Leeds City’s Claire Duck and Worcester’s Jenny Nesbitt have both had breakthrough years in 2018. Duck has run lifetime bests over 1500m (4:15.27), 5000m (15:39.68) and 3km (9:26), as well as coming within seconds of her 3000m and 10,000m PBs.

The 33 year-old turns out for her club regularly over the country, track and road, and has enjoyed team success at the national road relays as well as individual glory at the Inter-Counties and National Cross Country Championships.

This season has seen her achieve her highest finish at the British Championships 5000m (5th), along with a top class 32:51.38 result at the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs.

Photo: Pete Brown

Nesbitt has also had a standout year. She’s run her fastest ever times over 3000m (9:11.37), 5000m (15:51.6), 10,000m (32:38.45), 3km (9:40) and 10km (33:24).

The highlight of the 23 year-old’s year so far has been representing Wales at the Commonwealth Games over 10,000m. The student managed to deal with a very late call-up to run a strong 32:58.14 and finish 17th in extremely hot conditions.

So what does it take for these two inspiring talents to perform at this level and how do they juggle training with other commitments?

Fast Running: Well done on all your successes so far this year! What do you put your progress in 2018 down to?

Jenny Nesbitt: Consistent training and undoubtedly the support from Adam Rattenberry and the rest of the specialised support from Welsh Athletics.

Regular physio is so important when trying to run 90 miles a week, as is advice on nutrition, strength and conditioning, medicine. It’s all helped keep me healthy this year.

I’ve also learnt it’s more important to be able to put together week after week of training than having one or two ‘wow’ sessions. Until this year, I thought the idea that slowing down can help you speed up when it really counts was a bit of a joke.

Funnily enough, it works! I’ve cut back to two quality sessions a week, slightly lengthened my long run and incorporated easy miles around this. This has helped me break my PBs this year.

Claire Duck: Consistent training is so important. So is confidence and self-belief, and working on this in 2018 has played a big part in achieving my goals.

I can be pretty tough on myself when a race or training hasn’t gone well.

Instead, I’ve worked on being kind to myself and understanding that when things don’t go right it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve done something wrong. It just didn’t quite work out that time. It’s very hard to have the perfect race every race.

FR: What do you do outside running and how do you balance training and racing around it?

CD: I work full time as a sonographer in Leeds. I really enjoy it but as with many jobs, there are challenges too. My colleagues are hugely supportive of my running which is invaluable to me.

It’s hard balancing training and working as I can often get tired. However, I have a good routine which helps me to make the best use of my time.

Photo: Adrian Royle

I cycle to work four days a week, which is around 44 miles. I don’t run double days, mainly due to lack of time. This means the cycling helps me gain the aerobic benefit while also commuting to work.

When I get home I put my trainers on and get out the door as quick as I can so I don’t sit down, otherwise, I’d not feel like getting up! I eat, sleep and repeat until my day off on a Friday.

JN: I’m in my final year of studying Sport and Social Sciences at the University of Bath. I can’t say I’m excited by the prospect of writing my dissertation!

However, I’m really lucky that the university supports me as much as they can. I do a lot of long distance studying. This makes it easier for me to combine both training, racing and completing my degree.

When I graduate next summer I’d like to do a Masters at Cardiff Met in Sports Broadcasting. I hope to pursue a career in sports broadcasting and journalism in the future.

FR: Tell us about your coach, and a little about your training set up.

CD: I’ve been coached by Mike Baxter for the last eight years. We have a really good relationship as he’s very easy going and relaxed. We meet twice a week for sessions and then communicate regularly during the week.

He’s made a huge difference to my running. We focus on quality over quantity and getting the best out of each session I do. He clearly plans all my sessions out well to peak for certain events.

He’ll never sugarcoat anything, and always tells the truth about how I’m training or how I’ve raced, which I really appreciate. I can then see the areas I need to work on to improve.

Shockingly for many, I don’t keep a training diary! Instead, I tell Mike what I’ve done every day and he keeps a detailed record of the workout, times, weather, and how I felt. This is really important for both of us, and takes the pressure off me. It’s one less thing I have to do during the day!

JN: Chris Jones coaches me now, I feel we really work well together. It’s nice to have a new stimulus and a different approach to training – so far it’s resulted in PBs across the board.

My old coach Dave (Walker) still plays a fundamental role in my running though. I feel I can turn to him with any query, melt down or success and he’ll be able to level me out.

My training is pretty simple. I tend to do sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays, with a long run on Sunday. All my other runs are easy. I use a heart rate monitor for most of my easy runs. This ensures I’m not running too hard and instead I am recovering rather than stressing my body further. I also make sure I incorporate S&C twice a week, usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with activation exercises before all runs.

A typical week for me is:

Monday – (am) 7 miles (pm) 5 miles

Tuesday – (am) session (pm) 5 miles

Wednesday – (am) 12 miles (pm) rest

Thursday – (am) 8 miles (pm) 5 miles

Friday – (am) session (pm) 5 miles

Saturday – (am) 5 miles (pm) 5 miles

Sunday – (am) 15-16 miles (pm) rest

FR: Tell us about the clubs you run for – what role have they played in your training and racing?

CD: I really enjoy running for Leeds City AC. They’ve supported me for 10 years and are a really friendly and inclusive club.

We have a great team of strong women. I love racing in events like the relays, as everyone gets behind each other to give it their all. We’ve had some great success over the last few years – long may it continue!

JN: Worcester AC has been great to me. Although I don’t train there any more, they’re always welcoming to me and happy for me to represent the club.

Some of my greatest early memories of running were Tuesday and Thursday nights down at the club with the group. There were many giggles, a series of unfortunate events, resulting in blood, sweat and tears at times!

Sadly because people moved away the original group dispersed and it was never the same again!

Luckily I have made some lifetime friends from that period, and we still reminisce today!   

FR: Do you train mainly on your own or with others?

JN: I’ve almost always trained on my own, but it doesn’t bother me too much. I’m very set in my ways – I think I’d make a horror of a training partner!

Since moving to Cardiff I’ve been able to do some sessions with others, which has made a lovely change.

However, most of my training is still solo. I have a lot more flexibility than others, meaning I can train in the day and fit it in around physio and S&C.

I’m a very self-motivated person – I’ll do everything in my power to achieve a goal or give it my best shot. I rarely have moments where I don’t want to train. If I do, I always think about the times when I’ve been injured and haven’t been able to. That’s a big enough kick to get out the door!

I’m also unafraid to hurt myself in training. I do a good job in doing so when I train alone, mimicking experiences in races where you can get separated from a group and have to work on your own.

Running to me is more than just training to win races though. It’s my way of keeping mentally healthy as well, which is always a motivating factor to get out and clock some miles. 

CD: I often do runs with my team mate Georgia Malir and other girls in Leeds like Laura Weightman, especially on Sunday long runs.

Claire Duck often trains with Olympian Laura Weightman

There are many different talented groups in Leeds, meaning there’s always someone to run with. This makes it an ideal place to live.

I do many sessions on the track and grass with Adam Stacey, who’s a valuable member of our group, along with our new addition, Josh Rowe.

Although we have a small group, we all help to motivate and push each other, especially on tough days when the legs are tired.

FR: How do you manage when injury and/or illness stops you running, and how do you bounce back?

CD: Injury is something every athlete will have had to deal with and I’m no different. I’ve had to start from scratch many times, which can be hugely disheartening. However, you will recover and these times won’t last forever.

When I first got injured I did find it hard to get myself in the pool or on the bike, because all I wanted to do was go for a run. But keeping positive is important, and cross training can help keep you surprisingly fit. Returning to running can be made much easier by doing it.

I had a serious cycle accident at the start of 2015 right before the National cross. Apart from the broken bones, it was also seriously disappointing.

I had to start from scratch but, with support from friends and family, I started running and walking for a few minutes at a time, gradually increasing this every day. I spent many days in the pool and then on the bike to build up my fitness again.

The next year I gained my first England vest, and the year after my first GB vest.

JN: Injury and illness are the worst – I feel I’ve been handed an awful lot of it over the last six years!

(Nesbitt was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Henoch–Schönlein Purpura in 2012, which saw her in and out of hospital for over a year. She missed more than two years of running. She was also out of action for much of 2016 due to a knee injury that required an operation.)

RELATED: Jenny Nesbitt is ready for more golden moments

I’ve been super low and upset when I’ve been ill or injured. Running is more than just logging miles for me. It’s also an outlet and a chance for me to be with my own thoughts.

When this is taken away from me, I really struggle. I am now learning that by focusing on what I can do, setting achievable goals and having the right support system around me, things don’t have to be so bad.

Athletes are routine people. When you’re injured, make cross training your new routine.

Jenny Nesbitt in the gym

Never believe that just because you aren’t achieving what you want right now that it can’t ever happen. Sometimes it might take a bit longer to get what you want, but the wait makes it even sweeter.

FR: What are your racing aims for this season, and beyond?

CD: My aims for the next cross country season to be confident in my ability and run well. I would like to do well at the Liverpool Cross Challenge (in November, which also serves as the European Cross Country Championships trials) and the championship races.

That said, I’m trying not to make specific goals and just enjoy my running – the results will come. Athletes always want to achieve more, but this is what motivates us.

While Doha and Tokyo would be a dream come true, I also know that these are huge challenges and may be beyond my reach! I would mainly just like to keep working hard and enjoy competing.

JN: I’m also planning on racing over the country this year. I haven’t had a proper cross country season since 2015, so it’ll be nice to get back onto the mud and remind myself just how painful it is!

However, before then, I’m so excited to be representing Wales in the Commonwealth Half Marathon, (October 7th) especially with it now being in my home city of Cardiff!

I’m excited to see how it goes. I know the last few miles pretty well as I now live at mile nine on the course!

I’ve just returned from my running break and am off to altitude this week. I’ll continue to rebuild my mileage and start incorporating some sessions once there.

My training won’t change too dramatically for the event. I still love the half marathon distance and I really wish it was an Olympic event!

Nesbitt and Duck are sponsored by Hoka One One.

Duck wears the Clifton or Bondi for general runs, the Challengers for off-road because of their grip, the Tracers for track workouts and racing, and the Hupanas for road sessions. She races in the Speed Evo track spikes.

Nesbitt wears the Clifton 5 for all her easy runs because of their cushioning and support, the Tracer 2 flats for long sessions on all terrains and road races, the Mach for steady hilly runs.

RELATED: Why I run: Claire Duck

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The post What does it take to be a top female distance runner? appeared first on Fast Running.

Along with British titles to be contested, this year’s Highgate Harriers’ Night of the 10,000m PBs acts as the GB trials for the European Championships and also incorporates the European Cup.

Leading British men entered include 2017 winner Andy Vernon and club mate Chris Thompson, while 20 year-old Alex Yee makes his hotly anticipated debut over the distance. A detailed preview of the men in action can be found here.

The British women’s team for the European Cup includes Jenny Nesbitt, Charlotte Arter, Claire Duck, Faye Fullerton and Louise Small, while Emelia Gorecka is among the other top British athletes competing.

AFD’s Emelia Gorecka will debut over the distance on Saturday but her 15:07.45 5000m PB makes her the fastest in the field for 5k and she is a world-class athlete.

Gorecka has enjoyed working with coach and club mate Chris Thompson to build foundations back to full fitness over the last two years, and her two outings over 5k on the road and track this year (16:04 to win the Carlsbad 5000m and 15:30.59 at the Payton Jordan Invitational) point towards the 24 year-old being one of the hot favourites at Highgate.

Havering’s Faye Fullerton will also be running 10,000m for the first time, but, like Gorecka, she is a proven performer on an elite stage, and has been in the form of her life so far this year. A 15:53.69 5000m athlete, she has already represented GB three times this year on the country and over the 13.1m distance at The Big Half and the World Half Marathon Championships, the latter at which she ran a 73:56 PB.

Most recently she ran 16:01 to win the Ipswich 5k on the roads.

Tonbridge’s Ashley Gibson holds a 16:20.65 5000m PB and a 33:30 10k best on the road from last November’s Leeds Abbey Dash, where she placed third in a high class field. Her most recent performance over the distance was at a 10k in Holland, where she ran 34:17 in March.

Shildon’s Kate Avery ran her 31:41.44 10,000m PB in 2015 and it makes her the fastest Brit in the field. And although she only competed once in 2017 at the European Cross Country championship trials in Liverpool, she was back to winning ways at the recent Derby 10k, which she won in 34:38.

Avery also holds a 15:25.63 5000m PB, and has pulled on the GB vest on the track and country at senior level since 2014.

Katrina Wootton can boast a 31:45.63 PB and has been a truly classy athlete and consistent performer over 10k for more than a decade, despite still residing in the senior ranks.

Coventry’s Wootton has already raced three times over the distance this year at Chichester, Brighton and Birmingham, posting a 33:22 result at the former. Her 72:49 clocking at February’s Barcelona half marathon was a big PB and proves her strength of endurance.

Cardiff’s Charlotte Arter clocked a 32:37.52 PB last August at the Stretford BMC meeting, but she also competed at last year’s Highgate race, where she ran 32:51.72 to finish 6th in a high class field. Holding bests of 15:40.15 and 15:39 for 5k on the track and road respectively secured in the last 12 months, the latter at the Cardiff 5k to take the win, prove she is one of the strongest favourites in form.

Leeds’ Claire Duck with a 32:51.38 PB from last year’s Night of the 10,000m PBs shows she is also a big contender, with the Leeds athlete having proved her form nine times already this year on the country, track and road. Her 15:39.68 5000m PB came just last week at Sportcity’s BMC meet, and, proving her versatility over every track distance, she ran 9:17.41 last month for 3000m, just 10 seconds shy of her best and very early in the season.

RELATED: Why I run: Claire Duck

AFD’s Louise Small’s 32:56.11 PB was also secured at last year’s event, proving the quality of Ben Pochee’s creation. Small has been a consistent top performer for some years now, having spent her whole athletics life with the Aldershot club, and her recent 33:20 10k PB in Poland highlights the fact the young teacher is another one to watch at the sharp end of the race.

Jenny Nesbitt is the youngest of the British elite crop, but her 32:58.14 10,000m PB proves she is just as much a threat for the title as her older rivals. Like Duck, the Worcester athlete has also raced prolifically this year already, most notably at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, where she recorded her lifetime best in the biggest race of her career so far.

The talented youngster also ran her fastest ever 10k road time at February’s Bourton 10k, where she posted a 33:24 PB to win.

Philippa Bowden’s 33:44.24 PB was another lifetime best to be earned at last year’s Highgate event, but Bowden is a strong athlete on all surfaces, having made impressive progress over the country and on the track in the last 12-18 months.

The AFD athlete finished in the top three at both BUCS championships on country and track, and put in a fine performance at January’s Great Edinburgh cross country international to underline her elite credentials.

Leeds’ Stevie Stockton’s 34:03.88 PB does not highlight just how fast the long time GB athlete has been running this year since returning to top form, with her lifetime best coming back in 2013.

Stockton ran a 15.38 PB to win the recent Mid-Cheshire and England Championships 5k, before posting another PB at last week’s Sportcity BMC 5000m, where she posted a 15:41.11 best to finish second behind Claire Duck.

Edinburgh Uni Hare & Hounds’ Mhairi Maclennan’s 34:39.87 PB came back in 2016 in Portugal, but she has since run faster on the road, her 33:41 best coming in a top class 10k race at Brighton, where she finished 5th. Maclennan also ran a 56:30 10M PB last month to finish runner up at the Scottish Championships.

Bristol & West’s Elsey Davis has been in storming form since taking a more relaxed attitude to training and ditching the marathon (albeit only for now), and her 35:38.48 10,000m PB does not give an accurate indication of her abilities over the distance.

This year she has run a 33:40 road PB to win the Cardiff 10k, along with four further sub-35 minute clockings over 6.2m. Her 16:29 5k PB came when she dominated the Guernsey Easter running festival, and she has also run a 5m lifetime PB this year, her 27:39 best coming at Alsager.

City of Norwich’s Dani Nimmock will be making her debut over 10,000m at Parliament Hill, but she has hit a rich vein of form this year already, winning the Manchester marathon in a 10 minute PB of 2:38:22 just last month. Nimmock ran for England at the recent Lillebaelt half marathon, where she came second, but her 74:13 PB from the earlier Big Half shows her true endurance abilities.

Leading the Irish charge

Emma Mitchell and Ann Marie McGlynn both return to Highgate and compete in the A race, while Fionnuala Ross and Shona Heaslip are down to start in the B race.

Mitchell will look to further reduce the 32:49.91 personal best and Northern Ireland record she set in finishing 15th at last month’s Commonwealth Games, while McGlynn who ran a top 3 time at the English National Road Relays earlier this year, will aim to improve on her 33:16.73 personal best set in Highgate last year.

Heaslip, has impressed this year, picking up both the Irish cross country and 10k titles and will make debut over the distance on the track. After a recent 34:19 PB on the road to finish second at the Birmingham 10k she will be full of confidence.

Scotland based Ross made a return to the track in April and ran a personal best 34:05.59 in a mixed race at the Scottish 10,000m Championships. The Armagh AC/Shettleston Harriers’ athlete will be full of confidence having made the Irish teams at the European Cross Country Championships and the World Half Marathon Championships in the last few months.

International competition

Among the international challenge in London on Saturday night is Germany’s Sabrina Mockenhaupt. The 37 year-old, who is a two-time winner of the European Cup has a PB of 31:14.21 from 2008 and last season her best over the distance was 32:46.37.

The Spanish team includes Nuria Lugueros and Ana Lozano, while Kenyan born Lonah Chemtai Salpeter is Israel’s sole representative in the women’s A race and clocked a personal best 31:39.63 last month in Tel Aviv.

France’s Sophie Duarte returns to Highgate after clocking her PB of 32:36.32 at the event in 2014 finishing second to Jo Pavey.

The Netherland’s Jip Vastenburg will also be one to watch. Vastenburg ran a personal of 31:35.48 in 2015 and the 24 year-old ran impressively over the road last year clocking 10 mile and half marathon PBs of 54:02 and 71:04.

The elite men’s and women’s races will follow an afternoon and evening of back to back racing and entertainment. All of the action can be watched on Vinco from 1pm, with the footage also being streamed on the BBC website from 8.15pm.

A detailed preview of the men racing at the Night of 10,000m PBs can be found here.

The post Night of 10,000m PBs: women ready to shine in Highgate appeared first on Fast Running.

Max Burgin set a world age-15 record and UK under-17 best for 800m, clocking 1:47.50 at the first British Milers Club Grand Prix of the season at Manchester’s Sportcity on Saturday (May 12). More about Burgin’s stunning run can be found here.

In second was under-23 Spencer Thomas in a PB of 1:47.76. Finishing in fourth place was Joseph Reid who improved his Isle of Man record to 1:48.32.

Former European indoor 400m representative took more than three seconds from her best to win the women’s 800m A race in 2:03.86. Runner-up Jemma Reekie’s 2:03.91 was also a new best. Keely Hodgkinson, in fifth, topped the UK under-17 rankings for this year so far with a PB 2:05.27.

Ireland’s Sarah Healy won the women’s 1500m A race in a PB of 4:15.53. Top Brit in the men’s races was Andrew Smith, who set a best of 3:43.75 in placing second behind Italy’s Ossama Meslek. Former European junior 5000m bronze medallist was third in 3:44.00.

Philip Sesemann took the men’s 5000m A race, setting a PB of 13:59.27.

The women’s equivalent saw a pair of PBs at the front for Claire Duck (15:39.68) and Stevie Stockton (15:41.11) as Jess Judd was third in 15:49.54.

Elise Thorner set a European Youth Championships qualifier to win the women’s 2000m steeplechase in 6:52.68. Ben Thomas did likewise in the men’s as his 5:57.89 was good enough for third behind junior Alfred Yabsley (5:50.04).

Shanghai Diamond League (China), May 11

Andrew Osagie was the sole British middle-distance runner in action, clocking 1:46.36 for seventh in the high-calibre race. The 2012 Olympic finalist was racing for the first time since the Commonwealth Games.

Britain’s Reece Prescod was the surprise winner in a top men’s 100m field as he claimed victory by 0.01s pipping China’s Bingtian Su to victory in 10.04. CJ Ujah finished fourth in 10.18.

BMC Gold Standard Races, Lee Valley, May 9

Adam Clarke set a lifetime best to win the mile in 4:02.79. Behind 5000m winner John Sanderson (14:20.14), M40 Kojo Kyereme clocked 14:46.18 for seventh.

Portland Twilight Meeting, Adrian (USA), May 12

Britain’s Charlotte Taylor, who finished sixth at the European Cross Country Championships in December, won the 5000m in 15:52.84. Jack Rowe was second in the men’s 5000m in 14:03.79.

Cambridgeshire County Champs, Peterborough, May 12

Thomas Keen achieved a European Youth Championships qualifying standard of 3:51.02 with a solo effort.

Mountain West Outdoor Track & Field Championships, California, May 13

Scottish athlete Josh Kerr, who broke the NCAA 1500m record earlier this year, won his third-straight Mountain West 1500m title clocking 3:44.69. Kerr is the first athlete in league history to win the metric mile race for three consecutive years.

Atlanta Track Club All-Comers Meet (USA), May 8

Middlesbrough-Mandele’s Hannah Segrave was second in the 800m in 2:03.10.

On the roads this weekend, there were super quick times in Ipswich on Saturday night, and a report can be found here. On Sunday runners battled high temperatures in Bristol, while 10ks and half marathons in Leeds Sunderland, Oxford and Colchester also produced some fine performances. A full road running round-up can be found here.

The post BMC Grand Prix opener and this week’s track round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

Days away from his 16th birthday Max Burgin clocked an incredible 1:47.50 to win the men’s 800m race at the BMC Grand Prix in Manchester’s Sportcity on Saturday (May 12).

Burgin made the decisive move on Spencer Thomas down the home straight to clock not only a British U17 record but also the fastest time ever by a 15 year-old over 800m.

Almost a year ago, shortly after his 15th birthday, Burgin ran the previous world age mark of 1:49.42 and his new personal best is also faster than the world age best of 1:47:61 for a 16 year-old.

European Athletics president Svein Arne Hansen was won many to congratulate the Halifax youngster on his performance.

1:47.50 by 15-year old!!
Precocious talent – In 2017 Max Burgin (GB – dob 20 May 2002) ran 1:49.42 in 2017 just one month after his 15th birthday. Today, in the @BritishMilers at Sportcity Grand Prix in Manchester just 8 days before turning 16, he ran 1:47.50 for age 15 WR pic.twitter.com/EdTmh2LATn

— Svein Arne Hansen (@SvenPres) May 12, 2018

Also among the winners in Manchester was Laura Maddox who clocked a PB 2:03.86 to win the women’s 800m.

In the 1500m races, 17 year-old Irish athlete Sarah Healy just missed out on the Irish youth record of 4:15.46, but continued to make a name for herself running a European Youth Championships qualifying time of 4:15.53, while  Ossama Meslek won the men’s race in 3:42.15.

Claire Duck warmed up for next weekend’s Night of 10,000m PBs with a superb win in the women’s 5000m clocking a PB 15:39, while Phil Sesemann won the men’s race in a new best 13:59.27.

Visit fastrunning.com later on Sunday night for a full round-up of all the British track and road action this weekend.

You can watch a post-race interview with Burgin alongside his father and grandfather below.

WATCH: 15-year-old Max Burgin, father Ian & grandfather Brian chat to us after a WORLD AGE BEST 1:47.50 over 800m at #BMCGP in Manchester

More from them here: https://t.co/5MNLFAAXQz pic.twitter.com/c1iPY366d7

— Vinco (@VincoSport) May 12, 2018

The post Max Burgin runs fastest ever 800m by a 15 year-old appeared first on Fast Running.

Taking place at Sportcity in Manchester, Jess Judd, winner of 5000m gold at the BUCS Championships last weekend in Bedford, will once line-up over the longer distance.

Among those the 1500m specialist is expected to face are recently crowned English 5k road champion Stevie Stockton.

It will be the Leeds City athlete’s first competitive track race since 2014, while club mate Claire Duck will also among those challenging at the front, before she turns her attention to competing for GB in the European team cup at the Highgate Harriers’ Night of 10,000m PBs next weekend.

Other notable entries include Northern cross country champion Mhairi MacLennan, Kate Holt and Elsey Davis.

The men’s race features Graham Rush, Phil Sesemann, Bradley Goater, Jack Morris, Sol Sweeney and Carl Avery, fresh from a 5k road PB at the England 5k Championships.

Andrew Heyes will face Jonny Hay in the men’s 1500m race, with Tom Cook and John Ashcroft also notable entries.

Cari Hughes, who won 1500m gold at the BUCS Championships, is among leading women in the 1500m event. With Stacey Smith, Claire Tarplee, Ella McNiven, Emily Dudgeon, Ireland’s teenage star Sarah Healy and Swedish athlete and member of Team New Balance Manchester Anna Silvander also on the start list it should be a great race.

The 800m events also feature BUCS gold medalists. In the men’s race, Daniel Rowden is among the entries, while in the women’s event Mari Smith, who clocked a PB 2:03.71 in Bedford, will face Jemma Reekie and Amy Griffiths.

The full timetable can be found here and the action will be streamed live from 4:30pm on Vinco.

The post Runners get set for BMC Grand Prix opener in Manchester appeared first on Fast Running.

I started running when I was in primary school, but I didn’t do any specific training, I just did every sport going, including swimming.

I then ran all through school and did athletics in the summer, but I was part of all the sports teams too and just done a bit of everything. I think when you’re young, just being active and enjoying it is the most important thing.

Why I love running. For many reasons; I’m fiercely competitive for one and love the challenge that racing brings.

I also love the bond you build with other athletes and the training groups I have here in Leeds are the best. There is such a depth of talent in Leeds and there are always people to run with.

I love my Sunday’s running into the countryside with the girls, even if we’re hurting we get each other through and have a laugh doing it.

I also enjoy the variety of events; from cross country to the road and the track. I always enjoy championship racing as it is so different to paced events, but I also love races where there is an opportunity to go for a PB.

As well as racing and competing, just running just to keep fit and healthy is something I’ll always do even when I stop competing.

When running became a sport. I competed in the schools cross country events and did the trials for the English Schools, which I got to compete in during my last year of school.

This then led me to join my first team the City of York (used to be Nestle Rowntrees). I took things a bit more serious in my last two years of college and began doing a couple of runs a week to “train” specifically for running.

It wasn’t until I went to Leeds University that I started to train properly, building my mileage and doing sessions. I then joined Leeds City AC as I always intended on staying in Leeds. From here I went on to run for a university in Chicago for 18 months on a scholarship.

Becoming an international runner. I met my current coach Mike Baxter in 2010 and moved back to Leeds in 2012, from here my fitness improved and we started to progress, however in the following few years I struggled with injuries and had a cycling accident.

Throughout this period I dreamt about an international vest, however, I wasn’t sure I ever would achieve it. In 2014/15 I changed jobs from shift work to regular hours and made a couple of adaptations to my training including adding strength and conditioning.

Making these adjustments finally paid off when in early 2016 I gained my first England vest over cross country. From here things have continued to improve and I hope there will be more to come.

The importance of my club. Competing for my club is hugely important, it’s where everything starts and the support from the group is wonderful.

It’s great to go to club matches and see athletes giving their all, while still supporting each other. It’s a great way also to encourage young athletes into sport, and importantly enjoy it, which will hopefully see them stick with it.

Photo: Charlotte Wills

The track, roads and cross country. What I like about the track is the fast and furious conditions of racing and the chance to go for times, however, there can be more pressure as there is nowhere to hide.

I like the road for the interesting courses and the opportunities to run fast times in mixed events. I don’t often aim for the road though, so it’s probably my least favourite surface.

I love cross country for the challenge that every course brings, it could be fast and dry or muddy and tough. No course is exact and it’s all about the position. I don’t really dislike anything about cross country, well maybe just the cleaning of spikes afterwards.

My career high. My proudest moment so far has been captaining the British cross country team for the World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda in 2017.

It was only my second GB vest and a huge honour. It was an incredible event, hugely challenging in the heat and at altitude, but also a fantastic experience I will never forget.

My career low. There can be many low moments in running, it’s what makes the high’s so good. It’s just how you chose to deal with them.

One of the hardest times for me came not from running, but from a cycling accident on my way to work in early 2015. This was at a point when I had started to make a breakthrough in running.

I spent a couple of days in the hospital and suffered a few broken bones and concussion. It was a tough time building back up to running and competing again, but I also feel this life event made me more determined than ever to train hard and achieve all I could.

The future. I have achieved everything I ever dreamt about in my career and so much more.

My aims are now to try and improve my times over the road and track and continue to challenge the best at cross country in the hope that I can achieve further international selections.

My final piece of advice. My advice to others would be to enjoy your running and don’t be too hard on yourself.

The post Why I run: Claire Duck appeared first on Fast Running.

The form guide for the men’s 12-stage event and women’s 6-stage at Sutton Park is a little patchy this year, with the southern relays last month having been cancelled due to the weather.

Swansea will be without at least four of their first-choice team due to the injury of Dewi Griffiths, last year’s fastest long-leg runner, and Jonny Hopkins, Josh Griffiths and triathlete Liam Lloyd being at the Commonwealth Games.

Team manager George Edwards admitted they would be hit hard by the omissions. However, given they won last year’s race by almost five minutes they could still be in with a chance.

Edwards said: “If we don’t lose anyone else it’s a good team. But you look at someone like Dewi, fastest leg last year, and he’s a hard man to replace.”

Bristol & West, who won the Midland relay, could well complete the logical progression after third in 2016 and second last year.

Despite an injury doubt over Will Christofi, who clocked the fastest short stage at the Midlands, team manager Mike Down said: “I think we’ve got a better team than last year, but I think we’ll do very well to beat Tonbridge, who I would think must be the favourites.”

Tonbridge, led by fifth-placed Chris Olley, emphatically won the nine-to-score English National cross-country event in February and look set to improve on their sixth from last year.

Lincoln Wellington believe they have a stronger outfit than the one which won the Northern title, last month with Joe Wilkinson and Tom Straw coming into the team for them.

Three of the squad have just come down from altitude at Font Romeu, including London Marathon bound Aaron Scott, and they are missing only Lucian Allison from a full-strength squad.

Kent AC, spearheaded by recent BUCS cross country winner Alex Yee, could also challenge, while Liverpool Harriers, Notts, Salford and Highgate Harriers will be in the mix.

Photo: Stephen Lee

Leeds, led by Emma Clayton, Susan Partridge, had a three-minute winning margin last year in the women’s 6-stage and also recently won the Northern title, where Claira Duck, who ran the fastest short leg of the day – but will face tough opposition.

RELATED: Northern road relays produces eye-catching performances

Cambridge & Coleridge, fourth last year, could be in the mix with in-form Charlotte Christensen, who was third in the Southern cross, coming into the team.

They can now call upon Julia Paternain, the recent Schools International winner. However, Vicky Knight misses out. “It’s a good team that could bring home a medal,” said team manager Mark Vile.

Sale Harriers, led by Georgia Taylor-Brown, beat C&C into second at the National cross this year. Birchfield Harriers were big winners at the Midland’s last month and look set to improve on their 11th from last year.

Swansea were second last year, but are struggling to get a team out, with Eli Kirk and Caryl Jones on Commonwealth duty and Verity Ockenden having recently had a bike injury.

Bristol & West, fifth last year, also played down their chances, while Aldershot, Farnham & District are below-par and last year’s bronze medallists, Winchester & District, aren’t entered.

Also in the running for medals should be Rotherham Harriers and Salford.

After controversy last year over Welsh team Swansea’s victory, the organisers have decided to award medals to the first three teams overall and first three English teams.

Four 5km races for under-15 and under-17 males and females will also be staged, with prizes awarded for individuals and teams.

Timetable

11am – Under-17 men’s 5km
11.05am – Under-17 women’s 5km
11.15am – Under-15 boys’ 5km
11.20am – Under-15 girls’ 5km
12 noon – Senior men (6×5.38 miles; 6×3.16 miles)
12.20pm – Senior women (2×5.38 miles; 4×3.16 miles)

The post Clubs ready to battle for road relay honours appeared first on Fast Running.

England’s best will once again lace up the spikes for the three ECCA area championships in Leeds (Northern), Brighton (South) and Nottingham (Midlands) ahead of the National XC Championships in Parliament Hill next month.

Having won back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017, Claire Duck will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in the Northern women’s 8k race. The Leeds City runner recently had a convincing win at the Yorkshire Championships ahead of 800m runner Alex Bell (Pudsey and Bramley).

Georgia Taylor Brown was bronze medallist last year and is on Sale Harriers start list along with clubmate Danielle Fegan. Others to watch out for include Leeds trio Emma Clayton, Stevie Stockton and Georgia Malir, plus Leigh Harriers’ Lauren Howarth, who finished 13th at the World Cross Country Champs in 2009.

Ben Connor (Derby AC) will not be returning to defend his 2017 title in Harewood House, Leeds, and will instead focus on the road over the coming months. Silver medallist Joe Steward is on the start list. The East Cheshire Harrier competed in the European Cross Country Championships in December, finishing 25th in the U23 race.

Charlie Hulson who took the 2016 Northern cross country title at Witton Park Blackburn, comes into the race in fine form having recently won the Telford 10k. Hulson smashed his personal best breaking the tape in 29:12 at the rescheduled road race.

Stockport’s Jack Martin who represented Great Britain at the Edinburgh XCountry and is among those entered by the Manchester club and should be pushing for a medal. Elsewhere, Olympic triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee are down as entries for Bingley Harriers.

Others to watch out for are Nick Swinburn and Peter Newton of Morpeth Harriers, Andy Norman and Dave Norman of Altrincham AC, plus James Wilkinson of Leeds City and Ben Fish of Blackburn Harriers.

Northern Timetable
Under 17 women – 11:00 5500m
Junior women – 12:25 6000m
Under 13 girls – 11:55 3000m
Under 17 men – 12:10 6000m
Under 13 boys – 12:40 3000m
Under 15 girls – 12:55 4000m
Under 15 boys – 13:20 4000m
Junior men – 13:40 8000m
Senior women – 14:15 8000m
Senior men – 15:05 12000m

South of England

The Southern event heads to Stanmer Park in Brighton this year, with the usual venue Parliament Hill, earmarked for the National Cross Country Championships in February.

Should he run, Andy Maud will be a strong favourite after winning individual and club titles last year at Parliament Hill. The Highgate Harriers runner has impressed at the Start Fitness Surrey League this year and won the last race held at Coulsdon. On that day he beat a strong field including John Gilbert, Nicholas Tory and Paskar Owar.

Emily Hosker Thornhill had a race right until the line last year, just beating clubmate Louise Small by one second to win the women’s title.

Their duo’s club, Aldershot, Farnham & District, also won the team title. Small went on to finish second in the National Cross Country Championships and the InterCountess, before competing at the World Cross Country Championships for Great Britain.

A notable absence on Saturday will be Tonbridge AC. The club has taken the decision to boycott the area championships calling for a better level of service from the regional body.

Timetable
Under 15 boys – 11:00 4500m
Under 13 girls – 11:20 3000m
Under 13 boys – 11:35 3000m
Under 15 girls – 11:50 4000m
Under 17 men – 12:10 6000m
Junior women – 12:40 6000m
Under 17 women – 13:05 5000m
Junior men – 13:30 8000m
Senior women – 14:05 8000m
Senior men – 14:50 15000m

Midlands

Alex Breaker will look to defend his 2017 Midland title on Saturday in Wollaton Park, Nottingham. The City of Stoke runner has shown great form in 2018 so far with two wins to his name, including the Staffordshire County Championships.

Last year’s silver medallist Jonathon Thewlis of Notts AC will make a return to racing after missing most of last year due to illness. Clubmate Alistair Watson could well be the one to watch having recently run 30:17 on the roads at the Telford 10k.

In the senior women’s race, Charnwood’s Juliet Potter, City of Stokes Katie Holt and Birchfield Harrier Chloe Richardson will again do battle for the medals.

Timetable
Under 17 women – 11:00 5000m
Under 15 boys – 11:25 4000m
Under 13 girls – 11:45 3000m
Under 17 men – 12:05 6000m
Under 13 boys – 12:30 3000m
Under 15 girls – 12:45 4000m
Junior women – 13:05 6000m
Junior men – 13:35 8000m
Senior women – 14:20 8000m
Senior men – 15:00 12000m

The post Spikes and mud returns for Area Cross Country Championships appeared first on Fast Running.

On her international debut, Louise Small secured a top 40 finish in the senior women’s race, while Victoria Weir and Sam Stevens finished as the top Britons in their junior races with 40th and 43rd place finishes respectively as the GB team put in a determined showing.

For Small and her fellow senior women’s team members Claire Duck, Rebecca Murray and Emily Hosker-Thornhill, the anticipated quick-fire pace from the gun saw the field of 106 split in a near instant, with each of the quartet working hard throughout to pull back places.

As the five laps went on and the 10km race drew to a close, it was Aldershot, Farnham & District athlete Small who did the most when it came to working her way through the strung out field effectively and efficiently for an eventual 38th place finish, while European Cross U23 team gold medallist Murray also impressed to claim 42nd as she transitions into running as a senior athlete.

GB team captain Claire Duck finished in 63rd, and Hosker Thornhill finished in 90th.

Afterwards Small, reflected on the race: “It was tough and it was hot out there, but I’m proud of the way we battled as individuals and as a team.

“The pace was quick from the off, but obviously we expected that to be the case, so it was a case of making sure we kept our cool and ran our own races regardless of what was going on in front or behind. Overall I’m pleased with the finish, and both the race and the championships have been a fantastic experience.”

In the men’s U20 race, won by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo in front of a rapturous home crowd, Leicester’s Sam Stevens worked his way through the field over the course of the three 2k laps to eventually claim a highly respectable 43rd place finish as he, like many, debuted at the World Cross Country Championships against stiff opposition.

With the sextet of junior men largely sticking together as a pack for the first lap-and-a-half of the 6km race, it was Stevens, Scott Beattie (Mike Bateman) and Inter-County champion Jonathan Shields (Michael Thompson) who led the way for the British Athletics team, with the sight of the trio swapping places something of a regular occurrence in the earlier stages of the race.

Only when the bell came did Stevens make a push forward as the heat began to take its toll on many competitors, and as the home straight beckoned it was he who pushed on to claim a finish inside the top 45, with Beattie four places and nine seconds behind for 47th place.

Commenting on the race, he said: “As a team we played the race out to go off steady and I think we did that. As we went through the race we tried to move through as individuals and a team, but obviously it’s so difficult to not drop off out there.

“I’m pleased overall though – I was ill at nationals, then I wasn’t quite at it when it came to Inter-Counties, so I really wanted to just come here and kill myself out there on the course, and I 100% feel like I did that.”

Elsewhere in the race, Shields took 60th; Hugo Milner was 69th, despite a niggling injury throughout; debutant Luke Prior (Simon Prior) finished 80th; and Ben Davies (Simon Goodwin) came home in 87th.

In the first race of the day to feature British athletes, the women’s U20 race, Victoria Weir (Bud Baldaro) was the first Briton over the line for a noteworthy 40th place in another impressive showing on what was her first global competition in a British vest.

At the 2km point of the U20 women’s 6km race Weir was sat at a mid-way point between the middle and back of the field, but a resilient final lap saw her move through the field to snatch placings back from the 104-strong field in determined fashion.

Speaking on a challenging course and temperatures of 27 degrees, post-race Weir said: “You train to be able to run hard, so in that aspect the course is fine because you’re used to running hard, but for me I hadn’t really adapted my training to the heat. I think if I was to do another course like this in these conditions I would definitely be changing aspects of my training as a means of preparation.”

On her first international vest and representing GB for a third time, she concluded: “I can’t even describe it – last season I didn’t even do cross country and was unsure about continuing to run competitively, so to start University after a really good track season and be able to be given the opportunity to represent your country, which was a life-long dream, three times in almost as many months [European Cross Country & Great Edinburgh XCountry] is almost indescribable.”

Also in the midst of the field for much of the race were Scottish duo Gillian Black and Anna MacFadyen, as the pair eventually settled for 46th and 48th place finishes on their British Athletics debuts. In the same race, Tonbridge’s Phoebe Barker (Richard Owen) was 57th on the back of good work undertaken in the earlier stages of the race, and Wales’ national U20 champion Cari Hughes (Andrew Walling) claimed 64th.

Unfortunately Amelia Quirk did not finish the race as she withdrew at around the 3km point.

The post Team GB round-up, at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala appeared first on Fast Running.