The Ipswich Twilight 5k event, organised by Ipswich JAFFA Running Club, takes place on Saturday and this year hosts the England 5km Road Championships and the supporting events include a unique elite 800m road race. The sold out 5km race takes place on one of the fastest road courses  in the UK and the start list is stacked with quality. Such has been the popularity of the race and the depth of quality that an additional sub-15 minute race has been added to the timetable.

The Leading Contenders

Nick Goolab of Belgrave ran 13:50 last year to put him second on the UK rankings last year. Defending his title after a UK leading 28:22 10km at Brighton Goolab will face stiff competition including 13:54 man and World Cross competitor Adam Hickey. Other sub 14 minute challengers include Jack Gray (PB – 13:52), Phil Sesemann (PB – 13:50), Kieran Clements (13:53) and Graham Rush (13:51).

Embracing the nautical heritage of the town Gray told us “I’m really excited to set sail for Ipswich Waterfront and get on-board a fast pace. Hopefully we will see a continuation of what has been an incredible year for domestic road racing in the wake of Armagh, Brighton and London. My goals are the English and British championships, it should be a fascinating contest and I’ll be vying to take the helm come Saturday night.”

The women’s field is headlined by Laura Weightman who has been in sparkling form on the roads in 2019. Steve Cram coached Weightman, who has a 15:08 clocking on the track, ran 31:39 at the Parelloop 10km in March to move to 5th on the UK all time rankings. Jessica Judd returns to road racing having run 9:05 at Armagh 3km in February. Judd will be joined by Gemma Steel, third on the UK all time 10km rankings. The fabulous field, including internationals such as Danielle Hodgkinson, Lucy Crookes and Claire Duck, is testament to the quality of the organisation by race director Carl Ashton.

An unique 800m Race

The event also includes a unique 800m road race with a high quality invited field including European Indoor Medallist Jamie Webb (PB – 1:45.73), Zak Curran (PB – 1:46.78) and Spencer Thomas (PB – 1:47.76) in the men’s race. The women’s race sees international Gemma Kersey (PB – 2:06.11) going head to head with fellow Basildon athlete Isobel Ives (PB – 2:07.36) and Lily Coward (PB – 2:07.44).

An Afternoon of Athletics

The elite races cap a full afternoon of racing. The racing kicks off at 14:00 with a daily mile race for local schools. There are separate 5km races for over 30 minute runners and 21-30 minutes as well as a business challenge and family 2km race. The sub 20 minute race which includes the women’s elite race starts at 19:00, the men’s elite race at 19:30. The women’s and men’s 800m races take place at 17:00 and 17:15 respectively.

The elite races will be screened live on the Ipswich Twilight Facebook site.

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The post The stars are out for Ipswich Twilight Races appeared first on Fast Running.

Some of England’s fastest runners made their way to the rural village of Kingsley for the Mid Cheshire 5k and enjoyed perfect racing conditions as they battled for the country’s 5k honours.

Aldershot’s Allen, racing in his first 5k road race, clinched the men’s title in 14:07, while Leeds City’s Stockton set a new course record and personal best to take the women’s crown in 15:39 (CT:15:38).

Allen, who won the Chichester Priory 10K in February, finished five seconds ahead of Leeds City’s young star Emile Cairess and Stockport’s Jack Martin.

Cairness, who has enjoyed a fine cross country season, just edged out Martin to silver with both men clocking 14:12.

Photo: Chloe Broad

Stockton enjoyed a dominating victory in the women’s race finishing more than 20 seconds ahead of second-placed Emily Hosker and takes a big slice of her recent best at the Podium 5k.

The 28 year-old’s chip time of 15:38 places her 11th on the UK all-time list.

Racing in her first 5k on the roads Aldershot’s Hosker also dipped under the 16:00 mark clocking 15:59. The St. Mary’s University athlete adds the England 5k silver to the BUCS 3000m indoor gold she won earlier this year.

City Of Stoke’s Kate Holt, who was also racing competitively for the first time over the distance, completed the women’s podium in 16:12.

Photo: Chloe Broad

Salford’s Marc Brown was the last of the 25 male runners to break the 15-minute mark, which improves last year’s course record by two.

A record number of 12 women dipped under the 17-minute mark with Heanor RC’s Lisa Palmer-Blount concluding the dozen in a time of 16:54.

Men’s results – name, club, gun time/chip time

1) Richard Allen, Aldershot Farnham & District: 14:07
2 Emile Cairess, Leeds City: 14:12
3) Jack Martin, Stockport Harriers: 14:12
4) Ross Skelton, Brighton Phoenix: 14:17/14:16
5) Robbie Fitzgibbon, Brighton Phoenix: 14:18
6) Charlie Hulson, Liverpool Harriers: 14:19/14:18
7) John Ashcroft, Liverpool Harriers: 14:19/14:18
8) Ed Shepherd, Woodford Green: 14:19/14:18
9) Jack Gray, Cambridge & Coleridge: 14:20/14:19
10) Chris Parr, Gateshead Harriers: 14:20/14:19
11) Andrew Smith, Pudsey & Bramley: 14:21/14:20
12) Linton Taylor, Newark AC: 14:22
13) Dane Blomquist, Aldershot Farnham & District: 14:24/14:23
14) John Beattie, Newham & Essex Beagles: 14:26
15) Dominic Shaw, New Marske Harriers: 14:27
16) Alastair Watson, Notts AC: 14:29/14:28
17) Carl Avery, Morpeth Harriers: 14:30/14:29
18) Tom Merson, Exmouth Harriers: 14:32/14:31
19) Dejene Gezimu, Liverpool Harriers: 14:32/14:31
20) Jack Morris, Stockport Harriers: 14:32/14:31

Women’s results – name, club, gun time/chip time

1) Stevie Stockton, Leeds City: 15:39/15:38
2) Emily Hosker, Aldershot Farnham & District: 16:00/15:59
3) Kate Holt, City Of Stoke: 16:14/16:12
4) Calli Thackery, Hallamshire Harriers: 16:20/16:17
5) Elle Baker, Stockport Harriers: 16:29/16:28
6) Lucy Crookes, Leeds City: 16:42/16:39
7) Jenna Hill, Sale Harriers: 16:43/16:42
8) Rachael Burns, Liverpool Harriers: 16:45/16:44
9) Hannah Viner, Highgate Harriers: 16:47/16:44
10) Kirsty Longley, Liverpool Pembroke: 16:55/16:54
11) Sinead Bent, Salford Harriers: 16:56/16:52
12) Lisa Palmer-Blount, Heanor RC: 16:57/16:54
13) Georgia Campbell, Jarrow & Hebburn: 17:15/17:12
14) Sophie Wood, Salford Harriers: 17:19/17:14
15) Olivia Stones, Leigh Harriers: 17:22/17:16
16) Holly Smith, Vale Royal: 17:22/17:19
17) Claire Martin, Telford AC: 17:27/17:24
18) Emma Burgess, Highgate Harriers: 17:36/17:32
19) Louise Rudd, Stockport Harriers: 17:46/17:43
20) Sarah Howard, Liverpool Harriers: 17:48/17:46

The post Richard Allen & Stevie Stockton crowned England 5k champions appeared first on Fast Running.