In the past, the London Marathon has been the place that elite British marathon runners had to prove themselves. They had global competitors and the support of around 750,000 spectators and 40,000+ participants to spur them on.

This time they will have just the organisers, some coaches and Kew staff around as they cover the 12 and a bit laps of a 3.3km looped course. For those who took part in the elite only version of the London Marathon last year there are some similarities (hopefully not the weather) but this is still going to be a very different kind of experience that which most of these runners have ever experienced. 

How to qualify for the Olympics

In order to qualify automatically for the GB Olympic marathon squad, the runners must have the qualifying time (2:11:30 & 2:29:30) and be one of the first two finishers. If they already have the qualifying time from another race within the qualifying period and finish top two, that would also guarantee a place.

There is a third place on each squad which is at the discretion of British Athletic, though for the men’s team that’s already taken buy Callum Hawkins.

So, Lateral Flow tests allowing, let’s take a look at those who we expect to be  toeing the line:

Photo: Alex Donald

Charlotte Arter (Cardiff AAC)

Marathon Debut
HM PB 69:40

After having to withdraw from pacing duties at the Elite London Marathon last year, this is Arter’s first experience of the full 26.2.

Hailing from Cumbria but representing Wales, she was the parkrun women’s world record holder (15:49) until recently and has excellent credentials over shorter distances.

With a half marathon PB of 69:40 and some really good training in the bank (with Clara Evans alongside) she will definitely be one to watch. Arter has completed an eight week marathon build up and told Fast Running she is “happy with how the training’s gone. I haven’t done any crazy mileage, just had some consistent training”.

Without any big city marathons to compare the experience to Arter is focussing on just “clipping off the laps. I want to enjoy the experience… it’s going to be a PB whatever I run!” However, she’s not shirking and aims “to stick with the Olympic pace for as long as possible”.

While her base speed is a lot faster than the rest of us, your first marathon is always a huge unknown and Arter is no different –  “I have no idea what I’ll be thinking on the start line” but “at the end I’ll probably be thankful it’s all over! Hopefully I’ll want to do another one. Then food, shower and downtime. So really – elite or not elite – we all want the same thing at the end of a marathon!

Arter is supported by Welsh Athletics and London Marathon Events. Coached by Chris Jones.

Tracy Barlow (Thames Valley) 

PB 2:30:42 London, April 2017

After working her way down from a 3:52:59 marathon in 2011 Barlow put in the work and brought that time down consistently. 2020 saw Barlow run a HM PB in Barcelona (72:12) and a 10 mile PB in Preston (58:25).

With recent Major Championships experience from World and European Champs and a die-hard attitude, as evidenced by her London Marathon 2020 performance of 2:34:42 when many others dropped out, Barlow will be interesting to watch in what will be a tactical race. Tracy’s 15th place at the 2018 European Championship makes her the most recent highest British finisher in a major championship marathon. 

Coached by Tom Craggs.

Photo: Provided by athlete

Becky Briggs (City of Hull)

Marathon Debut
HM PB of 72:54 Antrim Coast Half Marathon, 2020.

Still in the U23 category, she’ll be a youngster in the pack. Briggs says that training has been going well – “I’ve completed sessions I never thought I could, it’s been so different to anything I’ve ever done before“.

Though the laps of the course might be daunting, Briggs has been putting in plenty of laps of Bushy park for her training and is hoping that will help. When asked what her goal is she said “ to finish and do myself, my coach, my parents, and the distance justice!” 

Saysky Athlete. Coached by Geoff Watkin.

Natasha Cockram (Micky Morris Racing Team)

PB 2:30:49 Dublin, 2019

Cockram knocked it out of the park when she won the Elite London Marathon last year in a time of 2:33:19, which could have equated to a faster time in better conditions. She also set her Half Marathon PB of 75:27 last year in Llanelli so is clearly building good form. She is the Welsh Record holder for the marathon.

Supported by London Marathon Events Coached by Tony Houchin.

Oxford Half Women’s winner Stephanie Davis

Stephanie Davis (Clapham Chasers) 

PB 2:27:40 Valencia, 2019 (Olympic qualifying time)

Having already run the qualifying time, if Davis finishes top two then she’s guaranteed a spot on the Olympic squad.

Born in Glasgow and now living in London working for and supported by Lazard Asset Management, she ran her first full marathon in 2018 (Berlin, 2:41:18) which she followed with a 2:32:18 off the mass start at London Marathon in April 2019. She is part of the scottishathletics Marathon Project targeting the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham in 2022.

Supported by London Marathon Events. Coached by Phillip Kissi.

Rosie Edwards (Rotherham)

PB 2:40:49 Frankfurt, 2018
HM PB 72:24 Las Vegas, Jan 2021

Edwards’ training has been going well, with the athlete feeling she has become “more consistent with marathon pace and with my longer sessions as the block progressed, so that was a big stepping stone for me”.

While solo training has been a hard grind “long term I think it helped me”. She’s looking forward to seeing where she measures up against some of the top British runners and has been practicing looped training runs to prepare for the course. Asked about her goals for the big day, Edwards told Fast Running “I want to be involved in the race, especially the second half and place as highly as possible. I’m also aiming for the Commonwealth Games standard”.

Coached by Robert Hawkins.

Clara Evans (Cardiff)

PB of 2:46:03  London, April 2017
HM PB 72:21 Antrim Coastal Half Marathon, 2020

Technically coming out of retirement apparently, Evans hasn’t run a marathon since 2017 but has been training for a while with Charlotte Arter. The Welsh international ran a sub 33 10k PB on the track this year so her speed is clearly on the up. 

“I’ve been happy with the long runs and the long sessions. I’m extremely grateful that I got a taster race to (the 10k) to check form and I’m extremely happy with where I am. I’d have loved to have got in an altitude block for this race in Kenya but obviously the global situation has made that difficult”

Evans also commented that she’s “looking forward to catching up with the other top British girls” – they must normally see each other quite a lot on the circuit so this will be a chance for friendship (and rivalries) to be rekindled.

Evans feels “the course looks very nice. The only down side is that it’s not a course that’s been run before and I sometimes feel like you never really know how fast a course in until someone has been there and done it”.

Her  aim is to run the commonwealth games selection standard and get a benchmark for that early, because there are plenty of fast Welsh ladies chasing the target. Her boyfriend Paul is on pacing duties at the race.

Coached by Chris Jones.

Photo: Provided by athlete

Becs Gentry (Peloton)

PB 2:37:01 New York Marathon, Nov 2019

The Peloton(tread) queen has stated in instagram posts that she is targeting an Olympic spot and is likely to be taking a pop at 2:30 after dropping to her PB of 2:37 from 2:53 in Feb the same year. Her training is a little different to the standard way of doing things because of her work-day duties but there’s no doubt there’s plenty of talent in there ready to be unleashed.

Annabel Gummow (Winchester)

Marathon Debut
HM PB of 74:50 Watford, Oct 2020

It looks like Gummow was tuning up to race a marathon in 2020 as she ran Hillingdon 20, a standard London Marathon tuneup race that takes place in March, in 2:00:35 last year. The former GB international has been running well over the longer distances and is an exciting prospect for the 26.2 mile distance. 

Coached by Christopher Wooldridge

Photo: Inge Johnson/Canada Running Series

Sarah Inglis (Lothian Running Club)

Scottish Inglis lives and trains in Vancouver, CA and looks to be in great form after placing 9th and running a 2:29:41 PB at the Marathon Project race in Chandler AZ, USA in Dec 2020. Only 11 seconds off the qualifying mark in Arizona so certiainly capable of a hitting the fast time needed.

That Arizona result is also particularly relevant as it was also a looped course with no public allowed to support. Inglis has been happy with her progress after the last build and has been getting used to even bigger volume sessions.

The Scot’s only negative from this build? “it’s been shorter as I’ve had to recover from my last race in Dec”. Inglis, like the rest of us is excited about the field. “it’s so open and that’s why I think that at 30k+ there is still going to be lots of girls fighting for those two spots”. Her goal, in case it wasn’t obvious is to get one of those spots!

Supported by London Marathon Events. Asics athlete. Coached by Mark Bomba.

Tish Jones (Belgrave Harriers)

PB 2:31:00 London, 2019

Ran 2:36:35 in the elite only London Marathon last year and her 2:31 PB is from the previous year. Was due to complete in the World Champs in Doha, but unfortunately had to pull out with a leg injury. As with most, it’s difficult to tell current form but the marathoner always brings her best on race day and will be another who could surprise.

Supported by London Marathon Events. Adidas athlete. Coached by Geoff Watkin

Naomi Mitchell (Reading AC) 

PB 2:33:23 London (elite only), Oct 2020

Based in Reading as an accountant for KPMG, after plugging away around the high 2:XX’s for a few years  Mitchell’s breakthrough race was Frankfurt 2019 when she ran 2:37 which she attributes in no small part to a lack of GPS. 

Mitchell has been “really pleased with the consistency of my training…I’ve been able to build mileage as well as the amount of marathon pace work compared to last year” though like many of the other entrants (and us), she’s not enjoyed the cold winter training!

Mitchell is looking forward to making the most of the quality women’s field “to work well of one another for some fast PBs”. Of her goals, she says, “I always set a few different ones, depending on how I feel as the race gets going. I’d love to slash my PB and target the qualifying time”. 

Coached by Nick Anderson

Photo: Vitality Big Half

Lily Partridge (Birchfield Harriers)

PB 2:29:24 London, 2018 

Partridge looks to be back in good shape recently. She won the Antrim Coastal Marathon (71:36) and the Vitality Big Half (70:50) last year but DNF’d at the elite only London Marathon in cold weather conditions. Some injury issues over recent years have seen difficulties over the marathon distance, so we’ve not seen a real benchmark for her for a while. However, the recent half and a track 10k suggest she’s in form.

Her PB is from *that* hot year in London so it’s potentially worth a bit more and she’s one of the most experienced runners on the startline. You would expect Partridge to be int he mix for top two spots for most, if not all, of the race. 

Supported by London Marathon Events. Adidas Athlete. Coached by Alan Storey.

Charlotte Taylor-Green (Clevedon)

PB 2:36:54 Dublin, Oct 2019

Taylor-Green’s PB came 5 years after running her previous marathon which she finished in 3:20. She set a 5k PB in 2020 but is pretty new to marathon training. The Clevedon athlete  is “pleased with how my body has adapted to endurance training, along with the mental toughness of training solo for so long”.

Like many of the athletes she wishes she’s had better access to facilities over the last year but Instagram suggests she’s been doing what she can in her home ‘gym’. The last time Taylor-Green ran in a British Champs it was in 2017 for the 3000m steeplechase so it’ll be exciting to see what happens.

She’s not particularly excited about the turns and wisely notes that there’s a chance the women suffer from “getting overtaken by the men – I hope we don’t get pushed out of the way”. Given that she still classes herself as a novice at marathoning, she says her goal is any improvement on her previous best.

Coached by James Thie

The post Women’s Marathon Trial: Who’s Running? appeared first on Fast Running.

Scott shines as Farah and Partridge win in Antrim

The Antrim Coast Half Marathon was perhaps the most talked about event of the week not only thanks to one Sir Mo Farah making an appearance, but also due to the fantastic home grown field on the start list.

It had the added spice of giving us a glimpse of what shape those due to run London Marathon were in.

Farah predictably took the win in 60:27 – not the British record that had been touted, but a very decent time given the stresses that a 1hr track race (and world record) would have put on his legs last week.

Perhaps the real story of the day though was an impressive Half Marathon debut by another Nike athlete – Bowerman Track Club / Cambridge & Coleridge’s Marc Scott. Scott was right up with Farah until the last mile, when his trademark killer-kick proved too much to handle, but 60:39 and third on the British all-time list is a pretty tasty debut.

Antrim Coast Half. Credit: Steve Donegan Photography

Third place went to Ben Connor who ran a fantastic PB of 60:55 to earn his spot just behind Scott on the all-time list and Stephen Scullion was fourth in 61:08, taking the Northern Irish record in the process.

5th place went to Kev Seaward in a new PB of 63:05. There were many PBs throughout the field including Josh Griffiths (63:08), Adam Craig (63:24), Tom Evans (63:19) and Adam Hickey (64:37) as 17th athletes ran inside 66 minutes with 13 of them either a PB or a debut.

V60 runner Tommy Hughes was another impressive tale from the race, breaking the over 60 world record to finish in 71:09.

Antrim Coast Half. Credit: Steve Donegan Photography

Partridge shows form before marathon

Lily Partridge showed good form ahead of London Marathon, running a convincing win in 71:36 (a NI all-comer’s record). Samantha Harrison came back fighting after her disappointment with her 5000m at the British Championship, to race hard and strong and take second place in 71:58.

Wales’s Clara Evans had a great day, taking third in a PB of 71:21. Becky Briggs (City of Hull) also PB’d for fourth place in 72:54 as did  44 year old Kirsty Longley in 75:27 (Liverpool Pembroke Sefton) who pulled away from a strong group of athletws including Jessica Craig.

Antrim Coast Half. Credit: Steve Donegan Photography

Sadly a few of the women’s field had to drop out before or during the race including Steph Davis who had been a part of a strong early group with Harrison, Partridge, Briggs and pacemaker Holly Archer. Aly Dixon was disappointed but characteristically balanced in her-post race analysis as she pulled out with glute and nerve related pain around five miles.

A full Vlog will be available from the race organisers over coming days.

Mo Farah wins the Antrim Coast Half Marathon! Was a closer finish than you might think with @_MarcScott, Ben Connor & @scullion262 not far behind, Stephen setting a new NI record. Full event vlog to follow. @larneac @AthleticsNI @mea_bc @Mo_Farah @POferries pic.twitter.com/CuHaO5ho8R

— Stephen J Reid (@StephenJ_Reid) September 12, 2020

Middle distance talent shines again

At the 59th Ostrava Golden Spike, GB athletes had a great evening’s work. Over 1500m Faith Kipyegon (KEN) set a new meeting record, winning in 3:59.05 but Britain’s Laura Weightman ran another brilliant race to place second in 4:01.96 with Gemma Reekie right behind her in 4:03.25.

Eilish McColgan had a tough one, which looks like it may have been thanks to time of the month, finishing 7s slower than she ran the previous week to place 11th in 4:12.07. Eilish – we feel your pain but please don’t “rip out [your] own ovaries”!!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Eurgh.. Me and running aren’t friends right now. In fact, it’s not so much running but more my own body that I’m in a huff with Of course I’m disappointed with my race in Ostrava – it was 7s slower than I ran just the previous week but the way I was feeling just reinforced that something isn’t right. It also coincided with my time of the month… which meant that after the race I was ready to rip my own ovaries out It’s crazy to think that even in 2020, there’s really no clear cut advice as to how to manage your hormones and performance. And there is certainly no, one-fits-all solution either! I’ve had some stinking runs over the years and my only ever DNFs were caused by feeling like a wee baluga whale! The only positive I can take out of last night, is that it’s really given me a kick up the arse to start researching more about what options are available to control my symptoms – rather than just battering through ibuprofen, saying a wee prayer and hoping for the best! It’s been SO interesting chatting to other elite athletes and hearing their own experiences over the past few weeks. Thanks @adelletracey @shelayna @lauraweightman1 @gabrielastafford @em_sisson_ and @runkerryrun shared a great post last week too. It’s so important we broach topics like this, share advice and discuss the good, the bad, the ugly! How do others manage their periods and training!? What works best for you I’m all ears. #realtalk . . . #girlproblems #runnerproblems #ukrunchat #runninggirls #ostrava #runners #athlete

A post shared by Eilish McColgan (@eilishmccolgan) on Sep 9, 2020 at 12:02pm PDT

Joking aside, that’s a difficult issue to manage and we hope she gets the best science and support behind her so she can keep on fulfilling her huge talent. Over 5000m Melissa Courtney-Bryant was in action and with Sifa Hassan taking it out hard, she fought well amidst a strong field to run 15:16.50 for 6th place.

Stunning kick brings Wightman PB

In the men’s races, Jake Weightman took the win over 800m in a stunning new PB of 1:44.18. Elliot Giles was next for GB in sixth place with 1:45.51. Guy Leamouth took eight in 1:46 flat. It was a double win for GB over the distance as Laura Muir ran a season’s best of 1:58.84 to take gold in her race too.

New PB of 1:44.18 tonight, but more importantly my first proper international 800m win. Can I pass for an 800 guy now? https://t.co/kyA0lmwd3H

— Jake Wightman (@JakeSWightman) September 8, 2020

Elsewhere on the european track circuit, Piers Copeland ran a quality race to take the win over 1500m at the Poznań Athletics Grand Prix in 3:37.51. Newly crowned British Champion George Mills was 5th in 3:38.06 in a field which included the likes of Lewandowski & Kzscot.

Alex Bell took the win in the 800m against a strong field in 2:01.60 with Adelle Tracey 3rd in 2:01.71.

Back again! @PiersCopeland1

1st @ Poznan Grand Prix (3:37.5)
pic.twitter.com/1jSffTAmwF

— Chelsie Walters (@walterschelsie1) September 11, 2020

Highgate Open sees strong performances

Closer to home, clubs continued to host their own track meets, pitting athletes against each other over 1500 and 3000m. Highgate Harriers track at Parliament Hill got a hammering on Wednesday evening.

Good conditions allowed PBs for the top three gents in the 1500m – VP&TH’s Luca Minale took the fastest time of the night with his 4:03.1. St Alban’s Striders’ Zachary Segal was second in 4:09.00 and Jonny Brook (St Mary’s Richmond) was third in 4:11.3.

In the women’s 1500m it was great to see such a breadth of runners out there smashing out fast times – youngster Abigail Reid (U15, WGEL) was fastest in 04:50.8, followed by V40 Kate Carter (Wimbledon Windmilers) in 5:14.6. Third went to home-girl Lauren Russell (U15, Highgate Harriers) in 5:19.2.

The competition at the top end of the 3000m men’s field was fierce but it was Highgate’s own Roger Pooleman who ran a convincing victory, charging home in 8:18.9. Brighton Phoenix’s Leo Brewer grabbed a new PB and second place thanks to his 8:22.1. Only three tenths of a second separated the battle of the Alex’s for third and fourth but it was Crossland who won out taking the bronze spot in 8:24.6 (with an honourable mention for Alexandre Lepetre with 8:24.9).

The women’s field was less well represented but Basildon’s Gemma Kersey made sure there was some class at the top, running 9:12.4. Next in line was Gill Bland (Harrow AC) squeaking in under 11 mins with a 10:59.2 (though wearing what I later realised were not track-legal shoes – so I’ll be getting the result removed) . Third place went to Jemima Bowen of Guildford and Godalming with a gutsy run of 11:00.1 in a tough field for her section of the race.

Niner continues strong form

On the same evening at Worthing Track Night Thomas Niner of Brighton and Hove won the 1500m in 3:53.43, followed by club mate Tom Eames (3:55.00) and WSE&H’s Dylan Spencer (3:56.56).

Almi Nerurkar (U20) of Brighton Phoenix topped the women’s race with a 4:20.86 PB. Leah Harris of Worthing was next up in 4:39.15 and Poppy Palmer-Malins (U17) from Brighton Phoenix had the third fastest time of the night with 4:47.83.

Charnwood AC also held an event which saw Annabek Morton take top honours over 1500m in a PB of 4:43.34 (Horsham Blue Star) with Rosie Ashmore (U15, Wreake & Soar Valley ) joining the PB club in 4:52.54 and clubmate Imogen Saunders (U13) taking the third place in 5:06.37.

For the gents, Rushcliffe’s Joseph Tuffin was top in 3:53.20 followed by Lian Rawlings (U20, Oswestry) in a PB of 3:56.63 and Harry Leleu (Chichester) in 3:58.64 – also a PB. Over 3000m V40 Alastair Watson (Notts) took the win in 8:37.33 with Nick Hardy (Tipton) safely behind in 8:53.16 and James Wardle (Rushcliffe) third in 8:55.62.

U20 Maya Todd McIntyre led the women home in a PB of 9:42.11 for Rushcliffe, with Hannah Robinson (Birchfield Harriers) having the next fastest time in 9:57.02 and Akuce Perkins (Wolvs & Bilston) running 10:12.69.

The Roger Bannister Track was host for Harrow AC’s 3000m meet which saw Alex Eykeibosch (Dacorum & Tring) smash out a new PB of 9:27.28 in an otherwise all-male field for her starting group. Another PB was logged by Brighton Phoenix’s Tara Bage who clocked 9:38.88 in the same race that Herne Hill’s Phoebe Anderson (U20) ran 9:57.18.

The men’s field saw a raft of sub 9’s and even more PB’s, with Alex Melloy topping the list of speedsters thanks to his 8:22.60 (U17, Cambridge & Coleridge). Bedford & County took second and third with an 8:23.04 from Alfred Yabsley and 8:23.76 from Matt Bray.

10km on the roads sees win for GB’s Barlow

At the Spring Handicap 10k in Douglas, Isle of Man, dave Bignell (western) took the win in 35:16 keeping a good distance between him and clubmate Richard Shipway (v50) who finished in 37:16 – a dead heat with Manx’s Jahn Quaye. It was Manx Harriers who topped the women’s results thanks to Ciara Hardisty who finished in 40:30. Dawn Atherton was second in 41:25 and Joanne Schade third in 43:40.

The Kew Gardens 10k took place over two days, giving runners the chance to do a real race and have a whistle-stop botanical tour! Whilst the course wasn’t suited to fast times with the many twists and turns it certaintly provided some strong racing in beautiful condtions.

On the Saturday it was Daniel Mulryan who left the trees trembling as he blasted home in 30:51 followed by Callum Rowlinson in 31:12 and Ronny Wilson in 31:36.

The women’s field was a quality one, with GB marathoner Tracy Barlow home first in 34:54 and Ali Lavender comfortably behind in 35:15. Third place went to Jessica Welborn in 37:11.

On Sunday Lesley Locks took the women’s win in 36:05, leaving Jackie Skinner in second (36:28) and Sarah Johnson third (36:51). Seyfu Jamaal broke the tape in the men’s race in 30:14 ahead of James Hall (32:15) and Colin Thomas (32:38).

Thanks @RichmondRunFest for such a well organised event. I know how hard you have all worked. A race with a difference but possibly an expert at running corners now. Thanks to all the event staff for your cheering & support along the way. A lovely atmosphere

— Tracy Barlow (@runner_tracyb) September 12, 2020

Ellis and Swanton-Rouvelin win CW50

On the trails, the Centurion CW50 got some good weather and some solid results. Jon Ellis was the proud recipient of a chunky winners trophy after covering the 50 mile course through the Chilterns in 6:22:25. Ed Knudsen was runner up in 6:42:43 and Matthew Brown in third with 7:21:50.

Jon Ellis. Stuart March Photography for Centurion Running

Laura Swanton-Rouvelin ran a super race to come home fifth overall and first in the women’s race in 7:37:29 just ahead of Alice Hector who was 6th OA in 7:46:27 and Charley Jennings (18th OA) in 8:27:43.

Laura Swanton-Rouvelin. Stuart March Photography for Centurion Running

The Pilgrims Marathon near Farnham is known for its picturesque course and today was a lovely day for runners to tackle the full or half distance. Results are still tbc at time of writing.

SOAR are part of the UK club running scene and we are delighted to support the weekend roundup. To find out how we can help you match your club kit to your ambition check out this article or get in touch here.

The SOAR X TOUR is our way of staying true to the pursuit of summer speed. With a three-staged virtual races series, open to runners worldwide.

SOAR X TOUR sees racers test themselves over 1km, 1 mile and 5km consecutively over a 10 day period, with both stage and overall rankings and prizes up for grabs.

The post SOAR Running Weekend Roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

With the original race due to take place in March as an elite and mass race, the reorganised elite race sees a fantastic field of British, Irish and international athletes competing over a super fast course on the stunning Antrim Coast.

Farah and Connor head men’s field

A week on from his attempt at the world hour record Mo Farah is the headline name in the men’s elite field. The British Half Marathon record holder has a PB of 59:07 set at last year’s Great North Run. The winner of 10 World and Olympic titles announced his participation in the race last week after several months of work by the race to secure his involvement.

Ben Connor has gradually been working his way up the UK all time lists over distances form 5km-HM over the last few years. The Derby man started 2020 in fantastic form with a 10km PB of 28:10 at 10K Valencia Ibercaja and a half marathon PB of 61:34 Barcelona Half in February.

Marc Scott can also be expected to challenge in his debut half marathon. Having broken the British road 5km record at Podium 5km in August the Bowerman TC athlete has set big PBs over 3000m (7:43.48) and 1500m (3:35.93) in 2020 and has a 10000m best of 27:56.

Olympian’s Scott Overall (61:25) and Nick McCormick (62:44) have two of the fastest PBs of the field and they are going against World 50km Champion Iraitz Arrospide Garro who set a PB of 2:10:59 at the Valencia Marathon last year.

In a packed field other names to watch out for are Olympian Kev Seaward, who clocked 2:10:08 at the Seville marathon in February, and fellow Irishman Steve Scullion who achieved Olympic qualification with 2:11:52 for 5th at the Chevron Houston Marathon also in February.

Add into the mix Adam Craig, fresh off the back of victory at Mid Cheshire 5K, and then also one of the world’s leading ultra distance runners Tom Evans in fine form after a huge PB of 13:41 at Podium 5km. The race is looking feisty.

Partridge and Harrison head to head again

After their fantastic tussle at the Big Half in March Lily Partridge and Samantha Harrison face each other again over the half marathon distance.

Harrison clocked 15:48 in her debut road 5km at Mid Cheshire last week and ran 71:01 to finish 2nd behind Partridge at the Big Half achieving GB qualification for the World Half in the process. Still very early in her career it was only two years ago Harrison ran 84 minutes at the 2018 Robin Hood Half Marathon.

Lily Partridge has a PB of 70:31 and was returning to some of her best form prior to lockdown after struggling with injury in 2019. Her time of 70:50 to win the Big Half in March was her fastest half marathon in nearly five years and the 2:29 marathoner will be looking to have a strong run out before the London Marathon in early October.

Ann-Marie McGlynn has come flying out of lockdown setting a new 10km best of 32:43 in July and 5000m PB of 16:05.85 in August. McGlynn set a half marathon best of 72:12 at the Barcelona Half Marathon in February and is the Northern Ireland all-comers record holder.

With an Olympic marathon standard already in the bag Steph Davis has been able to set her sights on other areas this summer. The Clapham Chaser was another GB qualifier for the World Half in March as she set a PB of 71:15 to finish 3rd at the Big Half.

Olympian and World 50km Champion and record holder Alyson Dixon lines up alongside the UK’s fourth fastest half marathon runner and European Cross gold medallist, Gemma Steel who’s best of 68:13 was set in 2014.

The likes of Lucy Reid and Clara Evans add great depth to a women’s field alongside British 1500m Champion Holly Archer.

‘Best domestic half marathon’

James McIlroy has been the man in charge of putting together the elite field;

“I feel it is the best domestic half marathon field ever in UK and Ireland” says the 2000 Olympic 800m athlete “we’ve worked incredibly hard to get together the strongest domestic field possible, all made up of UK, Irish or UK based athletes”.

Fast Running’s Tom Craggs pays tribute to the organisers – “it’s fantastic see the hard work James and the team at Antrim have put in come together with this stunning field. The postponement of the mass race in March was a big blow and it is testament to the passion and commitment of the organisers that they have got the elite race on and with and even stronger elite field than before.”

The race takes place on a pancake flat course along the beautiful Antrim coastline. Early registrations are being taken for the 2021 mass race on the event website.

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.

If you would like more information on joining the project, click here. 

The post P&O Ferries Antrim Coast Half sees star studded elite field appeared first on Fast Running.

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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Scott runs a stunning European indoor 5000m record

Over in the US, at the Boston University Last Chance Invitational, Marc Scott had an absolutely storming run in the 5,000m. Not only did he set a British indoor record, but a European indoor record too! Scott ran a hard race in a high-quality field and took home 2nd place in a fantastic 13:08.87 to beat the previous record set by Mo Farah.

Cambridge and Coleridge’s Holly Archer was also competing in Boston and  rounded her indoor season off in the 1500m where she ran a fantastic four second PB of 4:13.62.

It’s been a fantastic indoor season for British athletes and James West added some icing to an already impressive cake by placing himself 7th on the UK 1500mi all-time list with 3:36.93. He placed 4th overall in the race and set was is believed to be a NCAA record as well! Impressive running in Boston all round.

 

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So this guy just ran a British and European indoor record for the 5km of 13:08.87 which takes down Mo Farah’s record of 13.09.16! . . . No way I could follow up on that!! I ran a 4 second PB of 4:13.62! (Little disappointed) but this is the third race in 7 days with a flight to Glasgow and Boston so Im happy to be where I’m at in February!

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Front running Thompson gets his reward

One of the highlights of the weekend was The Big Half, where athletes were competing for spots in the World Half Marathon Championships in Poland next month. The top 3 male and female finishers were automatically selected (providing they achieved the qualification standard) and 2 others will be chosen to complete the two teams of five.

Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele was put to the test by Chris Thompson early in the race as the AFD man led through half way. Bekele though asserted his dominance and came out on top pushing on in the latter stages to break the course record in 60:22.

Thompson finished 2nd securing a World Half place ahead of a flying Jake Smith. The 21-year-old athlete had an absolutely storming run to finished 3rd overall in 62:00 breaking his own British u/23 record. Ross Millington finished 4th in a PB of 62:33 ahead of the next Brit Mohamud Aadan – 6th in 63:21. Omar Ahmed (7th in 63:33) and Josh Griffiths (8th in 63:57) rounded off those running sub 64.

Athletes running sub 65 were Adam Clarke (64:05), Weynay Ghebreselasie (64:19), Frank Baddick (64:39) and Derek Hawkins (64:51).

Partridge leads strong British field

There was a  hard fought battle in the women’s race. Samantha Harrison held the lead until the 8-mile point when she was met by Birchfield’s Lily Partridge. After working alongside each other it was Partridge that had the upper hand and pushed away from to claim the win in a rapid 70:50. It was a measured and controlled performance from the Alan Storey coached athlete and a fine time in breezy conditions.

Shortly behind was Harrison in 71:01, 42 seconds quicker than her time from Barcelona Half two weeks ago. A first GB vest is rich reward for a gutsy, aggressive run from the ever improving Notts athlete.

Building on what was an been an incredible 12 months for Steph Davis the Clapham Chaser came home in 3rd with a time of 71:15. The Clapham Chasers athlete confirmed her first ever GB vest in style with a lifetime best by over 1 minute 45 seconds. In fourth place was Hayley Carruthers in 71:49, followed by Eleanor Davis (Preston) in 72:35, only one second off of her lifetime best.

After a fine recent run to finish 2nd at Granollers Half Lucy Reid will be delighted with a huge PB of 72:49 for 6th. There were fine displays from other athletes clocking sub 75 – Clara Evans (7th – 73:14), Jenny Spink (8th – 74:19), Fiona Brian (9th – 74:23), Breege Connolly (10th – 74:40) and Rebecca Murray (11th – 74:49).

 

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@lilypartridge 1:10:50⁣ @samanthaharrison95 1:11:01⁣ @steph_davis26 1:11:15⁣ ⁣ 3 fantastic British runners make up the podium in the Elite Women’s Race!⁣ ⁣ #BigHalf #MovedByLondon

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Quality field contests Trafford 10km

Trafford 10k caters for all abilities but always ensures a fantastic option for those looking for fast times. It definitely attracts top athletes, and this year was no different. Taking home the win for the women and shaving a second off her PB was Jess Judd who clocked 32:16. Judd is in fine form after a recent 2nd placed finish at the National XC Champs.

The adidas athlete fought hard in the wind and managed to steal the win from Eilish Mccolgan who made a late decision to enter the race finishing in 32:25. After an absolutely storming cross country season, Bronwen Owen put her legs to the test on the road. The Leeds City AC athlete set a new PB of 33:30, taking over a minute off her best from last year.

In the men’s race, James Hunt of Cardiff ran himself to a convincing win with a 30 second lead in 29:44. Despite the conditions, Hunt also ran a 14 second best time. After winning the Welsh National Cross Country Championships last weekend, Hunt too is evidently noticing the benefits of the cross season.

In a sprint to the line, it was Stockport Harrier’s athlete Andrew Davies who landed himself in second place with a strong time of 30:14, his best since 2017. Hunt’s clubmate, Rowan Axe, came third in 30:16 to round off the podium positions. 14 men ran sub 31 and 23 women ran sub 37 in a high quality race in challenging conditions.

Amazing morning at our Trafford 10K. 2021 48 hour early bird now open, just £13/£15 including a bespoke medal, OTE flapjack, chip timing plus a rapid, closed road course!! Well done to each and everyone who ran our helped make today special. pic.twitter.com/bNSJBBnDKm

— Run North West store & events (@RunnorthwestRun) March 1, 2020

Roundup of the roads

Back over the half marathon distance was the Warwick Half at Warwick racecourse. The men’s victory went to Ian Allen of Spa Striders in a strong 69:41 ahead of Richard Shephard (72:55) and Ben Kruze (73:07). For the women, Laura Peil too took home the win in 81:36 from Jo McCandless (82:17) and Claire Fitzpatrick (85:19).

In the Eastbourne Half Marathon, Billy Mead of Leighton Buzzard AC gave a strong performance throughout the race to secure a time of 76:50. The winner in the women’s race was Katie Sloane who had a solid run and crossed the line in 85:29.

At the St. Helen’s 10k Matt Crehan won in 31:26 just 4 seconds outside his course record from 2018, which is a quick time considering the 300ft of climbing en route. Crehan was followed home by St. Helens Sutton A.C. team mates Jon-Jo Doherty and Charlie Roberts. The ladies winner was Crehan’s fiancee and para-athlete Jade Smith in 39:46, who beat St. Helens’ Strider Rachel Fairclough and Hannah Whittaker on the day.

At the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K Susan McDonald won in 18:52 narrowly beating Juliette Braithwaite (18:55) with Fast Running’s Gill Bland 3rd in 19:25. For the men Oliver Newton secured a convincing win in 15:52 ahead of Sage Pearce-Higgins (16:11) and Andrew Inglis (16:13).

The OMC Motor Group Ron Hill Accrington 10k was won by Luc Burnip in 34:20 and Sophie Pilkington in 42:10. Victoria Park 10km was won by Andrea Berquez in 39:14 and Paul Grange in 33:26.

Final stages of XC season

Cross country took a back seat this weekend with only a few races occurring as the season comes towards its end. In the Mid Lancs Cross Country League, the women’s race was dominated by Emily Japp. The Blackpool Wyre & Fylde AC athlete took the win by over 30 seconds. For the men, it was U20 athlete, Jacob Cann (Lancaster Uni RC) who took home the win with a fine run.

The Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League cross country race took place at Alnwick Castle. The win in the senior men’s race was secured by Samuel Charlton of Wallsend Harriers. The women’s race was a very similar story as Wallsend also took home the win by a significant distance. It was senior athlete Alex Hemsley was crowned the winner.

Outside of British success, Galen Rupp dominated the men’s US Olympic Marathon Trial in Atlanta, cementing his place to represent USA in Tokyo this summer. Rupp will be joined by Jacob Riley and Abdi Abdirahman. For the women, Aliphine Tuliamuk was first to secure her place on the US team, followed by Molly Seidel, who was running her first ever marathon! The third place went to Sally Kipyego.

We were expecting to see some quick running at Paris Half Marathon but the race became the latest to fall victim to cancellations due to Coronavirus.

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The post World half spots decided & Scott Euro indoor record – weekend roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

Kenyan Cherono will represent Kenya at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and won both Boston and Chicago marathon’s in 2019 and has a fantastic winning record over the 26.2 distance.

Ethiopian Bekele needs no introduction and is widely considered the greatest distance runner of all time. Whilst that can be argued he is certainly a favourite amongst running purists, a three time Olympic gold medalist and multiple World XC Champion. He narrowly missed out on a marathon world record last year running 2:01:41 at Berlin Marathon.

Kenenisa Bekele faces Eluid Kipchoge in the London Marathon and Cherono will be back to defend his Boston title earlier in April.

Brits battle for World Half vests

British Athletics will be looking to pick a team of five men and five women to race in the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland on 29th March.

The selection policy states that the first three eligible athletes at the Big Half will be offered automatic selection provided they have the required standard (they will have if they finish within the first three Brits!).

Head to head in women’s race before VLM

Many of the contenders pushing for Tokyo 2020 marathon vests will line up on Sunday. Despite the likes of Steph Twell, Jess Piasecki, Charlotte Arter and Charlotte Purdue being absent from the published line up we will get the see the current form of Lily Partridge, Steph Davis and Hayley Carruthers.

Partridge is the fastest athlete in the field on paper and has returned to some strong form after a 2019 hit by injury. Having recently moved to Birchfield Harriers Partridge finished 3rd at the recent EDP Medio Maratón de Sevilla in 71:31.

Hayley Carruthers is always a name to watch over the half marathon distance the Birchfield Harrier set a best of 71:03 at the Great North Run in September. We are excited to see the rapidly improving Samantha Harrison race. Having set a PB of 71:43 at the recently Barcelona Half Marathon she will be a strong contender for one of the automatic spots on the team.

Steph Davis will also attract a lot of attention after her stunning 2:27:40 marathon in Valencia. She will be looking to make a serious revision to her half marathon best of 72:57 and will so be amongst the overall favourites.

Eleanor Whyman-Davis is another of our ones to watch for the race with a best of 72:34 we feel she could be considered a real contender for the team. In a strong field of British women the likes of Clara Evans, Rebecca Murray, Jenny Spink and Dani Nimmock will ensure it will be a highly competitive team on the plane to Poland.

 

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Strong British men’s field

Both the men’s and women’s competition will be tight. For the men Ross Millington, Mo Aadan and Jake Smith will line up amongst the favourites and they can expect strong challenges from the experience of Chris Thompson, Derek Hawkins and Andy Vernon. Millington will be running his first half since the 2017 NYC Half and many will be interest to see what shape the talent Stockport man is in.

We expect that Fast10 members Ollie Lockley and Jack Gray will be in the mix after both had excellent half marathon performances at Valencia Half in October. Another athlete who has been in fine form over shorter distances is Adam Clarke, with a 10km best of 28:38 set in December his speed will make him a contender.

Sub 2:15 marathon men Josh Griffiths, Robbie Simpson and Charlie Hulson will be looking to capitalise on their endurance and excellent 2019 performances and it is great to see Dewi Griffiths returning to regular racing.

Paulos Surafel is gradually building experience over long distances and is an exciting talent for the future, and another athlete who will look t make a serious revision to his current PB.

Jake Smith on his way to a PB in Paris

Editors note: Elite fields as publicised on race website – there may be additions or withdrawals.

Full elite men’s field

Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia – 60.09
Lawrence Cherono Kenya – 60.46
Chris Thompson Great Britain – 61.00
Dewi Griffiths Great Britain – 61.33
Jake Smith Great Britain – 62.02
Marius Kipserem Kenya – 62.20
Mohamud Aadan Great Britain – 62.30
Ross Millington Great Britain – 62.40
Andy Vernon Great Britain – 62.46
Ollie Lockley Great Britain – 63.01
Jack Gray Great Britain – 63.15
Josh Griffiths Great Britain – 64.33
Daniel Studley Great Britain – 63.58
Derek Hawkins Great Britain – 63.53
Robbie Simpson Great Britain – 64.27
Derek Rae (T46) Great Britain – 68.22
Adam Clarke Great Britain – 68.35
Paulos Surafel Great Britain – 64.12
Charlie Hulson Great Britain – 64.28

Full elite women’s field

Lily Partridge Great Britain – 70:31
Hayley Carruthers Great Britain – 71.03
Samantha Harrison Great Britain – 71.43
Eleanor Davis Great Britain – 72.34
Clara Evans Great Britain – 72.49
Stephanie Davis Great Britain – 72.57
Rebecca Murray Great Britain – 72.59
Jenny Spink Great Britain – 73.01
Dani Nimmock Great Britain – 74.13

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The post Cherono & Bekele race as Brits battle for World Half qualification appeared first on Fast Running.

With 10 athletes who have run inside 2:06 in men’s race and six sub 2:20 runners in the women’s race, the Virgin Money London Marathon has once again attracted a super field for the 39th edition on Sunday (April 28).

Defending champions Eliud Kipchoge and Vivian Cheruiyot are back once again, with world record holder Kipchoge going for his fourth victory in the UK capital after victories in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Kipchoge will once again race against Mo Farah, who finished third last year in London, and both men head into Sunday’s race having lowered their personal bests from 12 months ago.

Photo: Virgin Money London Marathon

After taking the win in London last April, Kipchoge memorably clocked 2:01:39 to smash the world record at September’s Berlin Marathon, while Farah ran a PB of 2:05:11 to win his first marathon major one month later in Chicago.

It not just about the star duo, and eight other athletes who have run under 2:06 will join Kipchoge and Farah on the start line.

The challengers for the podium include Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata, who finished second in London and New York last year, compatriot Mosinet Geremew who won the Dubai Marathon last year in a time of 2:04:00, former world record holder Wilson Kipsang and 2017 London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru.

Kiptum has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit on the eve of the event. 

Outside of Kipchoge, Farah and the podium challengers, there is the hotly anticipated British duel between Callum Hawkins and Dewi Griffiths.

Photo: Virgin Money London Marathon

After Griffiths ran 2:09:49 on his marathon debut in Frankfurt two years ago, marathon fans have been eager to see the Welshman and the Hawkins go head-to-head over 26.2 miles.

Griffiths, who ran 62:44 over 13.1 miles in Houston earlier this year, is now returning to his best form after an injury plagued two years.

“The moment I crossed the line [in Frankfurt] I thought the world is there for the taking, but unfortunately I got a hamstring injury and then a stress fracture of the hip and I’ve had to wait and be patient to be back on the Start Line,” said Griffiths.

“That’s the exciting thing in many ways – even though I ran 2:09 there was some frustration because I thought I could’ve run quicker. That’s just who I am; I can run a PB and be disappointed. But now I’m excited to be here.”

Hawkins himself has had to overcome adversity in the 12 months, and races in his first marathon after collapsing in the closing stages – with gold in sight – at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The 2:10:17 marathoner heads into Sunday’s race after running 62:50 at last month’s Lisbon Half Marathon.

“Lisbon didn’t go quite as well as I was hoping – I thought I was in better shape,” said Hawkins. “But since then I’ve been going well in training out in Majorca and I feel in pretty good shape.

“Every session I was doing I was setting PBs. I’d probably say I’m in better shape now than before Rio and pre-London 2017.

“This year for me is all planned around making Tokyo and I think [the World Championships in] Doha is part of those plans. It’s a great opportunity to gain selection and then I can have the best build up for the Olympics.”

The other leading British challengers include Jonny Mellor (2:12:57), Tsegai Tewelde (2:12:23), Andy Davies (2:15:11), Josh Griffiths (2:14:49), Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Robbie Simpson (2:15:04) and debutant Jack Martin.

Irish marathon champion Mick Clohisey also races in the London Marathon for the first time having previously clocked 2:16:21 around the UK capital at the 2017 World Championships.

Clohisey was the fastest Irish marathoner in 2018 after running a personal best 2:14:55 in Seville before winning the Irish crown at the Dublin Marathon in October.

Four reigning marathon major champions battle in the women’s race

With all the bluster around the men’s race we cannot overlook the excellent line-up for the women’s event. Defending champion Vivian Cheruiyot ran 2:18:31 to win after overtaking Mary Keitany in the closing stages last year. Her compatriot and 2018 New York marathon winner Keitany will be looking for redemption after going at world record pace in the sweltering heat of 2018 and we can expect a fast pace again from the 2:17:01 Kenyan who holds the record for fastest in a women-only race.

Four other starters will have PBs under 2:2. Both Brigid Kosgei (2:18:35) and Roza Dereje (2:19:17) have both posted rapid half marathon times in 2019 already. Kenyan Kosgei ran 65:50 to win the Houston Half in January and then 65:28 to win the RAK Half in Bahrain. Ethiopia’s Dereje is only 21 years of age and ran 66:01 to win the Barcelona Half earlier this year.

Gladys Cherono (2:18:11) was the quickest female marathoner of 2018 with her win at the Berlin marathon, but was a disappointing sixth behind Kosgei at h Houston Half in January. Birhane Dibaba (2:19:51) makes up our six sub 2:20 women and makes her London Marathon debut after twice winning the Tokyo Marathon.

The US should be well resented at the from end of the field with Molly Huddle looking to improve on her 2:26:44 from the New York Marathon last year. The 67:25 half marathoner might have some competition for first American female from Brittany Charbonneau (2:36:26) and the exciting debut of her training partner Emily Sisson. The New Balance athlete ran the third fastest 10,000m in US history just last month with a 30:49 at the Stanford Invitational and Huddle also broke 31 minutes at the meet with the Ray Treacy athletes working together, as they might on Sunday.

British women improving together

There is also a host of strong British women who have targeted the London Marathon and it wold not be surprising to see a few under 2:30 this weekend. Charlotte Purdue has been in action with a victory at the Big Half in the build up to London and a 69:46 PB at the Marugame Half in February so will be confident of lowering her 2:29:23 mark from 2017.

Sonia Samuels has the quickest British female PB in the field and actually improved her own half marathon best earlier this year in Barcelona with a 72:19 so it would not be surprising to see the experienced marathoner convert the improvement to the anger distance after a great spring of warm weather training.

Lily Partridge has also remarked that she will be aiming for an improvement on her fine 2:29:24 from finishing eighth in hot conditions in London last year. Even just better weather conditions should see the Aldershot, Farnham and District runner jump forward, with two solid 72 minute half marathons in the wild up to London showing great promise too.

RELATED: Hayley Carruthers discusses London Marathon training 

Tracy Barlow and Hayley Carruthers are two athletes that could well knock some solid time from their previous bests and feature high up in the rankings of British women with Carruthers running 71:57 at the Big Half earlier this year. Expect Fast 10’s Natasha Cockram, Tish Jones and Clara Evans to all run well.

Irish born Sinead Diver, who now represents Australia and won the Melbourne Marathon in 2:25:19 is also one to watch in the women’s race. Diver also ran a PB of 68:55 at the Marugame Half in February, just ahead of Charlotte Purdue.

London Marathon schedule

8:40: Mini London Marathon
09:05: Elite Wheelchair Races
09:10: World Para Athletics Marathon Championships Ambulant Athletes
09:25: The Elite Women’s Race
10:10: The Elite Men’s Race, British Athletics & England Athletics Marathon Championships and Mass Race

Tv Guide

08:30-10:00 – BBC Two – includes the wheelchair start, the IPC races and the Women’s elite race start
08:30-14:30 – Uninterrupted coverage, Connected TV & online
08:55-12:25 – Elite races, BBC Red Button, Connected TV and online
09:00-13:00 – Uninterrupted coverage, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
10:00-14:30 – BBC One – includes the start of the men’s elite race and the masses

The latest news on the London Marathon can be found here.

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The post London Marathon: The big preview and everything you need to know appeared first on Fast Running.

Mo Farah and Charlotte Purdue took the victories at The Vitality Big Half on a bright but windswept morning in London on Sunday (March 10).

Starting by Tower Bridge, with The Shard in the backdrop, the race got underway with Farah, Wilson Kipsang, Bashir Abdi and Daniel Wanjiru straight to the forefront, with Dewi Griffith soon joining the lead pack in the men’s race.

Photo: The Vitality Big Half

Following a first mile split of 4:25, the leading group of five stretched out as they came out of Limehouse tunnel and it was soon down to a group of three, featuring European marathon record holder Farah, Belgium’s Abdi and Kenya’s Wanjiru.

By mile five, Farah found himself five to 10 metres off his challengers but soon closed the gap and at mile seven as the trio came through in 32:50 before clocking 37:35 at mile eight.

Farah, who returned to the UK from training in Ethiopia on Thursday, was now right where he wanted to be, sitting on the shoulder of his rivals, and ready to produce his trademark kick.

With the finish line in sight at the iconic Cutty Sark, Farah duly unleashed his kick in a sprint finish to successfully retain his Big Half and British half marathon crown in 61:15.

Farah’s training partner Abdi crossed the finish line for second in 61:16 ahead of former London Marathon champion Wanjiru in 61:17.

Crossing the finish line in fourth place for British silver was Welshman Griffiths in a time of 63:17.

Photo: The Vitality Big Half

Chris Thompson finished fifth in a time of 63:41 for British bronze ahead of two-time London Marathon champion Kipsang in 64:07.

After the race, Farah said: “The conditions weren’t great today so I’m pleased to win, although it would have been nice to run a bit faster and really test myself. I’m happy with the win and with how my preparations are going ahead of the London Marathon in April.

“I got a bit of stomach cramp at one point but it cleared up. It’s always great to race in London. I love racing on the streets of London; the crowds are amazing. I’m going to spend the next few days with my family then I head back to Ethiopia to continue training.

“The London Marathon is still quite a long way away but I’m happy with my progress and it was nice to be able to race today.”

Purdue storms to British half marathon gold

Photo: The Vitality Big Half

In the women’s race, it was no surprise to see the British quartet of Charlotte Purdue, Lilly Partridge, Charlotte Arter and Steph Twell leading the charge from the off, with Hayley Carruthers on their shoulder.

As the race progressed, Twell, Arter and Purdue had a slight lead during the first couple of miles, before the gap between the trio started to stretch out between mile five and six, with only Twell maintaining the pace nestled within a group of British male club runners.

Purdue, who was the winner of the inaugural Big Half 12 month ago, was now running alone in second with Arter finding herself in a similar position in third place.

Twell, who completed a special double last month after adding the Scottish cross country crown to the English title she won in 2010, had a sizeable lead during the early stages of the second half of the women’s event.

However, Purdue patiently worked her way back into contention before taking charge of the race with a few miles to go.

Purdue, fresh from half marathon PB of 69:46 in Japan, aggressively kept her foot on the accelerator and showed no signs of slowing down as she opened up a gap of 20 or 30 metres on her Aldershot clubmate Twell with a mile to go.

As the race approached the finish line Purdue had a commanding lead and took the win in 70:38 almost a minute ahead of Twell, looking in superb form ahead of next month’s London Marathon.

Photo: The Vitality Big Half

With Purdue successfully defending her Big Half and British half marathon titles, Twell took British silver in a personal best time of 71:33 ahead of Welsh record holder Arter in 71:44.

Continuing to make a mark after her late start to competitive running was Carruthers in fourth place, running a big PB of 71:57 ahead of Partridge in fifth.

Following two impressive half marathon performances in recent months, Purdue has shown that her training set-up in Australia with a strong group – that includes 2:25 marathoner Sinead Diver – is paying dividends.

Photo: The Vitality Big Half

“It’s brilliant to get the win,” said Purdue afterwards. “The weather was really windy so I knew it wasn’t going to be a really quick day.

“Some of the athletes went off really quick, but I knew they’d come back to me because the conditions didn’t indicate really fast times – so I followed my own race plan, and it paid off.

“It’s great to retain my title. I won here last year, and to win again is really good.”

In the Wheelchair races, there were victories for GB’s David Weir and Dutch athlete Margriet Van Den Broek.

The top men’s and women’s results are below.

Top 20 men’s results
1) Mo Farah 61:15
2) Bashir Abdi 61:16
3) Daniel Wanjiru 61:17
4) Dewi Griffiths 63:17
5) Chris Thompson 63:41
6) Wilson Kipsang 64:07
7) Jonny Mellor 64:31
8) Mustafa Mohamed 64:42
9) Mick Clohisey 64:58
10) Jack Gray 65:01
11) Josh Griffiths 65:36
12) Joe Morwood 66:15
13) Paul Navesey 66:17
14) Malcolm Hicks 66:36
15) Ben Johnson 66:52
16) Ben Cole 66:53
17) Alex Bampton 67:25
18) Ross Skelton 67:37
19) Maximilian Nicholls 67:47
20) Andy Vernon 67:51

Top 20 women’s results
1) Charlotte Purdue 70:38
2) Steph Twell 71:33
3) Charlotte Arter 71:44
4) Hayley Carruthers 71:57
5) Lily Partridge 72:09
6) Clara Evans 73:13
7) Sonia Samuels 73:46
8) Helen Davies 73:56
9) Breege Connolly 74:59
10) Fiona Brian 75:01
11) Tamara Armoush 75:01
12) Tracy Barlow 75:21
13) Tamara Beach 75:25
14) Dani Nimmock 76:05
15) Melanie Wilkins 76:28
16) Hayley Munn 279 78:14
17) Alaw Beynon-Thomas 80:12
18) Kelly Crickmore 80:35
19) Molly Renfer 80:51
20) Megan Zoe Wilson 81:00

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The post Mo Farah and Charlotte Purdue win The Big Half appeared first on Fast Running.

Mo Farah, Charlotte Arter and Charlotte Purdue are the fastest on recent form ahead of The Vitality Big Half in London on Sunday (March 10), but the associated British Half Marathon Championships will ensure a fierce fight for podium positions.

European marathon record holder Farah will almost certainly be touted as the favourite for the men’s British title. However, last year’s Big Half champion will have to work hard to hold off stiff competition from Kenyans and former London Marathon winners, Daniel Wanjiru and Wilson Kipsang for the overall win.

Farah clocked 61:40 to win last year’s race, finishing three seconds ahead of Wanjiru. While the British record holder’s 59:22 half marathon best proves his mettle over the 13.1m distance, Kipsang’s half marathon and marathon bests of 58:59 and 2:03:13 means he will not have an easy ride.

Photo: The Vitality Big Half

Arter, who finished third last year in the inaugural Big Half, is the quickest female Brit in the field after her Welsh half marathon record-breaking run in Barcelona, where she ran a superb 69:40.

The 2018’s European Cross Country Championships’ seventh placer is a talent across the board and should not be ruled out for the overall title.

Reigning women’s winner Purdue ran a PB of 69:46 at the recent Marugame Half Marathon in Japan, notching up the UK’s 10th fastest all-time clocking in the process.

The Aldershot ‘pocket rocket’ has made a name for herself over the marathon distance, and with a 2:29:23 PB to her name alongside recent short fast speed over the country at the Australian World Cross Country trials, she is always an exciting prospect in any race.

Photo: The Vitality Big Half

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Challengers for top spots in the men’s race

Seven times Welsh Cross Country champion Dewi Griffiths is in great form, and will be high on confidence following his 61:44 to finish eighth at the Houston Half Marathon in January.

The Swansea ace’s 61:33 half marathon best is matched only by his superb 2:09:49 marathon PB from 2017. It has been great to see Griffiths return to his best following a number of injury woes which now seem well behind him.

Photo: Paul Stillman

RELATED: Dewi Griffiths reveals how he has fought back from injury

Soon to be marathon debutant Andy Vernon has great pedigree over the 10 mile and half marathon distances, and with PBs of 47:29 and 62:46 to his name he is certainly one to watch from a British perspective.

Having recently transferred his attention from the track and country to the roads, it will be exciting to see what the Aldershot star can do in London on Sunday and in next month’s marathon.

Jonny Mellor’s fourth place and 13:46 at the Armagh 5k highlights what this 62:23 half marathon athlete is capable of – both speed and endurance.

Fifth at last year’s Big Half, the Liverpool Harrier has a great history in Vitality events, having won the 2019 Liverpool Half and finishing fifth in the London 10,000m.

Multi-major championship performer Chris Thompson’s 61:00 half marathon best ranks as the fourth fastest of all time in the UK. 

Photo: Keith McClure

The 2010 European 10,000m silver medallist and winner of last year’s Great South in a UK record 46:56 is an inspiration to all athletes to never give up. He may now be classed as a veteran but when Thompson is firing on all cylinders he is one of Britain’s best half marathon hopes.

Ireland’s Mick Clohisey’s 64:25 PB certainly looks like it could be significantly revised amongst strong opposition in the English capital on Sunday.

The Irish marathon champion’s best of 2:14:55 over 26.2 miles came at last year’s Seville Marathon off a limited build up, so who knows what the Raheny Shamrock athlete can do following a more favourable training block.

Jack Gray is officially debuting over the distance but, as many in the sport will know, he unofficially won last year’s Cambridge Half Marathon in controversial circumstances.

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The popular Cambridge & Coleridge athlete ran the race using his colleague’s number (he contacted the organisers to let them know before the event but unfortunately the message wasn’t picked up in time), and, against his own expectations, he won in a debut 66 minute time.

This year’s Midlands Cross Country champion has been in mercurial form ever since, finishing sixth at the English National less than two weeks after posting 13:52 at the Armagh 5k.

Britain’s women fighting for podium positions

Purdue’s Aldershot club mates and fellow marathon runners Lily Partridge and Steph Twell will surely present a steely challenge that will have British athletics fans on the edge of their seats as the exciting battle unfolds on Sunday.

Photo: The Vitality Big Half

Partridge was second at last year’s Big Half, and comes into this year’s race with a 70:31 PB in her armoury. While she may not be in quite that form this weekend, her recent top 10 finish at the Barcelona Half should have boosted the determined young AFD ace.

RELATED: How I train: Lily Partridge

Twell will almost certainly annihilate her 71:56 PB that dates way back to 2010 when she runs in her first Big Half marathon on Sunday. 

She made her marathon debut last year at the Valencia Marathon in a superb 2:30:11, and that PB combined with her recent victories in the Armagh 5k and Scottish National Cross Country proves the two time Olympian’s incredible range.

Photo: Vitality London 10,000

“I’ve varied my distance leading up to this race, mainly to test my different tools so I’ve dropped down to three kilometres but also have been working hard on the hills and the mud over the Scottish cross-country and I really feel like that benefits me to be prepared for whatever is thrown at me,” said Twell.

“I think the race will be a really tough race. Charlotte Purdue ran a fantastic time of 69:46 out in Japan and Charlotte Arter has run 69:40 which are spectacular times for British females over this distance. My PB is a little bit off that and I’m hoping to be holding on to the coat-tails on them if I can.”

One of the UK’s fastest of all time over the half marathon distance, Gemma Steel is therefore the quickest Brit on paper thanks to her incredible 68:13 PB from 2014.

The Charnwood AC ace has struggled to hit the same form in recent years, but if her trademark grit and determination to fulfil her clear potential in every race she contests is on display on Sunday she cannot be discounted for a podium position.

Thames Valley’s Tracy Barlow is another speed demon to watch, the consistently excellent GB marathoner recently clocking up a 72:26 result in the Barcelona Half.

Barlow’s 72:15 PB places her well up in the field if she runs her best.

Photo: Virgin Money London Marathon

RELATED: Tracy Barlow talks training and rise to the top

Also running well and gunning for top finishing positions will be Sonia Samuels and Dani Nimmock. Sale Harriers’ Samuels finished just ahead of Barlow in Barcelona in a new PB of 72:19, proof that the V35 has no intentions of slowing down.

City of Norwich’s Nimmock was 10th in last year’s Big Half in a PB 74:13, highlighting the smiley England international’s ability to perform at her best when it really matters.

Finally, Birchfield Harriers’ relatively new kid on the block, Hayley Carruthers, could upset the form books once again on Sunday.

Carruthers was the second British athlete to cross the line in last year’s London Marathon masses field when she sliced an incredible 36 minutes off her previous best to record a then PB of 2:47:47.

She has since gone on to significantly revise that with a storming 2:36:48 in Toronto when running for England.

The 25 year-old also finished ahead of Lily Partridge and Charlotte Purdue when she clocked a 74:46 PB at last year’s Great North Run.

Start time and how to watch

The elite men’s and women’s races start at 9.00am and live coverage will be on the BBC Red Button and BBC website from 8.45am.

A live stream, that will be available outside of the UK, will also be shown on The Big Half’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

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Charlotte Arter continued her impressive form with a 69:40 run to finish fifth at the Mitja Marató de Barcelona on Sunday (February 10).

The 27 year-old, who was the first European runner across the finish line, improved her personal best by almost two minutes after running 5k splits of 16:29, 16:23, 16:31 and 16:44 before her 69:40 finish.

Arter’s performance was 16 seconds quicker than the previous fastest half marathon by a Welsh female athlete – 69:56 ran by Susan Tooby (Wightman) in 1988 – and sees her jump from 21st to eighth on the UK all-time rankings.

Just last week, Charlotte Purdue also ran inside 70 minutes for the first time and both British athletes will race at The Big Half next month in London.

Meanwhile, Irish international Ann-Marie McGlynn finished seventh after posting her first sub 72 minute half marathon with a big personal best 71:59.

Also in the women’s race, Sonia Samuels ran a PB of 72:19 to finish ninth, with Lily Partridge running the same time in 10th place.

There were also a number of other strong performances by British athletes in Barcelona, including Tracy Barlow who ran 72:26, Eleanor Whyman-Davis ran a PB of 72:44, as did Clara Evans who clocked 72:49, while Jenny Nesbitt ran 73:14.

In the men’s race, Kevin Seaward, who finished fourth in the marathon for Northern Ireland at last year’s Commonwealth Games, finished 14th after running inside 64 minutes for the first time in a PB of 63:38.

Dan Studley crossed the finish line in 17th place running 63:58, while there were new bests for Dominic Shaw (64:28), Lucian Allison (64:29), Josh Griffiths (64:53), Andy Davies (64:57) and Will Mycroft (65:16).

The overall victories went to Kenya’s Eric Kiptanui and Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje. Kiptanui clocked a time of 61:04 to win the men’s race, with Dereje running 66:01 to claim the women’s title.

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