Without the opportunity to race against others ‘virtual racing’ provides a great opportunity for people to push themselves. It is great to see that the running community are still ‘racing’.

Whilst your results may not be published on Po10, with a little bit of detective work, the help of Strava and the virtual relays, we have been able to appreciate some of these performances. It just shows that running can really be good fun!

*Note: Do not try this at home if you are unable to keep at least 2m from others at all times.

**Even more notes: Yes, yes we know that GPS’ aren’t always accurate, people can run point to point with the wind behind, that you can decide to run down the face of Ben Nevis and that even if you don’t do all of that it’s still not ‘racing’. Read this in the spirit it is intended – celebrating people still getting out running and training! 

Sub 32 10km for Judd in turbo charged ‘tempo’

Kicking off the time trial round up with an impressive ‘PB’ was Jess Judd. Jess, who had been preparing for New York Marathon, which unfortunately got cancelled due to Covid-19, had definitely been noticing the benefits of increasing her mileage.

With the help of her (half) pacer, England and sub 30-minute 10k runner, Rob Warner, Judd committed to running a 10k. In what started off as a ‘tempo effort’ as part of a session soon became much more than that.

Not only did Judd run a rapid time, but had this been an official race, it would’ve classified as a personal best. Judd clocked 31:52, taking 24 seconds of her previous best of 32:16.

Warner started off pacing Judd but soon got carried away by his legs. He managed to clock a time of 31:16 for the distance. In his own words, he said I ‘might not be able to take full credit on pacing’, but we’ll appreciate the half effort!

Impressive benchmark 5km for Weightman

GB athlete Laura Weightman also committed to running her own solo 5k time trial. Weigthman stuck close to home after her original plan to race after a month’s training camp in South Africa, fell through due to Covid-19.

Weightman headed to what is known as Leeds’s fastest and flattest housing estate to do her effort. She clocked an unofficial 15:14, an impressive seven seconds faster than her best time recorded on PO10. Weightman said

‘Through March and April, I usually run the road relays and wanted to run a 5km and 10km as well. With the Olympics sadly but rightly postponed and a few months of uncertainty ahead, we decided to add a time trial into training. This would stimulate racing, give us a good bench mark of fitness and a focus to training.’

Weightman knew she ‘was in good shape but didn’t quite expect to go that fast (15:14)’. She accepted that there is ‘always room for slight GPS error’ but she used a regular training loop that she knows is fast.

Both Laura and her coach, Steve Cram, were ‘pleased to hit a fast time and have some confidence in fitness going into the next block’. For now, she is enjoying simply running, getting outside once a day and maintaining a good base. A fantastic run from Laura.

 

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5km time trial around Leeds fastest housing estate, if you know you know!! With no races planned for a number of weeks having targets in training helps break up the blocks, maintain focus and keep you motivated!

A post shared by Laura Weightman (@lauraweightman1) on Mar 27, 2020 at 11:11am PDT

Leeds based Beth Potter put her own form to the test aiming to chase down Weightman’s time. The GB triathlete and former British 10,000m champion ran 15:24, a decent 4 seconds faster than the PB she boasts on the track! That lockdown frustration is really powering people along!

Up in Scotland there had been some impressively fast times set in the past few days as athlete’s geared up for the official Scottish Athletics ‘Virtual’ Road Relays.

Kris Jones had an absolutely storming run. Despite being faced with a strong headwind, his legs carried him along. Jones clocked an impressive 13:51 for the 5km distance. His time is in fact 12 seconds faster than his road 5k PB and only six seconds off his best track time!

Jones’ performance was spurred on by some healthy competition posed by U23 athlete, James Donald. The Dundee athlete clocked 14:13, which was also faster than his 5000m best and just 7 seconds slower than his road time. Seems as though ‘Strava PB’s’ could be the new thing!

Mhairi Maclennan was also out testing herself over 5km, stopping her watch at 17:14. After missing out on racing at the Inter-counties due to illness, Maclennan is using this time wisely to bring herself back to strong form.

Virtual National Road Relays kick off

This weekend was a big weekend in the newly found virtual racing world with the Virtual Road Relays commencing on Saturday.

Whilst this is not an event we are all familiar, the opportunity for individuals to take part in a team event without their clubmates physically being nearby brings a boost that everyone needs. Each club is required to have a men’s and women’s team of 12 people, but a team of 6 for women would also count.

The rules ask that athletes abide by the governments social distancing guidelines by keeping 2m from other people, avoiding popular exercise routes, and completing the 5k distance alone.

Each individual runner has from Saturday 4th April to Wednesday 8th to complete the 5k. They then simply upload their performance by 12:00pm on Thursday 9th and the leaders will be announced. A refreshing bit of fun at a scary time.

Promoting club camaraderie

Fast Running spoke to ‘race’ organiser James McCrae about what sparked the idea in his mind and how he hopes to help the running community in this unprecedented time. Here is what he said:

‘The idea for setting it up came from the Belgrave vs Herne Hill. A few people, including Mark Hookway and Massi Dendani thought it would be good to have a version of the National event given its popularity with athletes and I ended up becoming event director!

Given the lack of competitive opportunities so far, we thought it would be a competitive chance for athletes and help promote club camaraderie between team-mates even in these difficult times. Hopefully it’s given people a little motivation and something to aim for.

I’ve made sure that the event complies with the latest guidance. I have stressed the need for people to run from home and not all head for their local parkrun route. Obviously safety has to be a key aspect too.

We’ve had a great response so far with athletes so far, and I’ve been staggered at the number of entries received, which are still coming in now. I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone gets on!’

For an amazing cause

A JustGiving page has been set up to collect donations for those taking part in and supporting the event. The total, which will be dontated to the NHS, currently stands at £2300.

In light of the first Virtual Road Relays taking place tomorrow we have decided to set this up to raise money for the truly inspirational work that the NHS are doing!!!

Please donate and spread the word#ProtectTheNHS#SaveLives https://t.co/6DdY6QmDmd

— Matt Bergin (@MattBergin_) April 3, 2020

There are plenty of rapid runners looking to grab the title of the fastest leg. For the men, the likes of Marc Scott, Nick Goolab, Dan Jarvis, Jake Smith and Emile Cairess will be looking to top the leaderboard. US-based Matt Leach, James West and Chris Olley will also be searching for fast at-home routes in America. There were also late entries from two of Britain’s finest middle-distance runners, Charlie Grice and Jake Wightman.

For the women, the competition is just as fierce. Leading entries include recent British indoor 1500m champion, Holly Archer. Archer is joined by Jennifer Walsh, Nicole Taylor, Rebecca Murray and Philly Bowden.

Also entered with speed over the shorter distances are Mari Smith and British outdoor 1500m champ in 2019, Sarah McDonald. British Marathoner and recent Big Half winner, Lily Partridge, has also entered with the hope of testing her speed.

Whilst all performances haven’t yet been completed, the current standings are visible. As soon as the event opened on Saturday, plenty of runners were getting their time trials done. As of 12:00pm on Sunday 5th April, 133 men had run under the 16-minute mark. These were the top three standings.

Top three men
1) James Crowe (Central AC)- 13:59
2) Frank Baddick (NEB)- 14:04
3) Richard Weir (Derby)- 14:07

Top three women
1) Sarah Astin (City of Norwich) – 16:25
2) Georgia Malir (Leeds)- 16:36
3) Fiona Brian (Metro Aberdeen)- 16:37

Good luck to anyone who hasn’t yet completed their Road Relays 5k run, the standings could easily change!

Other great solo Strava efforts

Witham RC were also on board with virtual running with the Witham Running Club Social Distancing Virtual Championships (WRCSDVC), where trophies were even up for grabs! The first virtual event was the 5k.

The first athlete to take part ran at 6:15am and the last at 7:52pm. The overall winner was Heydon Mizon who clocked a sub 17-minute 5k (16:47). Mizon, the V45 athlete, has a PB which is actually equal to this time! Very impressive!

Tim Woulfe of Braintree & District set a Strava PB over the shorter distance of a mile in the Witham Virtual Champs. Despite the slight 21ft decline, Woulfe clocked 4:28 for the distance, an absolutely rapid run for a solo effort!

Keep safe and sane, and run when you can!

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The post Virtual and virtually 5kms and beyond – weekend roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

The crowd lean over the barriers and Bud Baldaro’s recognisable tones informs everyone that the winning team is on the final climb to the finish. It is the blue, red and white of Cardiff AAC and the athlete with this honour is Christian Stephenson.

Anyone in the know of the 1990s running scene has respect for Chris or ‘Snappy’ as he’s known to his teammates. These teammates are going wild on the side-lines and Christian does his best ‘airplane’ impression for most of the final 200m! His time is 16:28 and is the fastest of the day, this is a moment of enjoyment, but still ‘what if’ or ‘how fast’ he could have run if he had to!

Back: Christian Stephenson, Nat Lane, Nicky Commerford & Scott Olson. Front: James Thie, Richard Gardiner & Andres Jones.

Fast forward 20 years and 3 days and we are back together as a team. We are minus a few, some are unable to make it, but a great chance to catch-up, chat and remember some funny stories from the past. This got me thinking about that amazing day, but also what we ended up achieving in running and where we are now.

The one thing that stands out straight away is how much we wanted to win that day, and how much we talked about it in the months before. This was not luck or chance but a planned, calculated attempt at doing something our club had not done before, and we did it … but how … ?

The reunion, Nat, Chris, James, Richie & Scott

How it played out leg by leg

Leg 1) James Thie

Myself playing the youngster! Well, in the team, I was by comparison aged only 21, and felt privileged and pressured that they trusted me the first leg. That summer, I was 5th in the British senior 1500m World Trials after taking bronze indoors, so I was used to producing on the big day, plus I had a bit of speed to be in the mix if needed.

The aim was to be as close to the top 10 as possible on the always ‘loaded’ first leg and hopefully within 20-30 seconds of the lead. I don’t remember much of the race, but I knew I was around the big teams that would be in the final mix as I out kicked Paul Freary (Belgrave) and was closing in on Ian Pierce (Tipton) to cross in 14th place, with 17:20, 32secs off Birchfield’s Matt Clarkson in pole position.

Leg 2) Andres Jones

Andres Jones is a cracking athlete to have on the 2nd leg, as he was just a few months away from a massive breakthrough in the summer of 2000 when he runs an incredible 90 second personal best to hit the Olympic 10000m standard with 28.00.

He also won the 5000m trials, in a real purple path that season. 17:11 on this stage cuts through 10 places into 4th and only four seconds off the black vests of Birchfield. It was a great run by Andres who now resides in North Wales as a driving instructor which doesn’t surprise me. He was always calm and cool and I’m sure he still is! Unfortunately he was not able to make the reunion.

Leg 3) Richie Gardner

Richie ‘Dickie’ Gardner is now a high ranking policeman and doing great things alongside his wife at his local athletics club, Aberdare AC. He has a 2:18 marathon best and gold at the Commonwealth trial running championships (with today’s teammate Nat Lane in Silver), but say’s eight minute miles are tough at 45 years young, but he is still racing, as I am sure he always will!

So on the third leg he was right in the mix of the race taking over in 4th place and battling to a 17:35 leg split with just Tipton’s Matt Smith edging past. But up front, Darrius Burrows, another 90’s ‘super talent’, cracks round in 16:51 and extends the stage lead at the half way point.

Leg 4) Nicky Commerford

Next up, one of those people in life who is fascinating to know … an enigma ‘on’ and ‘off’ the track (but he is away in Vienna during the reunion – keeping his mystery alive!). Nicky Commerford is an art teacher who on that day helped to create the canvas for the Cardiff AAC masterpiece!

This is no surprise to those in the know as Nicky is a 3:42 1500m athlete who went on to represent Great Britain in major international cross-country championships and is equally strong on the road. A 17:02 leg took us back past Tipton’s Mick Hill and up to 2nd place but still 22 second behind Birchfield…there was still work to be done.

Leg 5) Nat Lane

Nat Lane is the brains and the hard worker who got us all together for the reunion. A super smart guy who works in law, and is one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. Nice off the track, but ruthless when a shift is needed on it, and will still make himself available for relays.

Going into this leg he had personal bests of 13:58 for 5km and 29:01 for 10km, so a huge runner to have on the penultimate stage of the race. Nat runs 17:10 and goes past Birchfield but it’s the super human leg of 16:44 by Nick Jones of Tipton that keeps Cardiff off the top spot. The green and white hooped vests had a 26 second on us….but was that enough?

Leg 6) Christian Stephenson

Christian ‘Snappy’ Stephenson takes over, his nickname not given as some think for his often bluntness (he always said what he thought!) but for his stature when younger when it was thought he may ‘snap’ in the wind! He is not going to snap now…he is a flanker in his local rugby side and loving his work as a school caretaker, a great job for someone I always knew as super reliable and practical.

This athlete in 1999 was strong and one Britain’s best on any surface. As UK steeplechase champion he was to front run that summer 8:25 in the Solihull BMC to earn his Olympic berth. To have him as your friend and training partner (twice a day, almost every day for 2 years) is the best apprenticeship I could ever have wished for. He had everything, speed 22/23’s 200’s at the end of sessions, and strength where he could float over the grass and uphill like few I’ve seen since.

The past and present

At the reunion, I remind him of the one time I managed to drop him, when we ran up the big hill to my university halls of residence. He stormed in my room, grabbed his stuff without eye contact and said ‘same place, same time tomorrow’…what had I done!

The next day Chris says nothing, and we set off on the same run, but this time we are shifting in pace from the start. Faster, faster and a bit more and we hit a similar hill … bang he goes, and flies up. He stands there waiting at the top until I finally reach him.

He looks me in the eye and says ‘never try and drop me again, as if you do, it will come back 10 times’! He was right, it was a vital lesson and I still remind myself of that when I see athletes racing in training.

The speed I witnessed up that hill had the same intensity and powerful strides that I could see flying towards me, just 50m from the National 6 stage finishing line. The team sprint to the finishing line enjoying the moment together as a real team…we did it, and we won it!

The results from 1999

Scott Olson was willing to travel as reserve that day and even though he was not needed he was a young athlete that was inspired to take on a US scholarship and continue his athletic development. Now a well-respected electrician in Cardiff, he remembers fondly being part of that team.

We did think that day that we would or could rule for a number of years. But as every club knows in relation to 6 and 12 stage relays, getting your best team out rarely happens and if it does, you must celebrate. The next year the same team was ready a week out, but Andres was sadly involved in a car crash, and the team had to wait until 2001 to pick up bronze medals. A few near 12 stage misses with medals but no titles and the original super 6 are gone and replaced.

Tom Marshall anchors gold in 2016

I do though feel proud that I coached many of the next generation of Cardiff runners to take back the title in 2016, including Tom Marshall and his ‘milers’ sprint finish that day. A leg of the B team for myself, was a footnote in another great day for the club.

Then and up to present year and the 2019 relays, and leg 5, sees Cardiff phenomenon Jake Smith flying up the hill towards the line, in the lead! The last leg runner…yes yours truly, but this time there are no fairy tales, I’m the only guy available and even with a World masters gold in March, combined with Snowdon marathon training, there is not enough magic left in the old legs to hold on.

4th is our finishing placing, and I feel it is a fitting time to unofficially retire from the 6 stage, as hopefully I’m never needed or wanted again in the A team!

Jake Smith in background and coach Thie in 2019.

But as we sink our beers and eat poppadums’ at the reunion, I’m happy and content and not sad it’s over. I just feel privileged to have been part of that top team in ‘99!

Author James Thie, who went on to make World, European and Commonwealth games finals, is now Director of Athletics at Cardiff Met and a respected endurance coach.

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Aldershot, Farnham & District’s women defended their title and Stockport Harriers took the men’s equivalent at the ERRA National Road Relays at a wet and windy Sutton Park on Saturday.

The quartet of Emily Hosker-Thornhill, Laura Gent, Amy Griffiths and Louise Small combined to give AFD a clear victory, their 11th in 12 years in this event, in 57 minutes 56 seconds. Leeds City AC placed second in 59:29, 27 seconds ahead of third-placed Tonbridge.

Hosker-Thornhill gave AFD the lead after the first of the 4.33km legs, coming home in 13:58, which was to remain unofficially the fastest overall of the race. Leeds’ Steve Stockton handed over 19 seconds later, but it was her team-mate Lucy Crookes who took over at the front by the halfway mark by just three seconds.

However, Griffiths put the champions back in front and stretched out a lead of 50 seconds before Small’s anchor leg made sure of the win.

Jessica Judd of Blackburn Harriers and Lauren Howarth of Leigh Harriers unofficially put in the second and third fastest legs overall with 14:07 and 14:12 respectively.

Photo: Stephen Lee

The men’s race was much closer and more changeable before Stockport took the tape in 1:45:07, 25 seconds ahead of runner-up Leeds City with AFD in third another eight seconds back.

Liverpool Harriers led after the first leg through Jonny Mellor’s 17:08 for the 5.848km leg, which was unofficially the second quickest of the race. Callum Johnson then took over at the front for Gateshead Harriers, a second in front of Cambridge & Coleridge’s Jack Gray.

Gateshead then dropped behind as C&C’s European under-18 3000m champion Thomas Keen and Lincoln Wellington’s Aaron Scott battled it out at the front before the former handed on around a second to the good.

It was still very close at the end of leg four as Lloyd Kempson ended the stage narrowly ahead of Lincoln’s James Straw. Meanwhile, just behind were Stockport, who had been led off by Jack Morris, Andrew Davies and Steve Vernon and, through Patrick Martin, were by then well in the mix.

Jack Martin then put Stockport in front, but Leeds were in contention in second as AFD were third. With Rio Olympic 10,000m runner Ross Millington on the final leg, Stockport were favourites and running unofficially the fastest leg of the day of 16:54, he did not disappoint.

Photo: Stephen Lee

The young athletes’ titles had earlier went to six different teams. Charnwood (under-17), AFD (under-15) and C&C (under-13) won the boys’ races.

City of Norwich (under-17), Vale Royal (under-15) and Tonbridge (under-13) took the wins in the girls’ races.

Published results (https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2018/) were provisional as this report was filed and were known to contain inaccurate split times. Keen’s time was around 17:50 – not the 16:50 given as the quickest overall.

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The post Aldershot and Stockport win National Road Relays appeared first on Fast Running.

Elsewhere Sammi Kinghorn makes a marathon debut in Chicago and Lauren Howarth and Andrew Heyes race in Groningen.

National Autumn Road Relays – Sutton Park, Birmingham, Saturday 7th October

The National Road Relays are a stalwart of the British club scene, and over the last few weeks the regionals have produced some great racing with the winners now keen replicate this on the national stage.

Among those hoping for top honours in the men’s race are Northern winners Lincoln Wellington, Southern champions Highgate Harriers and the Midlands top club Bristol & West AC. While in the women’s race Leigh Harriers, Aldershot Farnham & District and Birchfield Harriers lead the way as winners from their respective regions.

Trying to spoil the party on English soil will be 2016 winners Cardiff AC and silver medalists Swansea Harriers. Last year’s race saw a really close battle between the two Welsh powerhouses with little over three seconds between the two at the finish line. Swansea recently won the Welsh regional Road Relays beating Cardiff AC to the honours, with the Dewi Griffiths and Josh Griffiths running the fastest legs on the day.

Last year’s women’s 4 stage relay was won by Aldershot Farnham & District closely followed by Birchfield Harriers and in bronze Cardiff AC.

Aldershot Farnham & District women have won all but one title in the last 10 year and it’s hard to see past them winning another title this weekend.

Until 1995 the Nationals moved around different regional locations until a decision was made to host the prestigious event at Sutton Park every year.

Since 2001 the distance has also stayed the same at a distance of 5,847m with Chris Davies of Telford holding the course record of 16:25, Newham & Essex beagles are the fastest men’s team to cover the six stages with 1:43:14.

On the present course the fastest three ever men are Chris Davies 16:25 (2003) Andrew Butchart 16:29 (2016) and Mo Farah 16:33 (2009).

The women’s race is over a distance of 4,315m with Aldershot Farnham & District having the fastest time of 56:42 for the four stages. Aldershot’s Steph Twell has the fastest leg with 13:41 from 2007. While in 1993 Paula Radcliffe ran on a longer course of 4.35k and ran 13:26.

The fastest women ever over the current course are Steph Twell 13:41 (2007) Gemma Steel 13:45 (2011) and Charlotte Purdue 13:48 in 2013.

Race Schedule
11:00 – U13 boys
11:05 – U13 girls
11:50 – U15 boys
11:55 – U15 girls
12:30 – U17 men
12:35 – U17 women
14:00 – Senior men
14:10 – Senior women

Yorkshire Marathon – York, Sunday 8th October
The Yorkshire Marathon returns for the fifth time. The course has proven PB potential and this attracts a very competitive elite field and has not failed this year.

The leading entry this year is Shadrack Kemboi of Kenya. The top Britons include Ross Houston of Central AC, who comes into the race in fine form after winning the Scottish Half Marathon in 67:42 two weeks ago. Ross has a best of 2:18:28 for the marathon from 2013 which saw him earn a Scottish vest at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Tom Charles will also be looking to improve his marathon best of 2:23:55 from the Manchester Marathon last year. Tom has timed his build up well running a personal best 67:44 at the Great North Run, following it up a week later with a half marathon win in Abersoch, posting 68:27. The Britons in the race will be looking to take a share of the very healthy £10,000 total prize fund offered by the race organisers.

The 2016 women’s race was won by Sarah Lowery of Sheffield RC in a super quick 2:45:53 who finished over 3 minutes ahead of second.

Chester Marathon, Chester, Sunday 8th October
The fast and predominantly flat route is on closed roads even crosses into Wales for seven miles of the race. Daniel Kestrel who finished second last year to Ben Fish is entered and will be looking to go one better this year.

“The aim is to lower my 2:24 personal best from last year. I’ve had to adapt my training after becoming a father in January, but even with that I feel that I’ve trained much better in the build-up to this race than for London,” said Kestrel to Fast Running.

Katie Jones of Fife Athletics Club took the win last year in 2:53:36. Although Julie Briscoe of Wakefield holds the ladies course record with a very impressive 2:40:26. Marius Ionescu of Altrincham AC holds the men’s record with 2:21:25.

Chicago Marathon – Chicago, October 8th
Sammi Kinghorn will make her marathon debut in Chicago on Sunday. One of Britain’s star Para athletes this year Kinghorn is aiming to better 2:00:00 and achieve the 2:05:00 qualifying standard for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

“I’d love to go under the two-hour mark for my first marathon – that would be amazing. Hopefully, if I push hard enough I can get there,” said Kinghorn in a recent interview.

Kinghorn is best known for her sprinting ability but does have experience racing over 10k on the road and recently competed at the Great North Run half marathon last month finishing second to Manuela Schar. While in the men’s wheelchair race GB Olympian Simon Lawson, winner at the Great North Run will be up amongst the best in the field.

De 4 Mijl Van Groningen – Groningen, Netherlands, 8th October
On Sunday the 31st edition of the race takes place. Over the years British athletes have performed well over the rarely-raced distance of four miles. Jonny Mellor finished fourth last year in 18:03 followed by Olympians Andy Vernon 18:06 and Ross Millington 18:09.

Andrew Heyes is on the start list in the men’s race this year, while Lauren Howarth will return for her third year hoping to replicate the magnificent run from 2013 when she ran a blistering 19:58 topping the yearly rankings.

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