Dever, fresh from his fifth place finish at the NCAA XC, who ran a 28:28.13 10,000m in his debut over the distance. Behind him Jack Leitch bettered his PB by over a minute with 29:47.21.
There were also debuts over 25 laps for Bella Williams and Grace Brock, who ran 33:17.07 and 33:59.31 respectively. Following a good XC season, Poppy Tank took over 20 seconds off her 5000m PB with 15:45.07.

The post Back with a Bang – weekend roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

British and course records tumble at Podium 5km

Renowned for its low-key setting and flat course conducive for fast times, the Podium 5k saw some of Britain’s best male and female runners test themselves post-lockdown.

The event was the first race back for most of the competitors, which made it all the more exciting to see how everyone would perform. The race’s simple mission is to provide a great opportunity for fast running, no fuss, no frills just high quality racing from a high quality field.

With the British Champs around the corner, many were using this event as an opportunity to assess their current fitness. Despite the possibility of some rusty performances due to this being many athletes’ first race, this didn’t happen!

Flying Scott breaks British Record

Marc Scott, who spent the entirety of lockdown in Oregon training with the Bowerman Track Club and clocked a huge 1500m personal best just a few weeks ago, had an absolutely storming run.

The athlete went into the race with the British record (13:27) in his sights, and quickly made this reality. Scott went out hard from the gun and crossed the line in an incredible time of 13:20, a massive improvement on the previous record held by Nick Goolab, which he broke back in February this year.

Scott led through the first kilometre in around 2:39 before Omar Ahmed took the lead through 2k in 5:22, followed by Scott and Alex Yee. Once again, at the 3km mark, Marc Scott came both front, passing through in around 8:03 with Yee and Ahmed on his tail.

It was at the fourth kilometre that Scott began to consolidate his lead and went through in 10:43, a couple of seconds behind Yee who was behind him. Scott crossed the line at 5k in 13:20, a British record and just 2 seconds outside of the European record held by France’s Jimmy Gressier.

Strong early pack at Podium 5km Credit: Pete Brown Photography

12 men run sub 14

Alex Yee crossed the line in second place in an impressive time of 13:26, also within the previous British record time. This time is not only a massive 5k road PB for Yee, but he also knocked 3 seconds off his best time for the 5,000m on the track.

Phil Seseman was in third place with yet another PB on the night. The Leeds City athlete knocked four seconds off his time and clocked 13:39 for the distance. It was ultra-runner, Tom Evans who was fourth in an incredible 13:41, which is his first ever race over the 5k distance on the road. His 5,000m was set back in 2017 where he clocked 15:01.

In fifth place was Omar Ahmed in 13:42 and Dewi Griffiths was sixth in 13:43. Ben Dijkstra, Jonathan Brownlee, Grant Sheldon, Frank Baddick, Chris Perry and Nathan Jones all dipped underneath the 14-minute barrier!!!

Potter breaks course record ahead of quality field

The women’s race was also packed with quality and saw many athletes go out hard, with the leading pack clocking a sub 3-minute first kilometre. For many, this appeared to make for a painful race, but it didn’t take away from some fast times being clocked.

By 2km the group had broken up and Beth Potter had pushed ahead, passing through in 6:02, just a few seconds ahead of Adidas athlete, Jess Judd. Potter then continued to lead through the 3k (in 9:09) and 4k mark (in 12:17) with a 10 second gap ahead of Judd.

Beth Potter extended her lead to 12 seconds and was first across the line, taking the course record away from previous holder, Laura Weightman in an impressive 15:24. This time also place Potter 5th on the UK road 5k all-time list.

The podium at Podium. Credit: Dave Norman / RunningLive

Potter’s last road 5k PB was clocked back in 2014 when she ran 16:59. She has officially obliterated that previous best by over 90s!! Potter also holds a track 5,000 PB of 15:28, so her road PB suggests she could be in for a big track PB too at some point.

Finishing second was Blackburn Harriers’ Jess Judd in a strong time of 15:36. It has also been a while since Judd too ran a 5k on the road. Until last night, Judd’s best remained at 18:44, which she set back in 2008. She does however hold an impressive track 5,000m time of 15:16. Judd went out hard with Potter, but it was clear from early on that Potter had that extra edge.

The third-place finisher was Verity Ockenden of Swansea AC in an impressive 15:37, just 3 seconds off her track best. Her previous 5k time of 16:02 from last year, shows just how much consistent hard work can pay off as she has knocked 25 seconds off in one year.

Owen in fine form

A standout performance was given by Leeds City’s Bronwen Owen who came in fourth. Owen made her intentions clear from the start and went out at a quick pace, stopping the clock at 15:45, 34 seconds faster than her 5,000m track best from last year.

After an absolutely storming cross country season, where she finished 1st U23 at the European trials and secured her spot on the GB team in Lisbon, Owen had the base for a solid year. She knew what she was capable of and went out to prove it.

Cambridge & Coleridge’s Holly Archer also had a sensational run, pulling away from the group she had settled in with and chasing down those in front. She crossed the line with a time of 15:52, her first official sub-16 5k time. Archer took a solid 12 seconds off her previous best from last year.

Lizzie Bird and Eleanor Bolton both also crossed the line in sub-16 times of 15:53 and 15:56 respectively.

There were four other races on the night with some stunning times throughout. Check out the full results at this link.

Preston 5

Also on the road this weekend, was the Preston 5 and 10 mile. This event is renowned for attracting some speedy athletes, particularly in the 5-mile race.

In slightly different fashion to previous years, the race was run as a time trial event, with athletes setting off at different times one at a time. This meant it was inevitable that times would be slightly slower, especially given that the wind decided to make an appearance, but there were still some impressive performances.

The overall win in the 5-mile was secured by Southport Waterloo AC’s Ben Johnson. Johnson had a clear lead and crossed the line in a strong 24:40, just 18 seconds off his previous best which I clocked last year.

Following behind in second place was Joe Monk of Preston Harriers. Monk took a solid 9 seconds off his personal best by running 25:00 flat. Monk had a strong lead ahead of third place finisher Joshua Hale (Wirral AC) who crossed the line in 26:25

The women’s event was a similar story to the men’s as Kirsty Longley (Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton H AC) took the win in 28:28 just 32 seconds ahead of second place. It was AFD’s Laura Gent who ran a solid time for her 5-mile debut of 29:00. In third place, with a time of 31:50, was Finty Royle (Chorley ATC).

Preston 10

Over double the distance, it was Michael Young of West Cheshire AC who came to the fore, crossing the finish line in 55:32. Blain Rooney was second in 55:46 and David Birtwistle in 57:26.

The winning woman had a stormer of a race, not only winning her event but also coming third overall! It was Emily Kearney of Wirral AC who took home gold in 56:33 in her 10-mile debut.

Behind Kearney in second place was GB marathoner, Tracy Barlow. Barlow clocked a solid time of 58:25, also in her first 10-mile race. Rachel Brown (Border Harriers) secured herself a podium position in 1:00:50.

PB for Hartigan at BMC

The BMC Stretford once again came to the rescue for the 800m runners. Athletes were still required to stay in their lanes; however, it is possible that at next week’s BMC event, this rule may be dropped. Despite athletes having to stay in lanes, there were some impressive times.

For the men, it was Tom Dodd (Birchfield Harriers) who narrowly took the win in the A race, running a solid 1:51.06 to improve on his time and position from last week’s event. In second place, in a PB time of 1:51.19, was Henry Johnson. The U20, Houghton Harriers athlete took exactly a second off his previous time from last year. The 3rd fastest time was set by the winner of the B race, Thomas Niner, in a strong 1:53.20.

In the women’s event, it was once again Georgie Hartigan (Birchfield Harriers) who set the fastest women’s time of the night. Hartigan didn’t disappoint as she not only secured the win, but also clocked a lifetime best of 2:04.35 improving on her previous PB of 2:04.60 set last week.

The second female to cross the line was Mick Judd coached athlete, Khahisa Mhlanga (Herts Phoenix) in a speedy 2:05.53. Sabrina Sinha, the winner of the women’s B race, had the third fastest time on the night. Sinha, the Cambridge Harrier athlete, ran a season best of 2:08.23.

Happy to open the season with a win and a pb tonight. Thank you to @BritishMilers for putting on a great meet under difficult circumstances https://t.co/GNVUpByZao

— Georgie Hartigan (@georgiehartigan) July 25, 2020

Peacock and Davies win Tatton Park 10km

Reappearing once again in the race calendar, was the RunThrough Tatton Park 10k. Given the lack of 10k events that are occurring at the moment, the event saw some particularly speedy times.

In order to abide by the RunBritain guidelines, the event ensured athletes were set off in waves, based on their estimated finishing times and other rules were implemented.

A cracking performance came from Adam Peacock of Bromsgrave & Reddich who ran himself to an impressive 9 second PB of 31:53. Peacock had a strong 42 second lead ahead Karl Welborn (BRAT) who clocked 32:24, followed by Edd Flynn who is listed as third despite running the same time of 32:24. It is likely this recording of results is due to the socially distant start process as the gun times do vary quite significantly.

For the women, Carla Davies ran herself to a win in a chip time of 36:53. The Preston athlete had a strong lead ahead of second place. It was Katie Lysons who secured herself the silver medal position in 39:22 followed by Isabelle Burke in 42:30.

@RunThroughUK great run after being out for so long!! Ran with @rltopley well organised, excellent marshals ! COVID-19 precautions worked well. Great event #ukrunchat #awesomeaugust #run pic.twitter.com/aFPAitmT2I

— Tom Grant (@tomwgrant) August 9, 2020

Runners praised the measures put in place by organisers

Sarah Webster lights up Manx Marathon

Athletes took to the roads to race over the longer distances at the Isle of Man Half and Full Marathon. With visitors or returnees to the island still needing to quarantine for 14 days it was no surprise Manx homegrown athletes dominated.

Christian Varley had the upper hand in today’s event and ran himself to the win with a solid time of 2:36:51. This was over 7-minutes quicker than Varley’s previous lifetime best over the 26.2 distance!! It was Orran Smith who came in at second place in 2:39:44. Third place was achieved by Mark Burman of Manx Harriers in a strong 2:43:31.

Sarah Webster of Northern AC had an astonishing run to finish fourth overall and win the women’s event. She crossed the line in 2:46:22, less than 2-minutes off of her PB. An impressive place to be for your first race back after lockdown! Vicky Carre (Guernsey) came in second in 3:20:56, a huge 3.5-minute personal best! The third female finisher in 3:37:41 was Helen Taylor of Western AC.

The half marathon event was also not short of some speedy times. Taking the win in 68:18 was Alan Corlett of Manx Harriers with a huge 8-minute lead! Corlett boasts a strong personal best of 66:33. Andrew Nash was second in 76:47 followed by Nigel Quaye in 77:25.

The first female finisher, in 1:31:07 was Eleanor Miklos (Manx Fell Runners) followed by Megan Thomas and Dawn Atherton in 1:31:10 and 1:35:17 respectively.

SOAR are part of the UK club running scene and we are delighted to suppiort the weekend roundup. To find out how we can help you match your club kit to your ambition check out this article or get in touch here.

The SOAR X TOUR is our way of staying true to the pursuit of summer speed. With a three-staged virtual races series, open to runners worldwide.

SOAR X TOUR sees racers test themselves over 1km, 1 mile and 5km consecutively over a 10 day period, with both stage and overall rankings and prizes up for grabs.

The post The SOAR Running Weekend Roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

Dutch athlete Bart van Nunen won the men’s race at the Trafford 10k on Sunday (March 10) from Ireland’s Conor Dooney by five seconds in a classy 29:26.

Irish international and Bedford athlete Matt Bergin was just eight seconds behind in 29:39 to take the third spot.

Weightman’s winning time of 31:59 in the women’s race was a hugely impressive result in horrendous wind and rain on the Trafford course. That time also represented a notable PB for the Steve Cram-coached Morpeth Harrier.

While Weightman is more often seen racing on the track, second placed Beth Potter is just as likely to be seen in a tri-suit as a running vest as she pursues careers in both elite triathlon and athletics.

Impressively Potter equalled her 10,000m track PB with a superb 32:03 clocking to just beat her previous road best of 32:07. 

Photo: Pete Brown

Weightman’s 31:59 clocking sees her jump to 12th on the UK all-time rankings, with Potter dropping one place to 13th.

There was another Irish athlete on the podium with Birchfield Harriers’ Sarah Treacy debuting over the distance with a strong 34:16 result.  

GB marathon and mountain runner Robbie Simpson retained his Inverness Half Marathon title in convincing fashion, despite ferocious wind and driving rain.

Photo: Inverness Half Marathon

The 2018 Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist won in 66:15 and said afterwards: “It was so bad towards the end that I’m convinced a seagull had come to a complete halt in mid-flight. I don’t normally mind the wind and rain too much but it was bitterly cold as well. I was running low on energy over the final 20mins and wanted to take a gel with some water but my hands were so numb I couldn’t do it.”

GB ultra international Michael Crawley from Corstorphine AC was second behind Simpson in 68:40 while Edinburgh’s Mike Christoforou, the Scottish cross country bronze medallist, finished third in 69:07.

There was a phenomenal run to win the women’s race from Lytham St Anne’s RR’s Liz Abbott, who took nearly 10 minutes off her PB in her first half marathon in a decade to win in a top class 76:52.

Photo: Inverness Half Marathon

Abbott finished 20th overall, which should boost her confidence ahead of next month’s Manchester Marathon.

Garscube Harriers’ Katie White was second in 77:34 to follow up on her win here in 2017, while Hungarian international Fanni Gyurko of Central AC and the victor in 2016, was third in 78:51.

Rotherham’s Dan Kestrel and Sheffield’s Ellen McLeod swiped the top prizes at the Liverpool Half Marathon on Sunday (March 10), while Southport’s Mark Dunham and Penny Lane Striders’ Liz Turner were first across the line in the city’s 10M event.

Kestrel was dominant in victory in the half when he ran 71:01 to win from Liverpool Harriers’ Alistair Rutherford’s 72:56. There was another big gap back to the third placed Andrew Barron from Manx Harriers, who posted a 75:37 result.

McLeod’s winning time was 88:00 exactly, a fine time in the strong winds, with second placed Eleanor Jones running 89:47 and Sally Waterworth’s 89:59 ensuring she also made the podium.

Dunham was also a convincing victor in the Liverpool 10M, crossing the line in 56:08 to runner up Matthew Taylor’s 56:57 for South Cheshire Harriers. Tom Garbett took third in 57:11.

Turner enjoyed a tighter battle for the win with Northern Masters’ Alison Reid, their times 70:12 and 70:36 respectively. Claire Haslam was also under 71 minutes with a 70:55 clocking.

The Chester 10k saw an enthralling finishing sprint between Meirionnydd RC’s Tomos Roberts and City of Stoke’s Jamie Arnold on Sunday (March 10). 

Roberts just won the battle by a second in 31:49 to Arnold’s 31:50. Patrick Townsend took third in 32:26.

It was an all veteran women’s podium at Chester, with Pontefract’s Faye Lightowler taking the top spoils in a strong 36:49. Ellesmere Port’s Carol Parsons was the second prize winning master in 37:35 while Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton’s Helen Sahgal took third in 38:35.

The Brett Lydd 20M and Half Marathon saw some gutsy performances in the gales and rain on Sunday (March 10).

Cambridge Harriers’ Ben Shearer was a clear winner of the men’s 20M race in 1:51:50 from Cambridge & Coleridge’s Thomas Stevens, who ran 1:55:31. 

The current results have an unattached ‘Amy Redden’ finishing third overall in a phenomenal 1:58:33, but considering she doesn’t have a Power of 10 profile and can’t be found on RunBritain’s site either, it’s likely that result is incorrect.

The third man across the line was Dulwich Runners’ Jonathan Senker in 1:59:01.

Assuming the results are in need of revision for the first woman, it was Laura Judd who took the top prize in 2:09:33, with Arena 80’s Emily Proto second in 2:17:42. Dover RR’s Zoe Holmes was third in 2:19:08.

Dartford RR’s Hazel Behagg topped the Brett Lydd Half Marathon women’s podium in a decent 85:25 from Eastbourne’s Natalie McCreath’s 95:28. Invicta East Kent’s Amy Old was just two positions overall behind in 97:05.

Ashford’s Nick Collins was well clear when he took the men’s race in 79:38, with Folkestone RC filling the next three positions. The club’s Daniel Voller and Ian McGilloway were second and third in 80:54 and 80:57.

Axe Valley Runners organise the hugely popular yet incredibly demanding ‘Grizzly’ trail race every year in wildly differing weather conditions. Last year saw runners battling snow while this year’s event meant those taking on the notorious Grizzly 20 miles had to contend with gales and intermittent heavy rain. 

We will update this report with the results once they become available.

East Kilbride’s Grant Baillie and Edinburgh’s Jacqueline Rainger won the Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon, with both athletes inhabiting the V40 ranks (March 10).

Baillie won the men’s race in 71:20 from Inverclyde’s John Bell’s 72:47, while Bellahouston Harriers’ Gregor Yates took third in 73:05.

Rainger was a worthy winner of the women’s half in a time of 86:21. Bellahouston RR’s V40 Louise Ross was second across the line in 87:26, while Laura Donohoe also made the podium in 89:29.

The Big Half

Mo Farah and Charlotte Purdue took the victories at The Vitality Big Half on a bright but windswept morning in London on Sunday. Farah and Purdue retained their titles and won back to back British half marathon gold.

A full report and the top 20 results can be found here.

Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships

Jenny Nesbitt and Adam Hickey won the senior battles and secured their spots on the GB team for the World Cross at the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships at Loughborough’s Prestwold Hall on Saturday.

A full report can be found here.

parkrun

Andrew Fyfe ran 15:14 at the Dulwich parkrun to record the fastest men’s time across the UK on Saturday, while Chloe Richardson took the women’s top spot after running 16:57 at the Cannon Hill parkrun in Birmingham.

The UK parkrun top 10 can be found here.

Elsewhere

Finally, it’s not always all about speed when taking on a running challenge. Fast Running’s Robbie Britton and Dan Lawson – both GB ultra runners – embarked on their bid to break the world record for covering the 650km Jordan Trail on Thursday.

The pair are aiming to run the whole trail in under 10 days, which involves traversing mountains and deserts as well as circumnavigating large herds of sheep and wild, hungry dogs.

Britton explained how tough the going has been so far when he said ‘today we managed to cover one half marathon distance in 6.5 hours!’

So remember, it’s not always the time it takes to complete a challenge, it’s enjoying the journey along the way.

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Another day of awe on the @jordan.trail, tough going at times from a running point of view with very tricky trail, hence only 70 + k in 13 hours. But from an adventure and experience of view it was bonanza !!! Finished in the dark and now setting up our wild camp looking across the dead sea to Israel XX #werunwithrerun #thankyouuniverse #precisionhydration #jordantrail #ultrarunning #fkt #fuelledbyfirepot

A post shared by Dan lawson (@therunningdan) on Mar 9, 2019 at 10:25am PST

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The post Laura Weightman runs PB to win Trafford 10k – weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

Laura Weightman and Beth Potter are among the leading runners set to race at the Trafford 10k on Sunday, March 10.

Following the initial postponement of the 2018 spring race due to heavy snowfall across the UK, it was Marc Scott, who triumphed ahead of Andy Butchart, and Jess Piasecki who took the victories at the rearranged September date.

Returning to the traditional March fixture this year, the field for one of the fastest 10k road races in the UK doesn’t disappoint.

This year’s women’s race promises to be an exciting contest with 2016 winner Eli Kirk lining up against Weightman, Potter and Rosie Clarke.

Weightman, who represented Great Britain at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, will look to improve on her PB of 32:31 she set to win the Ribble Valley 10k in 2017.

The 27 year-old comes into the race in good form following a 15:28 clocking at the Herculis 5K in Monaco.

However, it’s fellow Olympian Potter who boasts the fastest time on paper with a 10k best of 32:07. The Scottish athlete clocked her PB to win the 2018 edition of the Ribble Valley 10k.

Photo: Pete Brown

British international steeplechaser Clarke is another athlete to keep an eye out for and will look to improve her 10k road best of 33:03.

Other top entries in the women’s race include 1ok debutant Sara Treacy, Abigail Howarth, Irish marathon champion Lizzie Lee, Bronwen Owen and Clara Evans.

Ben Connor was set to headline the men’s field but will not be racing now, however an exciting race is still on the cards.

Top entries include Mo Abu-Rezeq, who has a PB of 29:11, Sale Harriers’ Nigel Martin, who clocked a 13:53 PB at the Armagh 5k, and Bedford’s Matt Bergin fresh from a 5k PB of 13:59, also in Armagh.

Irish cross country champion Kevin Dooney, who featured in the Fast 10: class of 2018, and Commonwealth Games marathon fourth place finisher Kevin Seaward should also be in the mix, along with Welsh Commonwealth Games marathoner Andy Davies.

Newham’s John Beattie and Liverpool Harriers’ Danny Cliffe and Lincoln Wellington’s Lucian Allison are also set to race.

International interest includes Dutch runner Bart Van Nunen, fresh off a PB of 28:57 at the recent Dutch 10k championships in Schoorl, plus American Matt Crowe and Australian Dylan Evans, both who boast sub 14 minute 5k bests.

RELATED: Marc Scott and Jessica Piasecki win Trafford 10k

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The post Laura Weightman headlines Trafford 10k field appeared first on Fast Running.

A stellar field, that includes Olympians, British champions and international athletes will race at the Trafford 10k on Sunday, March 10.

The 2019 edition of the road race, which has traditionally been one of the fastest 10ks in the UK, is set to live up to its rich history with a top field set for the start line this spring.

Following the initial postponement of the 2018 race due to heavy snowfall across the UK, it was Marc Scott who triumphed ahead of Andy Butchart at the rearranged event in September, while previous winners of the men’s race also include Chris Thompson and Tom Lancashire.

This year’s field doesn’t disappoint with Team New Balance Manchester’s Ben Connor set to lead the charge.

The Derby AC runner is looking to make a winning return to action following a long lay off with injury and has a 10,000m personal best of 28:14 set in 2018. Connor will face a stiff challenge from the field behind, which includes Mo Abu-Rezeq who has a PB of 29:11.

Sale Harriers’ Nigel Martin clocked a 13:53 PB at the Armagh 5k and should also challenge for the top prize, while Bedford’s Matt Bergin also posted an impress PB of 13:59 in Armagh and is expected to race.

Irish cross country champion Kevin Dooney, who featured in the Fast 10: class of 2018, and Commonwealth Games marathon fourth place finisher Kevin Seaward will be in the mix, along with Welsh Commonwealth Games representatives Andy Davies and Ieuan Thomas, Newham’s John Beattie, Liverpool Harriers’ duo Dejene and Danny Cliffe and Lucian Allison.

International interest includes Swedish athlete Mikael Ekvall and Dutch runner Bart Van Nunen. Ekvall has a 10,000m best of 28:31 with Van Nunen fresh off a PB of 28:57 at the recent Dutch 10k championships in Schoorl.

Stockport’s Jess Piasecki won the women’s race last year in 32:51 and this year’s race promises to be an exciting contest with 2016 winner Eli Kirk lining up against Laura Weightman, Beth Potter and Rosie Clarke.

Weightman who represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games in London will look to improve on her PB of 32:31 she set to win the Ribble Valley 10k in 2017.

The 27 year-old comes into the race in good form following a 15:28 clocking at the recent Herculis 5K in Monaco.

However, it’s fellow Olympian Beth Potter who boasts the fastest time on paper with a 10k best of 32:07. The Scottish athlete clocked her PB to win the 2018 edition of the Ribble Valley 10k last December.

Photo: Pete Brown

Clarke is another athlete to keep an eye out for with the steeplechaser recently returning from high altitude training in Kenya and will look to improve her best of 33:03.

Other top entries in the women’s race include Abigail Howarth, Lizzie Lee, Bronwen Owen, Kirsty Longley and Clara Evans.

RELATED: Marc Scott and Jessica Piasecki win Trafford 10k

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The post Star studded field set for Trafford 10k appeared first on Fast Running.

Olympic athletes took a star turn at the reliably speedy Ribble Valley 10k on Sunday (December 30), when Marc Scott and Beth Potter took the top prizes in new course records.

Scott narrowly missed out on a lifetime PB when he ran 28:58 to utterly annihilate his winning time from 2017 and smash Jonny Mellor’s previous course best of 29:10 from 2011.

The Richmond & Zetland star has been in the form of his life this year, finishing 9th at the recent European Cross Country Championships and fifth in the summer championships 5000m.

Mellor was a worthy runner up in a still impressive 29:19. The 10k represented the Liverpool Harriers’ first race since posting a strong 2:16:09 in the New York Marathon in November. 

Preston’s Patrick Dever was third in 29:24, a time which saw him clock his first sub-30 minute 10k – what a way to do it, a 38 second PB!

Tonbridge’s Henry Pearce was just two seconds behind in 29:26 to run an end of year PB in what was only his second outing over the distance on a correctly measured course.

Looking further down the field there was an U20 rankings topping run by 17 year-old Rory Leonard from Morpeth Hariers, who ran a scintillating 30:39 to finish 12th overall. Just three seconds and one position behind was Jess Judd’s boyfriend, Rob Warner from Blackburn Harriers, while Leeds City’s Derek Hawkins was 15th in a season’s best 30:48.

The previous women’s course record of 32:30 dated way back to 2004 when Olympic steeplechaser Helen Cliterhoe set the Lancashire roads alight.

That time has finally been well and truly eclipsed by fellow championships performer Beth Potter, who took the women’s crown in 32:07.

The Shaftesbury Barnet Scot juggles elite running with international triathlon racing, making her near-minute PB over the 10k distance all the more incredible.

Potter hasn’t competed at all over any terrain since finishing 18th in the Commonwealth Games 10,000m earlier this year, but now places second on the UK rankings for 2018 behind only Eilish McColgan.

Photo: Pete Brown

Blackburn’s Jess Judd posted a lightning quick 32:42 debut to finish second and go fifth in the rankings before the year is out. Judd also competed on the Gold Coast in April where she finished 14th in the 1500m, but unlike Potter has raced prolifically since then.

Gemma Steel was third in 33:53 in her first race outing on the roads in more than two months. 

The victorious Scott’s girlfriend, Holly Archer from Cambridge & Coleridge, is a class act in her own right, finishing fourth in a stacked field. Archer scored a new 10k PB when clocking 34:25.

While international mountain runner and Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist Robbie Simpson’s win at the Tilli 10k in Scotland (December 29) was one that could be fairly confidently predicted – despite the Scotsman having had some time out from road racing – it was still an impressive victory for the Deeside Runner.

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Delighted to win the Tilli 10k today after a long time has passed since my last proper race win! Nice to end the year getting back to fitness again. Really enjoyed the course and the sunshine! #10k #roadrunner #wintertraining #wintersun

A post shared by Robbie Simpson (@fatsimpson) on Dec 29, 2018 at 5:29am PST

Simpson took victory in the Scottish town’s inaugural 10k in 30:44, heading off second placed Kevin Blackney from London Western by 11 seconds. Blackney also just happens to be the Canadian Championships 10,000m runner up, so his was a great scalp to take.

Dundee Hawkhill Harriers’ James Donald was a clear third in 31:32.

Huge kudos must also go to the indomitable V55 ace, Fiona Matheson from Falkirk Victoria Harriers, who took the women’s top prize in 37:50. Incredibly that’s not even her fastest time this year, which came at the Great Scottish 10k where she ran a superb 37:07!

Matheson was too quick for the rest of the significantly younger podium placers, with PH Racing Club’s Alison McGill (38:00) and Kristin Lownie (39:08) taking second and third respectively. 

The RunThrough Lee Valley Velo Park Half Marathon on Saturday (December 29) saw a fine battle at the sharp end of the men’s race between the eventual winner, Belgrave Harriers’ Konstantinos Touse and Peterborough’s Simon Fell.

Fell led the race for the first 11 miles, doing well to carve as fast a racing line as possible between the runners competing in the four other events happening at the same time on the one mile loop course.

Gunning for a sub-75 minute clocking as a last gasp attempt to achieve the championship qualifying mark for next year’s London Marathon following a period of injury, Fell missed the time by an agonising 33 seconds.

Touse overtook Fell in the last two miles, winning in 74:57, while UTS Running Club’s Andrew Flemming took the third prize in 79:26.

Eton Manor AC’s Naomi Dews was the first woman across the line after also weaving her way through all manner of competitors, including families walking the course and parents pushing running buggies. Her time of 93:18 is therefore to be highly commended.

Hogweed Trotters’ V40 Sharon Wilkie took second in 96:07, while Annabel Cooper was third in 97:08.

The RunThrough Lee Valley Velo Park 10k saw a glorious and still fairly unusual overall victory by a female athlete, when Agram Zagreb AC’s Sandra Srut trumped all her male competitors in a time of 36:34. She beat the second woman by nearly 10 minutes! 

Marc Morat Rufi’s 37:04 was good enough to take the men’s race by nearly four minutes.

In the RunThrough Lee Valley Velo Park 10M race on the same course, Victoria Park Harriers’ V35 Stephen Fabes and Collingwood AC’s V45 Shun-Lai Chan were victorious in 59:14 and 79:10 respectively.

The traditional end of year Cambridge Harriers 7.5 Cross Country Championships (December 29) saw another win for the home club’s impressively consistent Dean Lacy in a time of 45:51. 

Lacy took the win by just four seconds from club mate and teenager, Bayley Massey, while Dartford’s Chris Biddle was third some way back in 47:21.

Plumstead Runners’ Nicole Bonnett was the first woman home in 58:27, finishing about 100 metres clear of Cambridge Harriers’ V50 runner up, Susan Dixon, who clocked 59:02.  

Dartford’s Sally Kyle was third lady in 61:58.

There was anger and confusion at the Gloucester 10M (December 30) when the leading pack of runners were sent the wrong way after the first mile.

No further details were available at the time of going to press, but Dave Newport from nearby Cheltenham Harriers said ‘it was carnage’ on Twitter.

Last but certainly by no means least was a European record performance and top British runs at the Houilles 10k in France (December 30).

Switzerland’s Julian Wanders ran an outstanding 27:25 to win from an incredibly competitive field, bettering his previous best 27:32 from October. 

Record d’Europe Enoooooorme Julien #houilles pic.twitter.com/Zrrmh1v6pq

— Corrida de Houilles (@corridahouilles) December 30, 2018

GB’s Dewi Griffiths was 12th in 28:49, followed by Luke Traynor in 13th in 28:51. Kieran Clements ran a 25 second PB to clock a 29:15 result in 16th, while Josh Griffiths was just one place behind in 17th in 29:31.

There were some incredible times posted at parkruns across the UK over the weekend too, with Alex Yee running 13:57 and Grace Brock posting a superb 16:32 PB to head this week’s Top 10 rankings.

Read the full parkrun report here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Marc Scott and Beth Potter win Ribble Valley 10k – weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.