Thompson was a shade outside his personal best as he took the British title at Sunday’s Vitality Big Half in 61:07, finishing second to Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) having disputed the lead for the first five miles, and the 38-year-old Briton earns his first British vest on the road, 22 years after making his track debut at the World Junior Championships.

Fresh from lowering the British Under-23 record for the half marathon to 62:00 in London, Jake Smith will also represent Great Britain & Northern Ireland on the roads for the first time, having made his British track debut at last year’s European Under-23 Championships in Gävle, Sweden.

Having finished as the third and fourth British athletes home at the trial, both Ross Millington and Mohamud Aadan declined selection for the championship.

Progressive selection policy

With the selection policy stating that automatic selection can be offered to the next eligible athlete if declined by auto-qualifiers (in part due to hard work by members of the Athlete’s Commission), 2017 British Marathon gold medallist Josh Griffiths earns his first British vest in almost three years courtesy of his eighth-place showing at the trials.

Doha team member Ben Connor, who has already clocked 61:34 for the distance in 2020, will look to improve on his individual 64^th place finish at the 2018 instalment of the championships in Valencia, while Matt Leach, who has twice run for Britain in the European 10,000m cup, completes the senior men’s team.

On the women’s side, Partridge earns her first British vest since the 2018 European Championships in Berlin and will look to better her 70:31 personal best clocking, set in 2015, when she takes to the start line in Poland. Sarah Inglis, who moved 13^th on the all-time British list with a strong run in Houston in January, also gains selection.

British debuts are handed to Samantha Harrison and Stephanie Davis, who clocked respective personal bests of 71:01 and 71:15 for second and third-place finishes at the Big Half, with fourth place finisher, Hayley Carruthers, also earning her first British vest.

Good to see a full squad going

Ahead of the championship, team leader Chris Jones said: “The full squad of 10 for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia showcases some of Great Britain’s most in-form athletes over the distance, exemplified by the performances at the trials and the form we have seen already this season.

“The team we have selected shows a good range of previous British international experience and features new names to the international scene and I hope this strength will be reflected in the overall outcome.

“The championships will serve as an excellent opportunity for athletes to continue their upward trajectory on the roads and I hope that we can achieve a strong team position overall.”

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The post Full teams selected for World Half appeared first on Fast Running.

Across the seas

Whilst the Kenyans swept the titles in the Beach to Beacon 10k, the strong British performances meant we didn’t fade into the background. On what can only be described as a beautiful day, 6,413 runners took to the roads in Cape Elizabeth.

The race was started by Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first Olympic women’s marathon in 1984, to realize her vision of creating a major international road race in her home state and her legacy is a fantastic 10km race that draws global talent.

Purdue and Piasecki amongst a lead pack containing fellow Brits Tish Jones and Lily Partridge. Photo: Kevin Morris

There was a hint of a breeze, but the sun shone, as did Charlotte Purdue, Callum Hawkins, and Jess Piasecki. Purdue, a recent 2:25 marathon runner, proved she has some impressive speed in her too. The British international claimed bronze in an incredibly high-quality field in a time of 32:16. Not far behind her in sixth place was the Stockport athlete, Jess Piasecki, in 32:51.

Fellow Brits Tish Jones and Lily Partridge were also in the lead group battling it out with the world class field. Jones hung on for a superb 33:09 for eighth, whilst Partridge slowed to post a 34:47.

Scotland’s Hawkins continued to add the success across seas with a fifth place finish that saw him just dip under the 29-minute mark in 28:55. Older brother Derek ran 30:50 for 18th place. 

Photo: Kevin Morris

On home turf

Back in the UK there were some shining stand-out performances in London over 10k. Lauren Deadman of Havering Athletics was the first female finisher at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k.This was more than just a ‘jog round the park’ as Deadman crossed the line in 35:55 to claim gold for the women. Andrew McCaskill gave a similarly impressive performance, giving his all to bag himself a strong lead. McCaskill finished in a time of 32:53, over 3 minutes ahead of the second male. 

Just a stone’s throw away was the RunThrough Victoria Park 10k. GB International Tracy Barlow, was not only first woman across the line, but also the first overall winner. Barlow ran a rapid time of 34:26, claiming the win by over 3 minutes! 

Over 25 laps…

Once again Paul Navesey proves his excellent 2019 form in the final few months leading up to Frankfurt with a 33 second PB on the track. Athletes took on the challenge of 25 laps of the track in the Brighton birthday Boy’s 10,000. The Crawley AC athlete claimed gold by over two minutes in a speedy time of 30:24 to continue his recent run of PB’s. We caught up with Paul last week and heard all about his journey to Frankfurt.

The clear silver medalist was Craig Halsey of Brighton & Hove AC in his track 10,000m debut. Halsey crossed the line in 32:34 whilst the last place on the podium was claimed by Chichester Runners & AC’s Chris Bird. 

Going long 

In the rocky Scandinavian mountains, British international Jon Albon secured another convincing victory at the highly technical Tromso Skyrace in Northern Norway. 

It was great to see Adidas Terrex’s Holly Page back racing over a longer course and the fell runner finished in an excellent second place. We’re looking forward to hearing about this in her next Fast10 blog!

At the Centurion Running North Downs Way 100 there was a new course record of 15:18:41, taking over 20 minutes off the long-standing record of Ed Catmur. 

Photo: James P. Elson – Centurion Running

In the women’s race Karen Hacker finished in 20:40:38, almost an hour ahead of second place after a strong finish.

Down the distances

The Soar Summer Mile in the prestigious Olympic Stadium was another night to remember with an abundance of PB’s. 

The final Soar mile race of the night was won in a cracking time of 4:01.97 by Tonbridge AC’s Dom Brown. Brown showed his strong form in his first ever 5,000 last weekend, running 14:06, and continued to prove this strength on Friday night. Thames Harrier Josh Carr ended the night on a high with a PB of 4:04.08. Just over a second behind him, claiming bronze in 4:05.54 was Kieran Clements. 

The fastest woman of the night, claiming an easy win, was Revee Walcott-Nolan. The Luton athlete claimed a 7 second PB of 4:37.27 and was the first across the line in her race. 

Clare Elms deserves a mention for setting a new world record for the W55 mile in her 53rd race of the year!! The Kent AC athlete ran a very impressive 5:10 to add to her repertoire which includes 18 other world or British records set in 2019 alone! Elms’ records span everything from 800m to 5k on the road. 

A weekend where 10k’s were plentiful

Adding to the success on the road were some rapid male times in the EDF Energy Lydd 10k. Ross Skelton of Hastings AC stormed across the line in an incredible 30:04, getting himself ever closer to that sub 30 goal. Skelton earned a convincing win as Marshal Smith in second place was 2 minutes 54 seconds behind him in a very respectable 32:58. Achieving third place in 33:29 was Aaron Wilson with a three second PB. 

The Barry Island 10k saw some names to watch take on the road. Josh Griffiths won the scenic 10k, adding to his collection of 10k wins this year. Griffiths came home in an impressive 30:22 with Aaron Richmond behind in 31:49. Fast Running’s Fast 10 Class of 2019 athlete, Natasha Cockram, took the title in the women’s race in 34:42, only 8 seconds off her personal best. See a full report here.

The 14th Rye Summer Classic series 10k had another stand out performance to add to the list. The U23 Tunbridge Wells Harrier, Billy Hobbs, ran 31:55 taking a substantial 30 second chunk off his previous 10k PB set at the Leeds Abbey Dash back in 2017. Billy also beat the 30 year-long course record held by Tony Baldock by a whole second. 

RELATED: Dash to a 10k best in Leeds this Autumn

What has been described as one of the UK’s most beautiful city runs, the Asda Foundation York 10k, took place on the streets of this northern city. The runners clearly weren’t distracted by the city’s beauty as plenty of fast times were ran.

Leeds City AC took gold in both the women’s and the men’s race with Graham Rush running 31:20 and Lorna Young a cracking 36:17. Just over half a minute behind Rush was Cameron Strachan in third with 31:51 and Kristian Watson of Heanor Running Club was next across the line in 32:55. Completing the women’s top three was Sarah Hunter of Ackworth Road Runners in 38:56 followed by Georgina Weston in 39:23. 

Once again, the Self-transcendence 10k, part of the London Sri Chimnoy race series in Battersea Park, saw the gathering of many fast club runners. The men’s race was dominated by Serpentine AC claiming both first and third place. Nicolas Besson won by a 42 second margin in 32:08 with Victoria Park and Tower Hamlet’s William Woodcock taking second in 32:50, a new PB! Adding to the Serpentine’s success and the number of PB’s on the night, Benjamin Tolputt claimed third place in 33:04.

The women’s podium was PB’s galore with all three top women claiming a new lifetime best. Mary James of South London welcomed a nine second 10k best to get her first-place prize, whilst Catrin Tyler in second place took an impressive 72 second off her personal best. Completing the trio of PB’s was Susan McDonald in 37:54.

To conclude a busy weekend of 10k races was the Ray Harrison Memorial 10k. Yohannes Eyob was the first male athlete to cross the line in 32:53, whilst Tracy Milmore of Birtley AC took gold in the women’s race in 37:20. 

parkrun

Jonny Hay and Hayley Carruthers are your fastest athletes at UK parkruns this weekend (August 3rd). Full top ten rankings here.

If you would like to run faster at parkrun, top tips to help runners of all abilities can be found here.

RELATED: 7 ways to run faster at parkrun

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patron. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Purdue flies onto the podium at US Beach to Beacon 10k – Weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

Swansea Harrier Griffiths is in pole position for the Healthspan Wales 10K title after racing to victory at the inaugural Healthspan Porthcawl 10K last month. Griffiths kicked on in the last kilometre to triumph in 29 minutes 54 seconds, and will be out to clock another sub-30 performance at another of South Wales’ iconic seaside locations.

The man he beat to take the Porthcawl title, James Hunt, will be out to get revenge on the Island. The 2018 Welsh Cross Country champion will be hoping to use his experience on the undulating course to make up the four second gap that separated the two that day.

Cheltenham’s Phil Wylie and Exmouth Harrier Tom Merson are the two other members of the field to have dipped under the 30 minute mark, and both will be battling to claim a podium place on Sunday morning.

Evans and Cockram go head to head

In the women’s race, Cardiff AC star Clara Evans will be out to make a breakthrough performance over 10K in Wales after racing to a third placed finish at the London 10K earlier this year. But she will face stuff competition from another Healthspan Porthcawl 10K champion in Natasha Cockram, who made a smooth transition from the marathon to the shorter distance to claim her first 10K triumph of the year in 34:51.

Returning champion Rachel Felton will not give her crown up without a fight and will be looking to go one better than her previous Healthspan Wales 10K Series race at the ABP Newport Wales 10K, where she finished second.

Distance running fans will remember the name Carl Thackery from his heyday in the 1980s and 1990s. The former long distance specialist won team silver at the 1992 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 1992 before claiming individual and team bronze a year later in 1993. But on Sunday, his daughter Calls gets her chance to shine on the roads of Barry Island.

And the Hallamshire and former University of New Mexico runner will be hoping spring a surprise on the rest of the field after winning the 2019 Great Grimsby 10K earlier this year.

International masters competition

The second edition of the race will also incorporate a Masters International clash between England and Wales.

Race Director Steve Brace said: “The challenging course at Barry Island makes for a pair of fascinating races. Josh Griffiths will know all about the nature of the route after coming home in third last year and he will be hoping it takes some of the other runners by surprise.

“There will be plenty of fierce competition at the front end of the race before more than 3,000 runners aim to overcome their own personal challenges and set new personal bests. It’s shaping up to be another fantastic festival of running, so I would encourage the local community to come out and roar the participants along the course.”

The post Griffiths aiming to continue 10K streak at Barry Island appeared first on Fast Running.

Fresh from his 10k win in Porthcawl earlier this month, Swansea Harriers’ Josh Griffiths had a good Sunday morning which resulted in a three place and 39s improvement on last year, breaking the tape in the Asics London 10k (Previously the British 10k) in 29:47.

Clubmate and the 2018 champion Dewi Griffiths had to settle for third this year, finishing in 30:12, with AF&D’s Joshua Grace separating the two with his 29:56.

The women’s race was a swift one as all three podium spots were taken in faster times than 2018. First up was Bedford & County’s Rebecca Murray who ran 33:46 to take first place having had a swift dip into long distance to run a 75 min half marathon in Naples only eight days ago.

Mhairi Mclennan was back out for some 10k action on the roads after her recent appearance on the track in Highgate. She came second in 34:01 which was comfortable lead over Cardiff’s Clara Evans who completed the top spots with a 35:26.

Great racing in Grimsby

While the headline race might have been in London it wasn’t the only fast 10k around. Another gent ducking under the 30 minute mark for 10k this weekend was Lewis Jagger of Sheffield and Dearne AC who ran a 23 second PB to win the Great Grimsby 10k in 29:56. In a rather neat turn of events, second place went to Alastair Watson of Notts Ac in Jagger’s previous PB time of 30:19. Lincoln Wellington’s William Strangeway took third in 31:05.

No PB’s were troubled on the women’s podium though as Calli Thackeray (Hallamshire Harriers) was back in the UK comfortably outside her PB for a win of 35:13. City of Hull’s Becky Briggs finished second in 35:40 and Lincoln Wellington bagged another third place with Natalie Burns coming home in 36:44.

10ks for everyone

At Surrey’s Elmbridge 10k it was Emily Wicks of Aldershot Farnham & District who took on this weekend’s muggy conditions to win the race in 36:05. Molly Renfer of Highgate Harriers was second in 36:59 and South London Harriers’ Mary James came third, just 7s behind her.

For the men, it was Andrius Jaksevicius (Belgrave / Latvia) who won in 31:49 but it was the second and third place that provided the excitement as West 4 Harriers’ Paul Piper and Heathside’s Tom Aldred finished within one second of each other in 32:05 and :04 respectively.

City of Norwich AC gathered a fair few medals this weekend at their home event, the Run Norwich 10k. Iona Lake won her race in 36:24, followed by Rose Penfold (Fulham, 37:14) and Philippa Bowden (A,F&D 37:34). But it was the men’s where they really dominated as Logan Smith (31:41), Ben Spratling (31:57) and Piers Arnold (32:21) all brought back trophies for the host club.

Full results and times from the Musselburgh Festival 10k have not been released yet, but we do know that Fanni Gyurko of Central AC won the women’s race and John Brogan of Falkirk Victoria Harriers was the victor in the men’s.

There were county 10km championship medals on offer at the Bedfordshire AAA 10k. Jack Goodwin was a dominant winner in 31:38, he was joined on the podium by Robert Barnes (34:13) and Edward Blythman (34:23). Paula Downing was the winning woman in 40:33 with Emma Price (41:35) and Gail Duckworth (43:55) second and third.

In Preston there was a unique racing opportunity (quite literally). The Penwortham Bypass 10k took place on a flat, fast stretch of new but as yet unconnected road. The inaugural and, one assumes, only winner was Salford Harrier’s Chris Livesey in 32:58. Mandy Dohren was crowned as the women’s winner with the sponsors construction helmet in 37:33 in one of those podium shots runners dream of.

Penwortham Bypass 10km – a podium photo to remember courtesy of Mandy Dohren

Success in the South West

It was a busy mid week in Exeter with back to back 10km races from City Runs on Wednesday and Thursday. The quickest three men all ran in Wedensday’s event with Phil Wylie coming out on top in 31:45 with Adam Holland second in 33:05 and Berihu Hadera third in 33:23.

It was a similar story in with the women with Wednesday’s race providing the three quickest performances with 37:59 for Rosie Hattersley, 38:28 for Nikita Steiner and 39:22 for Nicky Savill.

Flying times in Caterham

The Caterham Rotary Half Marathon and 10k took place at Redhill Aerodrome. There was a dominant win in the half by James Connor of Havering AC finishing in 69:57 with Kat Owens the women’s winner in 89:37.

In the 10km John Herbert (33:11) and Nicola Archer (41:50) walked away with the wins.

Starting the week with a bang

Monday night saw the Cottage training group, that meets in Battersea Park under coach Mark Lloyd, descended en masse to the Sri Chimney 5k in their home training grounds.

Always a competitive series, this one did not disappoint. Nick Torry, Serpentine member who is part of the England team for the Frankfurt marathon later this year, showed that his training is going well as he nabbed a nine second PB and first place in 14:34.

Another PB run was rewarded with second place for Jonathan Poole, also of Serpentine RC in 14:34. Ben Cole kept the podium comfortably sub-15 as he crossed the line in 14:45.

For the ladies, Cheltenham & County Harriers’ Beth Hawling has a rather sweet 5k debut time on her power of 10 entry, thanks to a first place finish in 16:48. Cottage’s Natalie Seymour, a triathlete by trade, was also making her debut for an official 5k and ran 17:21 for second place.

Rose Penfold of Fulham Running Club took third in 17:34 and in case you’re thinking that name sounds familiar, a quick scroll up will remind you that she went on to place second in the Run Norwich 10k later in the week.

Nick Torry in another classic podium photo. Photo credit: Oleg Galimov

Carruthers runs PB over possibly her favourite distance

Also this week was the Vic Musgrove Fast Five at Telford AC. It was slightly slower than Battersea in general, bar a notable appearance from parkrun fanatic, Hayley Carruthers.

The Birchfield Harrier obliterated the course record by 37 seconds and ran a huge PB in the process, finishing in 15:53.

Dylan Telford of the home club also gained a new best time with his 15:20 win. Second places went to Bridgenorth RC’s Lauren Cooper (17:50) and Bournville Harriers’ Henry Brocklehurst (15:21) and third to Sarah Mackness of Notts AC (18:08) and Jonathan Morris of Wolverhampton and Bilston (15:35)

WMRA World Cup in Snowdonia

Not for those who love an easy run, The International Snowdon Race has a maximum gradient of 32%, with only 1km of the race being flat. The race, which took place on Saturday as the latest in the WMRA World Cup Series. It was Sarah McCormack who conquered the route first in 01:14:49 for the women Andy Douglas in 01:04:04 for the men.

Both Douglas and McCormack are leading the Mountain Running World Cup and had convincing wins on Wales’ highest peak. The Snowdon Race is one of two halves, with the tough uphill being followed by an unrelenting descent. A full write up can be found here.

Photo: Sport Pictures Cymru

Anniversary Games

At the London Anniversary Games Laura Muir showed continued dominance winning with a storming final lap and a finish time of 3:58.25 in the women’s 1500m. Sarah McDonald (4:00.46) and Jemma Reekie (4:02.09) both ran PBs in the same race.

The Emsley Carr Mile took place on Sunday and saw some fantastic sub four mile performances. Jake Wightman ran a fantastic PB of 3:52.02. Chris O’Hare missed just fractionally missed out on a PB with a fantastic run of 3:53.35. Josh Kerr ran 3:53.88 to maintain his position as the seventh fastest under 23 Britain at the mile. Jake Heyward ran 3:54.78 in an incredible debut at the mile. Recently interviewed Piers Copeland (3:56.05) and Zac Seddon (3:58.9) also broke the magical four minute barrier with Neil Gourley finishing in 4:05.80.

In the women’s 800m metres Lindsey Sharp took the win with 1:58.61 followed by Alex Bell in third running a PB of 1:59.82. There were also fine performances from Shelayna Oskan-Clarke (1:59.83) and Hannah Segrave (2:00.18).

The men’s 800m was won by Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich in 1:43.14. Britain’s Jamie Webb ran a fabulous PB in what is turning out to be a super year with 1:44.52. Kyle Langford also ran a PB with 1:44.97 and they were joined by Elliot Giles who ran a seasons best of 1:45.03.

In a competitive men’s 5000m race, won by Hagos Gebhriwet in 13:01.86 from a Norwegian record setting Jakob Ingebrigtsen (13:02.03). Andy Butchart in fifth improved his own Scottish record with 13:06.21. Several others, including Brits Ben Connor (13:19.47) and Alex Yee (13:29.18) also ran PBs. Also racing were Marc Scott (13:49.55) and Nick Goolab (14:02.27).

The women’s 5,000m was won by Helen Obiri in 14:20.36. Britain’s Laura Weightman put in a fantastic performance to PB with 14:51.78 ahead of Eilish McColgan (14:51.89). Jess Judd also ran a PB with 15:16.47 ahead of Rosie Clark (15:19.75) and Amy-Eloise Neale (15:35.02).

On a side note, the SIAB International meeting saw Welsh athlete Osain Perrin break the U17M 3,000m Welsh record in a time of 8:23.64, a record that has stood for 40 years. A stunning run.

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Griffiths, the Team Wales Commonwealth Games and Team GB World Championships marathoner found himself trailing at the half-way mark in the spectacular new event on the seafront at one of Wales’s most popular resorts, but had the strength to hit back and post another notable victory.

“James took it out and made me work really hard. I didn’t get ahead until the final minute and it was his first time under 30 minutes, so hats off to him,” said Griffiths, the Welsh 10K road champion.

“I wanted to win, and it is always nice to get under 30 minutes, but he really made the race. That is my first 10K win this year and it is always nice to cross the line first.

“The support all the way around the course was simply fantastic and some of the best I’ve had around Wales and it was the perfect setting. I wanted to kick on in the Healthspan Wales 10K Series so I’m happy I got the victory.”

So close, but so far

While Griffiths was able to chalk up his first race win of the year at the third leg of the Healthspan Wales 10K Series, Cardiff AAC runner Hunt was left with the bittersweet feeling of having run the race of his life, but still coming home in second place. Not that he was too bothered – he pocketed a £200 cheque to take away on holiday with him later this month.

“Josh just came on strong in the last kilometre and I couldn’t hold onto him. I was leading at half-way and I’d dropped the group,” said Hunt, who was able to celebrate a 20 second PB.

“I was out in front, couldn’t hear anyone behind me and I thought I was going to stay away. But Josh is a solid runner and came back at me.

“Even so, it is a huge PB for me and the first time I’ve dipped under 30 minutes, so I’ve got to be happy with that – and a £200 cheque for second place.

“The support I had around the course was unreal and this is a major breakthrough for me. I feel as though I can go on and push my boundaries again.

“I did my first half for a while in Swansea a few weeks ago to build up my strength and that clearly helped me. Now I can look forward to the Cardiff 10K and maybe even the Cardiff Half Marathon in October.”

There were almost 4,000 runners on the start line and when they finally got away at 10.30am the conditions were perfect. The tide was in, the sun was shining and Welsh sporting legend Iwan Thomas got everyone underway.

Marathon specialists for the win

Photo: Porthcawl 10km

The women’s race was also won by a marathon specialist in Natasha Cockram. The winner of the inaugural ABP Newport Wales Marathon last year, she led home the experienced Jenny Spink, a former British World Half Marathon Championship athlete, to take the tape in 34:51 to win by 29 seconds.

“I’ve struggled a bit with injuries over recent weeks after running in the London Marathon. I ran when I probably shouldn’t have in London and I had to take a couple of months off afterwards,” said Cockram.

“But I’ve been back running again for the past three weeks and I’m just happy to be back racing again. It wasn’t about the time, and It wasn’t that quick, but for me it was just about getting back into a race.

“We were pretty much together in the first half, but then I felt her dropping off a bit and just pushed on. I can’t thank my physio enough for getting me back after the knee injury, and also Welsh Athletics and Sport Wales.

“The aim is to run a marathon again later this year, but before then I want to do a few more 10Ks and maybe the Cardiff Half in October.”

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It was a New Zealander, who has represented Great Britain as an ultra runner, who ran the fastest parkrun of 14:50 on Saturday (December 15).

High mileage marathoner Paul Martelletti posted the sub 15 minute showing at Dulwich parkrun, followed closely by Benjamin Toomer in 15:07 at the same event.

Joshua Cowperthwaite, of the north east of England, also ran under 15 minutes and equalled his parkrun best of 14:59 at Albert parkrun in Middlesborough. The time was good enough for second in the world listings and might have been good enough for the top spot in most weeks.

Emma Waudby recently went under 17 minutes for the first time and the parkrun regular ran 17:28 at her useful Heslington event this weekend. The Pocklington runner is only in the 16-17 age category but has seen great improvements since she started the weekly times trials and joining her local club. A great example of both working together to produce a promising youngster.

The fastest overseas parkrun of the weekend was 15:10 by Andy Good at Hagley, New Zealand and there were actually two performances from the Christchurch event as Roxane Shahtahmasebi was the first female finisher in 17:56.

The quickest overseas female run was in Canada, where Laura Bernard ran 17:46, which is a very good result from a Canadian parkrun in Kitchener, Ontario.

As well as having the two fastest parkrun times, the UK had 14 runners in the top ten lists in total. Recent weeks have seen much faster runs in Australia as the whole country gets ready for the summer season. What will next weekend bring?

Men’s top 10

1) parkrun: Dulwich, UK
Paul Martelletti, 14:50, Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets
2) parkrun: Albert, Middlesbrough, UK
Joshua Cowperthwaite, 14:59, Middlesbrough AC
3) parkrun: Swansea Bay, UK
Josh Griffiths, 15:04, Swansea Harriers
4) parkrun: Dulwich, UK
Benjamin Toomer, 15:07, Hercules Wimbledon
5) parkrun: Hagley, New Zealand 
Andy Good, 15:10, University Canterbury AC Inc
6) parkrun: Goulburn, Australia
Joshua Torley, 15:11, Distance Running Academy
7) parkrun: Pakapakanthi, Australia
Jacob Cocks, 15:12, Team Tempo
8) parkrun: Cardiff, UK
Paul Graham, 15:28, Pontypridd Roadents
9) parkrun: Panshanger, UK
Paul Pollock, 15:29, Kent AC
10) parkrun: Maribyrnong, Australia
Chris Rancie, 15:31, Melbourne Midday Milers

Women’s top 10

1) parkrun: Heslington, UK
Emma Waudby, 17:28, Pocklington Runners
2) parkrun: Kingsbury Water, UK
Nicola Sykes, 17:29, Bournville Harriers
3) parkrun: Woking, UK
Lauren Hall, 17:40, Aldershot, Farnham & District
4) parkrun: Panshanger, UK
Victoria Pritchard, 17:42, Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers
5) parkrun: Hackney Marshes, UK
Emma Burgess, 17:44, Highgate Harriers
6=) parkrun: Victoria, Kitchener, Canada
Laura Bernard, 17:46
6=) parkrun: Livingston, UK
Jo Williams, 17:46, Lothian RC
8) parkrun: Bedford, UK
Tia Wilson, 17:54, Bedford & County AC
9=) parkrun: Lytham Hall, UK
Liz Abbott, 17:56, Lytham St. Anne’s
9=) parkrun: Hagley, New Zealand 
Roxane Shahtahmasebi, 17:56
9=) parkrun: Varsity Lakes, Australia 
Reagan Ellis, 17:56

If you enjoy running at parkrun but want to develop and get a bit faster then find a running club near you. Clubs have all the social aspects of parkrun and cater for all levels to help you progress. More information can be found here.

Also if you would like to run faster at parkrun, top tips to help runners of all abilities can be found here.

RELATED: 7 ways to run faster at parkrun

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post 10 fastest parkrun times in the world on Saturday 15th December (2018) appeared first on Fast Running.

Relentless rainfall was not able to dampen spirits however as the 51st edition of the Welsh Road Road Relay Championships on Saturday (September 22).

The event returned to Pembrey Country Park in Carmarthenshire for 2018, but this time used the newly built National Closed Road Cycling Circuit that recently hosted the Grand Depart of the Tour of Britain.

Swansea’s men’s team contested the Welsh national title as the current ERRA National Autumn Road Relay Champions, with the greatest competition always likely to come from Cardiff AAC who held the ERRA title in 2016.

However, Swansea’s quartet was far superior on the day with fastest leg honours shared between 2017 British Marathon champion, Josh Griffiths and 2018 Commonwealth Games steeplechase seventh placer Jonny Hopkins.

The pair were given the same time of 16:54 for the 5,480m loop.

Cardiff AAC was the second club home over four minutes later with a strong Aberdare Valley team delighted with their third-place finish just a minute back from the Cardiff team.

Alaw Beynon-Thomas led her Swansea team off, posting 19:42 to take fastest leg honours in the women’s race.

Kate Roberts made a welcome return to racing steering the club to the title on the last leg, with the second fastest time of the day.

Lliswerry Runners and Bridgend AC were the next teams home in the race that also saw a masters titles for Swansea Harriers in the MW35 category.

A little earlier in the day, Cardiff AAC had claimed U17 men & women’s victories with wins in the younger age groups shared between Menai Track & Field, and local club Carmarthen Harriers.

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The post Swansea Harriers retain crowns at Welsh Road Relays appeared first on Fast Running.

Dewi Griffiths heads the men’s field for the inaugural Brecon Carreg Barry Island 10k on Sunday, August 5, while Elsey Davis and Rachel Felton will go head-to-head in the women’s race.

The Swansea Harrier has a 10km best of 28:42 but will use the race around the popular seaside town as another stepping stone towards full fitness following a long injury lay-off.

His first test on the comeback trail landed the Welshman a 29:41 win at the British 10k in London on the July 5.

Although not a race, he tested his legs again last weekend at parkrun running a quick 14:45 at the 5k Swansea Bay event.

Dewi Griffiths continued his comeback from injury with the fastest time at pakruns across the UK today!

Here are the top 10 #parkrun times https://t.co/tjI1dKxjvW@dewigriff10k @Swanseaparkrun @parkrunUK https://t.co/r9duPWe2vi

— Fast Running (@FastRunning_) July 28, 2018

Sunday’s race will see the 2016 UK Inter-Counties Cross Country champion look to edge back towards the level of fitness that helped him to a 2:09 marathon on his debut in Frankfurt last year.

Cardiff AAC’s Matt Clowes, who was named in the England team this week for the Commonwealth Games Half Marathon Championships, was the runner-up at the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay Run in March and the victor at the JCP Swansea Half Marathon in June.

He will now look to chase Griffiths around the streets of Barry, joined by Josh Griffiths who finished second to Clowes in Swansea.

Josh rose to notoriety in 2017 following a British marathon title in London for the Swansea man and a first British call up at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at Queen Elizbeth Olympic Park.

Phil Matthews is a third Swansea Harrier looking to pick up valuable points at the final race in the 2018 Run4Wales 10km Race Series, following a top 10 placing in Cardiff.

The women’s contest will feature the race winners from both Cardiff Bay and the ABP Newport Wales 10k, with an overall series win likely to go to either Bristol & West’s Davis who took Cardiff glory or Shaftesbury Barnet’s Felton who dominated in Newport.

Photo: Paul Stillman

Davis ran her lifetime best of 33:42 at the Cardiff based race and since then, the athlete coached by Commonwealth Games medallist Helen Clitheroe has run inside 34 minutes on two other occasions.

Welsh interest in the ladies race sits with Clara Evans of Cardiff AAC and Alaw Beynon-Thomas from rival club Swansea Harriers.

RELATED: My favourite session: Elsey Davis

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Dewi Griffiths set for Barry Island 10k appeared first on Fast Running.

Hayley Carruthers continued her excellent 2018 season with a 34:39 winning performance at the Helena Tipping Wrexham 10k on Sunday (July 29).

The Rotherham Harriers athlete, who ran her 34:05 personal best earlier this year at the London 10,000, finished seventh overall and only two and a half minutes behind the men’s winner.

Photo: Bryan Dale

The runners at the North Wales race battled the stormy conditions, and faced up to 20mph winds at times, with Tom Bains of Hallamshire Harriers, Sheffield, the quickest on the day in 31:59.

The Tipton Harrier is studying and running in America and has already run 29:46.88 this year over 10,000m. Bains also ran a 14:27.71 PB over 5000m in North Carolina earlier this year.

Photo: Bryan Dale

Vet 40 Dave Bennett of Ellesmere Port RC was second in 33:03 and Jon Bowie of Mercia Fell Runners was 33 seconds behind for third.

Another Ellesmere Port RC runner was second in the women’s race. Joanna Marsden dipped under 40 minutes with a 39:37 chip time. It was an identical time to Marsden’s run at the Market Drayton 10k in March. Charlotte Jones was third in 40:34 to complete the podium.

RELATED: Hayley Carruthers is just getting started

Tenby 10k, Sunday, July 29

British international marathoner Josh Griffiths was the runaway winner at the Tenby 10k in Wales, clocking 32:33 for the victory. Battling the stormy weather on the Pembrokeshire coast, the Swansea Harrier was almost three minutes off his personal best (29:28).

In April, Griffiths had a tough 2:37 run in the heat at the Commonwealth Games, but has been working his way back to form in recent months including a 66:11 performance at the Swansea half marathon.

Not a bad place to finish a race. Nice to win and good fun at the @tenby10k this morning pic.twitter.com/M8X6zvTQLW

— Josh Griffiths (@JoshGriffRun) July 29, 2018

Dave Keenan and Joshua Liddle were second and third respectively across the line. They were only seven second apart in 35:48 and 35:55.

In true Brazilian footballer style, the women’s winner only goes by the name of ‘Michelle’ on the official results. The F35 runner ran 41:27 to win ahead of Sioned Howells (41:48) and Caryl Davies (42:13).

If anyone has a bit more info on Michelle then please do send us a message. Equally well done to sixth place ‘Steve’ who also decided to forego the uncool use of a surname whilst running 37:23.

Magor 10k, Sunday, July 29

For those who don’t know Magor is located in Monmouthshire, South Wales. The Welsh village has the first service station after you cross the Severn Bridge over the River Severn estuary between England and Wales, and is also home to the Magor 10k.

Phil Wylie of Cheltenham Harriers took the win at the annual 10k in 30:57. The V35 runner was made to work for his win, as just behind in 31:13 was Simon Nott of Calne Running Club.

Great training race for @Inspir_EdPhil today, to take the win at @chepstowharrier Magor 10k in 30:57, with negative splits in a nasty wind. Good week

— 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 (@coachnewport) July 28, 2018

The best team name of the weekend goes to the Mickey Morris racing team, the club of third place Matthew Edmonds with 33:01.

The club’s Facebook page states: “the Torfaen based Micky Morris Racing Team, founded in 2014, may presently lack athlete numbers it more than makes up for this in ability and achievements.”

On the 27th July, they finished first, second, third, fifth, eighth and ninth at the Cardiac 6 road race. The MMRT was also the 2016 London Marathon club champions.

Forest of Dean AC athlete Chloe Wheeler was the first lady in 39:05. It was a PB for the U20 athlete who has stepped up to 10k distance this year. Wheeler also ran a 18:26 5k PB this year at the Hereford Couriers 5K Series.

Denise Nott of Calne Running Club was the second woman clocking 40:27. Upon closer inspection, Simon and Denise Nott are the Chairman and Club Coach for the Calne Running Club, and they were well represented in Magor this weekend.

Niki Morgan of Chepstow Harriers was only 13 seconds behind Nott for third place. The 40:40 was a season’s best for the V50 athlete. The runner’s PB of 40:07 could be under threat as the year continues. 

parkrun

Dewi continued his comeback from injury with the fastest time at parkruns across the UK this weekend. The Welshman ran 14:45 at the Swansea Bay event.

Herne Hill Harriers’ Stacey Ward ran a parkrun best 17:06 at the St Albans event to take the women’s top spot in the UK. This weekend’s top 10 times at parkrun can be found here.

Meanwhile, on the track this weekend Jess Judd was among the winners at the England Athletics, UK CAU and AAA Championships. The Blackburn Harriers athlete won double distance gold in the 1500m and 5000m. A report from the action in Manchester can be found here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Hayley Carruthers among winners this weekend appeared first on Fast Running.

Josh Griffiths, Matt Clowes and Aaron Scott are set to race at the JCP Swansea Half Marathon on Sunday (June 24), while Caryl Jones faces defending champion, Claire McCarthy, and Tracy Barlow in a top women’s field.

The Welsh city half marathon features a revised route but still uses a pancake flat course that will take over 5,000 competitors up to the seaside town of Mumbles, allowing for incredible views across Swansea Bay on the way back to the finish near Museum Green.

Both Griffiths and Clowes will be chasing maiden victories and a potential course record at the seaside race that was voted the best half marathon in the UK for 2017 and 2018.

Griffiths was the 2017 British Marathon Champion and competed at his first Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April. The Swansea Harrier was third on his last outing at this race in 2016 but likely to move up the podium in 2018.

Cardiff AAC’s Clowes is the most likely to upset the party for Griffiths and is the fastest athlete on paper with a best mark of 64:38. He is also the only man in the field to have run under Dewi Griffiths’ course record of 64:49 set 12 months ago.

Lincoln Wellington’s Scott is the next fastest on paper, also having run under 66 minutes in the past.

RELATED: Training diary of 2:17 marathoner Aaron Scott

Tom Merson has shown great 10km form with a best mark of 29:50 and a win at the Great Bristol 10k in May. The Exmouth Harrier is also a great racer and will be on hand to push the pace in the search for a new half marathon best.

Michael Kallenberg will look to support his Cardiff club mate Clowes. Kallenberg is better known as an ultra-distance runner these days but is also the 2018 RAF Cross Country Champion.

Phil Matthews competes for local Club Swansea Harriers and is a regular at Welsh races. Recent form includes a silver medal at the Welsh Cross Country Championships in the City from February.

Claire McCarthy will return to defend her race crown from 2017. The Irish athlete who was 33rd at the 2017 IAAF World Championships Marathon in London will also have her course record of 74:34 at stake.

RELATED: The alternative route to the top by Ireland’s marathon women

Caryl Jones is likely to improve on her third place from last year after steadily returning to her best over the last twelve months.

The Swansea Harrier now looks to be very close to the form that saw her run 71:18 at the Great North Run in 2012 and finish 10th at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships later the same year.

More recently, Jones finished eighth in the Commonwealth Games at the women’s marathon, in the heat of the Gold Coast.

Tracy Barlow of Thames Valley Harries will also contest the race and is another athlete who has proven recent form. Her lifetime best of 72:35 was set whilst competing for Great Britain & Northern Ireland at the 2018 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia.

Gladys Ganiel is another Irish athlete who should feature and has a PB of 75:08. Laura Graham completes the trio of Irish competitors and should be in the mix after setting her 75:15 best whilst finishing 12th at the Vitality Big Half earlier this year.

Evergreen Emma Stepto who was the 2014 British Half Marathon Champion and regularly makes the trip from Cornwall to compete in South Wales will also be present.

Swansea’s Sian Edwards, Cardiffian Lucy Marland and Cwmbran based Natasha Cockram will help to add a local flavour. MMRT’s Cockram set a Welsh Marathon all-comers record with victory at the ABP Newport Wales Marathon in April.

The post British and Irish runners set for Swansea appeared first on Fast Running.