Asher-Smith who has recovered tremendously from her broken foot at the beginning of the year, posted 16.70 for the win in the rarely ran 150m distanced race, bettering her previous best by 0.12 from Manchester two years ago.

It draws an unforgettable season to a close for the 21-year-old broke after an outstanding performance to finish fourth in the 100m at the Wolrd Championships, before going on to bag a silver medal as part of the British 4x100m quartet.

Finishing behind Asher-Smith was Bianca Williams in 17.00, with Naomi Sedney of the Netherland’s third in 17.40.

Earlier in the day on the banks of Tyne, Desirèe Henry sealed victory in the women’s 100m clocking 11.61 for the win.

Henry finished ahead of 4x100m silver medal winning relay teammate Asha Philip, with South Africa’s Carina Horn third in 11.78 and Ireland’s European U20 champion Gina Akpe-Moses fourth.

Henry said: “This 2017 season has absolutely been amazing for me. Just to come away with a win on my last race of the season.”

Australian Jordan Williamsz won the first-mile race of the day in 4:05.88, finishing ahead of Elliot Giles in 4:06.17, with Marcin Lewandowski, who finished second last year, third in 4.06.67.

Melissa Courtney won the women’s equivalent race over the historic distance, holding off the challenge of Kenya’s Winny Chebet to win in 4:33.83. Chebet was second in 4:34.42, with Rosie Clarke running strongly for third in 4:34.42.

Highlights of the Great North CityGames

What a day at #GNCG2017! Here's some of the best bits pic.twitter.com/Dni29wDyH8

— Great Run (@Great_Run) September 9, 2017

In the men’s 150m American Ameer Webb took the win in 15.24, finishing ahead of Britain’s world relay gold medalist Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake.

Mitchell-Blake finished in 15.26 ahead of compatriot Harry Aikines-Aryeetey who clocked 15.38.

Perri Shakes-Drayton was a surprise winner of the women’s 500m, clocking 1:06.69 ahead of Anyika Onuora in 1.06.70 with Lisanne De Witte third with 1:07.19 and Britain’s Lynsey Sharp fourth in 1:07.48.

Nijel Amos won the men’s 500m race in 59:26 from Guy Learmonth in 1:00.73 and Dwayne Cowan third in 1:01.01.

Aries Merritt was set to compete in the men’s 110m hurdles but withdrew during the week. In the Olympic champion’s absence, Petr Svoboda took the win in 13.62, with Jarret Eaton of the USA second in 13.69 and Koen Smet third in 13.80.

Jonnie Peacock clinched the win in the men’s Para Athletics T44 100m on the pop-up track on the banks of Tyne.

In the women’s long jump Lorraine Ugen took the win on a countback ahead of Kseninja Balta and Jazmin Sawyers after the top three all recorded 6.46m.

Ugen said: “I wasn’t expecting everyone to jump the same distance! I think it makes it a bit more exciting when it’s like ooh what’s going to happen.”

Finnish athlete Urho Kujanpaa took victory in the men’s pole vault with 5.45, ahead of France’s Stanley Joseph and compatriot Tomas Wecksten.

Before the main programme of events got underway there was Great School Sprint action, with 15-year-old Amy hunt, the English Schools and School Games champion the standout performer winning the 150m (Under 19) A final in 17.31.

The post Dina Asher-Smith Clocks Personal Best At Great North CityGames appeared first on Fast Running.

The unique race which took place on a tailor-made running track on the bank of the River Tyne, featured a line-up of four, including two members of Britain’s world silver medal relay quartet Asha Philip and Desiree Henry.

Akpe-Moses didn’t have the best of starts out of the blocks, but showed determination to battle back and close the gap in the final stretch.

Great Britain’s Henry took the win in 11.61 with Philip second in 11.65, with South Africa’s Carina Horn third.

Akpe-Moses, the European U20 champion crossed the line in 11.92.

The experience of racing against two world medalists marks another milestone in the teenage sprinter’s exciting track career so far.

Philip and Henry, who were instrumental members of Great Britain’s 4x100m relay team at the World Championships in London have season’s best 11.14 and 11.09 respectively, with Akpe-Moses’ lifetime and season’s best 11.56 (0.16 seconds outside of the Irish national record).

Akpe-Moses now turns her attention to next season with the first goal to secure qualification for the World Junior Championships in Finland.

The post Strong Performance from Gina Akpe-Moses at the Great North CityGames appeared first on Fast Running.

Kicking off the Great North Run weekend of sporting events is the unique CityGames on Saturday, ahead of the Great North Run, which features Mo Farah in the half marathon field, on Sunday.

The CityGames will bring athletics action directly to fans with a tailor-made sports complex set-up on the bank of the River Tyne.

World record holder Merritt, who finished fifth at the recent World Championships in London, returns for a third time and looks the main man in the 110m hurdles.

Aiming to challenge the American Olympic champion, are compatriot Jarrett Eaton, Great Britain’s Jake Porter and Czech Petr Svoboda.

Britain’s fastest woman, Asher-Smith, will line up in a special 150m race hoping to close out her impressive season in winning fashion.

The 21-year-old who broke her foot at the beginning of the year, delivered an outstanding solo performance to finish fourth in the 100m at the Wolrd Championships, before going on to bag a silver medal as part of a British 4x100m quartet.

Asher-Smith’s main challengers are compatriot Bianca Williams and Naomi Sedney of the Netherlands.

Two further members of GB’s silver winning sprint relay team, Asha Philip and Desiree Henry will line up in the women’s 100m race.

The British duo will face Ireland’s sprint prodigy Gina Akpe-Moses and South Africa’s Carina Horn.

Teenager Akpe-Moses made headlines in July when she clinched the 100m gold with a tremndous performance at the European U20 Championship in Grosseto, Italy.

While the atmosphere on Saturday will be friendly, it’s the first time the 18-year-old lines up with athletes of the calibire of British duo Philip and Henry.

“This is a whole new experience for me but as much as I am nervous, I’m also really excited to be taking part and I’m ready to run the best that I can,” said Akpe-Moses.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 150m race Britain’s Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake goes head-to-head with the man that shows no signs of ageing, Kim Collins.

World champion Mitchell-Blake, who ran the anchor leg of GB’s winning 4x100m men’s relay team at the World Championships in London has a 100m season’s best of 9.99, while 41-year-old Collins’ best this year is 10.20.

Joining the sprint pair on the pop-up track are Britain’s Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and American Ameer Webb.

Other British athletes taking part across the remaining GreatCity Games events include the world 5,000m finalist Andy Butchart, Tiffany Porter, Lynsey Sharp, British 100m champion Reece Prescod and Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock.

All events at the Great North CityGames are free to attend, and the action will also be broadcast live on BBC One from 1.15pm.

The post Star Athletes Set for Great North CityGames appeared first on Fast Running.