Whilst Eluid Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele’s assault on the world record was being billed as a battle for the ages, it was potentially leading us away from the greater race.

A World Record holder, Brigid Kosgei, versus a World Champion, Ruth Chepngetich. 2:14:04 against 2:17:08, both times from last year. Both with a point to prove to Kenyan Athletics that they should be on the Tokyo Olympic team and the looped course and fast pacemakers mean it could be electric from the start.

Add in 22 year old Alemu Megertu, who has a 66:43 half marathon and isn’t afraid to go with the front runners.

At the other end of the spectrum you have Edith Chelimo debuting at the marathon at 34, with a 65:58 PB, and Vivian Cheruiyot, 37 years old and with a 2:18:31 PB and not someone you can count out.

Only a little bit of training

Kosgei has downplayed the prospects of a world record a little though. “Due to this pandemic, I cannot say I’ll run this way or that way, because coronavirus means we did not do enough training, like last year. So I want to try my best only on Sunday.”

But the Kenyan star has previously said she feels her record could be lowered to around 2:10, so maybe “just 180, 190km a week” at 3000m of altitude will be enough?

Despite disqualification in the Hour race with Siffan Hassan, Kosgei still showed some of the raw speed that makes her so exciting as a marathoner.

Will Sinead Diver lead from the front again? Photo: Ian Walton for Virgin Money London Marathon

Will the laps play a part?

Aside from the front runners there is also a wonderful mix of PB hunting women to watch. We’re hoping a good bunch work together with the high quality pacers, like Aly Dixon and Eilish McColgan (called in last minute to replace an injured Arter), to really put themselves in contention in the second half.

The lapped course and potentially tough weather conditions could also make for interesting racing. The psychological aspect of lapped races means that one has to ignore the faster athletes lapping you, even though it will affect your perception of your own effort levels and pace.

It can work both way though, so if there are struggling athletes you can lap, then it will make your own effort seem that much easier. Perception of effort may be a key element if the wind and rain pick up on Sunday.

The sub 2:30 race

With Steph Twell starting 2020 with a half marathon PB in Houston, Texas, there was high hopes the year would bring an improvement to her already excellent mark of 2:26:40 set in Frankfurt last year. With a third place 33:38 in a 10k in Switzerland just last weekend, we might see a tactical race from the Brit with the fastest PB in the event.

“It’s my first female-only race, and a British championships too, which is really important to me. This is an opportunity for me to grow again. The time will count too.” was what Twell said at the press conference, which might be an insight into race tactics.

Lily Partridge, Tracy Barlow, Natasha Cockram, Tish Jones, Helen Davies and Naomi Mitchell will all be looking for new personal bests and pushing for that Olympic qualifying time of 2:29:30.

Which shoes will be best for race day? Ben Connor is clearly winning the cool 80’s jacket war. Photo: Dan Vernon for London Marathon Events

There are other men in the race too

Even though Bekele has withdrawn it doesn’t mean it’s just a jog in the park for Kipchoge to win. 2:02:55 man Mosinet Geremew is still looking for his first major marathon win and the 28 year old won’t be afraid of going with the early pace.

That still leaves another five, yes FIVE, men who has PBed under 2:05. Seven runners in total have the pace to run a marathon in 125 minutes.

Marius Kipserum is the only other Kenyan, with the four other athletes all heralding from Ethiopia. Maybe they feel the need to pick up the baton for their fallen compatriot Bekele and we will see something special? Shura Kitata brings a sub 60 min half PB from January 2020, but who knows how the COVID summer training has gone for any of these stars?

Sisay Lemma is one of the only front runners to have notched a podium marathon finish in 2020, with a third placed 2:04:51 at Tokyo Marathon earlier in the year. Will that experience help or hinder the 29 year old?

Frank Futselaar (NED) (skinny blue jeans), Ross Millington (Snazzy jacket), Charlie Hulson (favourite colour blue?), and Jonny Mellor (far right) prepare for some shared miles on Sunday.  Photo: Dan Vernon for London Marathon Events

All aboard the 2:10 train

For the men’s race it looks like there could be a decent amount gunning for the 2:10 mark, with British stars like Chris Thompson, Jonny Mellor and Ben Connor all featuring.

“I’ve always thought I was capable of running two zero-something,” said the NB Manchester athlete before the event. “If I can come away with another qualifying time, that’s goal number one. But if I can get under 2:10 then I’d be delighted.”

In a group paced by Sir Mo Farah, Matt Clowes and Jake Smith, could we see some more British or Irish runners make a big leap in 2020.

One to watch for us, after an excellent performance just behind Sir Mo at the Larne Coastal Half, is Stephen Scullion. The prodigious talent never ceases to amaze with his performances and we certainly wouldn’t bet against something special from the Northern Irishman this weekend.

Exciting debutants to the distance include Fast10’s Jack Gray, who is known for aggressive front running at the shorter distances. With such an opportunity to be within a big group, paced by experienced marathoners, don’t be surprised to see Gray, and others, rolling the dice for the big times.

Another Fast10 athlete, Ollie Lockley, is a man who has flown under the radar a little in the pre race coverage but his half marathon PB is one many of the other men on the start line would love to have achieved and we know he will get amongst it.

For a detailed preview of the course before the Sunday action, check out Dan Biagi’s analysis.

Want to run faster? For just £30 per month athletes are provided with a Final Surge plan for each day of the week, coaching advice from Robbie Britton and Tom Craggs, as well as access to the unique Fast Running Performance community.

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Olympic standards for Mellor and Seaward in Seville

The first big-ticket European marathon of the year Seville Marathon did not disappoint with fantastic results for lots of athletes, some jumping into the distance at the last minute after Tokyo plans were cancelled.

Jonny Mellor ran a stunning PB of 2:10:04 to take over two minutes off his previous best and finish 23rd in an Olympic qualifying time. Mellor work the whole race in a strong group which included UK based Kiwi Malcolm Hicks (2:10:03).

The group also include Kevin Seaward who ran a stunning negative split of 2:10:08  – a new Northern Ireland Marathon record (the 3rd time the record has fallen in the last five months), a PB and an Olympic qualifying time.

Other notable performances came from Hugh Armstrong of Ballina AC who ran a massive PB to finish in 2:12:26, Thomas Cornthwaite of Salford Harriers who rewrote a five year old PB with a 2:22:42, Ray Hynes of Donore Harriers (2:24:18), Barry Sheil of Longford AC (2:28:27) and Michael Morgan of St Finbarrs AC (2:29:23). Sheffield based Spaniard Iraitz Arrospide ran 2:13:26.

Big PBs for Gyurko and Pascall

It wasn’t just the men who had a great day out in Spain either, Fanni Gyurko of Central AC ran a PB of 2:35:54 to finish 18th. Beth Pascall, who can normally be found in the mountains and running 100 miles, took her strengths to the roads and came back with a sub 2:50 as a reward. She finished 26th in 2:48:06. Team New Balance athlete Jip Vastenburg produced a stunning debut performance of 2:33:38.

Abingdon AC’s Sarah Dudgeon made lemonade out of a Corona-virus lemons by ditching the taper and grabbing a last minute spot in Spain when her Tokyo dreams were cancelled. The perseverance paid off and she absolutely smashed the sub-three barrier that has cruelly eluded her until now, running a brilliant 2:55:27.

Jane Faram of Southville AC took over 3 minutes off her PB to run 2:56:38 flat while Adrienne Jordan of Crusaders AC also ducked under the magic three mark with a 2:58:45.

We believe Mick Clohisey and Gladys Ganiel stopped after 30km.

2:10:05 for @jonnymellor9 and 2:33:38 debut for @JipVastenburg – an awesome day for the Team in #seville @MaratonSevilla #TeamNB #OTEfuelled #NewbalanceUK pic.twitter.com/mvCZ04hxOu

— TeamNBMCR (@TeamNBMCR) February 23, 2020

British Indoor Championships

Just a week after the Muller Indoor Grand Prix, Glagow’s Emirates Arena took centre stage again for the SPAR British Athletics Indoor Championships.

Jonathan Davies of Reading AC was the winner over 3000m in 8:07.96 ahead of Philip Sesemann of Leeds in 8:08.86 and Cardiff’s Michael Ward who ran a season’s best to take home bronze in 8:10.31.

Melissa Courtney-Bryant won the women’s 3000m in a slow tactical race crossing the line in 9:48.54. After a strong cross country season last year Verity Ockenden moved indoors this year and she claimed herself a silver medal running 9:50.39 as Dorset athletes finished first and second. Rosie Clarke was 3rd in 9:52.02.

8th time lucky #SPARBritishChamps @mcourtneybryant pic.twitter.com/9871iLMmHW

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) February 23, 2020

In the men’s 1500m George Mills took victory in 3:50.69 ahead of under 20 Tom Keen (3:52.40) and Jonothan Kay (3:52.55). Cambridge and Coleridge’s Holly Archer 4:21.99 claimed the women’s 1500m title seeing off the challenge of Jenny Selman (4:22.57) and Jacqueline Fairchild (4:22.58).

Earlier in the week on the indoor circuit, Andrew Osagie ran an eye-watering 2:19.31 to take second place in the 1000m at the World Athletics Indoor Tour  in Lievin, France. Charlie Da’Vall Grice was fifth in 3:38.95 in the 1500m.

In the 800m Guy Learmonth (1:46.89) edged out Andrew Osagie (1:46.98) with Piers Copeland (1:47.21) taking bronze.

Under 20 Keely Hodgkinson is a fabulous talent and she took the women’s 800m title in 2:04.37 ahead of Mari Smith (2:04.72) and Philippa Millage (2:07.27).

Moller repeats her BUCS success

Some area XC matches have been cancelled recently, but there was no risk of that at any of the four national XC Championships taking place this weekend. Indeed, Nottinghamshire council are quoted as having said “it will not be cancelled because of the state of the course” and they were right.

Despite a pond-like finish, at the Saucony English National XC Championships in Wollaton Park effort levels were the same as always in a #muddybrilliant day of racing. Times were slower but not less hard fought than last year.

For the Senior Women, 8k was the challenge and it was UK based Dane Anna Moller running for AF & D who blasted round the course fastest in 32:59. In a re-run of the BUCS Cross Country Champs earlier this month Moller finished ahead of Jess Judd (Blackburn Harriers & AC) who ran 33:20 – an upgrade on her third place last year. Bronwen Owen of Leeds City AC took bronze with 33:45 up from 14th place last year.

Jess Gibbon of Reading AC ran a storming race to finish fourth in 33:56 –  a fantastic follow up her win at the South of England Champs in January.

Leading women. Credit: Nigel Bramley

Johnson does Gateshead proud

In the Senior Men’s race Calum Johnson (Gateshead Harriers) was crowned English Champion over 12k in 43:36 after convincingly holding his own against Joe Steward of East Cheshire Harriers and Tameside AC whose 43:59 resulted in a big jump up the ranks from his 9th place last year. Johnson became the first Gateshead Harrier to win the National Cross since Brendan Foster in 1977.

Linton Taylor of Leeds City AC also leapfrogged up the placings to go from 12th to a Bronze spot this year in 44:13. Adam Hickey (Southend on Sea AC) couldn’t quite grab a podium spot but can be pleased with 44:24 for fourth place after losing his shoe at the start of the race – all detailed on this Twitter.

The Junior Women (6k) stepped up to the plate just after 1pm and it was  Amelia Quirk of Bracknell AC who took the win in 25:33. For the Junior Men (10k) Zakariya Mahamed declared himself champion for Southampton AC in 36:27.

The U17 Women’s race (5k) was the first race of the day and it was  Rushcliffe AC’s Maya Todd McIntyre in 21:49 who got everyone paying attention by boosting her standings in style from 8th place in last year’s race to take the win this year. Will Barnicoat of Sale Windsor Slough Eton ran his 6k in the fastest Men’s U17 time of the day, 22:42.

Kiya Dee (Highworth AC) stepped up from silver in 2019 to take the top spot this year in the U15 Girls’ with 18:35 for 4k and Lewis Sullivan ran the same distance to give Saint Edmunds Pacers the premier spot in the U15 boys race. Alden Collier of Chiltern Harriers narrowly won the Under-13 boys race in 14:21 and clubmate Zoe Glbody grabbed gold in the Under-13 girls race (both 3k) in 15 minutes flat.

Mhairi Mclennan and Jamie Crowe crowned Scottish Champions

The Lindsays Scottish National Cross Country Championships took place in the midst of hail Storms at Callendar Park. In the Senior Women’s race Mhairi Mclennan (Inverness Harriers), who was fourth last year finished a convincing first in 39:44, finding her way back to form and regaining her 2018 title  ahead of Annabel Simpson of Fife AC (40:14), and bronze medallist, Moira Stewart (40:46) of Cambuslang Harriers.

Stephanie Penycook opted to forgo the option to take an English racing spot now that she runs for Leeds City. She stayed true to her Scottish roots and was rewarded with a fourth place in 41:18 for Fife AC.

Jamie Crowe raced hard against Jonny Glen of Inverclyde AC and ultimately came home with a gold for both himself and Central AC in the Senior Men’s and club competition (35:29 and 35:43). That’s ten years in a row now that Central AC have bagged the club title – quite the winning streak.

Crowe told BBC sport afterwards that he couldn’t feel his hands for the whole race!  Kevin Wood of Fife AC took the final podium spot in 36:06 and Andrew Douglas of Inverclyde AC was fourth by one second in a tantalising 36:07.

Hunt and Wilkins overcome the wind to take Welsh Champs

The 116th Welsh Cross Country Championships at Pembrey Country Park saw a clean sweep at the top for Cardiff Athletics. James Hunt was crowned Senior Men’s champion over 10k in 31:58  and with a good lead over club mates Ciaran Lewis (32:22) and Dan Nash (32:29). Dewi Griffiths was fourth – we’re all delighted to see him back racing!

Unsurprisingly the team topped the club competition too, with Swansea Harriers and Pontypridd Roadents AC having to settle for second and third.

The Senior Women’s race was a more varied affair – it was Melanie Wilkins (Wycombe Phoenix) who will spend 2020 as Senior Women’s Welsh XC champion thanks to her 26:45 over 7k. Lauren Cooper of Parc Bryn Bach RC took silver in 27:18 and Cardiff AC made sure they weren’t out of the medal spots in this race either, thanks to Rebecca Evans and her 28:03.

The dominant team of the day reign again in the women’s club competition as Cardiff AC finished ahead of Lliswerry Runners and Les Croupiers RC. A full write up of the Welsh XC Champs can be found here.

Mel Wilkins Credit: Alex Donald

Johnston and Mitchell win NI & Ulster Champs

The NI & Ulster Senior XC Champs had only ‘light hail’ to contest with, so practically perfect conditions, right?  Neil Johnston of Springwell Running club capitalised on those oh-so-balmy conditions to claim champion’s rewards in 44:47. Annadale Striders’ Eskander Turki was second in 45:06 ahead of Mark McKinstry (N Belfast Harriers) in 45:47 and Patrick McNiff (Newcastle AC) in 45:53.

The Senior Women’s champion for NI & Ulster is Emma Mitchell (Clonliffe Harriers) with a 24:09 run. Silver went to on-form Catherine Whoriskey (City of Derry, 24:47) and bronze to Lauren Wilson (Lagan Valley) in 24:53. Sarah Laverty of Beechmount Harriers was just outside the podium in 25:02. In the team results, North Down AC topped the women’s competition and Newcastle AC nabbed the men’s win.

Windy conditions slow finishing times at Wokingham and Brighton

Gusty conditions let to a fartlek-type run for those taking on the seafront at Brighton Half Marathon. Kevin Moore broke the tape in 69:05 with a reasonable lead over Neil Boniface in second (69:17) and Paul Martelletti in 69:40. Sheffield RC’s Phillipa Williams topped the women’s podium in 77:55 ahead of Woodbridge Shufflers’ Heather Noone (79:53) and Maisie Trafford (1:21:08).

Similarly tricky conditions were not the only problem at Wokingham Half did not deter Lousie Damen (Winchester & District) who showed true grit to finish in 76:23. Hercules Wimbledon’s Claire Grima was second in 78:48 and Rebecca Ducbury of OXford Tri was third in 79:35.

Hercules Wimbledon were in action in the men’s race too. Their athlete Jonathan Cornish took the win 67:13 with enough clear road between him and Nick Torry of Serpentine RC (67:39)  to catch some breath. Joe Wade of Ryde Harriers was shortly behind in 68:01.

UK road racing action

It wasn’t just wind that was the issue at Winchester 10k as some athletes were sent the wrong way, adding over half a mile to their race. Congrats to the men’s winner Andy Greenleaf and George King on second place – we’re working on finding out the full results…

Hillingdon Half Marathon was won by Ian Crowe-Wright (Brighton and Hove) in 69:43 ahead of Paul Piper (74:52) and Ben Hetherington (1:20:09).

Annabel Gummow was first home for the ladies. Her chip time was 73:07 but she had a gun time of 75:38 so the Winchester athlete was either very late getting to the start or something is slightly up with the chip readings. Either way she had a massive lead over Tessa McCormick (1:21:26) and Cyn Cano (1:29:48) in 2nd and 3rd.

In the 10k edition  of the race, Hillingdon AC’s own Mohamed Mohamed took the win with a 31:43/ He finished ahead of club mate Aramias Zeration (32:05) and David Ready (36:16, Ranelagh Harriers). Joanne Shale grabbed the women’s win in 41:56. The Richmond Half Marathon  was won by Jeongmin Lee in 1:28:13 and Scott Mitchell in 79:57.

Yesterday the Sri Chinmoy 10k in Battersea Park lived up to its reputation for being a swift one. Local club Clapham Chasers took the win in 31:36 thanks to Nick Bowker who held out over William Woodcock (31:41) who hails from just down the road at Hercules Wimbledon. Ben Shearer of Cambridge Harriers chased them both home to take third place in 31:44.

For the ladies, Clapham were again victorious. Laura Bohm ran 37:01 for first with a massive lead over Amy Billups of South London Harriers who finished in 39:28. Kelly Morgan (London Frontrunners) was third in 40:37.

At the Draycote Water Race Organiser race Neil James (38:21) and Rebecca Beasley (44:54, Kenilworth Runners) won the 10k. Mark Thomas (01:01:05, Black Pear Joggers) and Emma Bush (01:14:04) finished first in the 10 mile.

Lucy Davies crossed the line first in 39:06 at the  Runthrough Hyde Park 10k and Alberto Ugarte took a convincing victory in 32:49. Hannah Pullen ran the only sub-20 in the women’s 5k to take the crown in 18:06, not far behind the men’s winner Nacho Garcia who finished in 17:54.

24hr party people

Last, but certainly not least, Ry Webb of Waverly Harriers was out in Espoo, Finland for the Endurance 24hr that was held entirely indoors on a 390m track. The ruggedly handsome Robbie Britton lookalike ran an excellent race and finished third with 232.3km, which was a 16km PB.

Both first and second broke their national records with Ed McGroarty besting Eoin Keith’s Irish mark with a wonderful 249.761km for second place. Sweden’s Therese Fredriksson was the winning female with over 222km and fourth overall in a race that saw many ups and downs.

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Next Sunday Kenenisa Bekele intends to bounce back once again at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, a race he won in thrilling fashion three years ago with a personal best of 2:03:03.

Gladys Cherono aims to win a fourth Berlin title which would make her the sole record winner of the event.

While fellow-Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot had to cancel her start due to an Achilles tendon problem there are still five women on the start list with personal bests of sub 2:22. Four men feature personal records of sub 2:05, all of them from Ethiopia.

A number of athletes will attempt to achieve the Olympic qualifying times of 2:11:30 and 2:29:30 for men and women respectively on the fast Berlin course.

Organisers recorded a record entry number of 46,983 runners from 150 nations. Along with races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Chicago and New York, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. For the first time the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will be the final event in this year’s series.

Bekele’s rivals for the win

After a series of disappointing results it remains to be seen in what sort of form Kenenisa Bekele is on Sunday. It is likely that his strongest rivals will be fellow-Ethiopians. Birhanu Legese took the title in Tokyo in March with 2:04:48. In 2018 he made a spectacular debut with 2:04:15 in Dubai where he was sixth.

Two more of the Berlin entries were in action in Dubai 2018 and ran their personal bests there: Leul Gebrselassie was the runner-up in 2:04:02 while Sisay Lemma clocked 2:04:08 in fifth position.

While Felix Kandie, who has a PB of 2:06:03, is the fastest Kenyan on the start list two fellow countrymen could be in for a surprise: Training partners Abel Kipchumba and Bethwel Yegon showed very good form in the build-up to their marathon debuts in Berlin.

Potential women’s winners

After victories in 2015 and 2017 Gladys Cherono achieved her third triumph in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON last year with a course record of 2:18:11. The Kenyan may well have to run another sub 2:20 to win title number four because there is a group of runners who have the potential to achieve such a time as well.

One Ethiopian on the start list who has already achieved a sub 2:20 time: Mare Dibaba, who won the world marathon title in 2015 and one year later took the bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, has a personal record of 2:19:52.

Another prominent Ethiopian athlete on the start list is Meseret Defar. She is the double Olympic 5,000 m champion (2004 und 2012). Meseret Defar has the potential to run much faster than her current PB of 2:23:33.

British Hopes

There are plenty of fast Brits on the startline, some experienced over the marathon and others testing themselves over the distance for the first time.

Scott Overall (2:10:55), Jonny Mellor (2:12:57) and Tracy Barlow (2:30:42) bring excellent personal bests to Germany and it will be exciting to see how they fare this weekend in the European capital. Barlow was in excellent form at the Southern Road Relays this weekend just past, representing her club as a final warm up for the marathon.

Former national cross country champion Adam Hickey is an exciting debutant over 26.2 miles and the Southend AC brings a 64:41 half marathon PB to the table. Maybe the strength of the the XC star will show in the latter stages of the race. Jonathan Thewlis of Notts AC ran 2:23 in Berlin last year but will be looking to replicate the performance that saw him clock 2:17:58 for 25th at the London Marathon back in 2017.

Elsey Whyman-Davis is on the start-list and has been going from strength to strength after starting work with coach Helen Clitheroe, but the hardworking medic has informed Fast Running she will be targeting a different marathon later in the autumn.

Ryan Burling ran 2:20:10 at Frankfurt last year and will be likely aiming to get under that 2:20 barrier this time round. The Isle of Man athlete spoke to Fast Running about his hard and fast approach to training 18 months ago and he is not a fan of the slow, easy miles.We have since heard that Ryan is on the injury bench, so hopefully he’s back in action soon.

Talented Matt Clowes loves to race and we love to see him race well. After gutting out a 2:43 at London Marathon last year, you’d hope the 63:26 half marathoner has a better day at the office this year. On the 15th of September the Cardiff AC star ran 65:08 to win the Bristol Half so is clearly in fast shape.

Knowle & Dorridge club bragging rights

Darren B. John and Steven Whatmore of Knowle and Porridge (we know it’s Dorridge but the autocorrect is very insistent) are both racing in Berlin this weekend after the traditional Kenilworth Half prep where John ran 82:06 and Whatmore 80:06.

The latter is looking to go quicker than his 2:53:17 from Manchester Marathon earlier this year and that half suggests he has the potential to PB.

parkrun regular John, who has already raced six times in September, wants to go quicker than 2:54:21 from Manchester in 2017 and, like Tracy Barlow, represented his club at the road relays last weekend.

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London Marathon Events Ltd, organisers of the Virgin Money London Marathon, has announced that the company will provide £350,000 in funding to support British endurance athletes in 2019.

In total 32 athletes not currently on the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP), including Charlotte Purdue, Emelia Gorecka, Chris O’Hare and Ben Connor, will receive a share of £70,000, while £100,000 will support the work of the Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre at St Mary’s University in Twickenham.

£180,000 will be provided to British Athletics towards funding the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) and high altitude training camps for British endurance athletes.

Along with Purdue, Gorecka, O’Hare and Connor, the athletes to receive funding from the new programme include marathoners Chris Thompson, Jonny Mellor, Lily Partridge, Hayley Carruthers, and soon to be 26.2 mile runner Steph Twell.

RELATED: Steph Twell set to make marathon debut in Valencia

The nominated group cover the full spectrum of endurance running and completing the 32 athletes are: Mohamud Aadan, Charlotte Arter, Tracy Barlow, Alex Bell, Philippa Bowden, Kieran Clements, Natasha Cockram, Jamaine Coleman, Ellis Cross, Jonny Davies, Tom Farrell, Neil Gourley, Jess Judd, Ross Millington, Tom Mortimer, Amy-Eloise Neale, Aimee Pratt, Marc Scott, Zak Seddon, Charlotte Taylor, Andy Vernon, Katrina Wootton and Alice Wright.

“One of Chris Brasher and John Disley’s founding principles when they created the London Marathon back in 1981 was to improve the standard of British endurance running – and this commitment remains as strong today,” said Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events.

“We want to see British endurance athletes challenging the very best runners in the world in the very best races in the world – including the Virgin Money London Marathon – and the support we gave Mo Farah through his university days and beyond has shown how our funding programmes can help athletes get closer to this goal.

“We are proud to do our part to support British endurance athletes and look forward to a future British winner of the world’s most popular marathon.”

It is the first time London Marathon Events has worked with British Athletics to select the nominated individual athletes and the funding is designed to provide a bridge for endurance runners to the WCPP and to improve the standard of British endurance running across all distances.

British Athletics and London Marathon Events worked together to select a shortlist, with the final decision on the 32 athletes made by British Athletics.

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Mary Keitany won a fourth women’s title in five years at the New York City Marathon on Sunday (November 4), while two-time Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa claimed his first men’s crown in the Big Apple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: NYRR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: NYRR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The post Mary Keitany storms to fourth New York City Marathon win appeared first on Fast Running.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: NYRR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to watch

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

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

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The post Shalane Flanagan and Geoffrey Kamworor aim to retain New York crowns appeared first on Fast Running.

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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The post Great North Run men’s elite field announced appeared first on Fast Running.

After Mo Farah’s British record breaking run, which you can read all about here, Lily Partridge and Jonny Mellor led the way for the British in the London Marathon on Sunday, while there were some classy performances from the mass starts in the British championships race.

The streets of London were the hottest on record for this year’s marathon, but Lily Partridge is adamant the sweltering conditions did not play a significant factor in her race as she finished first Brit and eighth overall in a PB 2:29:24.

The Aldershot, Farnham & District distance talent’s result was a significant improvement on her previous best of 2:32:09 from last year’s Seville marathon.

She said: “It is unbelievable. I felt absolutely fantastic until 35k and then it started to bite. And then it got slowly worse.”

“It’s only the second time I’ve run past 23 miles, and I’ve only ever done the full distance once (in training). I was disappointed with the time, as I was targeting a quicker time but that was all I had today so I’ll take that and keep building.”

RELATED: British marathon crown is only the start for Lily Partridge

Thames Valley’s seasoned marathoner Tracy Barlow ran a consistent 2:32:09 to complete the top two British athletes to cross the line and secure selection alongside Partridge for this August’s European Championships in Berlin.

While the second half of her race was four minutes slower than the first, she still held onto the 9th overall position and maintains her reputation as one of the UK’s most reliable athletes over the 26.2m distance.

Bedford & County’s marathon debutant, Rebecca Murray, posted a solid 2:39:37 result to finish 12th woman and third Brit on a less than ideal day for endurance running weather-wise.

The 23 year-old spoke to Fast Running recently about her preparations for her first marathon outing, alongside Cardiff’s Matt Clowes, who was also in action.

Jonny Mellor followed up his superb 2:12:57 from last year’s Berlin marathon with a 2:17:55 result in London to finish second British man behind Mo Farah. The Liverpool Harrier said afterwards he suffered in the conditions as he chased a PB performance.

However, because Farah had ruled himself out of the British championships competition, Mellor earned himself the gold medal and 14th place overall despite slowing by more than five minutes in the second half.

Clowes had a less successful outing on his first attempt at the marathon, finishing in 2:43:16 following a 68:40 first half, but he can take heart that many top athletes take several runs over the classic distance before they nail their best performance.

Lincoln Wellington’s British elite line starter Aaron Scott sadly dropped out after posting a 70:05 half split, while Shettleston’s Tsegai Tewelde didn’t start.

Best of the British club runners at this year’s London Marathon

While the TV coverage of the London marathon inevitably focusses on the leading elite athletes and the celebrities participating, every year the real action for the majority of the UK’s grassroots athletics is happening just behind the sharpest end of the race – the British club athletes’ competition.

The London marathon also serves as the British championships over the 26.2m distance, and is always hotly contested amongst the best of the nation’s endurance talent.

This year’s race was no different, with several athletes who hadn’t made the cut for the elite start line standards upsetting the pre-race form books.

British men

While it was no surprise to see Kent’s John Gilbert finish first amongst the mass starters in 2:20:19, his time was some way down on his 2:15:49 PB, albeit from 2015, with the hottest conditions on record contributing to a host of slower times across the board.

Kent and Serpentine counted two each in the top 10 British non-elite men overall, with Serpentine’s Andy Greenleaf taking the silver medal in the British championships. He just missed his PB with a 2:22:01 result, 20 seconds shy of his lifetime best.

Hallamshire’s Steven Bayton was next across the line in 2:22:53 (PB 2:19:41), but Crawley’s James Westlake will have been over the moon with his 2:24:19 result, an improvement of more than two minutes on his time from last year’s event.

Newcastle AC (Northern Ireland) and Oxford Uni’s Eoghan Totten posted a promising 2:26:32 on his marathon debut, while Blackburn’s Ben Fish, who is a member of Fast 10: class of 2018, was never far behind in 2:26:55.

One of the stand out performances amongst the British men’s top ten came from Serpentine’s 43 year-old Will Green, who ran a 2:27:02 PB to go second on the UK V40 rankings, behind only East Hull’s Steve Bateson.

Gilbert’s club mate and fellow V35 athlete, Peter Lighting, ran within just seven seconds of his best with a 2:27:28 result, while Hercules Wimbledon’s V35 Richard McDowell sliced more than seven minutes off his previous PB with 2:27:56.

Poole Runners’ Sean Hogan made up the top 10 British men when he ran 2:28:07 to also record an impressive PB in the unseasonably hot conditions.

Sadly, the heat defeated many top athletes on the day, with Highgate’s Andy Coley-Maud dropping out just after halfway having passed the 25k mark in 83:27, and Tonbridge’s Henry Pearce calling it a day after clocking 72:01 at the half marathon point.

Graham Green, who last month set a Guinness world record with his son Ben for the fastest combined father and son half marathon, took the V50 honours in a time of 2:36:35.

British women

The women’s race threw up some superb results, with the first non-elite female athlete, Saltaire Striders’ Hannah Oldroyd, annihilating her previous marathon best of 2:50:07 with a superb 2:46:27 PB. A regular over the 26.2m distance, Oldroyd is also a successful international ultrarunner, competing all over the world in her Saltaire club colours.

Clinching the silver medal on her marathon debut was exciting up and coming talent Hayley Carruthers of Rotherham Harriers.

Photo: Pete Brown

Carruthers, featured on Fast Running earlier this year, ran an incredible 2:47:47 to follow up her 79:10 and 17:40 debuts over the half and 5k distances in 2018.

Norwich’s Charlotte Rose also had the race of her life to record a 2:48:35 result, smashing her old 2:53:52 PB by more than five minutes and earning the British championships bronze medal to boot.

Hercules Wimbledon’s V40 Claire Grima joined her club mate Richard McDowell in making the top 10 when she ran 2:53:13, which, although was 11 minutes shy of her best from 2016, still represented a sterling effort in the stifling conditions.

Another veteran followed in Grima’s wake, with Riverside’s V35 Johanna O’Regan recording 2:53:26 on her debut. O’Regan has only been competing for three years according to her Power of 10 profile, and has made huge strides in her performances in that time.

Next to cross the line was Ilfracombe’s prolific marathon and trail running V35 athlete, Mary Menon, who followed up her 2:51:21 Taunton marathon win just two weeks’ earlier to finish in 2:53:44.

Cambridge & Coleridge’s young U23 triathlon and duathlon star, George Schwiening, posted a 2:54:30 result to finish 7th British woman, some way off her 2:42:54 best from last year but proving just how tough the conditions were on the streets of London.

Herne Hill’s marathon debutant, Stacey Ward, recorded a fine 2:55:38 clocking to prove she is returning to her best form after posting a 75:42 half marathon PB in 2015.

Newark’s Rebecca Gallop proved her consistency over the longer distance is paying off as she ran close to her PB from last year’s Frankfurt marathon when she crossed the line in 2:55:43, and West End’s Joanna Male sliced more than two minutes off her previous best from last year’s London with a 2:56:34 clocking to make up the top ten British women.

Promising athletes were forced to call it a day mid-race in the women’s competition too, with Central AC’s Fanni Gyurko the most promising of all and showing strong early form, but sadly had to drop out at half way after posting an 81:28 13.1m split.

Tonbridge’s Maria Heslop took the V50 women’s category crossing the line in 2:56:56.

British Men’s Top Ten results

1. Kent’s John Gilbert: 2:20:19
2. Serpentine’s Andrew Greenleaf: 2:22:01
3. Hallamshire’s Steven Bayton: 2:22:53
4. Crawley’s James Westlake: 2:24:19
5. Oxford’s Eoghan Totten: 2:26:32
6. Blackburn’s Ben Fish: 2:26:55
7. Serpentine’s Will Green: 2:27:02
8. Kent’s Peter Lighting: 2:27:28
9. Hercules Wimbledon’s Richard McDowell: 2:27:56
10. Poole Runners’ Sean Hogan: 2:28:07

British Women’s Top Ten results

1. Saltaire’s Hannah Oldroyd: 2:46:27
2. Rotherham’s Hayley Carruthers: 2:47:47
3. Norwich’s Charlotte Rose: 2:48:35
4. Hercules Wimbledon’s Claire Grima: 2:53:13
5. Riverside’s Johanna O’Regan: 2:53:26
6. Ilfracombe’s Mary Menon: 2:53:44
7. Cambridge & Coleridge’s George Schwiening: 2:54:30
8. Herne Hill’s Stacey Ward: 2:55:38
9. Newark’s Rebecca Gallop: 2:55:43
10. West End’s Joanna Male: 2:56:34

You can read more about Lily Partridge’s performance here, while a race report from the elite men’s race, including Mo Farah’s British record, can be found here and the women’s race report here.

The post Top GB elites & club runners in London Marathon appeared first on Fast Running.

Jonny Mellor, Tsegai Tewelde, Lily Partridge and Tracy Barlow are just a few of the leading British out to impress at the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday (April 22).

The UK capital marathon annually incorporates the British Championships and this year also acts as the trials for the European Championships in Berlin this August.

Farah has ruled himself out of contention leaving Jonny Mellor and Tsegai Tewelde the favourites to clinch one of the top two automatic spots, but as we saw last year with Josh Griffiths debut marathon, surprises can happen.

They both have already achieved the 2:16:00 standard inside the qualifying window, and after his personal best 2:12:57 clocking in Berlin last September Mellor is the favourite for many. It was a breakthrough moment for the 31-year-old and ranked him third in Britain and first in England in 2017.

While not hitting PBs over the shorter distances in recent months, the Team New Balance Manchester athlete has been clocked 63:17 at the Barcelona half in February and ran 65:03 at the Big Half in March.

Mellor has the extra motivation of being overlooked for the initial England Commonwealth Games team announced last October. Following that, he turned his attention to the London Marathon and he is focused on delivering a PB performance.

However, Tewelde has ran the quickest over the distance with a debut 2:12:23 in London back in 2016. That earned him a place on the GB team for the Rio Olympics, but the Shettleston Harrier did not finish the race in Brazil and another DNF followed in London last year, but he followed that up with 2:14:45 in November at the Beruit Marathon.

Tewelde ran 65:11 at the inaugural Big Half in March, however, it was another DNF at the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, so it difficult to know how he will perform on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Aaron Scott is out to impress in his first start on the elite line. The Lincoln Wellington athlete recently returned from altitude training in Font Romeu and competed for his club at the National Road Relays last weekend.

Scott, who spoke to Fast Running earlier this year about his marathon journey, has his eyes on bettering his 2:17:50 personal best set last year in his third London Marathon.

Matt Clowes, in his marathon debut, could be a dark horse. The Cardiff AAC runner initially signed up for London because his girlfriend bet him that he could not run a marathon in under 2:15:00.

However, after running a big half marathon PB of 64:39 in Granollers two months ago, the sub-14 minute 5k runner could deliver a great performance in his debut marathon.

RELATED: Making your marathon debut on the elite start line

Partridge and Tracy Barlow head the Britsh women

Lily Partridge, competes in a first London Marathon and is set to have a great battle with Tracy Barlow to be the first British woman home.

Both women are chasing the European qualification standard of 2:36:00 along with a top two spot to secure a place in the GB team for Berlin.

Patridge clocked a 2:32:10 in her debut in Seville last year, but a DNF at the Berlin Marathon in September followed after hasty comeback from injury as she hunted a place in England’s Commonwealth team.

“What happened in Berlin is my single main motivation for London,” Partridge told Fast Running earlier this week. “I said straight after it that I need to be ready to go for my next one because that cannot happen again.”

RELATED: Lily Partridge: conquering the marathon

The 27-year-old has been in good form this year, running her quickest half marathon since 2015 with a course record 71:06 run in Seville, before finishing second to Charlotte Purdue in the Big Half. Her Aldershot clubmate Purdue was also set to compete in London but withdrew earlier this month due to injury.

Barlow will also fancy her chances of taking the British crown and is the quickest over the marathon having clocked 2:30:42 in London last year.

That performance earned the 32 year-old a place on the GB team for the World Championships where she finished 43rd. Barlow has raced plenty this year, taking on the 13.1 miles distance on four occasions and ending that sequence of races with a  72:35 PB run at the World Half Marathon Championships last month.

Debutant Rebecca Murray will be the unknown quantity in the women’s line-up. The 23-year-old has just returned from Font Romeu this week and has a half marathon best of 72:59 set in Manchester in 2016.

The Bedford & County runner’s only half marathon this year saw her clock 73:59 to finish eighth at the Big Half.

“I’m looking forward to giving the marathon a good first go, said Murray. “London is such a well organised and prestigious event in the British racing calendar.

“I’ve always loved running on the roads, I guess the thinking is that I’m at an age where I can experiment with what works for me. I’m not taking it lightly as it is a totally different kettle of fish to the races I usually do, but I have faith that the plan Alex [Stanton] and I have worked to will have me prepared. As for a target time, I have a pace to set out at but we shall see how that goes!”

Behind both elite start lines, there will be a host of top runners on the championships start line and expected among them are 2:30 marathoner Louise Damen, in her first 26.2 miles since 2014, and Tonbridge’s marathon debutant Henry Pearce, who clocked a personal best 65:49 at the Big Half.

Also worth keeping an eye out for is Ben Fish and Hayley Carruthers. Blackburn Harriers’ Fish features in the Fast 10: class of 2018 on Fast Running and has a PB of 2:19:22 from 2012 and set a 65:16 half marathon best in 2017.

While Carruthers, is a relative newcomer to competitive running and only joined her first club, Rotherham Harriers, earlier this year, but is already becoming one the UK’s brightest road running talents. She only started training seriously last November but has clocked a 35:15 10k and a 79:10 half marathon as well as the fastest long leg at the Northern Road Relays.

Predictions: who will the first British runner (outside of Mo Farah).

Paul Halford: Jonny Mellor 2:14:30 / Lily Partridge (2:29:40)
Ruth Jones: Jonny Mellor (2:10:00) / Lily Partridge (2:28:50)
Robbie Britton: Matt Clowes (2:09:28) / Tracy Barlow (2:29:12)

What time does the race start at?
The elite women’s race starts at 9:15am and the men’s race starts at 10am with the mass start.

How can I watch it?
The BBC will have live coverage on BBC one starting at 8:30am and highlights will be on BBC two at 6pm.

All the latest London Marathon updates can be found here, and an interview with two of Britain’s marathon debutants is here, while an insight into Lily Partridge’s marathon journey can be found here.

The post The leading British runners in the London Marathon appeared first on Fast Running.

A full report on the Northern 12 & 6 stage road relays championships can be found here and you can read all about the British team at the World Half Marathon Championships here.

On Saturday (March 26) Nottingham’s Wollaton Park played host to the final major cross country fixtures of the year for the SIAB championships and Home Countries International.

The last cross country international on the domestic calendar was a highly competitive affair, with wins from established GB athletes giving the event a distinctive touch of class.

England swept the senior team awards, with Stockport’s Elle Vernon clinching victory from teammates Cheltenham’s Beth Hawling and Cambridge & Coleridge’s Charlotte Christensen to make up the top three overall finishers.

Scotland were a distant second, ahead of the North, the Midlands and Wales.

National cross country winner Adam Hickey of Southend AC held off his England counterpart, Morpeth’s Carl Avery, to take the spoils in the senior men’s race, with Scotland and Inverclyde’s Andy Douglas just three seconds shy of silver in third.

Another emerging star from Cambridge & Coleridge’s growing stable of elite athletes is Julia Paternain, and the Mark Vile-coached youngster took top honours in the Junior Women’s race on the hilly Nottingham course.

She led England to team victory over Scotland and Wales, while Ipswich’s John Millar was a convincing winner of the Junior Men’s race, with England again beating Scotland to the team title.

SIAB championships, Wollaton Park

The Junior Girls race was won emphatically by City of Salisbury’s fast improving Bea Wood, taking individual victory for England by a huge 23-second margin and leading her country to top honours over Scotland. Ireland and Wales took third and fourth in the team standings.

It was a far closer affair in the Junior Boys event, with England’s Joe Ponter just being given the win over teammate Fraser Sproul despite both boys recording the same time. England took team victory ahead of Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

England were again winners in the Inter Girls race, with Ella McNiven leading her team in ahead of Scotland’s Cera Gemmell, while her male counterparts dominated the Inter Boys race, taking the top eight positions headed by David Stone.

Scottish National Road Relays

On Sunday, the Scottish National Road Relays took place in Livingston with Corstorphine AAC winning the senior men’s race and Fife AC taking home the senior women crown. Both victories were a first-time success for those clubs after ‘knocking on the door’ a number of times over the past few years.

Calum McKenzie brought home the win for Corstorphine on the final leg only 24 hours after he finished seventh at the Home Countries XC in Nottingham. Also in the team were Stuart Livingston, Douglas Selman, James Harrison and Euan Brown as they recorded 2.18.48 with Central at 2.19.55.

Megan Crawford, Annabel Simpson, Helen Sharpe and Steph Pennycook were the Fife AC quartet who came home in a winning time of 1.45.32 and well clear of silver medallists Lothian RC and third-placed Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds.

Lots more racing on the roads

In the US, Emelia Górecka had a 17-second win at the Carlsbad 5000 in San Diego. Górecka took the tape over the 5k course in 16:04 flat to finish ahead of a good American field.

After an impressive cross country season, Górecka gets will now stay in the states for a period of altitude training.

Charlie Hulson won the men’s race at Cardiff Bay Run 10k on Sunday in a time of 29:32, while Eleanor Davis won the women’s title in a course record and personal best 33:42. A full report and results can be found here.

Also on Sunday Jonny Mellor was the runaway winner at the Liverpool Half Marathon. Mellor, who will compete in the London Marathon next month, won in 63:35, with Dejene Gezimu second in 67:25 and Alistair Rutherford third in 70:36.

Kirsty Longley won the women’s title in 76:29, ahead of Sarah Lowery in 77:00 and Charlotte Mason completed the podium in 80:12.

Bedford’s James Bellward and Tipton’s Amie Williams won the Bedford 20 miler in 1:55:35 and 2:12:06 respectively.

At the Colchester Half Marathon, Ramadan Osman won the men’s race in 69:36 with Helen Davies winning the women’s in 77:37.

Earlier in the week 0n Wednesday (March 21) at the Queen’s 5k in Belfast, Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty won the women’s race in 16:13, with Springwell RC’s Neil Johnston winning the men’s title in 15:02.

The post Cross country and road relays light up this weekend appeared first on Fast Running.