One year on from the hotly debated World Championships there, a hotly contested final meet of the Diamond League took place in Doha. It was a joy to watch as athletes really showed their mettle after a tough season.

While we’re normally concerned with the longer distances, it would be rude not to celebrate an impressive run from Elliot Giles who ran a PB of 1:44.56 in the 800m to take second place behind Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich. Guy Learmouth was sixth in 1:46.25.

After her tune-up in Battersea last week, Adelle Tracey had a storming run to take third in 1:59.87 – just one hundredth of a second outside her best time. Shelayna Oskan-Clarke was eighth in 2:02.22.

 

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1.59.87 & 3rd at @dohadiamondleague So happy to get back to Sub 2 running a seasons best 0.01 shy of my PB. It’s been a tough year but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to compete and end the season on a high #DohaDL #HalfMileSmile #OffSeason

A post shared by A D E L L E T R A C E Y (@adelletracey) on Sep 25, 2020 at 9:36pm PDT

In the 1500m the men were fourth and eighth, but their placings should not mask the fact that James West and Piers Copeland ran excellent PBs of 3:34.07 and 3:35.32 respectively with both men in fantastic form at the moment.

In a race that saw all podium placers fun under 8:23, Laura Weightman had a strong field to contend with over 3000m. Despite running 8:26.31 and less than quarter of a second from her best, she finished in seventh place – the fastest ever 7th place in a 3000m!  Eilish McColgan was 12th with 8:40.88 and Melissa Courtney-Bryant 14th with 8:56.11.

7th in a stacked @dldoha race tonight gutted to just miss my PB but delighted to end my 2020 track season with another strong race!! Walking away slightly disappointed with running 8.26 shows the athlete I’ve become this year pic.twitter.com/kyoUl4rf3a

— Laura Weightman (@LauraWeightman) September 25, 2020

Gregsons dominate in Milton Keynes

Closer to home, the NoblePro MK 5km PB Special in Milton Keynes was a chance for top club athletes to thrash it out against each other this Sunday.

Australian running royalty the Gregsons in town the competition was always going to be fierce despite he very challenging windy conditions which were not set up for fast times. Repeat sub-4 miler Ryan and double Olympic finalist Genevieve took top honours in 13:50 and 15:49.

NoblePro MK 5km PB Special. Credit: Callum Gillett

AFD’s Adam Clarke chased down second place in 14:10 with Callan Moody hot on his tail with a 14:13 finish for Serpentine RC. Owen Hind (14:21, Kent AC) and Alfie Manthorpe (14:29, City of Sheffield) both snuck under the 14:30 mark in a race that saw the top 15 all under 15 mins.

Racing after the power couple on the women’s side was Eleanor Bolton who placed second in 16:22 (Ribble Valley Harriers) followed by Fast Running’s own Hannah Irwin who took third in 16:46 for Guildford & Godalming.

Also under the 17 minute mark were Molly Renfer (16:49, Highgate Harriers), Kirsty Longley (16:52, V40 Liverpool Pembroke), Lauren Hall (16:54 AFD), Annabel Morton (16:57 Horsham Blue Star), Philly Bowden (16:57, AFD) and Michelle Pearson (16:59, Belgrave Harriers).

It was another event with fantastic depth with 66 men running inside 16 minutes and 40 women inside 20 minutes despite the conditions.

Gen Gregson on her way to the finishing line. Photo: Tom Craggs

Full suite of races at Goodwood

At the Run Through Running Grand Prix, Simon Heath hurtled round the Motor Circuit in 15:05 to win the men’s 5k race ahead of Luke Van Oudtshoorn (15:15) and Ben Brown (15:16). In the women’s race, Emily Proto was in fine form, running a 17:28 PB to take victory over Iona Miller (17:46) and Farran Leach (18:36).

The V40 ladies were out in force in the 10k taking gold and silver spots thanks for Lesley Locks (36:22) and Alexa King (36:07). Hannah Pullen was third in 36:25. The men’s race was a swift one too, with Joe Morwood breaking the tape in a convincing victory of 30:52, leaving Harry Leleu (31:19) and Alex Pointon (31:58) in his wake. Pay attention later in this write-up and you’ll see that Pointon had a busy weekend of racing!

Making the most of a controlled location Run Through were offering all the distances to runners, so we move on to the longer options of half, 20m and full marathons. The Half Marathon podium places went to Tom Higgs in 1:07:04, Matt Dickinson (1:08:20) and George King (1:08:48). Nina Griffith led the ladies home in 1:18:07 followed by Tamsin Anderson in 1:19:32 and Chelsea Purvis in 1:33:38.

Sam Amend was in a class of her own over 20 miles, which she covered in 2:11:00 to place fourth overall and top of the women’s rankings. Mili Mladenovic toughed out the conditions with a 2:27:07 for second and Elizabeth Prinsep was third in 2:39:25. For the gents, Ollie Garrod was first in 1:53:08 and James Baker also kept it under two hours with his 1:56:33. Holding off Samantha for third overall was Phil Stevenson who finished in 2:04:57.

Finally, the honour of winning one of the few full Marathon races still going ahead this year was taken by Joseph Turner who triggered the checkered flag in 2:29:56. The next two places were a fight to the finish with Peter Mackrell holding on for second in 2:34:07 and Alexander Betts placing third in 2:34:15. Sarah Gurney and Rebecca Bunting also battled it out in the women’s race with Gurney winning out in 2:53:09 and Bunting taking the runner up spot in 2:53:27. Elspeth Turner was third in 3:01:03.

Open meets see quality club racing

Once again, London was host to a slew of club meets during the week. Blackheath & Bromley Open kicked off proceedings on Monday night. The top three women across the 1500m races on the night were Lily Slack (4:44.81), Morgan Squibb (4:49.99) and Megan Slattery (4:54.05). For the men the quickest times were from Adam Wright (3:52.17), William Fuller (3:54.08) and Nicholas Smith (4:03.89).

There was only one 3000m race and it was V40 runner Roger Vilardell (Petts Wood/Spain) who broke the tape in a PB of 9:11.84. Second place went to Daniel Kennedy (Blackheath & Bromley) in 9:21.25 and third was clubmate Micah Evans in 10:06.18. Just three ladies braved the mixed race – Isabelle Stoneham (10:37.93), Carys Firth (11:17.30) and Isla Spink (12:08.86).

On Wednesday at the Hercules Wimbledon middle distance night youth won out in the women’s 1500m as all three podium places went to U17 athletes. Poppy Craig-McFeely (Herne Hill Harriers) ran a PB of 4:39.98 to take the victory with Georgina Clarke (Hercules Wimbledon) placing second in 4:46.63. In a different seeded race Lulu Weisz (Hercules Wimbledon) ran the third fastest time of the night – 4:57.70.

For the men’s 1500m home-boy Charlie Eastaugh topped the rankings with his 3:54.58, just a whisker ahead of Herne Hill’s Nicholas Dewar who ran a PB of 3:54.83 to take second. Peter Cameron (Edinburgh AC/Cambridge Uni) took third place in 3:56.12

The men’s 3000m win went to Thomas Keen (U20, Cambridge & Coleridge) with PB time of 8:13.04. Safely behind him was Kieran Reilly (Tonbridge), crossing the line in 8:18.70 and Morpeth’s Rory Leonard in 8:22.95. The fastest of the women’s 3000m times was a 9:45.12 from U17 Pippa Roessler (Aldershot, Farnham & District), finishing one spot ahead of Herne Hill’s Phoebe Anderson (9:55.38) who ran the third fastest time of the night. In a separate race, Katie Goodge (U20, Tonbridge) snuck in between the two of them with a 9:54.84 .

The next in Harrow AC’s race nights avoided the worst of the weather on Thursday at Bannister’s track. This week it was 800,1500 and Long Jump taking place. In a swift race, Mukhtar Musa of Shaftsbury Barnet was the speediest over 1500m, grabbing himself a new PB of 3:53.53. That places him third in his age group and 100th overall in the UK to date. Alex Melloy also PB‘d for second in 3:54.40 (U17, Cambridge & Coleridge). Rounding out the podium was Dylan Spencer who ran 3:54.73 claim a PB and third for Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow (U20).

In the women’s 1500m the winner was Lilly Hawkins from Southampton in 4:24.89, followed by a 4:32.44 PB from Cambridge Harriers’ Holly Dixon in an earlier race which also featured Alice Garnder’s 4:44.02 (Aldershot, Farnham & District). Next week’s finale sees an attempt on the men’s V60 world record over 3000m as well as a strong field in the rest of the 3000 and mile races.

Finishing off the club racing week was a strong field at the Aldershot, Farnham & District end of season meet. Saturday’s racing saw Houghton Harriers snatch the victory from AF&D over 3000m thanks to a convincing 8:43.8 win from Cameron Allan. The home club took the next two podium spots though with Alex Pointon second in 8:47.2 and Rian McAwley third in a PB of 8:51.1.

Amelia Quirk (U23) represented the ladies in that race and came home in 9:01.5 to lead a clean sweep for Bracknell AC. Abigail Baines (U17) was second fastest over the distance, finishing in 10:38.9, and Kirsten Fraser (U15) third in a PB of 10:48.8

Over 1500m Iestyn Williams (Camarthen) was first, crossing the line in 4:07.1, just a hair’s breadth ahead of Elias Ahmed (Ealing Southall & Middx) who ran 4:07.7. Winchester’s Ben Healey was third in 4:08.9. Lily Hawkins (Southampton) stormed home in 4:30.9 to lead the women’s times. Next on the results table were Maisie Grice (A,F&D) in 4:35.9 U23Sophie Nicholls (U15, City of Salisbury) in Pippa Roessler (U17, A,F&D) in 4:40.8.

Off track again

If road or track racing isn’t your thing then look to the Maverick Adidas TERREX X & Ultra Peak District race – a beaut’ of a course with a whole range of distance options. Jack Galloway and Lorna Spayne bossed the ultra distance, finishing in 4:30:25 and 4:57:16. Long honours went to Alex lawton (3:09:28) and Lorna Al-Ani (4:22:29).

Over the middle distance it was Sophie Gibbons (2:12:03) and Robin Dugast (2:00:29) who spent the least time out on the scenic route and Daniel Eyre (41:06) and Lottie Kent (53:33) were the swiftest of the day overall, with their short-course wins.

 

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We did it. YOU did it! Together WE BLOODY DID IT!! We won’t lie… it was touch and go the day before the event, with the wind and some sign removal threatening to turn the event into chaos. But with a solid team around us and enough pizza to feed a small army we smashed it out the park. All of you runners brought an amazing attitude and atmosphere to the race which made the whole day SO enjoyable and go ahead without a glitch! The team continue working hard even after the finish arch is deflated… …with full results being available to you from a little over an hour after the final cut off, a full set photos all uploaded ready to go just 12 hours after the final cut off and making sure we reply to your amazing social posts… and why? BECAUSE the event doesn’t stop once you get your medal and leave the car park. We love what we do and the extra ‘Maverick’ bits is why you always come back for more!! Double weekend next weekend… who’s in?? #theoutdoorsawaits #peakdistrictnationalpark #ultrarunning @adidasterrex @jakebaggaley.photographer

A post shared by Maverick-Race (@maverickrace) on Sep 27, 2020 at 1:58am PDT

Fast10 athlete Erika Kelly clock 12014m for the hour walk which we believe might be a British record.

And finally with London just a week away Britain’s Steph Twell had a bit of light sharpening to finish 3rd at the SM 10km in Belp, Switzerland clocking 33:38. Also competing were Brits Kyle Fowler (32:29) and Mark Pearce (32:38).

So, that concludes the results for this week. It’s the final countdown now to London Marathon and it’s certainly going to be a fascinating write up next week. See you then!

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 post SOAR Running Weekend Roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

Ahmed and Owen head 28 waves of quality

At the Results Base MK5km PB Special 28 waves of 10 runners take to the roads and paths around Willen lake in Milton Keynes. With three women’s and three men’s elite waves there is plenty of action which you can follow live at the RunningLive Facebook page.

After her stunning PB of 15:45 at the Podium 5km Bronwen Owen will be the athlete to chase in the UK Endurance Conference Women’s Elite Wave A. In March Owen took over a minute off her 10km PB to finish 3rd at Trafford 10km in 33:30.

Ribble Valley’s Eleanor Bolton was another athlete taking a big post lockdown step forward at Podium where she clocked 15:56, following that up with a new 1500m PB of 4:26.86 at the BMC in Stetford just three days later.

Izzy Fry will be looking to crack the 16 minute mark after her 16:06 clocking at podium and 9:22 at Belgrave Endurance Night and she will have company in Leeds’ Claire Duck who has a road best of 15:51 set last year and 15:39 on the track from 2018.

England marathon runner and GB 50k athlete Dani Nimmock also features alongside the likes of Fast Running’s Hannah Irwin and Norwich’s Sarah Astin who clocked 16:09 at Podium 5km.

 

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Steph: We ok to long run early tomorrow?? Me: • V v happy to be racing againfinalllly sub16 after like 4yrs of failed attempts lol. Thanks to @podium_5k for organising!! • 1,2,4 @thatsagoodoneofme

A post shared by Bron (@bronwen_owen) on Aug 10, 2020 at 11:57am PDT

Barlow and McCall feature in ‘B’ Wave

GB Marathon runner Tracy Barlow features in the On Track Physio Elite Wave B. Barlow set a new half marathon PB of 72:12 at Barcelona Half just before lockdown and has a 5km best of 16:31. She is joined by the likes of Steph McCall of Herne Hill (PB – 16:37) and Lauren Cooper (PB 16:45).

The quality of the racing is fantastic and encompasses a third women’s elite wave sponsored by Loughborough Finance for Sport including the likes of Jen Granger, Emily Ruane and Alice Ritchie. Across the 28 waves there are women targeting sub 18 minutes with the depth illustrated by the British Trail Running Champion racing in wave T!

Ahmed, Gray and Sheldon in Men’s Elite A Wave

After a stunning 13:42 at Podium 5km Omar Ahmed is the man to watch in the Fast Running Mens Elite A Wave. Ahmed is a man who went into lockdown in fine form having set a new 10km PB of 28:39 at Telford at the end of last year.

He is joined by Jack Gray who shook off some rust at Podium 5km with 14:08 with plenty of marathon training miles in the legs. With a best of 13:47 he is likely to figure alongside Grant Sheldon. The triathlete took a huge chunk off his PB when clocking 13:51 at Podium 5km.

Linton Taylor, who ran 13:57 at Armagh earlier this year, England 10km runner Owen Hind (track PB – 13:58) and 29:45 10km man Dan Jarvis will all be looking to have a crack at the 14 minute barrier.

Packed with talent

You have to scroll back through eight waves of men before you find target times slower of 15 minutes+ and the New Levels Coaching Elite B Wave sees the likes of Jordan Rowe (track PB – 14:02), Scottish u/20 National XC Champion Freddie Carcas and GB ultra runner and 2:16 marathon man Paul Martelletti competing.

The Casa Correra Elite Wave C race includes Jack Millar and the familiar name of John Beattie who clocked 14:02 at Ipswich Twilight 5km last year.

Conditions look tough with some strong winds expected but that will not dampen the excitement surrounding such high quality racing on the roads post lockdown.

Bromley Twilight Invitational sees Scott and Yee head to head again

With stacked races from 800m to 3000m the Bromley Twilight Invitational has been put together by Mark Hookway and will be live streamed by Lloyd Kempson on the Team Project Run Instagram page.

The Men’s 3000m (four races) sees Marc Scott (PB – 7:43.37) back in racing action after is British 5km record at Podium. He will go head to head again with triathlon star Alex Yee, Oregon TC man James West (PB – 7:47.10), Leeds’ Phil Sesemann (PB – 7:55.71) and forner European U23 Cross Country Champion Jonny Davies (PB – 7:50.18).

The three Women’s 3000m races are just as stacked with quality. Leading contenders include Kate Avery (PB – 8:52.12), GB u/20 XC International Phoebe Barker,
Amelia Quirk (PB – 9:11), Gemma Kersey (PB – 9:10) and Verity Ockenden in excellent form on the back of her 15:37 at Podium 5km.

The 1500m races feature the likes of Sub 4:15 athletes Holly Archer and Beth Kidger as well as 4:03.73 GB star Jess Judd. For the men Ian Crowe-Wright (PB – 3:43.19) and Keiran Reilly (PB – 3:45.99) who competed for England at the Reykjavik International Games in February race with the likes of 3:38 man Adam Clarke and Dan Cheeseman who has a best of 3:44.38 set back in 2014 also on the start list.

Fabulous women’s 800m field

In the women’s 800m (two races) 2019 European U20 Champion Issy Boffey (PB – 2:02.92) races alongside Katie Snowden who has the fastest PB in the field with 2:00.92 set in 2017. Revee Walcott-Nolan has a PB of 2:01.74 and she joins in form Georgie Hartigan who has set three PBs in the space of three weeks most recently clocking 2:03.60 at the BMC in Stretford earlier this month.

Introducing @IsabelleBoffey to the list of elite athletes in the women’s 800m

Accolades include:

BUCS 400m
European Junior
World Schools

Catch the live stream from 6:00pm on the TEAM PROJECT RUN Instagram pic.twitter.com/ndLFcWrYsW

— Sam Crick (@cricks999) August 19, 2020

They are joined by the likes of BUCS indoor champion Louise Shanahan, 2:02.02 athlete Ellie Baker and Khahisa Mhlanga who ran a huge PB of 2:02.23 at Lee Valley last week. The women’s 800m is set to be two of the most competitive races of the night.

There are four men’s 800m races featuring 2017 Euro u23 silver medallist Daniel Rowden taking on the likes of British Indoors 1500m Champion George Mills, 2019 Euro u20 1500m bronze medallist Josh Lay, 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games 800m Champion Alex Botterill and Irish International and 1:46 man Zak Curran.

So stay in, pull up a couple of browser windows and enjoy the buzz of real world racing again!

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

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