Diver’s time was quicker than the 69:45 she ran at the Gold Coast Half Marathon last month and not far off her personal best of 68:55 run in Marugame, Japan in February. Race winner, with a quickest half marathon by a female runner of 64:28, was Brigid Koskei of Kenya. The GNR course isn’t record eligible.

Earlier this year, Diver led the women’s race at the London Marathon for the first hour eventually finishing seventh in a personal best 2:24.11.

Locally, Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock, who has recently become a dad for the first time, was the winner of the Lucan 5-Mile also on Sunday.

Clohisey was the class of the field winning in an untroubled time of 24 mins 12 secs. He will defend his Irish marathon title in Dublin next month. A distant second in 25 mins 55 secs was Sean Doran of Clonliffe Harriers, with Mark Ryan of Rathfarnham WSAF AC third and first M40 in 26:06.

Running her first race for some time was mountain runner Sarah McMahon (formerly Mulligan) of Dundrum South Dublin who finished in 31:25. Lucan’s own Aoife Coffey was second while in third place, Jill Horan led Civil Service Harriers to team victory over Lucan Harriers and Celbridge AC.

Celbridge was first of the men’s teams by some margin with Lucan Harriers second and Polish Runners Club third.

Hehir successful over 10km

On Saturday (September 7) Sean Hehir, who is between clubs at the moment, showed a welcome return to form when winning The Lakes 10km in Blessington.

Hehir’s time of 30:21 put him eight seconds ahead of Tomas Fitzpatrick from Tallaght AC, who finished in 30:29. Finishing third was Eric Keogh of Donore Harriers in 31:17.

First woman was Sinead O’Connor of Leevale AC in 34:58. With Mary Mulhare of Portlaoise AC second in 35:59 and the pair tied on points coming into the race, it meant O’Connor ended up overall winner of the KIA Series, winning the use of a KIA car for a year.

Topping the men’s rankings for a second year , with five wins in the nine race series, was Hiko Tonosa of Dundrum South Dublin AC who finished sixth in Saturday’s race. Since Tonosa doesn’t drive, the year’s use of a car again went to Eric Keogh, with a second, three third places and a fourth. Masters winners were Paul Fleming of Rathfarnham WSAF and Caroline Donnelly of Edenderry AC.

Tight finish over 5km

On the same day, Colm Rooney beat his Clonliffe clubmates Efrem Gidey and Ian Guiden with just five seconds between the three at the Shamie Weldon 5km in Ardee. Rooney’s winning time was 14:35, with Gidey three seconds behind in 14:38 and Guiden two seconds behind again in 14:40. Laura McDonnell of Tallaght AC was first woman in 17:59. Laura Mathews of North East Runners was second and Pamela Howard of Drogheda and District.

Ciaran McGonagle of Letterkenny AC in 1 hrs 51 mins 57 secs and Emma Kenney of Ferbane AC in 2:08.21 were the winners at the inaugural Ireland West 3/4 Marathon also on Saturday, while in Ferns, Freddy Sittuk was the winner of the Mick Murphy 4-Mile. A close second in 19:50 was Ger Ford of Slaney Olympic AC with Cian Kelly of St Abban’s AC third in 20:28. First woman was Fiona Kehoe of Kilmore AC in 23.32,. Catherine O’Connor of Sli Cualann AC was second in 24.02 and Nicola Murphy of United Strider third in 26:17.

In Co Antrim, Russell White of Dromore AC out-sprinted John Black of North Belfast Harriers for victory at the Larne 10km again on Saturday. His time was 32.33, with Black just a second behind. First woman and first W50 in 41:09 was local athlete Penny Lindsay of Larne AC.

Andrew Annette of Cirdan Imaging won the City Inspire corporate 5km held in Belfast on Thursday (September 5) in 15:38. Ed McGinley, representing Graham, was second in 15:54 and Eoin Mullan of Instil Software third in 16:05,. First woman was Ita Monaghan of KPMG in 19.22. Close to 600 completed the race.

Leading home over 4,000 finishers at the Corporate 5km Team Challenge in Dublin’s Docklands on Wednesday evening (September 4) was Peter Arthur of Aviva Ireland in 15 mins 34 secs. Ex-Irish race walker Colin Griffin of Sports Surgery Clinic was second in 15:42 and Brendan Murphy of McCann Fitzgerald third in 15.50. First woman was Jill Hodgins of Goodbody in 17:33. Ciara Brady of KPMG was second in 18.56 and Catherine Thornton of AIB third in 19.21. Last finishers took 69 mins 54 secs in this event.

Countdown to Doha continues

Although Thomas Barr and Ciara Mageean are the only Irish track athletes selected so far for the World Athletics Championships in Doha at the end of the month, Michelle Finn of Leevale AC improved her chances of selection when finishing a fighting second in the 3,000m steeplechase at a meet in Andujar on Friday (September 6).

Finn, chasing the Doha standard of 9 mins 40 seconds, clocked 9:44.91 to finish second behind Kenyan winner Daisy Jepkemei. After running a personal best 9:41.23 in Finland last month, that may be enough to win her selection.

There was disaster for Finn’s fellow Rio Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty of Newcastle AC who was barged from behind at the second barrier, landed awkwardly, and ended up with a broken bone in her foot. O’Flaherty, who has been dogged by stomach problems all summer, was making a last-ditch attempt to qualify for Doha.

At the same meet, Mark English of UCD AC dropped out of the men’s 800m. Like Finn, he is still hoping to make the team for Doha based on his current ranking.

Elsewhere Leon Reid of Menapians AC was in action at the Great City Games in Newcastle on Saturday (September 7) where he clocked a time of 15.66 secs over the rarely-run 150m distance. Earlier in the week on Tuesday (September 4) Reid was in Zagreb where he finished fifth in the 200m in 20.86 secs. Also competing in Newcastle was Claire Tarplee of St Coca’s AC who ran a time of 4:50.09 for the mile.

European Masters

A large Irish team is competing at the European Masters Athletics Championships in Venice (September 5-15) which continues until next Sunday. Highlight so far was an Irish one-two in the M65 1500m, won by Joe Gough of West Waterford AC in 4:54.14 with Brian Lynch of North East Runners, a close second in 4:55.21 on Saturday (September 7). Also over 1500m, Ann Woodlock of Donore Harriers finished second in 6:15.31.

Brian Lynch went on to compete in the 4km cross-country on Sunday (September 8) finishing first M65 and helping the Irish team to second behind Italy. There was also an individual win for Lynch’s North East Runners team mate Maurice McMahon in the M45 category. Finishing second W60 was Mayo athlete Pauline Moran. Both W40 and W60 teams took bronze.

In the M50 100m, David Hayde of St LOT AC in Carlow finished second with a time of 12.17. Full results here

Up in the hills

Sarah Graham of Mourne Runners was the women’s winner at the historic Ben Nevis Race up and down Britain’s highest mountain. 2:12 was enough for the victory for the travelling athlete, whilst Finlay Wild made it an amazing ten victories in a row on the Ben.

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The post Diver runs an excellent 69:32 for half marathon – Irish round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

Mo Farah won his fifth Great North Run title on Sunday (September 10) while Northern Ireland’s Emma Mitchell is the first UK female to cross the line. The full report covering the top British performances can be found here.

Meanwhile were some scintillating performances behind Farah, though, with the fourth to 10th men and the 6th to 10th women all proving that the state of the UK’s endurance running scene is in fine health. 

Here are the top British men’s results behind Mo Farah, Mohammud Aadan and Andy Vernon:

GNR – men
4th Matt Sharp, Enfield & Haringey, 66:44
5th Dominic Shaw, New Marske Harriers 67:11
6th Jonny Mellor, Liverpool Harriers
7th Nick Earl, City of Norwich 68:25
8th Ryan Burling, Guernsey AAC 68:29
9th Ross Skelton, Brighton Phoenix 69:53 (debut)
10th David Hudson, BRJ 71:09

Hayley Carruthers, who spoke to Fast Running recently about her incredible year, continued her astonishing rise up the elite rankings with a second place behind Mitchell in the UK results. 

Lily Partridge, Aly Dixon and Charlotte Purdue were slightly below par in third, fourth and fifth respectively. Here are the rest of the top UK women’s performances:

GNR – women
6th Hayley Munn, Northampton Road Runners 78:37
7th Julie Briscoe, Wakefield (V40) 78:59
8th Rebecca Robinson, Kendal AAC (V35) 79:43
9th Nicola Squires, Hallamshire Harriers 80:48
10th Susan Cummings 81:43
10th Tracy Millmore Birtley AC, (V35) 82:03

Eridge 10M Challenge Trail Race

Although the full results were still being compiled, the winner of this challenging off-road race was confirmed as Lucy Reid from Tonbridge AC! The Durham University talent not only beat off all her male rivals but scored a course record to boot, crossing the line in 67:04.

Not only that, but the second athlete to cross the line was also female, with Reid’s club mate Nicole Taylor taking the second prize in 68:47.

Tunbridge Wells Harriers’ Billy Hobbs was the first man across the line and third overall in 69:54.

Swindon Half Marathon

Matt Clowes blew his rivals away when he won by a massive four minutes and 19 seconds on the streets of Swindon (September 9th).

Matt Clowes in winning form once again

The Cardiff speed machine is in the form of his life, and would surely have challenged his 64:38 PB if he had had stiffer competition at the Wiltshire event.

The only blip on the sports therapist’s racing CV this year has been a below par performance at the London marathon. However, much credit must go to Clowes for finishing the race when many others of his standard would have pulled out for fear of having a time that does not reflect their ability on their Power of 10 profile.

The Cardiff man will now look to getting himself into even better shape for the forthcoming Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships in his adopted home town in October.

Trailing in Clowes’ wake were Swindon Harriers’ Ben Cole and Team Bath’s Dan Jones, whose times of 70:19 and 73:39 earned them the second and third spots respectively.

Also impressing at the sharp end was Tiverton Harriers’ Serane Stone. The Devon athlete makes a habit of winning races and kept up that form by taking victory here in 82:39.

Cheltenham & County Harriers provided the final two places on the podium, with Fee Maycock and Tara Grosvenor’s times of 84:27 and 84:58 ensuring this event maintains its fast, competitive reputation. 

Stirling 10k – National Scottish 10k Championships

Photo: Bobby Gavin

Dundee Hawkhill Harriers’ Kristian Jones was a classy winner of this classic race (September 9th), taking the title in a sizzling 29:56, almost a minute ahead of his nearest rival. Cambusland Harriers’ Grant Sheldon and Kilbarchan AC’s Euan Gillham were just seconds apart in second and third with fast times of 30:46 and 30:48. 

The women’s race was also incredibly competitive, with Shettleston Harriers’ Fionnuala Ross just seconds off her PB with a scintillating 34:05 result.

Fife AC’s Steph Pennycook also shattered the 35 minute barrier with a 34:38 result in second, while Lothian’s Jo Williams wasn’t far off her best with a 35:43 result in third.

Leicester 10k

Charnwood’s ever green talent Anne Holyland showed her class in the Midlands city (September 9) when she took the win in her first 10k for two years in 37:34. The V35 ace owns a 35:49 PB over the distance along with a 2:49 marathon best. She beat off competition from Barrow Runners’ Amber Lester (38:01) and Derby’s Veleska Wills (38:35).

The home city provided the men’s winner when Leicester Coritanian’s James Short took the title in a PB 33:26.

James Short took the win in a PB at Leicester

Short was ahead of Bedford & County’s Stephen Headley’s 34:36, also a lifetime best. V40 athlete Matt Pyatt showed he has no intention of slowing down as he finished third in a strong 35:15.

Greater Cambridge 10k

Long-term friends and racing adversaries, Jonathan Escalante-Phillips and Chris Darling, both of Cambridge & Coleridge and coached by Mark Vile, fought it out for victory once again, with the former easing away to take the title in 33:16 from Darling’s 34:05 (September 9th). We spoke to another of Vile’s athletes recently, Charlie Christensen, about her impressive performances this year.

Escalante-Phillips is in sparkling form at the moment, recently winning the Hercules Wimbledon 5000n title in a PB 14:11.29. Darling is also in the shape of his life, scoring PBs at every distance he’s contest this year apart from 10k.

James Reed also ran well to take the third spot in 34:18.

Cambridge & Coleridge also claimed the first two women’s positions, with Katherine Hymers and Jess Cocker both running PBs of 41:41 and 42:07 respectively, while Saffron Striders’ Fiona Halls ran 42:27 for third.

Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon

This hidden gem of a race takes place around the stunning Lake Vyrnwy and consistently produces very fast times. This year’s event was no different.

Super veteran Stuart Hawkes from Tipton Harriers annihilated his PB when he ran a superb 66:44 to slice nearly two minutes of his previous best! The reigning Brighton marathon winner is proving age is just a number with PBs at 3000m, 5000m, 5k, 10k, the marathon and now the half to his name this year.

Photo: Brightton Marathon

Hawkes beat off Fast Running’s Class of 2018 star Ben Fish, who ran 67:03. That time would guarantee victory in most half marathons across the UK, and was still 90 seconds ahead of third placed Callum Rowlinson, who ran 68:36 to earn himself a big PB of more than a minute and a half.

The women’s race was a similarly speedy affair, with the first two ladies beating the 78 minute mark and separated by a mere second on gun time (their chip times were identical)!

Cardiff’s Clara Evans just pipped Stockport’s Kelly Crickmore to the title, while former winner and another Andrew Walling-coached athlete, Alison Lavender took third in 81:08.

Great Tees 10k (September 8)

New Marske’s V50 Kay Neesam stole the show at this pre-Great North Run event on Teeside when she beat off all her competition with a win and a superb age graded time of 39:10! The 50 year-old is unsurprisingly in the top 10 in her age category for almost every distance, and seems to be getting faster!

Her team mate and fellow veteran, V45 Ella Towers took the runner up spot in 40:23, ahead of Tyne Bridge’s V40 was third in a season’s best 40:37. Well done to these superb masters athletes!

Unattached runner Olgar Pederson was the Great Tees 10k’s overall winner in 33:46, way ahead of second placed Andy Chadfield from Billingham, who posted a 35:16 result. Fellow V40 Jason Cutler from Stockton Striders was third in 36:25.

Vale of York Half Marathon

This year’s event saw a hard fought win for Sunderland Harriers’ Kev Jeffress, who snatched victory from New Marske Harriers’ Lewis Gamble-Thompson by just seven seconds! The title was won in 71:49 to 71:56, while Elvet Striders’ Stephen Jackson was just four second behind in 72 minutes – what a race!

Rotherham’s consistently excellent Sarah Lowery continued her fine form over the half marathon distance with another win in York in 79:56.

Sarah Lowery was in winning form again at York

She was streets ahead of her nearest rival, with Lavender Coaching’s Lucy Biddlestone second in 82:01, while Julie Warner was third in 83:49.

City of Salford 10k

Altrincham & District’s Mo Aburezeq was a runaway winner of this Salford event, taking the win in 32:18. Some way behind were Chris Gidlow and Matthew Hallam, who enjoyed a close fought race, crossing the line in 33:43 and 33:46 respectively.

Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton’s impressive V40 ace, Kirsty Longley, ran another superb race to win by almost a literal country mile in 35:30.

Finishing a distant second was Sarah Saxton in 40:36, while Laura Brown’s 41:29 was good enough for third.

Birell Prague Grand Prix

On Saturday in Prague, Emelia Gorecka clocked 33:41 to finish 10th on her road 10k debut. Meanwhile, in the men’s race, Ross Millington finished 16th in a personal best 28:40, which is the third fastest time by a British athlete this year.

Luke Traynor, the second fastest GB athlete in 2018, crossed the line in 18th running 29:22. The full report from Prague can be found here.

parkrun

Jonathan Poole and Amy Clements ran the fastest times at parkrun events across the UK this weekend. Poole ran 14:52 at Gunnersbury parkrun, while Clements posted a time of 16:57 at the Dulwich parkrun.

The top 10 parkrun times can be found here.

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British record holder Mo Farah won a record fifth consecutive title at the Great North Run on Sunday (September 9).

Farah clocked a time of 59:26 over the 13.1 mile point-to-point course to take the men’s honours, while Vivian Cheruiyot from Kenya won her second women’s title in 67:43.

It was a repeat of last year with Farah getting the better of New Zealand’s Jake Robertson, who finished 31 seconds back in second.

RELATED: Jake Robertson chats about his breakthrough year

After an electric first mile of 4:22 the numbers in the lead group dwindled to four with Farah at the head of the pack making all the moves as Robertson, Daniel Wanjiru and Bashir Abdi hung on.

Farah’s running was a little erratic, possibly tactical too, with the British star continuously looking around at his competitors.

At times Robertson and Wanjiru, the 2017 London Marathon Champion, looked more comfortable than Farah, but never in control. Neither have the out and out speed of the multiple track Olympic medallist, and Farah knew this all too well.

Wanjiru, then Abdi, fell foul of the fast pace, with Robertson doing his best to hold on. However, Farah always had an extra gear and stormed to a triumphant win in the closing stages.

The 35 year-old, whose winning time was just four seconds off his 59:22 personal best from the 2015 Great North Run, looks in excellent form ahead of the Chicago Marathon in October.

Robertson took second in 59:57, his first time running under 60 minutes, while Belgium’s Abdi claimed third place in 60:43.

Thames Valley’s Mohammud Aadan clocked 63:59 to finish as the second British athlete and seventh overall. Andy Vernon was 11th overall and third GB runner in 65:04.

Cheruiyot clinches the women’s crown

Cheruiyot won the women’s Great North Run after a slow start allowed for a fast middle section. The first 10km was covered in a relatively slow 33:03, but consecutive sub five-minute miles in the second half broke the field.

Photo: The Great Run Company

The 2018 London marathon champion was alone with just Brigid Kosgei in the final stages and didn’t break free until the final kilometre. As many would expect the 2016 Rio Olympic 5000m gold medallist had too much speed in the final sprint.

A one second PB of 67:43 was enough for the win on the day. Kosgei finished second in 67:52, ahead of half marathon world record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei in 68:10.

Super debut from Mitchell

Emma Mitchell ran an excellent 74:37 on her debut half marathon. The Northern Irish born athlete, who competed for Ireland over 10,000m at the European Championships, was the first woman from the UK to cross the line in a superb eighth place.

RELATED: Emma Mitchell reflects on a record-breaking year

Mitchell, who holds multiple Northern Irish records including 5000m, 10,000m and 10k on the roads, looks to have her eye on the marathon in the future, with Toyko 2020 a big possibility.

Hayley Carruthers, who has featured on Fast Running throughout this year, enjoyed a breakthrough run as the next UK athlete finishing ahead of established long-distance runners Lily Partridge, Aly Dixon and Charlotte Purdue.

The newcomer to competitive running clocked a superb 74:46 to slice minutes off her PB. Carruthers will make her England debut next month at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Dixon and Partridge were not far behind in 10th and 11th in times of 75:16 and 75:42 respectively. Charlotte Purdue finished 14th in 76:50, but fell to the ground after the finish.

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The world’s fastest ever woman over the half marathon will be looking to spoil Vivian Cheruiyot’s plans to make it two Simplyhealth Great North Run wins in three years on Sunday (September 9).

Joyciline Jepkosgei, the world record holder over the half marathon, has been added to the field for one of the world’s biggest half marathon this weekend and will be the main competition for Olympic champion Cheruiyot in the iconic race.

Kenyan Jepkosgei clocked her record time of 64:51 in the Prague Half Marathon last year where she also broke the world 10km, 15km and 20km records.

She went on to beat her own 10km world record time back in Prague three months later when she clocked 29.43 to become the first woman to ever break 30 minutes over 10km.

Betsy Saina, who finished fifth in last year’s race which was won by Mary Keitany, will also be in contention, with British hopes lying with Lily Partridge, Gemma Steel, Charlotte Purdue and Sunderland athlete Aly Dixon.

Steel was the highest placed GB runner last year, finishing sixth in 71:32, ahead of Partridge in seventh and Dixon in eighth place.

Irish athlete Emma Mitchell, who finished 17th over 10,000m at the European Championships, is also among the entries and will make her half-marathon debut.

Elsewhere, Hayley Carruthers aims to continue her impressive season in her first Great North Run ahead of England debut at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October.

RELATED: Hayley Carruthers is just getting started

The men’s race will see Mo Farah battle against Jake Robertson, Daniel Wanjiru and Stanley Biwott as he attempts to win a five consecutive title. The full men’s elite field can be found here.

Women’s elite field (subject to change)
201) Vivian Cheruiyot
202) Joyciline Jepkosgei
203) Betsy Saina
204) Brigid Kosgei
205) Misato Horie
206) Linet Masai
207) Stephanie Bruce
208) Yuka Hori
209) Andrea Seccafien
210) Emma Mitchell
211) Maria Larsson
212) Lily Partridge
213) Charlotte Purdue
214) Gemma Steel
215) Aly Dixon
216) Camille Buscomb
217) Emily Waugh
218) Julie Briscoe
219) Hayley Munn
220) Carla Martinho
221) Tracy Millmore
223) Naomi Mitchell
224) Heather Sellars
225) Carly Needham
226) Eva Vail
227) Rosamund Ponder
228) Hayley Carruthers
229) Nicola Squires
230) Michelle Nolan-Hood
231) Stacey Clusker
232) Sarah Murphy
233) Johanna O’Regan
234) Ashley Gibson
235) Sheena Logan
236) Sarah Winstone
237) Sarah Gruber
239) Alexa Joel
240) Victoria Mousley
241) Jacqueline Penn
242) Alice Smith
244) Georgia Campbell
245) Charlotte Ellis
246) Eilidh Bell

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Mo Farah will be looking to make it five wins in a row when he returns to Tyneside for the Simplyhealth Great North Run on Sunday (September 9), but it will not be a foregone conclusion as his competition includes Jake Robertson, Daniel Wanjiru and Stanley Biwott.

The ten-time Olympic and world champion became the first runner to win four consecutive times when he beat Jake Robertson on the iconic 13.1 mile course last year – and victory on Sunday will put him clear at the top of the roll of honour in the event’s history.

As revealed on Fast Running last Friday (August 31), New Zealander Robertson will return to line up against Farah once again on Sunday.

The 28-year-old has been in stellar form in 2018, including a New Zealand record-breaking marathon debut in Japan, followed by a superb 10k performance in New Orleans that equalled his twin brother’s national record.

Robertson came within a whisker of beating Farah a year ago, with the British 35-year-old having to produce one of his trademark sprint finishes to come home six seconds ahead of his suitor on the South Shields coast.

Daniel Wanjiru, who won the London Marathon in 2017, will take on Farah and Robertson on Tyneside, while 2012 New York Marathon winner Stanley Biwott has also been added to the field.

Commonwealth marathon champion Mike Shelley will make his debut at the world’s biggest half marathon on Sunday, while British interest will come in the shape of Andy Vernon, Jonny Mellor and Mohamud Aadan.

RELATED: Mo Farah clinches fourth Great North Run win

Men’s elite field (Subject to change)

1) Mo Farah
2) Daniel Wanjiru
3) Stanley Biwott
4) Jake Robertson
5) Mike Shelley
6) Naoya Takahashi
7) Hiroyuki Yamamoto
8) Scott Fauble
9) Scott Smith
10) Ryan Vail
11) Bashir Abdi
12) Mohamud Aadan
13) Pat Tiernan
14) Brett Robinson
15) Mohamed Ali
16) Andy Vernon
17) Jonny Mellor
18) Richard Weir
19) Ross Skelton
20) Dominic Shaw
21) Ryan Burling
22) Chris Sloane
23) Abdishakur Abdulle
24) Liam Rabjohn
25) Stuart Robinson
26) Luuk Metselaar
27) Michael Cayton
28) Martin Hoare
29) Chris Oddy
30) Nick McCormick
31) Karl Darcy
32) Tom Charlton
33) Gary Foster
34) Michael Coltherd
35) Jack Gray
36) Mark Long
37) Dan Kestrel
38) Sephen Blake
39) Rob Danson
40) Steven Bayton
41) Chris Madden

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Jake Robertson and Mo Farah will renew their rivalry at the Great North Run on Sunday, September 9.

In last year’s race, the New Zealander led Great Britain’s Farah into the final 400m before the four-time Olympic champion outsprinted his challenger with a trademark kick to take the win in 60:06, six seconds clear.

Robertson also memorably proposed to his girlfriend Magdalyne Masai at the end of the half marathon.

Farah, who previously announced his return to Tyneside, is bidding to become the first runner to win five consecutive titles.

Since last year’s race, Robertson has taken the roads by storm winning the renowned Houston Half Marathon in a personal best equalling time of 60:01, before he made his marathon debut in Japan, where he broke the New Zealand record clocking 2:08:26.

The 28 year-old followed that performance with another PB at the Crescent City Classic 10k in New Orleans at the end of March. His winning time of 27:28 amazingly equalled the New Zealand record held by his twin brother, Zane.

Farah has also made history this year, and broke the long-standing British marathon record with a superb 2:06:21 performance at the London Marathon in April.

The duo will hope for impressive outings at the Great North Run before taking on Autumn marathons. Farah heads to Chicago where he will face defending champion Galen Rupp amongst others, and Robertson races for the second time over 26.2 miles in Toronto.

RELATED: Jake Robertson breaks New Zealand marathon record on debut

RELATED: Mo Farah clinches fourth Great North Run win

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The Welshman started in February with a 5K road personal best, breaking 14 minutes for the first time to finish third in the renowned Armagh 5K road race, before winning a record sixth consecutive National Cross County title later that month. His personal best form and adaptability over distances and terrain continued throughout 2017.

A seventh-place finish in the men’s elite race at the Great North Run last week (September 10), where he ran 62:53 to improve his half-marathon personal best by over 30 seconds, demonstrated that the 26-year-old is still vastly improving and should not be discounted after missing out on the World Championships this year.

The Swansea Harriers athlete said: “Going into the Great North Run I felt I was in good enough shape to run a PB because I’ve been beating times that I ran this time last year. I wanted to try and mix it with the best to see where I’d finish, and I knew if I did, a personal best and a top 10 finish were within my reach.

“Before the race, Steve Jones’ advice was to be competitive, so that’s what I tried to do and I think if I can compete like that in future races, hopefully, the faster times will continue.”

Griffiths headed into the Great North Run after a win at the Cardiff 10k one week prior, and while in the past he might have struggled running hard races in consecutive weeks, the Welshman now feels he is more than capable of back to back strong performances.

“I knew the Cardiff 10k would be a decent field, but I felt I was in good shape, so said to myself lets start off hard and just see what happens. I think to win the race one-minute clear and two seconds off my PB in windy and blustery conditions showed the kind of shape of I was in.

“To follow that up with a strong performance at the Great North Run was encouraging. In the past, two big performances in consecutive weeks would have been difficult, but I’m coming to that age now where I’ve built up the strength to be capable of running two big races close together and to be honest, at 26, I should be able to cope with that.”

“I’m hoping to run six races over the next six weeks so we will see how I’m feeling at the end and if I’m still standing,” he joked.

Before September, Griffiths approached the summer primarily focused on challenging the world standard for the 10,000m. He missed out on the time, running a best 28:16.07 at the Payton Jordan Invitational in May, but not to be disheartened he bounced back with two massive runs over 5000m and 3000m.

“The big focus this summer was the 10,000m, and I was aiming to break 28 minutes to challenge the world standard, but it didn’t quite happen. I was disappointed, but to finish the track season with big personal bests over 5000m in Dublin and 3000m in Cork, kind of made up for it,” he said.

Griffiths, who finished fifth in the 10,000m at the European Championships in 2016, said his strength as a runner comes down to his running education over a variety of distances and terrains.

“I think my performances over the years, whether it’s been the mountains, track, cross country or road running, shows that I am a strong runner. Back in the 80’s everyone used to compete across the different events. It would have been the road one week, track next week and so on. I’ve just really followed that mould really, but it doesn’t seem to be as common nowadays with most runners.

“While I enjoy the variation in my running, at this point in time the 10k and half-marathon are probably my better distances and events. But over the years I’ve enjoyed them all especially cross country, the mountains were enjoyable too, and maybe someday I might go back to it,” he added.

Another contributing factor to Griffiths’ success comes down his consistency with coach Kevin Evans, both proud Welsh speakers from Carmarthenshire. Evans previously had coached Andreas Jones, who went on to represent Great Britain at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“Kevin has been my coach for over 11 years now, our relationship is still going strong, we know each other inside out, and training is still enjoyable, so I don’t see any need to change,” said Griffiths.

While Griffiths’ and Evans formed a strong bond, there is also another experienced voice, Steve Jones, a running legend and former world marathon record holder to call upon.

“It’s nice to have a bit of input from Steve Jones, someone both Kevin and I respect. I am fortunate to have to access to his knowledge and experiences and he’s always available if I have questions about anything,” he added.

Griffiths will run the Cardiff Half Marathon in October before making his marathon debut in Frankfurt. Those races aside, the Commonwealth Games next year is the main target, where he hopes to put the bad memories of four years ago behind him. With the Gold Coast Games taking place early in the year, a full cross country season is very unlikely for the Welsh athlete.

“With the Commonwealth Games at the start of April next year, and the team heading out to the Gold Coast in March, I’m not sure if I will do a full cross country season, but I’ll definitely run a few races,” he said. “For the Commonwealth Games, I’ve run the 10,000m qualifying standard and the B-standard for 5,000m so I hope to be selected for both, go there, and run well. Four years ago I ended the race on crutches so I want a more positive outcome this time.”

The post Dewi Griffiths Looks Ahead to Commonwealth Games After Year to Remember appeared first on Fast Running.

The Kenyan ran 65:59, to cross the line at South Shields just 20 seconds slower than her 2014 time as Vivian Cheruiyot was second in 67:44.

Caroline Kipkirui was third with 69:52. Britain’s Gemma Steel enjoyed her best run for some time as she clocked 71:32 for sixth, while Lily Partridge was seventh and second Brit in 72:10. Alyson Dixon, who was 18th in the recent World Championships marathon, was eighth in 72:29.

While Swansea’s Caryl Jones was ninth in 74:22 and Rebecca Murray 10th in 75:49.

A small group of elite women set off ahead of the more than 50,000 in the mass start in Newcastle on the point-to-point, overall downhill course.

After a slow first mile from the start line in Newcastle, an increase in pace saw Keitany and Kiprirui clear through two miles. They went through the overall downhill first 5km in 16:01 before Keitany pulled away with a 5:04 fourth mile.

Keitany pushed on even quicker to go through 10km in 31:35 despite the uphill, enjoying at this point a 14-second lead over Cheruiyot as Kipkirui was dropping back.

A 4:47 and 4:50 seventh and eighth mile put the course record in jeopardy, but the 2009 world half-marathon champion, who also won here in 2015, eventually had to be content with the fourth quickest time in Great North history.

The remarkable Keitany, who holds the world record in a women’s-only marathon with 2:17:01, has now run an incredible 10 half marathons quicker than 67:00.

Mary Keitany wins the @SimplyhealthUK #GreatNorthRun congratulations! pic.twitter.com/yLm6wv4t0M

— Great Run (@Great_Run) September 10, 2017

Winning the battle of the Brits, Steel ran her fastest half since 2015. The Charnwood AC athlete was second with 68:13 in the Great North Run in 2014 – the year in which she took the European cross-country title. However, after stalling plans to move up to the marathon, her run here showed a return towards something like that best form which had been missing in 2017.

Partridge, who made an encouraging marathon debut of 2:32:10 earlier this year, set a 2017 best, though she was down on her 70:31 personal best from 2015.

Just a month after her making a name for herself by leading for much of the World Championships marathon, local athlete Dixon had plenty of support on the route. She had initially planned this as a training run but then decided a personal best might be a target, although she was eventually nearly two minutes outside.

In the wheelchair race, Switzerland’s Manuela Schar smashed the course record with 48:44. Adding to her wins this year in the Boston and London marathon, the multiple IPC European track champion was one minute three seconds inside the old course best.

The time was inside the world record for a loop course but will not be recognised as a new mark. Britain’s Sammi Kinghorn was 4:04 behind in second on her debut at the distance.

Mo Farah took an unprecedented fourth consecutive Great North Run title in the men’s race after overcoming a tough challenge from New Zealander Jake Robertson, the full men’s report can be found here.

The post Mary Keitany Crusies To Third Great North Run Title appeared first on Fast Running.

Competing for the first time since hanging up his track spikes last month, the four-time Olympic champion had been fully expected to make a winning start to the road chapter of his career. However, Robertson had other ideas and led him into the final 400m before Farah stopped the clock on 60:06, six seconds clear.

Late entrant Feyisa Lilesa was third with 61:32 as Wales’ Dewi Griffiths was the second British athlete home, placing an impressive seventh in a life time best of 62:53.

Top 3 Elite Men @SimplyhealthUK #GreatNorthRun

Mo Farah 60.06
Jake Robertson 60.12
Feyisa Lilesa 61.32 pic.twitter.com/TppZyM1Kn5

— Great Run (@Great_Run) September 10, 2017

After race founder and official starter Brendan Foster set off the 50,000-plus runners in the world’s biggest half-marathon, the pace was more sedate than it had been for the elite women, who had started their race earlier.

A group of 10, which included 59:47 runner Zane Robertson – twin of Jake – went through 5km in 14:30 with American Dathan Ritzenhein, the runner-up last year, doing much of the leading.

Soon after nine athletes went through 10km in 29:19, an impatient and easy-looking Farah went to the fore and split up the pack. Within 2km, Jake Robertson, Lelisa and Farah were on their own and it was the Ethiopian 2016 Olympic marathon silver medallist who was first to drop off.

On the sharp downhill by the 12-mile marker, Robertson was clearly trying to move away to take the sting out of the legendary Farah sprint finish. The British record-holder was tested but Robertson had no answer in the last 200 metres.

Farah, who ran his best of 59:22 here in 2015, admitted he had to work hard here after easing up since winning the 5000m at the Zurich Diamond League final. He told the BBC: “That was really, really tough. I’m sore everywhere. I’ve never been this sore. I think it’s a lack of training.

“Four miles to go I was just hanging on, gritting my teeth. Two miles and he got closer and I managed to believe myself and said, ‘Dig, dig’. And I thought if I could just sit on him, at the end I could sprint.”

Farah confessed he was looking forward to a sticky toffee pudding or apple pie as his end-of-season treat and a holiday with his family before embarking on training to step up to the marathon, with his sights firmly on the London Marathon next April.

The fast-improving Griffiths took more than half a minute from his personal best as double world track champion Bernard Lagat was among his scalps in eighth. He ran 28:16.07 for 10,000m on the track this year as he sought the Worlds qualifying time, but on this form can hope to make global championships in future.

Olympian Chris Thompson was next Briton to finish, running 65:28 as he continues a return from yet another injury. Next across the line was Ireland’s Stephen Scullion with 65:52, putting him a place ahead of Paul Marteletti (65:57) and then fellow Brits Dominic Shaw (66:04) and Nick Torry (66:22).

In the wheelchair race, Britain’s Simon Lawson took his first Great North win, recording 44:22 after he shook off Canada’s Paralympic 100m champion Brent Lakatos over the final 200m. The margin was five seconds as long-time leader Josh Cassidy was a further 30 seconds back.

Meanwhile, Mary Keitany won her third Great North Run title with a dominant display in the women’s race, with Gemma Steel the first British runner in sixth place. The full report on the women’s race can be found here.

The post Mo Farah clinches fourth Great North Run win appeared first on Fast Running.

Farah, Great Britain’s greatest ever athlete, who retired from the track this month, winning gold and silver at the World Athletics Championships in London is now focused solely on the road, with the world’s biggest half marathon his first challenge.

Leading the challenge against the 34-year-old Farah is Olympic marathon silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa.

Lilesa’s personal best of 59:22 from 2012, equals Farah’s best set at the 2015 edition of the Great North Run, and the Ethiopian heads into Sunday’s race with a half marathon  win earlier this year in New York, finishing four seconds ahead of Callum Hawkins in 60:04.

Lilesa, who now effectively calls America home, has not returned to his native country after his high profile arm crossing gesture at the Rio Olympics in protest against the treatment of the Oromo, his ethnic nation in Ethiopia.

Both runners will not be alone though in their search for the half marathon top spot, and face competition from Americans Bernard Lagat and Dathan Ritzenhein, who finished second last year, while New Zealand twins Jake and Zane Robertson will bid to become the first Kiwis to win the Great North Run.

While, leading the British entries are Chris Thompson, Dewi Griffiths and Tsegai Tewelde.

In the women’s elite race, Olympic and World champion Vivian Cheruiyot will return to Tyneside to defend her title.

The four-time Olympic and five-time World Championship medallist will face stiff opposition with marathon world record holder Mary Keitany and Kenyan compatriot Betsy Saina also in contention.

Among the British women in the elite race are Aly Dixon, Gemma Steel and Katrina Wootton.

Dixon competed in the marathon at this year’s World Championships, finishing 18th, while Steel was second in the 2015 Great North Run. Wootton’s 2017 highlight so far was a third place at the Great Manchester Run.

Brendan Foster, the founder of the Great North Run, is to be the official race starter.

Brendan, who recently retired from his commentary duties with the BBC said, “It will fulfil a long standing ambition to see the start of the Great North Run and wish everyone all the best.”

As ever, the Great North Run will be stacked with celebrity runners from the screen and stage, with TV presenter Davina McCall taking on the iconic half marathon for the first time.

Fitness blogger and endurance runner Susie Chan will participate, as will Olympians Gail Emms and Katharine Merry, with Katharine running as one of the Duracell Pacers.

On Sunday, more than 20,000 entrants will be raising money for their chosen charity, a record amount in the Simplyhealth Great North Run. Last year, an estimated £26million was raised for good causes from the event.

The Great North Run will be broadcast on BBC One from 9.30am until 1.30pm, with highlights on BBC Two at 6pm.

Start times
10:10 – Elite wheelchair race, 10:15 – Elite women and 10:40 – Elite men and masses start.

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