The spring staging of the Mid Cheshire 5k 2019 series takes place on Friday (April 26) and despite not hosting the England Athletics championships this year the organisers have assembled another stacked field.

Heading the men’s race is reigning England 5k champion Richard Allen, who has a PB of 13:51, along with the inform Nigel Martin, who ran a 13:53 in Armagh earlier this year and recently spoke to Fast Running.

The Aldershot and Sale Harriers runners are joined by Paralympian David Devine of Liverpool Harriers, Pudsey & Bramley AC’s Andy Smith and another Liverpool Harrier Dejene Gezimu, who recently made his international debut and will be looking to improve his 14:23 best set at the Kingsley race in 2017.

Altrincham’s Mo Abu-Rezeq, who has a PB of 14:24, is also set to race after clocking 30:15 to win the Eastleigh 10k last month.

In the women’s race, professional running outfit Team New Balance Manchester could dominate the podium with Ciara Mageean starting as the favourite.

Photo: Athletics Ireland / Sportsfile

The Irish international recently returned from the European Indoor Championships with a bronze medal and is sure to revise her 16:20 PB on the roads.

Swedish international and track specialist Anna Silvander makes her debut at this distance and is joined by training partner Elinor Kirk.

The Welsh international has a PB of 15:59 from 2017 and is returning to that sort of form. Liverpool Harriers’ Rachael Burns, Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton’s Kirsty Longley and Sinead Bent of Salford Harriers head a strong North West contingent.

“We’re really pleased that despite not hosting the England Athletics championships this year we have still managed to attract another stellar field,” said Race Director Mike Harrington. “We have a host of international runners having just come out of a cross country season looking to check their shape ahead of the track season.

“The men’s race looks too close to call and I would say we have around 40 athletes with the potential to go under 15 minutes and a number to go under 14.

“We’re also delighted to have such a strong women’s field and the women’s course record of 15:38 currently held by former Vale Royal AC athlete and local favourite Stevie Stockton looks under threat.

“The local residents in Kingsley have been very supportive of the race from day one and in last summer’s race were treated to seeing Marc Scott run 13.45 which was the fastest in the UK in 2018 and the fastest by a British runner on home soil in over a decade.”

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Some of the fastest athletes from the UK, Ireland and further afield are ready to race at the 29th edition of the Armagh International Road Races on Thursday (February 14).

Last year in the cathedral city, Sam Stabler led home a record 93 men under the 15-minute mark in the Brooks men’s 5k, while Laura Weightman was at the forefront as 34 women dipped inside 10-minutes in the Intersport women’s 3k.

Stabler clocked 13:59 to clinch the win and returns to defend his crown against another stacked men’s field. However, women’s course record holder and two-time winner Weightman sits out this year, leaving the path clear for a new champion on Thursday night.

After a period on the sidelines, Wreake and Soar Valley’s Stabler is still working his way back to race fitness, but should be in the mix for the top prize once again.

The 26 year-old’s first race back was at the Northern Ireland International Cross Country in January before competing over 3000m at last weekend’s British Indoor Championships.

Also among the leading British entries in the men’s 5k are Luke Traynor, Richard Allen, Jonny Mellor, Kieran Clements, Graham Rush, Philip Sesemann and Luke Caldwell.

Traynor produced a number of impressive runs in 2018, including a 5000m performance of 13:39.95, and no doubt aims to knock a big chunk of his 14:41 5k road best from 2016.

Joining the Giffnock North runner in a strong Scottish team is Caldwell, who ran a PB of 14:05 to finish seventh last year, and 2018 Leeds Abbey Dash 10k winner Adam Craig, who races for the first time over 5k on the roads.

Liverpool Harriers Mellor, who is also a member of the Team New Balance Manchester set-up, is another one to watch and previously clocked 13:57 to finish third in 2012.

Aldershot’s Allen will run for England and is one of the most prolific 5k road runners in the last 12 months.

Photo: Pete Brown

The 23 year-old ended 2018 ranked third in the UK after a PB run of 13:51 in Ipswich.

RELATED: Racing ‘naked’ of technology key for Richard Allen

Also set to race in Armagh for the first time is Shaftesbury Barnet’s Clements who posted a PB of 14:00 in 2018. Leeds City’s Sesemann joins him in the England team and certainly has the potential to lower his 14:09 best.

Leeds City clubmate Rush returns for the third consecutive year and has previously finished seventh and sixth, posting times of 14:07 and 14:05 respectively.

Matt Bergin clocked 14:08 to finish 12th in 2018 and features in the Irish team along with Kevin Dooney, who ran 14:24 two years ago. David Flynn and Brian Maher complete the Irish quartet.

The trio of James Hunt, Abed Teweldebrhan and Guy Smith compete for Wales, while Adam Kirk Smith, James Edgar, Neil Johnston, Ben Branagh and Conor Duffy will race for Northern Ireland.

Among the leading international entries is American Matt McClintock, who has a 13:49 road 5k best, while Belgium’s Yannick Michiels returns to Armagh after a fourth place finish last year in 14:03.

Poland’s Krystian Zalewski is also back and has previously clocked a 14:02 best to finish fifth in 2015.

Meanwhile, Fast Running’s Robbie Britton, who is more widely known for his exploits in ultra running, is set to continue his step down through the distances.

Britton recently clocked a sub 2:30 marathon and now aims to greatly improve his 5k road time of 15:41. Rumour has it he has is eyes on taking to the track over 800m in the future.

Steph Twell, Jess Judd and Kate Avery head the women’s 3k

Steph Twell and Jess Judd are the two standout entries in the women’s 3k field, however, a host of other top athletes, including Kate Avery, should challenge for honours.

Reigning British 5000m champion Twell races in Armagh for the first time – and over 3k on the roads for that matter.

Last November, the 29 year-old announced her plans to focus on the roads following an illustrious track and cross country career.

Photo: Bobby Gavin

The marathon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games is Twell’s target for future, and after a strong 2:30 debut at the Valencia Marathon in December, she certainly looks to have a bright future over the distance.

The Aldershot athlete, who has a 3000m PB of 8:40.98, most recently clocked 33:17 to break the course record at the Chichester Priory 10k.

No stranger to the podium in Armagh, Judd claimed the runner-up spot last year in a time of 9:03, following a third-place finish in 2017.

The 24 year-old, who has an 8:43.24 best over the distance on the track, most recently finished fourth at the BUCS Cross Country Championships.

Last year in Armagh was one of Avery’s first races back after missing the majority of 2017 through injury.

The Shildon athlete ran 9:26 to finish 11th before working her way back to race fitness throughout the year. Avery ended 2018 with a number of strong cross country performances and few will be surprised to see her on the podium on Valentine’s night.

Lauren Heyes (Howarth) and Amy Griffiths finished fourth and fifth 12 months ago and both athletes are among a strong English team that also includes Elsey Whyman-Davis and Holly Archer.

Northern Ireland 5000m and 10,000m record holder Emma Mitchell finished sixth in 2018 and is set to race in Armagh ahead of making her marathon debut in two months time.

Commonwealth Games steeplechaser Iona Lake finished seventh last year and returns, as does Leeds City’s Claire Duck after securing a top 10 place in 2018.

Also among the entries is 2017 fifth place finisher Katie Snowdon, and Commonwealth Games athlete Alex Bell, who finished 14th last year, while 2:35 marathoner Hayley Carruthers races for the first time in a 3k road race.

Fionnuala Ross of race organising club Armagh AC finished 12th last year and heads the Northern Ireland team that also includes Kelly Neely, Jessica Craig and Teresa Doherty.

Kerry MacAngus, Morag Millar and Eloise Walker join Twell in the Scotland team, while Bronwen Owen and Beth Kidger compete for Wales. Set to compete for Ireland are Grace Lynch, Emma O’Brien, Nakita Burke and Una Britton.

Poland will be represented by Mariola Slusarczyk, who finished 19th last year, while Isabeau Lenaerts and Elise Van Raemdonck compete for Belgium.

The night of racing gets underway with the juvenile races at 6.30pm, before the women’s 3k action at 8.10pm, followed by the men’s 5k at 8.30pm. The open men’s 3k will conclude the 29th edition of the Armagh International Road Races at 8.55pm.

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The post Get ready for fast racing in Armagh appeared first on Fast Running.

Luke Traynor, Steph Twell, Richard Allen, Matt Bergin, Fionnuala Ross and Kris Jones are among the runners named in international teams for the Armagh International Road Races on February 14.

Year after year, with unmatched depth in each field, the men’s 5k and women’s 3k produce some of the quickest times across the UK and Ireland.

Last year a record 94 men dipped under the 15-minute mark, while and 34 women ran under 10-minutes.

Scotland’s team for the 2019 races includes a number of runners who will race in the Northern Irish city for the first time, including Traynor and Twell.

Giffnock North’s Traynor had a number of impressive runs in 2018, including a 5000m performance of 13:39.95, and no doubt aims to knock a big chunk of his 14:41 5k road personal best from 2016.

Photo: Bobby Gavin

Leeds Abbey Dash 10k winner Adam Craig and GB Euro cross country representative Jamie Williamson will race over 5k on the roads for the first time, while Luke Caldwell returns after finishing seventh in 2018.

British 5000m champion Twell, who ran a 2:30 debut marathon in December, heads the Scottish women’s selection along with Kerry Macangus and Eloise Walker.

In the women’s 3k race, the trio faces a strong English team with experience of racing around the lapped Armagh Mall course.

Lauren Howarth and Amy Griffiths finished fourth and fifth in 2018, while Eleanor Davis and Holly Archer race in the city for the first time.

England’s 5k champion Allen, whose PB of 13:51 was the third fastest time in the UK last year, leads the men’s quartet, which also includes Kieran Clements, Joshua Grace and Philip Sesemann.

Photo: Pete Brown

Northern Ireland’s women’s team features Leeds Abbey Dash’s female winner Ross, who is a member of the race organising club Armagh AC, along with Kelly Neely, Jessica Craig and Teresa Doherty.

Adam Kirk Smith and James Edgar both competed at last year’s Commonwealth Games and are joined in Northern Ireland’s men’s team by Neil Johnston, Seeley Cup 10k winner Ben Branagh and Conor Duffy.

Matt Bergin finished 12th in last year’s race and returns for Ireland in a strong quartet alongside Kevin Dooney, Brian Maher and David Flynn.

The Irish women’s team features Grace Lynch, Emma O’Brien, Nakita Burke and Una Britton.

Wales’ team was the final international lineup named and includes the returning Jones, who ran a PB of 14:03 to finish fifth in Armagh two years.

Joining the GB international orienteer and cross country athlete in the men’s team are James Hunt, Abed Teweldebrhan and Guy Smith.

Bronwen Owen and Beth Kidger are the sole Welsh females making the trip across to Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, other athletes also expected for the international racing on Valentine’s night include Emma Mitchell, Jess Judd, Claire Duck, Graham Rush and Charlie Grice.

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The post International teams named for Armagh Road Races appeared first on Fast Running.

Following the success of the spring edition of the Kingsley based race, the summer staging of the Mid Cheshire 5k takes place on Thursday (August 23) and another strong field has been assembled.

Marc Scott, who finished fifth in the 5000m at the recent European Championships, heads the entries in the men’s race and will have his eye firmly on the course record of 14:00, set by Ben Connor in 2017.

The British 5000m champion has rarely raced on the roads, but with a 13:22.37 track personal best, it will be hard to see past the US-based athlete taking the honours.

Photo: Andy Peat

Aldershot’s Richard Allen will provide the biggest threat to Scott. The 22 year-old won the men’s title in the spring race – which incorporated the English championships – and will aim to improve on his 14:07 performance in April.

The former elite duathlete, who now focuses solely on running, subsequently went on to run 13:51 and 14:05 over the distance in May and June, as well as sub 14-minute clocking on the track.

Also set to challenge is Lewis Moses of Darlington Harriers who has twice broken the 14.00 mark on the track this summer. Chris Perry, the England Athletics steeplechase champion and local Vale Royal AC athlete, should also be in the mix after having recorded a PB of 14:09 on the track in Trafford on Saturday.

In form Elsey Davis heads the women’s field on the back of her recent Barry Island 10k win and is joined by track specialist Lori Handbury who will be looking to improve on her road PB.

RELATED: My favourite session: Elsey Davis

Lauren Howarth, a previous winner in Kingsley, appears to be returning well from injury after a recent 5k win in Manchester and should challenge at the front of the race.

The trio will be joined by England international and another previous winner Rachael Burns of Liverpool Harriers in what should be a great race.

Speaking to Fast Running Race Director Mike Harrington said: “I’m really pleased that the summer race is now attracting the standard of athlete that April’s championship race attracts.

“We see a lot of runners doing both races to measure progress over the summer. The forecast looks good and we may see our first sub 14:00 time at the race.”

Further information about the race can be found here.

RELATED: Racing ‘naked’ of technology key for Richard Allen

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The post Marc Scott heads strong field for Mid Cheshire 5k appeared first on Fast Running.

A superb 11 runners broke the eight-minute barrier in the elite men’s 3000m race on Wednesday (July 25) night in Watford, with many quick to praise Mark Hookway for organising the race and the excellent pacing.

Luke Traynor led the field across the line in a big personal best 7:53.88, one week after running a 5000m PB of 13.39.95 at the Morton Games in Dublin. Traynor was in fifth place on the final lap before he unleashed a blistering kick to overtake his rivals down the home straight.

The fast improving Richard Allen was second clocking a PB of 7:54.06. The former duathlete recently spoke to Fast Running about his impressive year after deciding to focus completely on running.

Kieran Clements and Tom Lancashire were next across the line in 7:54.72 and 7:55.00 respectively, followed by 19 year-old Jake Heyward who clocked 7:55.17 to bag his second PB in five days after running 3:36.90 for 1500m at the Anniversary Games on Sunday.

Heyward’s impressive 1500m time in London moved him to number two on the British under-20 all-time list and his performance on Wednesday night sees him jump to third on the under-20 list for 3000m.

Like Traynor, Alex Teuten clocked a 5000m PB in Dublin and was back on the track in Watford to run another lifetime best of 7:55.26 to finish sixth.

Ieuan Thomas warmed up for the steeplechase at European Championships running a PB of 7:56.31 without the barriers.

Finishing off the 11 men under 8-minutes were Andy Heyes in 7:57.17, Jonny Hay clocked 7:58.30, Josh Carr in 7:58.70 and Bradley Goater posted 7:58.94.

Video coverage of the race and Luke Traynor’s brilliant finish can be watched below.

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The post 11 men break 8-minutes for 3000m in Watford appeared first on Fast Running.

Former elite duathlete Richard Allen – he is the reigning U23 World Duathlon champion – runs free of all technology when racing, preferring to race ‘naked’.

It clearly did the 22 year-old no harm at all at the increasingly competitive Podium 5k event at Barrowford, as he ran 14:05 to slice 14 seconds off Olympian Tom Lancashire’s previous record in one fell swoop.

Super running once again at the @podium5k last night!

Richard Allen broke the course record and Mhairi Maclennan ran a big PB to take the women's honours.

REPORT https://t.co/MTzkwoCBKq pic.twitter.com/wchZ64SPX6

— Fast Running (@FastRunning_) June 16, 2018

Perhaps due to the fact he’d run a 13:51 personal best at the previous month’s Ipswich 5k (where he was narrowly beaten to victory by one second by Belgrave’s Nick Goolab) he was confident he could “have a go” at the Podium course record.

“I’d only heard about the event a week earlier on Facebook,” Allen tells Fast Running. “I wanted to have a go at the course record, and I really love road racing!”

It was an intriguing sight to see the AFD runner striding out hundreds of metres ahead of his nearest rival, completely unaware of what pace he was running or what his heart rate was, wearing his club vest and shorts and trainers and nothing else.

The contrast between the dominant winner’s attire at Podium and the majority of the field nearly a minute behind was striking, with almost all competitors wearing at least a watch – most of those GPS and HR-monitor enabled – and some also wearing compression socks or arm warmers, technology claiming to encourage more efficient blood flow during exercise.

What does Allen have to say about running ‘tech’?

Racing ‘naked’

“I’ve never raced with a watch and I don’t think that will ever change,” he explains. “I understand people like to know their splits and I like to do that in training, but to me racing is an opportunity to forget about all that and enjoy the experience – your watch won’t make you run any faster!

“I do have a GPS watch along with a basic watch without the technology that I like to use for my easy runs.”

Allen’s refreshing attitude to running ‘tech’ in a world increasingly swamped by sports technology companies claiming to help runners of all abilities improve their speed and stamina with the help of the latest GPS watch, compression gear or head visor stands out.

His impressive successes as a GB U23 and senior duathlete may have had an effect on his approach to race technology, though, as it’s notable that many top athletes in duathlon and triathlon race watch-free.

Running improvements since hanging up his duathlon suit

Since Allen gave up triathlon training at the end of 2017, he has sliced more than 90 seconds off his 10,000m PB (he ran 28:54.95 at this year’s Highgate Harriers Night of the PBs) and has also made significant inroads into his 10k road best.

Photo: Vitality London 10,000

However, it is likely that his years of training on the bike and in the pool alongside running have given him a supercharged engine to race with – and he still cycles and swims, just not in competition.

He acknowledges that, along with the obvious benefits of multiple discipline training have had on his fitness, the fact that he can now concentrate more on his running has paid dividends in his race performances this year.

“I had to make a decision between duathlons or running and decided to focus on running, which I think has helped, as well as a progression in my training volume,” he adds.

“I didn’t run that much growing up because the triathlon focus meant I was sometimes more interested in swimming than running, or I was too tired from the bike to run the volume that I wanted.”

That’s all changed now, and, as a consequence, he is achieving the times he is well capable of, and he’s still only 22.

London 10,000, racing alongside Mo Farah

One of Allen’s more well-publicised performances this year was his second place at the London 10,000 road race in May, where he finished runner-up to multi-Olympic gold-winning track legend, Mo Farah.

Photo: Vitality London 10,000

The two athletes ran alongside each other for much of the race, with Farah encouraging the young AFD star to keep in line with him as they wound through the streets of the capital, well ahead of big GB names including Callum Hawkins.

The experience clearly had an impact on Allen: “London was wild! The main reason I competed there was to win the team event for AFD, I didn’t have any expectations individually. It was really inspiring to run alongside Mo, and then to share a podium with him as well! I think it’s one of those memories that you will always have in the back of your mind.”

Memorable performances as he rose through the ranks

Although it is only this year that Allen has really shone under the national athletics spotlight, he has an impressive pedigree of English Schools results, two of which stand out for the 2018 English 5k champion, along with the first time he broke 30 minutes for 10k back in 2016.

He reveals: “Winning two bronze medals at the English Schools as a top year Inter and then as a senior for 3000m were big highlights for me. I enjoyed the whole experience not just the race, as it was the first time I felt like an elite athlete. It meant a lot to me, although I did find it challenging once I had outgrown the English Schools.

“Breaking 30 minutes for 10k for the first time at Ribble Valley in 2016 was unexpected, but I remember how much confidence I took from it. I’d never enjoyed cross country, so I felt like I had discovered road racing, which was exciting.”

Fittingly, his victory at the Mid-Cheshire 5k – which doubled as the England 5k championships – is a big feather in his increasingly brimming hat, a win which he admits “was a surprise to win”.

“It was even better to share the podium with my training partner, Emile Cairess, (Leeds City’s 13:54 5000m athlete)” he adds.

Photo: Chloe Broad

Allen’s racing aims for the rest of 2018

The Huddersfield-based athlete is clearly capable of attacking the European Championships 5000m qualifying time of 13:42, but he remains refreshingly grounded about his aims for this year.

“I am planning to compete in the 5000m at the British Championships, but I have no expectations to run the European qualifying time this season – I’m still only 22, I just want to continue improving and enjoy learning,” he says. “However, it would be nice to run PBs for both the 5000m and 3000m by the end of the season!”

Studies and training

Allen spent two years at the University of Leeds, where he was based for his triathlon and duathlon training, but left last Christmas when he decided to concentrate on running instead.

He is now set to start a degree in psychology at Royal Holloway in September, and explains: “It’s hard to make the right choice as a 19-20 year-old, because you don’t really know what you want to do. I have always taken an interest in psychology and I like to balance training with something else, so I’m really looking forward to it!”

It certainly sounds like Allen has got the right attitude to balancing training with the rest of life’s demands.

He runs between 60-65 miles a week – much of that with Phil Townsend’s endurance group at Leeds City AC – alongside swimming and cycling, and does strength and conditioning twice a week, following a programme written for him by Tim Jarrett at Leeds Triathlon Centre.

If his achievements this year since concentrating on running just six months ago are anything to go by, the future is bright for the athlete who likes to ‘run free’, breaking records as he goes.

The post Racing ‘naked’ of technology key for Richard Allen appeared first on Fast Running.

The Podium 5k races on Friday evening were as red hot as usual, with Richard Allen breaking the men’s course record in 14:05, and Mhairi Maclennan running a big PB to win the women’s race. A report from the action in Barrowford can be found here.

At parkrun, Chris Olley ran the third fastest time across the UK this year with a 14:17 run at the Pegwell Bay event, and you can read his run and the top times this week at parkrun here.

Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k, Bellahouston, Friday, June 15

GB international Luke Traynor laid down the gauntlet to the rest of the British elite distance runners when he ran a superb 28:32 on Friday evening to break the course record at the Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k in Scotland.

Traynor’s winning time was the third fastest ever by a Scot, only bettered by Allister Hutton and Andy Butchart.

Corstorphine AAC’s Calum McKenzie 30:49 would normally have been enough to easily win any 10k road race in the UK, but the Giffnock North athlete put paid to that with his world-class performance on the fast and flat course.

There was a fierce fight for the final podium position between Inverclyde’s John Bell (31:21) and Cambuslang Harriers’ Fraser Stewart (31:22) with just a second separating the pair.

Inverness’s Jenny Bannerman won her title back from the 2015 edition when she broke the course record in 35:08, just one second shy of her 2017 PB, while second placed Kilbarchan AAC’s Elspeth Curran also dipped under the old course record with a 35:25 clocking. Edinburgh AC’s Lauren Wilson was third in 37:25, running well to maintain her position ahead of club mate Katie Bain, who was never far behind in 37:52.

Summer Speedway 10k, Chepstow, Sunday, June 17

Cardiff’s Matt Clowes ran a solo 30:19 to win his third 10k of the year in the first ever running of this Chepstow race.

Photo: Tosh Simpkin / Chepstow Harriers

Organiser James Blore had set out to attract as many fast runners to the event, keen to encourage a competitive race for those wanting a stripped back racing experience.

Clowes was followed home by Bideford AC’s Shaun Antell in 31:17, with Antell’s club mates Aaron Richmond and Mark Jenkin claiming the next two spots in third and fourth with times of 31:25 and 31:26 respectively, clearly highlighting Blore’s success in creating a competitive environment for fast runners.

Chepstow athlete Katherine Matthews was a clear winner of the women’s race in 37:17, with the V40 Gwent cross country league champion doing well to beat to Fife AC’s Helen Sharpe, who holds a 35:40 PB from 2014 but ran 37:46 on the Beachley course on Sunday morning.

Photo: Tosh Simpkin / Chepstow Harriers

As predicted, Parc Bryn Bach’s Lauren Cooper made it onto the podium when her 38:40 earned her the third prize.

British Masters 5k Championships, Horwich, Sunday, June 17

Although the official results were unavailable at the time of going ‘to press’, the winners were confirmed as Blackburn’s Victoria Mousley and Gala Harriers’ Darrell Hastie.

Eastleigh 10k, Sunday, June 17

John Beattie won an extremely a tight battle for the title when he held off Crawley’s James Westlake by just four seconds, crossing the line in a classy 30:29 to Westlake’s 30:33. Southampton’s Aiden Lennan may have been 90 seconds adrift in third with his 32:04 clocking but it was nevertheless a PB for the 2018 Southampton half marathon title holder.

John Beattie wins the Hendy Eastleigh 10k. @hendygroup pic.twitter.com/6qeXxDs8e1

— Eastleigh 10K-2K (@Eastleigh10K2K) June 17, 2018

Lennan’s club mate Jen Elkins proved her impressive consistency by posting her second sub-35 result this year when claiming victory in 34:52. Elkins was well ahead of her nearest rival, but Fleet & Crookham’s Helen Cozens ran her fastest ever 10k when she finished in 36:47, as did third placed Emma Jolley from City of Portsmouth AC, who posted a 37:03 result.

Guernsey Dairy June Half Marathon, Sunday, June 17

Ryan Burling and Ulrike Maisch, who won the women’s marathon at the 2006 European Championships, but now lives in Guernsey, won the island half marathon.

Burling, who ran a half marathon PB of 66:28 and went to represent England, was the clear winner in men’s race in 67:51, while Maisch took the women’s honours in 85:13.

Fantastic win and 2nd fastest ever time I’ve ran in the Guernsey ‘Milk Run’ half marathon in 67.51. So happy to start the next big block of training with a solid performance. The buildup for autumn starts now… @BBCGuernsey @islandfm @ITVChannelSport @GsyAthletics pic.twitter.com/XHRkTXSmhd

— (@ryanburling) June 17, 2018

Freckleton Half Marathon, Sunday, June 17

This Lancashire half produced some sizzling performances on an otherwise grey, cool June morning. Border’s John Mason smashed his three year-old PB of 69:46 when he won the race of his life in 67:19, 38 seconds clear of Blackburn Harriers’ 65min half marathoner Ben Fish, who ran 67:57 for second place.

Salford Harriers’ David Rigby also ran well to claim the final podium spot with a 69:19 result.

The women’s race was a similarly competitive affair, with the top three separated by less than 90 seconds. Southport Waterloo AC’s Tracey Allan was the first across the line in 91:53, with Jess Kennedy and Jenny Pilling never far behind in 92:46 and 93:16 respectively.

Ranelagh Harriers Richmond 10k, Sunday, June 17

Clapham Chasers’ Steph Davis clinched her fourth road race victory of the year so far when she ran 35:41 to win this highly competitive South West London event ahead of Basildon’s Emma Houchell, who ran a 35:56 PB to take second place. Italy and Serpentine AC’s Marta Bagnati also ran her fastest 10k when she clocked 36:37 for third.

The men’s race saw a clear win for Epsom & Ewell’s Ollie Garrod, who crossed the line in a PB 31:54, while Woking’s Ben Goddard’s 33:05 was also a PB in second. V35 Steve Woolley was only seconds off his lifetime best when he clocked a 33:29 result in third.

The post Luke Traynor stars as fast times are clocked UK wide – weekly round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

The latest Podium 5k road race took place on Friday evening (June 15) and yet again produced some of the fastest 5k times across the UK.

Run on the pancake flat Barrowford course, Friday’s event included the first ever Podium sub-16:30 race, which saw Morpeth’s Mhairi MacLennan annihilate her PB by more than a minute with a scintillating 16:11 winning women’s time, while Aldershot, Farnham & District’s Richard Allen continued his meteoric rise to the top of the British men’s 5k rankings as he ran a 14:05 course record to take victory in the Lancashire speedfest.

Allen, who won the England 5K Road Championships in April, was the runaway winner with his nearest challengers Morpeth’s George Lowry and Salford Harriers’ Chris Richards. The pair were so far adrift of the man who currently stands second in the 2018 British rankings he effectively ran a time trial, albeit on one of the fastest courses in the country.

Lowry’s time of 14:53 earned him second place and a seven second PB, while Richards’ 15:05 was also a lifetime best. Blackburn Harriers’ Chris Arthur’s 15:06 and Morpeth’s Nick McCormack’s 15:11 made up the top five of the elite race results.

MacLennan’s previous best before the June edition of this notoriously competitive event was just 17:20 from last year, although she ran a 16:36 5000m split within the recent Highgate Harriers’ Night of the 10,000m PBs (which she went onto finish in a 33:28.61 PB).

Photo: Pete Brown

In fact, this year the Scottish rising star has also posted new best times over the mile (4:54.23), 3000m (9:32.06), 10k (33:41) and 10M (56:30).

Preston Harriers’ Becky Rigby won the last edition of the Podium 5k in 16:30, following that up with a 16:17.35 5000m best on the track in May. She may have finished runner up to MacLennan last night but her 16:19 was an outright road PB, with Fife AC’s Steph Pennycook pushing her all the way. Pennycook’s 16:22 represented her quickest ever over the distance, proving just how successful this event is for producing fast times.

The ‘A’ race preceded the elite event, and also saw some impressive results. Clayton le Moors’ Luke Turner ran 15:59 to take victory ahead of Barlick Fell Runners’ Craig Shearer, who was just six seconds behind in 16:05. Shearer’s club mate Jon Cleaver ran 16:09 for third.

Leeds City’s Heather Sellars ran her quickest 5k since 2014 when she posted a 17:17 winning time, with her club mate Alice Leake never far adrift in second, crossing the line four second later. Wharfedale Harriers’ Emma Raven completed a very competitive top three with a 17:24 result, a time she hasn’t bettered since 2011.

Podium organiser Chris Barnes is keen to attract more fast runners to the next event, with a date to be announced soon. If you fancy your chances at beating the course records of 14:05 and Laura Weightman’s 15:25 – and even topping the rankings by running faster than Ipswich 5k’s victor, Nick Goolab’s 13:50, get in touch with the Ribble Valley Harrier on Twitter.

The post Richard Allen breaks Podium 5k course record appeared first on Fast Running.

Mo Farah returned to the streets of London after his London Marathon exploits to win the men’s race at the Vitality London 10,000 on Monday (May 28) in 29:44, while Steph Twell ran a superb race to win the women’s title in 32:34.

Newham & Essex Beagles’ John Beattie was the early leader in the men’s race before Farah took charge at the 4km mark.

Photo: Vitality London 10,000

Farah, who won over 10km in Manchester last week, always looked comfortable and didn’t pull away too early from a chasing pack that included Beattie, Jonny Mellor, Matt Sharp, Richard Allen, Nick Samuels and Mohamud Aadan. Sharp temporarily leapt to the front before Farah took charge again with 2km to go with Aldershot’s Allen hanging on.

The multiple track gold medallist was in control from that point and sealed a five second win ahead of Allen to claim his sixth Vitality London 10,000 victory.

“The pace was nice and comfortable and I really enjoyed the race,” said Farah. “I was happy with the win, which is the most important thing, but it was nice to be able to run alongside club runners who look up to you.

“It was good to forget about who you are, and what you have achieved, and just enjoy the moment, which is what I did out there.”

Allen, who won the England 5k championships last month and clocked 28:54 on the track at the Night of the 10,000m PBs last week, crossed the line in 29:48, with Sharp completing the podium in 29:50. The trio also picked up the British 10k Championships gold, silver and bronze medals.

Allen described duking it out with the six-time world champion as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience and added: “It was awesome. It’s not often you get to run side by side with Mo Farah through the streets of London.

“It was an absolute pleasure. We were both at the front with two kilometres to go and Mo said ‘We’ve made a gap, see if you can run alongside me’ but he was running so fast I couldn’t hang on. It was an amazing experience.”

Farah added: “I think it’s important to help these runners out and encourage them. Everyone is inspired by someone; I was inspired by someone, so it was nice to be able to run alongside them and talk to them, to share a story, share what you have gone through.”

Callum Hawkins returned to compete in his first race since collapsing in the marathon at the Commonwealth Games and battled hard to cross the line in 31:27.

Fellow Scot Twell had a memorable race in the UK capital delivering a great performance to win the women’s event over the more experienced road runner Gemma Steel and defending champion Jo Pavey, who was racing for the first time competitively this year.

Photo: Vitality London 10,000

The Aldershot athlete’s last race over 10km on the road was in 2015, but she looked right at home and came within six seconds of her personal best. Twell’s 32:34 clocking was the third fastest 10km road time of the year by a British runner.

“The atmosphere out on the road was electric and everyone out on the course really got me round,” said Twell. “I took in everything, and coming up to St James’s Park I knew I had to finish strong in front of Buckingham Palace. I made sure I took it all in and just tried to keep my rhythm going.”

Twell finished 24 seconds ahead of Charnwood’s Steel, who looked back to herself with a good 33:00 performance, after a disappointing 33:29 last week in Manchester.

Former European 10,000m gold medalist Pavey completed the podium and British Championships medals in 33:12, while recent London marathoners Tracy Barlow and Lily Partridge finished fourth and fifth in 33:21 and 33:27 respectively.

Meanwhile, by 12:00 noon, more than 14,000 finishers had crossed the line, breaking the record for the total number of finishers for the event which stood at 12,400 from last year.

Top 10 men

1) Mo Farah, 29:44
2) Richard Allen, 29:48
3) Matt Sharp, 29:50
4) Mohamud Aadan, 29:58
5) Jonny Mellor, 30:04
6) Abdishakur Abdulle, 30:09
7) Ellis Cross, 30:13
8) Jack Gray, 30:17
9) Josh Griffiths, 30:20
10) Joshua Grace, 30:24

Top 10 women

1) Steph Twell, 32:34
2) Gemma Steel, 33:00
3) Jo Pavey, 33:12
4) Tracy Barlow, 33:21
5) Lily Partridge, 33:27
6) Rebecca Murray, 33:51
7) Sonia Samuels, 34:03
8) Hayley Carruthers, 34:05
9) Charlie Christiansen, 34:13
10) Georgina Schwiening, 34:21

The post Mo Farah and Steph Twell win Vitality London 10,000 appeared first on Fast Running.

Nick Goolab clinched the men’s title at the Ipswitch 5k on Saturday evening (May 12) finishing just one-second ahead of England’s 5k champion as Faye Fullerton enjoyed a superb victory over Gemma Steel to bag the women’s honours.

Belgrave Harriers’ middle-distance athlete Goolab, who was racing in his first 5k on the road since 2012, clocked a lightning quick personal best 13:50 as he led home four men under 14 minutes on the new faster course that “removes many of the turns and elevation that runners experienced on the previous route”.

The two-time Westminster Mile winner’s superb time also betters Chris Thompson’s previous race record of 14:05.

Aldershot’s Richard Allen, who was crowned England’s 5k champion a fortnight ago, was denied a second straight win over the distance but still clocked a fantastic PB of 13:51 slicing 16 seconds off his recent best.

English national cross country champion Adam Hickey completed the podium with a PB of 13:54, while Aldershot’s Adam Clarke completed the sub 14-minute men with, of course, another PB in a time of 13:57.

Shaftesbury Barnet’s Kieran Clements just missed out on the mark running a 14:00 PB to complete the top five men.

In the women’s race, Fullerton, who impressed in Valencia this year at the World Half Marathon Championships with a 73:56 PB, showed the speed is still there over the shorter distances clocking a 17 second PB as she powered to the women’s title in 16:01.

The Havering AC athlete finished six seconds ahead of pre-race favourite Gemma Steel, who clocked 16:07 and settles for the runner-up spot for a second straight year in Ipswich.

Welsh runner Jade Williams of Amman Valley Harriers was on the heels of the 2014 European cross country champion and clocked a big PB of 16:08 to complete the women’s podium.

Cambridge & Coleridge’s Charlotte Christensen and Shaftesbury Barnet’s Naomi Taschimowitz completed the top five with PBs of 16:11 and 16:24 respectively.

In total, four men went under 14 minutes, 12 under 15 minutes, and 11 women dipped under the 17 minute mark. The results can be found here.

The post Nick Goolab and Faye Fullerton win Ipswich 5k appeared first on Fast Running.