Thompson was a shade outside his personal best as he took the British title at Sunday’s Vitality Big Half in 61:07, finishing second to Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) having disputed the lead for the first five miles, and the 38-year-old Briton earns his first British vest on the road, 22 years after making his track debut at the World Junior Championships.

Fresh from lowering the British Under-23 record for the half marathon to 62:00 in London, Jake Smith will also represent Great Britain & Northern Ireland on the roads for the first time, having made his British track debut at last year’s European Under-23 Championships in Gävle, Sweden.

Having finished as the third and fourth British athletes home at the trial, both Ross Millington and Mohamud Aadan declined selection for the championship.

Progressive selection policy

With the selection policy stating that automatic selection can be offered to the next eligible athlete if declined by auto-qualifiers (in part due to hard work by members of the Athlete’s Commission), 2017 British Marathon gold medallist Josh Griffiths earns his first British vest in almost three years courtesy of his eighth-place showing at the trials.

Doha team member Ben Connor, who has already clocked 61:34 for the distance in 2020, will look to improve on his individual 64^th place finish at the 2018 instalment of the championships in Valencia, while Matt Leach, who has twice run for Britain in the European 10,000m cup, completes the senior men’s team.

On the women’s side, Partridge earns her first British vest since the 2018 European Championships in Berlin and will look to better her 70:31 personal best clocking, set in 2015, when she takes to the start line in Poland. Sarah Inglis, who moved 13^th on the all-time British list with a strong run in Houston in January, also gains selection.

British debuts are handed to Samantha Harrison and Stephanie Davis, who clocked respective personal bests of 71:01 and 71:15 for second and third-place finishes at the Big Half, with fourth place finisher, Hayley Carruthers, also earning her first British vest.

Good to see a full squad going

Ahead of the championship, team leader Chris Jones said: “The full squad of 10 for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia showcases some of Great Britain’s most in-form athletes over the distance, exemplified by the performances at the trials and the form we have seen already this season.

“The team we have selected shows a good range of previous British international experience and features new names to the international scene and I hope this strength will be reflected in the overall outcome.

“The championships will serve as an excellent opportunity for athletes to continue their upward trajectory on the roads and I hope that we can achieve a strong team position overall.”

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Scott runs a stunning European indoor 5000m record

Over in the US, at the Boston University Last Chance Invitational, Marc Scott had an absolutely storming run in the 5,000m. Not only did he set a British indoor record, but a European indoor record too! Scott ran a hard race in a high-quality field and took home 2nd place in a fantastic 13:08.87 to beat the previous record set by Mo Farah.

Cambridge and Coleridge’s Holly Archer was also competing in Boston and  rounded her indoor season off in the 1500m where she ran a fantastic four second PB of 4:13.62.

It’s been a fantastic indoor season for British athletes and James West added some icing to an already impressive cake by placing himself 7th on the UK 1500mi all-time list with 3:36.93. He placed 4th overall in the race and set was is believed to be a NCAA record as well! Impressive running in Boston all round.

 

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So this guy just ran a British and European indoor record for the 5km of 13:08.87 which takes down Mo Farah’s record of 13.09.16! . . . No way I could follow up on that!! I ran a 4 second PB of 4:13.62! (Little disappointed) but this is the third race in 7 days with a flight to Glasgow and Boston so Im happy to be where I’m at in February!

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Front running Thompson gets his reward

One of the highlights of the weekend was The Big Half, where athletes were competing for spots in the World Half Marathon Championships in Poland next month. The top 3 male and female finishers were automatically selected (providing they achieved the qualification standard) and 2 others will be chosen to complete the two teams of five.

Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele was put to the test by Chris Thompson early in the race as the AFD man led through half way. Bekele though asserted his dominance and came out on top pushing on in the latter stages to break the course record in 60:22.

Thompson finished 2nd securing a World Half place ahead of a flying Jake Smith. The 21-year-old athlete had an absolutely storming run to finished 3rd overall in 62:00 breaking his own British u/23 record. Ross Millington finished 4th in a PB of 62:33 ahead of the next Brit Mohamud Aadan – 6th in 63:21. Omar Ahmed (7th in 63:33) and Josh Griffiths (8th in 63:57) rounded off those running sub 64.

Athletes running sub 65 were Adam Clarke (64:05), Weynay Ghebreselasie (64:19), Frank Baddick (64:39) and Derek Hawkins (64:51).

Partridge leads strong British field

There was a  hard fought battle in the women’s race. Samantha Harrison held the lead until the 8-mile point when she was met by Birchfield’s Lily Partridge. After working alongside each other it was Partridge that had the upper hand and pushed away from to claim the win in a rapid 70:50. It was a measured and controlled performance from the Alan Storey coached athlete and a fine time in breezy conditions.

Shortly behind was Harrison in 71:01, 42 seconds quicker than her time from Barcelona Half two weeks ago. A first GB vest is rich reward for a gutsy, aggressive run from the ever improving Notts athlete.

Building on what was an been an incredible 12 months for Steph Davis the Clapham Chaser came home in 3rd with a time of 71:15. The Clapham Chasers athlete confirmed her first ever GB vest in style with a lifetime best by over 1 minute 45 seconds. In fourth place was Hayley Carruthers in 71:49, followed by Eleanor Davis (Preston) in 72:35, only one second off of her lifetime best.

After a fine recent run to finish 2nd at Granollers Half Lucy Reid will be delighted with a huge PB of 72:49 for 6th. There were fine displays from other athletes clocking sub 75 – Clara Evans (7th – 73:14), Jenny Spink (8th – 74:19), Fiona Brian (9th – 74:23), Breege Connolly (10th – 74:40) and Rebecca Murray (11th – 74:49).

 

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@lilypartridge 1:10:50⁣ @samanthaharrison95 1:11:01⁣ @steph_davis26 1:11:15⁣ ⁣ 3 fantastic British runners make up the podium in the Elite Women’s Race!⁣ ⁣ #BigHalf #MovedByLondon

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Quality field contests Trafford 10km

Trafford 10k caters for all abilities but always ensures a fantastic option for those looking for fast times. It definitely attracts top athletes, and this year was no different. Taking home the win for the women and shaving a second off her PB was Jess Judd who clocked 32:16. Judd is in fine form after a recent 2nd placed finish at the National XC Champs.

The adidas athlete fought hard in the wind and managed to steal the win from Eilish Mccolgan who made a late decision to enter the race finishing in 32:25. After an absolutely storming cross country season, Bronwen Owen put her legs to the test on the road. The Leeds City AC athlete set a new PB of 33:30, taking over a minute off her best from last year.

In the men’s race, James Hunt of Cardiff ran himself to a convincing win with a 30 second lead in 29:44. Despite the conditions, Hunt also ran a 14 second best time. After winning the Welsh National Cross Country Championships last weekend, Hunt too is evidently noticing the benefits of the cross season.

In a sprint to the line, it was Stockport Harrier’s athlete Andrew Davies who landed himself in second place with a strong time of 30:14, his best since 2017. Hunt’s clubmate, Rowan Axe, came third in 30:16 to round off the podium positions. 14 men ran sub 31 and 23 women ran sub 37 in a high quality race in challenging conditions.

Amazing morning at our Trafford 10K. 2021 48 hour early bird now open, just £13/£15 including a bespoke medal, OTE flapjack, chip timing plus a rapid, closed road course!! Well done to each and everyone who ran our helped make today special. pic.twitter.com/bNSJBBnDKm

— Run North West store & events (@RunnorthwestRun) March 1, 2020

Roundup of the roads

Back over the half marathon distance was the Warwick Half at Warwick racecourse. The men’s victory went to Ian Allen of Spa Striders in a strong 69:41 ahead of Richard Shephard (72:55) and Ben Kruze (73:07). For the women, Laura Peil too took home the win in 81:36 from Jo McCandless (82:17) and Claire Fitzpatrick (85:19).

In the Eastbourne Half Marathon, Billy Mead of Leighton Buzzard AC gave a strong performance throughout the race to secure a time of 76:50. The winner in the women’s race was Katie Sloane who had a solid run and crossed the line in 85:29.

At the St. Helen’s 10k Matt Crehan won in 31:26 just 4 seconds outside his course record from 2018, which is a quick time considering the 300ft of climbing en route. Crehan was followed home by St. Helens Sutton A.C. team mates Jon-Jo Doherty and Charlie Roberts. The ladies winner was Crehan’s fiancee and para-athlete Jade Smith in 39:46, who beat St. Helens’ Strider Rachel Fairclough and Hannah Whittaker on the day.

At the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K Susan McDonald won in 18:52 narrowly beating Juliette Braithwaite (18:55) with Fast Running’s Gill Bland 3rd in 19:25. For the men Oliver Newton secured a convincing win in 15:52 ahead of Sage Pearce-Higgins (16:11) and Andrew Inglis (16:13).

The OMC Motor Group Ron Hill Accrington 10k was won by Luc Burnip in 34:20 and Sophie Pilkington in 42:10. Victoria Park 10km was won by Andrea Berquez in 39:14 and Paul Grange in 33:26.

Final stages of XC season

Cross country took a back seat this weekend with only a few races occurring as the season comes towards its end. In the Mid Lancs Cross Country League, the women’s race was dominated by Emily Japp. The Blackpool Wyre & Fylde AC athlete took the win by over 30 seconds. For the men, it was U20 athlete, Jacob Cann (Lancaster Uni RC) who took home the win with a fine run.

The Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League cross country race took place at Alnwick Castle. The win in the senior men’s race was secured by Samuel Charlton of Wallsend Harriers. The women’s race was a very similar story as Wallsend also took home the win by a significant distance. It was senior athlete Alex Hemsley was crowned the winner.

Outside of British success, Galen Rupp dominated the men’s US Olympic Marathon Trial in Atlanta, cementing his place to represent USA in Tokyo this summer. Rupp will be joined by Jacob Riley and Abdi Abdirahman. For the women, Aliphine Tuliamuk was first to secure her place on the US team, followed by Molly Seidel, who was running her first ever marathon! The third place went to Sally Kipyego.

We were expecting to see some quick running at Paris Half Marathon but the race became the latest to fall victim to cancellations due to Coronavirus.

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Kenyan Cherono will represent Kenya at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and won both Boston and Chicago marathon’s in 2019 and has a fantastic winning record over the 26.2 distance.

Ethiopian Bekele needs no introduction and is widely considered the greatest distance runner of all time. Whilst that can be argued he is certainly a favourite amongst running purists, a three time Olympic gold medalist and multiple World XC Champion. He narrowly missed out on a marathon world record last year running 2:01:41 at Berlin Marathon.

Kenenisa Bekele faces Eluid Kipchoge in the London Marathon and Cherono will be back to defend his Boston title earlier in April.

Brits battle for World Half vests

British Athletics will be looking to pick a team of five men and five women to race in the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland on 29th March.

The selection policy states that the first three eligible athletes at the Big Half will be offered automatic selection provided they have the required standard (they will have if they finish within the first three Brits!).

Head to head in women’s race before VLM

Many of the contenders pushing for Tokyo 2020 marathon vests will line up on Sunday. Despite the likes of Steph Twell, Jess Piasecki, Charlotte Arter and Charlotte Purdue being absent from the published line up we will get the see the current form of Lily Partridge, Steph Davis and Hayley Carruthers.

Partridge is the fastest athlete in the field on paper and has returned to some strong form after a 2019 hit by injury. Having recently moved to Birchfield Harriers Partridge finished 3rd at the recent EDP Medio Maratón de Sevilla in 71:31.

Hayley Carruthers is always a name to watch over the half marathon distance the Birchfield Harrier set a best of 71:03 at the Great North Run in September. We are excited to see the rapidly improving Samantha Harrison race. Having set a PB of 71:43 at the recently Barcelona Half Marathon she will be a strong contender for one of the automatic spots on the team.

Steph Davis will also attract a lot of attention after her stunning 2:27:40 marathon in Valencia. She will be looking to make a serious revision to her half marathon best of 72:57 and will so be amongst the overall favourites.

Eleanor Whyman-Davis is another of our ones to watch for the race with a best of 72:34 we feel she could be considered a real contender for the team. In a strong field of British women the likes of Clara Evans, Rebecca Murray, Jenny Spink and Dani Nimmock will ensure it will be a highly competitive team on the plane to Poland.

 

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Final week of training banked before @officialbighalf…it’s taper time . . . #bighalf #vitalitybighalf #halfmarathon #london #running #marathonrunner #marathontraining #longdistancerunner #tapertime #raceweek #claphamchasers

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Strong British men’s field

Both the men’s and women’s competition will be tight. For the men Ross Millington, Mo Aadan and Jake Smith will line up amongst the favourites and they can expect strong challenges from the experience of Chris Thompson, Derek Hawkins and Andy Vernon. Millington will be running his first half since the 2017 NYC Half and many will be interest to see what shape the talent Stockport man is in.

We expect that Fast10 members Ollie Lockley and Jack Gray will be in the mix after both had excellent half marathon performances at Valencia Half in October. Another athlete who has been in fine form over shorter distances is Adam Clarke, with a 10km best of 28:38 set in December his speed will make him a contender.

Sub 2:15 marathon men Josh Griffiths, Robbie Simpson and Charlie Hulson will be looking to capitalise on their endurance and excellent 2019 performances and it is great to see Dewi Griffiths returning to regular racing.

Paulos Surafel is gradually building experience over long distances and is an exciting talent for the future, and another athlete who will look t make a serious revision to his current PB.

Jake Smith on his way to a PB in Paris

Editors note: Elite fields as publicised on race website – there may be additions or withdrawals.

Full elite men’s field

Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia – 60.09
Lawrence Cherono Kenya – 60.46
Chris Thompson Great Britain – 61.00
Dewi Griffiths Great Britain – 61.33
Jake Smith Great Britain – 62.02
Marius Kipserem Kenya – 62.20
Mohamud Aadan Great Britain – 62.30
Ross Millington Great Britain – 62.40
Andy Vernon Great Britain – 62.46
Ollie Lockley Great Britain – 63.01
Jack Gray Great Britain – 63.15
Josh Griffiths Great Britain – 64.33
Daniel Studley Great Britain – 63.58
Derek Hawkins Great Britain – 63.53
Robbie Simpson Great Britain – 64.27
Derek Rae (T46) Great Britain – 68.22
Adam Clarke Great Britain – 68.35
Paulos Surafel Great Britain – 64.12
Charlie Hulson Great Britain – 64.28

Full elite women’s field

Lily Partridge Great Britain – 70:31
Hayley Carruthers Great Britain – 71.03
Samantha Harrison Great Britain – 71.43
Eleanor Davis Great Britain – 72.34
Clara Evans Great Britain – 72.49
Stephanie Davis Great Britain – 72.57
Rebecca Murray Great Britain – 72.59
Jenny Spink Great Britain – 73.01
Dani Nimmock Great Britain – 74.13

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The post Cherono & Bekele race as Brits battle for World Half qualification 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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Mary Keitany won a fourth women’s title in five years at the New York City Marathon on Sunday (November 4), while two-time Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa claimed his first men’s crown in the Big Apple.

Vivian Cheruiyot had de-throned Mary Keitany at the Virgin London Marathon in April setting up a greatly anticipated rematch on US soil. The pair contested today’s race alongside the defending champion Shalane Flanagan.

When Flanagan took victory twelve months ago it certainly made world news and provided a highlight to a glittering career for the American which also includes an Olympic Silver medal over 10,000m from Beijing in 2008.

The halfway mark in the women’s race was passed in a modest time of 1:15:49 led by IAAF World Half Marathon Champion Netsanet Gudeta in a group including defending champion Flanagan, Molly Huddle of the USA and race favourites Keitany and Cheruiyot.

Keitany was the first to pass all the check points from the 25km mark and after going through 22 miles in 2:00:34, had an advantage of two minutes.

The Kenyan slowed slightly in the final stages but her victory was never in doubt after her lead and crossed the Central Park finish line in 2:22:48 to claim victory by over three minutes. It was also the fastest of her four victories in New York by over 90 seconds.

“I was able to run a very nice race,” said Keitany, who ran a truly impressive negative split of  66:58 in the final 13.1 miles compared to 75:50 in the first half. “I was just thinking of to trying to win, but not actually the course record. But I came to see that I missed just by 70 seconds. But for me, winning was the most important.”

Cheruiyot was next home in 2:26:02 with New York favourite Flanagan finishing in third and as the top American with 2:26:22 just 22 seconds ahead of Huddle.

Photo: NYRR

In the men’s race, Multiple World Cross Country and World Half Marathon Champion Geoffrey Kamworor had looked to emulate his victory from twelve months ago, regardless that the field contained several men who had run minutes faster for the marathon distance.

Despite Kenyan dominance at the marathon in recent years, the fields for New York contained a trio of Ethiopian athletes who had serious intentions. They included Tamirat Tola who’s lifetime best of 2:04:06 made him the fastest in the field.

His counytryman Shura Kitata boasts a mark of 2:04:49 set on his way to third at the Virgin London Marathon in April. However, it was former Boston Marathon champion Desisa, with a best of 2:04:45, who would steal the show in New York.

At the halfway point five athletes shared the lead, passing in 1:03:55. The group contained Kamworor and fellow Kenyan Festus Talam, along with Ethiopian’s Tola, Desisa and Kitata.

Daniel Wanjiru had already fallen adrift of the leaders despite his resume including a Virgin London Marathon title from 2017 and a lifetime best of 2:05:21.

With just over a mile to run it was Kamworor and Desisa that led but as the pair entered the closing stages, Kitata fought back to move to take up the front running.

It was Desisa however that took a maiden victory in 2:05:59, less than a minute shy of the course record sitting at 2:05:06 set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011.

In fact, it was a third Abbott Marathon Majors title for Desisa who won at Boston in 2013 and 2015. It was however with victory in Dubai in 2013 that the 28 year old Ethiopian set his PB.

Kitata was rewarded for his fast finish with the runner-up spot in 2:06.01 with the five-time world champion Kamworor finishing third.

Photo: NYRR

Bernard Lagat chose this race to contest his first marathon, joking before the race that it is 26 x his preferred race distance. The 43 year old multiple world champion finished in 2:17:20.

Chris Thompson led several British athletes keen to experience the atmosphere at 48th edition of the famous race that takes athletes through the five Boroughs of New York and that is a part of the World Marathon Majors Series.

The race has seen a British winner on six occasions including Steve Jones in 1988 with 2:08:20 and with Paula Radcliffe victorious on three occasions.

Thompson spoke prior to the race reflecting that New York is not a place for fast times but that had been on his bucket list because it is a great place for honest racing.

It was, however, Liverpool Harrier Jonny Mellor that finished as the first Briton in the Big Apple with a time of 2:16:09 – an encouraging performance after struggling at the London Marathon earlier this year.

Welshman and Commonwealth Games representative Andrew Davies was the next British athlete across the line, recording a time of 2:20:23.

Despite being on track at 10km in a time of 31:04, Thompson struggled to a 2:28:54 finish behind Morpeth’s debutant Nick McCormack in 2:27:35 and Kent AC duo Pete Lighting (2:28:41) and Sean Fitzpatrick (2:28:43).

Daniel Romanchuk of the USA prevailed in the men’s wheelchair race, ahead of Marcel Hug of Switzerland. Hug scored wins in the city in 2013, 2016 and in 2017 but was unable to match the young American who claimed Chicago Marathon victory last month.

David Weir claimed victory in New York back in 2010 but the Weirwolf of London had to settle for third this time.

Swiss Wheelchair racer Manuela Shar claimed a first victory in the women’s race with a time of 1:50.27 ahead of Tatyana McFadden of the USA and Lihong Zou of China.

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Shalane Flanagan and Geoffrey Kamworor can expect a tough test as they aim to successfully defend their titles at the New York City Marathon on Sunday (November 4).

Last year in New York, Flanagan became the first American woman to win in 40 years, storming to victory in a time of 2:26:53.

On Sunday, the 37 year-old will once again face three-time champion Mary Keitany who she dethroned from the top podium spot, along with London Marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot and Boston Marathon champion Des Linden.

Flanagan has a personal best of 2:21:14, while Kenya’s Keitany clocked a women’s only world record of 2:17:01 to win the 2017 edition of the London Marathon.

RELATED: Shalane Flanagan and Geoffrey Kamworor win New York City Marathon

Leading the Ethiopian challenge is reigning World Half Marathon champion Netsanet Gudeta and Mamitu Daska, who have bests of 2:29:15 and 2:21:59 respectively.

Along with Flanagan and Linden, the top American entries include 2016 New York third-place finisher Molly Huddle, Boston Marathon runner-up Sarah Sellers and 2017 TCS New York fifth-place finisher Allie Kieffer.

Last year in the men’s race, Kenya’s Kamworor claimed his first major marathon victory running a 4:31 penultimate mile to cross the line in 2:10:53.

Photo: NYRR

This weekend, the three-time World Half Marathon champion lines up against USA’s Bernard Lagat, who makes his exciting marathon debut, two time Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia, 2017 London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru and the fastest in the field with a 2:04:06 best Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola.

Multiple track world medalist Lagat became an American citizen in 2004 and holds national records over 1500m, 3000m and 5000m.

The 43 year-old will be joined on the start line by fellow American athletes Abdi Abdirahman, Rio 2016 Olympian Jared Ward, 2018 Boston Marathon third-place finisher Shadrack Biwott.

British eyes will be firmly fixed on the performances of Chris Thompson, Jonny Mellor and Andrew Davies on Sunday. Thompson makes his return to marathon racing after recent wins at the Great Scottish Run and Great South Run, following the European Championships in Berlin.

The 37 year-old, who has a PB of 2:11:19 from 2014, is no stranger to New York and claimed a podium spot at the United Airlines NYC Half in March.

In a recent interview with Fast Running, Thompson said: “New York is not a race for fast times, but instead it’s one of the best for real racing – no pacesetters, no world records, just hard running.

“It’s been on my bucket list for ages. It’s at the right time of year for me at this point in my career, and I’m excited about all the unknowns going into the race.”

Mellor memorably clocked a 2:12:57 best at the Berlin Marathon last September and will take on his second marathon of the year after a 2:17:55 performance at a hot London Marathon in April.

Welshman Davies finished 11th in the marathon at the Commonwealth Games and steps back on the roads following a successful summer on the mountains, which included winning gold at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships.

In the wheelchair races, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug and Manuela Schär return to defend their 2018 crowns, while David Weir, Johnboy Smith, Simon Lawson lead the British hopes in New York.

How to watch

The New York City Marathon will be broadcast live on Eurosport 2 in the UK from 2:15pm on Sunday.

RELATED: Chris Thompson ready for a marathon size bite out of the Big Apple

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Chris Thompson, who previously spoke to Fast Running about his career and come back from injury, is a firm believer in athletes finding a training system that works for them as an individual.

The 2010 European Championships 10,000m silver medallist transferred his success on the track to a promising marathon debut in 2014 when he a ran 2:11:19 in London.

Achilles injuries and a serious operation just months later meant that his first outing over 26.2 miles remains his personal best. Thompson is by no means finished with the classic distance though.

Marathon training

It might surprise some to discover the Aldershot, Farnham & District star has only been in full marathon training for nine weeks ahead of the 2018 New York City Marathon.

Following on from a very successful summer where he ran close to his 10,000m PB at Highgate (Thomson ran 27:52.56 in May), he represented GB in both the 5000m and 10,000m at the European Championships.

That track endurance has served his racing speed well going into the autumn. While he admits he was nervous heading into marathon training with no long runs in his legs, he has been pleased with how his body has responded.

“I’ve taken the marathon training week by week, and so far, so good!” he explains. “I think some people think they need to start the big miles earlier than they need to for the marathon. They’d be surprised to find how little elite athletes put in!”

Thompson’s training philosophy

The man who has helped guide club mate Emelia Gorecka back to elite competition is reluctant to go into detail about his own training because he says it wouldn’t tell the full story of his training set up.

“A sample training week invariably only shows one or two weeks training,” he says. “That can be a misleading representation of the all round training philosophy and the build-up to that point.

“I would have to show three to four months of my training to even begin to give an insight into how I’ve got to this point. Really it’s been a 10 month progression from the start of the year.”

Adapting training post-Achilles operation

While he won’t be drawn on the specifics of his training, he is keen to talk about how he has had to adapt his running following that Achilles operation.

He explains: “I have spent the last three years learning to run with what essentially is a new ‘neurological system’, and have had to take each week as it comes.

“There have been times when I’ve been out for a session and one minute into it I’ve had to stop because I couldn’t run.  The last time that happened I went straight from Bushy Park in London to my chiropractor who clicked me back like magic. I was ready to go again!

“It’s like if someone was to put a wedge into one of your shoes. It would clearly affect your running pattern! That’s what it’s been like for me with my Achilles.”

RELATED: How to identify and treat an Achilles injury

The effects of ageing on performance levels

There’s no getting away from the fact that Thompson is a youthful 37 years-old. Has he had to further adapt his training to allow for longer recovery times, for example?

“To be honest I don’t think any changes I’ve noticed in my running can really be attributed to my age, and in some ways, I’m still improving,” he points out.

“Of course running very fast for many years has an effect – the whole body literally shakes! However, I feel I could have run even quicker when I was younger, but injuries have held me back. Until now.

“There is, however, one day’s training that sticks in my memory that I’m not sure I could recreate again. Whether that’s age or injury related, I don’t know.”

An example of a day’s training for Thompson in the lead up to his 2:11 marathon in 2014

“I was training for my first marathon (London) in Colorado Springs at 6500 feet altitude,” he explains. “I was training on low fuel deliberately that day for a specific reason, so headed out for my first session of the day on just a black coffee.

“It was a track session – 12 x 1km off 90 seconds recovery. I did the first six reps between 3 minutes and 2:55, then the second six reps in 2:50’s.

“I then went home and had just a salad before returning to the track that evening to do a 10k training run – in 29:45! Could I recreate that day’s training again now? I’m not sure.

“However, I still managed two 5000m races in quick succession in 13:25 (this summer). I’m achieving decent times still, but using a different approach this time around. I am definitely aerobically stronger now I’m older.”

RELATED: Age is no barrier to success for Alastair Watson

Alan Storey’s coaching influence and the team around him

Thompson has been coached by Storey since 2014. Before the former UKA performance manager took over his training, he coached Thompson’s previous lead, Mark Rowland. Rowland won an Olympic steeplechase bronze medal in 1998.

He doesn’t hold back on his enthusiasm for Storey’s impact on his relatively new marathon career.

“Alan has such a great personal connection with his athletes,” he enthuses. “Although it’s a long distance relationship with us, we are on the phone for up to an hour every day.

“He knows how a session has gone by the tone of the first word I utter. He reads people very well, and is sensitive to every aspect of an athlete. That is so important in elite running.

“Alan is also part of a whole team around me, such as physios, chiropractors, massage therapists. They all work behind the scenes to keep athletes like me in top condition.

“I think it’s important to add that Alan does it for free. Volunteers keep this sport going.”

Chris Thompson has found a training system that works for him, with a coach that does it for free. How many other sports can lay claim to an Olympic athlete finding success on no funding, just sheer grit and determination?

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The post How I train: Chris Thompson appeared first on Fast Running.

Fresh off the back of an unprecedented third Great South Run victory, Chris Thompson is gearing up for his next marathon challenge in New York on November 4.

The Aldershot, Farnham & District star looked imperious in victory in Portsmouth (October 21) as he broke the 47 minute barrier for the first time in the Hampshire sunshine.

The journey to achieving a 10 mile personal best at the age of 37 has not been a smooth one for the upbeat athlete, though. Just three years ago Thompson had to learn how to run again after a potentially career-ending Achilles operation.

Now one of the UK’s fastest ever track runners is set to take on the New York Marathon after going back to basics with his training.

The GB international debuted over the distance in 2014 with 2:11:19 in London, but made his name on the track. PBs of 13:11.51 and 27:27.36 for 5000m and 10,000m are just two indicators of his remarkable talent.

Achilles injury threatened to end Thompson’s career

However, just one month after that scintillating marathon debut he sustained a serious Achilles injury. Agonisingly, a subsequent operation threatened to call time on the endurance maestro’s career.

Innocuous as it might sound, it wasn’t a gruelling cross country or a cut throat track race that brought Thompson to his knees – it was a fun run!

He couldn’t walk for days due to debilitating pain in his Achilles. It was to be another five months before he received the damning diagnosis and finally a plan for treatment began.

The doctor who operated on him told him that his Achilles would never heal without surgery.  Worryingly there was no precedent of an athlete of his calibre coming back from such a procedure to the same level again.

Come back Thompson did, but only after having 50 per cent of his Achilles removed and reattached to his soleus muscle.

The ensuing three years have seen the 61:00 half marathon runner having to adapt to a whole new biomechanical system as a consequence of the operation. The surgery had left him with a lesser range of movement and pain in his feet.

Taking on the New York Marathon

He will soon take to the roads of New York hoping to add another medal to his accolades over 5k, 10k and the half marathon in the Big Apple.

Photo: NYRR

How is he feeling ahead of his fourth marathon in four years?

“New York is not a race for fast times, but instead it’s one of the best for real racing – no pacesetters, no world records, just hard running,” he explains. “It’s been on my bucket list for ages. It’s at the right time of year for me at this point in my career, and I’m excited about all the unknowns going into the race.”

Those unknowns Thompson mentions include the undulating nature of the course for one thing. There is also the form of his competition, and whether his own training will have prepared him for the task ahead.

He confesses his last two marathons (2:15:05 in 2016 and 2:24:11 in 2017, both in London) were a “mess”.

It’s clear they were no real indication of his aptitude for the distance. His less than perfect build up to London 2014 still resulted in that 2:11 PB regardless.

“The first nine weeks of training went well for my first marathon, but then I picked up an injury which affected the last block,” he reveals. “I ended up doing a 12 mile tempo run the weekend before. I then did a 16 x 400m on the track in the days leading up to London, as I had to do something to see where I was at.”

It turned out where he was at was pretty fast.

Thompson’s impressive track performances of old and new

That should be no surprise, though, for Thompson has one of the quickest pairs of legs in the country.

Those attributes have taken him to several senior European Athletics Championships (not to mention an U23 gold medal over 5000m), an Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

He believes he has now reached the top of a significant “training mountain”.

Although he feels he still has “work to do” between now and November 4, it has been his best marathon build up to date. He credits returning to track racing for his improved form last year leading into 2018. That was a decision he made to help his feet regain their former function.

That decision, which he says came after “everything came to a head – my body was not allowing my physiology to work to its full potential” – has paid dividends this year.

2018 kicked off with 63:03 half marathon in Doha in January, followed by a quicker still 62:43 in New York in March.

He then ran 13:25.29 at the Payton Jordan International in May, followed by his second fastest ever track 10k at the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs. Thompson enjoyed a thrilling finish with club mate Andy Vernon and Kent’s Alex Yee to run a superb 27:52.56.

He said although he was pleased with that run – “my spark was back, I was getting back to my best” – he still wanted more.

That performance booked his ticket to the European Championships in Berlin, where he raced both the 5000m (13:25.11 for 9th) and the 10,000m (28:33.12 for 11th).

Winning the Great Scottish Half Marathon just a stepping stone for New York

His most recent outing was a victorious one in Glasgow, where he ran 62:07 to win the Great Scottish Run. It was a race he admits he didn’t taper for and instead treated as a session.

Photo: Bobby Gavin

He explains: “When I woke up on the morning of the race in Glasgow the first thing I thought of was the next three weeks of hard training to come. The half marathon was secondary, as New York is clearly the main goal.

“Although my marathon training only started nine weeks ago, I was in good nick after the European Championships. I’ve felt my training has allowed me to build to the point I want to ideally be at. Where I can turn up to race any distance well with my current training. Mo Farah has been able to do this very well!

“I enjoyed the victory, but my mindset was purely ‘New York’. I flew home that afternoon to enable me to recover quickly enough to do another big session on the Tuesday. I’ve done some big miles since then too.”

A desire to give something back to the next generation of athletes

Thompson is keen to help the next generation of athletes reach their full potential.

He has been coaching his AFD club mate and 15:07.45 5000m athlete Emelia Gorecka for the last two years, alongside long term girlfriend Jemma Simpson (former elite 800m athlete).

Photo: Andy Peat

The pair have been helping Gorecka ‘build the foundations’ to transfer her phenomenal junior form into senior international success.

RELATED: Emelia Gorecka: Laying foundations with Chris Thompson for long term success

“She inspires me with how she has worked so hard for everything she has achieved,” he says. “It’s a ruthless sport, but I do believe she will enjoy the successful career she deserves.”

He concedes there are negatives with the current set up at the national governing body. However, he wants to take a positive approach to the situation to affect positive changes.

“I could be very vocal about the issues on social media but what is that going to achieve?” he asks. “I like to compare it to campaigning about something you’re passionate about outside the White House.

“I’d rather be inside the building sat down with the people in charge to sort things out productively. I believe I have the ability to have a good influence when the time is right.”

Financial issues for elite athletes

Thompson doesn’t receive any lottery funding from UKA. However, he says the support he receives from his sponsors – On Running and CEP Sportswear – together with a frugal lifestyle means he gets by ok.

“I am very mathematically minded,” he explains. “I calculate my finances so Jemma and I live within our means.

“I definitely don’t have a glamorous lifestyle, and am very happy to stay in every evening and play a board game! I do feel that every elite athlete should get medical insurance, though. I didn’t have it when I needed my operation – it cost me £6000.

“I am also very lucky that I can access physio and chiropractic services in Teddington at a special price offered to all athletes living in the area. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s still expensive. Running is a great world to be in, though. There are a lot of sympathetic physios out there keen to help athletes recover.

“Mark Buckingham (a very popular physiotherapist based in Northampton) is a great example of this. He has a ridiculously busy schedule and that was no different back in 2012. I desperately needed help in the run up to the Olympic Games. He made space for me when I really needed it. I’m so grateful to people like him helping people like me.”

The strange and wonderful world of race prizes – Chris Thompson’s contribution

While Thompson admits he can’t top some of the prizes mentioned in a recent Fast Running article on this topic – which included pigs (dead and alive) and blowtorches – he has won some interesting accolades over the course of his career.

“I’ve won shell suits and I have a friend who once won a slow cooker – which would be quite useful I think,” he says. “The best prize I ever won – which was also possibly the oddest – was a big wall clock from a race in France or Belgium when I was as a junior.

“I gave it to my grandparents and they kept it for 25 years! It was a cheap brown and gold thing which took AA batteries – they clearly loved it though!

“I’d had to heave it back across on the ferry to England after the race. Whenever me and my parents went round to my grandparents we’d all talk about the clock and the race I’d won it in.”

Alas, that characterful-sounding brown and gold battery powered wall clock was not on display on the lead car’s timing system at the Great South Run.

Regardless, Thompson is a man on a mission to defy the march of time. It remains to be seen what digits the clocks stop at in New York for the Aldershot ace, but one thing is for sure – he shows no signs of slowing down just yet.

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The post Chris Thompson ready for a marathon size bite out of the Big Apple appeared first on Fast Running.

Chris Thompson enjoyed a historic third victory at the Great South Run in Portsmouth (October 21) to beat Andy Vernon by a comfortable margin and a big PB, while Eilish McColgan debuted over the distance with a win over Steph Twell and Gemma Steel.

Thompson’s winning time was his fastest by 27 seconds when he crossed the line with a big smile in 46:56 in unusually still conditions for this seafront event.

He pulled away from Vernon at around the seven mile mark, up until which point the two Aldershot, Farnham & District athletes had been head to head.

The victory will give the affable Thompson a boost ahead of his forthcoming run in the New York Marathon on November 4. Look out for a Fast Running interview with the 2:11 marathoner this coming week!

Vernon also scored a big PB of 47:29, his first time under the 48 minute barrier, beating his old mark by 30 seconds. Thames Valley’s Petros Surafel was third in 48:05.

Dundee Hawkhill’s McColgan was a convincing winner in her first attempt at the distance following an impressive year on the track.

Photo: The Great Run Company

Although she too enjoyed a tight battle with AFD’s Twell, she also pulled away in the closing miles to take the win in a debut 54:43 to Twell’s 55:16.

Steel did well to put her recent health concerns to one side and clock a 56:56 result and cross the line with her trademark grin to reassure her coach, Liz McColgan that all was well after her endeavours.

The England team excelled themselves at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon (Oct 21), with international debutant Hayley Carruthers the stand out performer when she knocked an incredible 11 minutes off her PB to run 2:36:47.

The Rotherham Harrier is coached by Gary Warhurst, and spoke to Fast Running recently about her training this year, having only started running seriously less than a year ago.

Ipswich Jaffa’s seasoned international and V35, Helen Davies, also had a very good run, crossing the line in 2:35:12, her fastest marathon for six years!

Tonbridge’s Henry Pearce was another English athlete to enjoy a stunning performance with a 2:19:22 result on his first attempt at the distance.

Friend and Olympic athlete Jake Wightman was understandably over the moon for the youngster when he tweeted: “Sub 2:20 in first full marathon, whilst balancing studying and training over the past month. What a hero!”

Huge run @HenryPearce94
Sub 2:20 in first full marathon, whilst balancing studying and training over the past month. What a hero.
(: @SusanWightman6) pic.twitter.com/wnMKcey7md

— Jake Wightman (@JakeSWightman) October 21, 2018

The race was clearly one for fast times as England’s fourth entry, Crawley’s James Westlake, also ran a PB with a 2:23:05 result. Well done Team England!

One final result that must be mentioned is Ireland’s incredible Paul Moran, who ran a superb 2:44:15 – he is 55 years-old!

Returning to British shores, athletes were also in action on the Portsmouth harbour front the previous day, taking on the Great South 5k (October 20).

The Isle of Wight’s 16 year-old Henry McLuckie won in a huge 15:55 PB, bettering his previous best by a massive 65 seconds. He has, however, run a 16:05 parkrun this year.

Poole AC’s Jed Skilton was second in 16:12, also a PB for the teenager, while the City of Portsmouth’s Jonny White’s 16:20 was a lifetime best by more than two minutes!

AFD’s Lauren Hall won the women’s race in 17:24, which was down on her 16:57 PB but good enough for victory on the day. Sonja Vernikov was second in 17:59 while the City of Portsmouth’s Rhiannon Dunlop was one second ahead of her PB with 18:06 for third.

Area cross country relays

Highgate Harriers won the men’s race at the Southern Cross Country Relays (October 20) at Wormwood Scrubs from Belgrave Harriers and Thames Valley Harriers, while Wycombe Phoenix took the women’s title from Herne Hill Harriers with Belgrave Harriers in third.

Wycombe Phoenix’s winning team was made up of top track veteran Zoe Doyle (11:41), ultra runner and sport dietitian Alex Cook (12:06) and top cross country runner Pippa Woolven (11:01).

Peter Chambers (14:35), Roger Poolman (13:55), Robert Wilson (14:44) and Sean Renfer (14:33) brought Highgate Harriers’ men home first.

Rotherham Harriers’ A and B teams filled the top three finishing positions at the Northern Cross Country Relays at Sheffield but were only awarded the A team’s gold medals as B teams are not eligible for prizes.

The northern powerhouse club’s winning A team consisted of Natasha Hatswell (11:37), Nicola Devine (11:53) and Lori Handbury (12:14). Lincoln Wellington were second while Hallamshire Harriers were boosted up a position from fourth to third ahead of Rotherham’s B team.

Preston Harriers won the men’s race from Derby and Liverpool Harriers, with Preston’s Dan Bebbingto (9:51), Chris Durney (10:180, Tiarnan Crorken (10:37) and Patrick Dever (9:44) bringing their team home first.

Tipton Harriers successfully retained the men’s title at the  Midland Cross Country Relays in Wolverhampton, while Charnwood won the women’s race.

At the time of going to press, official results were unavailable for the Midland Cross Country Relays.

Marshall Milton Keynes’ Paul Mizon and Cambridge & Coleridge’s Chris Darling enjoyed a competitive fight for the title at the Cambridge Town & Gown 10k (October 21), with Mizon coming out on top with 31:38 to Darling’s 32:00. Johannes Arens was third in 32:43.

Emma Hodson won the women’s race, with 37:11 good enough for the V35 to take the win, while Joni Wildman (38:26) and Sietske Altena (39:09) were second and third respectively.

Dave Norman, who features on Fast Running among the Fast 10: class of 2018, was a worthy runner up at the Green Drive 5m (October 21) when he finished second behind Rob Danson in 25:59. No further results were available at this time.

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Good fun chasing @radanson around Lancashire country lanes this morning at the Green Drive 5. With Rob having run 3mins faster than me for 10k this year (30:50 vs 33:33) and 50secs for 5k (14:36 vs 15:26) this was a step outside of the comfort zone and a test of recent progress. Spent 4 miles locked together, with a 20:32 split but couldn’t match Rob over the final mile back down Green Drive. 2nd place in 25:59. Onto the Leeds Abbey Dash next

A post shared by Dave Norman (@davenorman78) on Oct 21, 2018 at 6:24am PDT

Nicola Curtis and Matty Smith were victorious at the Anna Verrico Half Marathon (October 21), with Curtis only recently having returned from Malawi.

The Scunthorpe runner was one of just 20 British people to spend 10 days with Dame Kelly Holmes as part of the Orbis Challenge, a mission to use sport to make a positive impact on poor communities in the country.

The 34:58 10k athlete ran 89:27 to take the women’s race, while Smith’s 75:33 was good enough to win the men’s event.

Super veteran Lynne Higgins ran surely one of the fastest ever times for a V60 when she was second in 90:31, with Natalie Harris in third in 91:56.

Mark Ryhall was second in the men’s race with 76:45, with Eddy George third in 78:48.

The UK’s 10 fastest parkrun times were headed up by Elsey Davis and Paul Martelletti this week, see here for the full report.

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The post Chris Thompson, Eilish McColgan and Team England impress – weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

The 37-year-old has won the last two races on the south coast, and victory on Sunday will make it an unprecedented hat-trick as he lines up for the seventh time in the world famous race.

No athlete has won three consecutive Great South Runs – and only Gary Staines has won three in total in the race’s 29-year history.

Thompson, fresh from winning his second consecutive Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run a fortnight ago, will go up against Aldershot, Farnham and District teammate Andy Vernon, who was forced to pull out of the half marathon in Glasgow owing to food poisoning.

Also lining up in the men’s race is 2012 Olympian Scott Overall, Libya’s Mohammed Hrezi and Euro XC team bronze medallist Alex Teuten.

Thompson, who competes in the New York City Marathon next month, said: “I’d be absolutely delighted to make it three wins in a row in Portsmouth. It’s a race which is close to my heart and to win it for the first time in 2016 was a massive moment for me.

“Everything is going in the right direction at the moment as New York draws near. I thoroughly enjoyed the victory in Glasgow two weeks ago and I’m determined to continue the good work into this race.”

Steel going for a double as well

Another athlete aiming for a repeat performance is Gemma Steel, who will return to the South coast a year on from her win in the 2017 staging of the race.

The Charnwood 32-year-old tasted victory in the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run 10K a fortnight ago and represented England in the Commonwealth Half Marathon staged in Cardiff last week.

Despite victories over 10K in Gateshead and Glasgow this year, Steel has struggled to replicate the form that saw her achieve the third fastest 10KM in British history, and will go up against two distance running heavyweights in Steph Twell and Jo Pavey.

Twell showed her versatility earlier this year when she represented Scotland over the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m in the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, while flexing her muscles over the half marathon in Cardiff a week ago.

She made her Great South Run debut in 2010 which remains her sole 10-mile outing to date.

Pavey, however, is no stranger to Portsmouth having won on two occasions in 2006 and 2012. The hugely-experienced Olympian is still going strong at the age of 45 and will be among the contenders for the race which is broadcast live on Channel 5.

Making her 10-mile debut will be European medallist Eilish McColgan. The daughter of two-time Great South Run winner Liz took her first senior silverware this year when she claimed silver in the 500m in Berlin over the summer. The Scottish international has not raced further than 10K in her career to date.

The Simplyhealth Great South Run is televised live on Channel 5 on Sunday from 10am until 12pm.

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The post Thompson going for three wins in a row at Great South Run appeared first on Fast Running.