The 96th San Silvestra Vallecana took place in Madrid and would normally be a mass, celebratory NYE race. This year of course it was just the elites battling it out over 4 laps of a 2.5k circuit.

Neither of last year’s winners were back to defend their titles (Helen Bekele Tola of Ethiopia in 30:50 and Bashir Abdi of Belgium in 27:47) so that left the course clear for a battle between Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich (second last year) and 21 year old Ethiopian Yulemzerf Yehualaw Densa, who is second fastest all-time over the half marathon distance.

Windy and cold conditions made for slower times than usual, especially as the course is normally downhill enough to be deemed non-legal for records. Within the first kilometer Chepngetich and Densa had pulled away and after a brief tussle from Swedish half-marathon record holder Sarah Lahti, they pulled ahead again for the final two laps.

Densa put the hammer down around halfway through and the Kenyan just didn’t have anything to respond with, leaving Ethiopia to take the win again in 31:17 and Chepngetich runner up for Kenya for the second year in a row, in 31:50. France’s Alessia Zarbo rounded out the podium taking bronze in 33:50.

Photo: Getty Images for IAAF

Chelimo talking a big game in the build-up

There was some pre-race game-talk from Paul Chelimo who said that he would attempt to break the American 10k road record of 27:48, currently shared by Bernard Lagat and Mark Nenow. Chelimo’s track 10k PB is 27:43 but with only two races completed this year back in February and those only 3,000m it was always going to be interesting to see whether the fitness he had been building could stand up to racing.

Alas, it was not to be – Daniel Simiu Ebenyo of Kenya won the race just inside the US record time Chelimo was chasing – breaking the tape in 27:41 to take the victory for Kenya. Italian marathon record-holder Eyob Faniel was second in 28:08 and Chelimo went away with third place in 28:14.

Still a strong performance and maybe we’ll see the track start have another attempt at the record in the future.

Falls and mishaps in Barcelona

In Barcelona at the Cursa dels Nassos there was talk of 5k and 10k world records being challenged thanks to the presence of Genze Dibaba and Hellen Obiri.

As with the NYE fireworks around the world, there wasn’t quite the expected show this year but there were still some strong times. 1500m world record holder Dibaba (ETH) won her 5k race in 15:00 flat followed by her little sister Anna in 16:02 and Esther Guerror Puigvall of Spain who was third in 16:03.

Jenny Spink racing over longer distances, but presumably only once that day. Photo: Valencia Half Marathon

Bristol & West’s Jenny Spink (who lives in Spain) did an epic double, making the most of the limited chances to race, and turned around a 16:59 for tenth place in the 5k before switching numbers and hot-footing it to the start of the 10k where she placed 9th in 35:32

In the assault on the 10k WR, Obiri suffered some ill-fate as her pacemaker dropped out early and she fell heavily on a bend (see insta-video below). With Jepkosgei’s 29:43 record no longer in sight, Obiri was not deterred and doubled down her efforts to come home in 30:53- a convincing victory over Spain’s Majida Maayouf (33:19) and Marta Galimany Guasch (33:52).

 

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French party in the men’s 5 & 10k

In the men’s 5k race the win went to France’s Jimmy Gressier who raced home in 13:39. He was chased all the way to the line by Uruguayan Santiago Catrofeclose who finished just a second behind. France also nabbed the third place thanks to a 13:45 from Yann Schurb.

The French had a great day of it in the men’s races as Morhad Amdouni ran a storming 10k race to go second on the European all-time list with his 27:42. Spain’s Carlos Mayo was runner up in 28:06 and then it was back to the French contingent for third place as Gressier also gave his legs a battering by doing the double, and was rewarded with a third place finish in the 10k race (28:13).

Under-23 men’s champion Jimmy Gressier leading the field over the cross country back in Tilburg 2018.

Not just racing in Spain

Not content with letting the Spanish have all the fun, Bolzano Italy hosted the BoClassic. Again, this was an elite only race this year and run on a looped course rather than the normal one.

In the women’s 10k race it was Kenya who won out big time thanks to Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi’s 10k debut of 30:42 and her compatriot runner’s up Dorcas Jepchirchir Tuitoek (30:43) and Norah Jeruto Tanui (30:45).

The men competed over 5k and were reportedly looking to beat a certain Jimmy Gressier’s European record (see above) of 13:18. It was a tight race but again, it was not to be. Ugandan Oscar Chelimo won in 13:17 and Robin Hendrix of Belgium fell just short of his continental challenge, taking silver in 13:19. Abdelaati Iguider of Morocco was third in 13:20.

Mageean racing indoors in a previous year. Photo: Kieran Carlin

Fast 3000m racing in Manchester

Winner Ciara Mageean (8:54) and second place Jip Vastenberg (8:55) both broke nine minutes, with Aimee Pratt just a few seconds over in 9:03 with a close race. The win caps a strong year for Ireland’s Mageean with personal bests over 800m and 1000m national records outdoors and a 1500m national record indoors.

Elizabeth Bird and Jenny Nesbit also featured, both finishing with 9:17.

The mens race saw both Mark Pearce (7:52) and Jack Rowe (7:54) break eight minutes, with Emile Cairess in third with 8:02 after winning last weekend at the Podium 5k outside. Ross Millington, Zak Seddon and Thomas Keen completed the small, but elite field.

The inaugural James Thie New Year’s Marathon

The final word goes to James Thie (head of Team Thie) who would normally be calling the classic Nos Galen Races at this time of year.

Instead he did what I suspect a lot of us felt like doing yesterday, albeit with greater speed and over a greater distance – he went and thrashed out all his frustrations of 2020 with a good old run….. a 2:56:20 solo marathon run with 1,300ft of elevation.

And that’s a wrap

So, there’s 2020 for you. Who knows what the new year will bring. There have already been some interesting flurry’s on social media as Camille Herron and Charlotte Purdue have both left Nike.

Herron, who has set multiple records in Vaporflys and is rarely seen out of a pair, even in training, will be representing Hoka One One from now on. The US star and 24hr World Champion will feature in another 100k record breaking attempt organised by Hoka this January 23rd.

Purdue will join Lily Partridge on the Adidas roster, which will add an interesting extra level of competition to the GB women’s marathon scene.

Any races this weekend will be added to the round-up on Sunday, including the 3000m invitationals in Manchester. 

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The post Success for Obiri despite fall – weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

Whilst Eluid Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele’s assault on the world record was being billed as a battle for the ages, it was potentially leading us away from the greater race.

A World Record holder, Brigid Kosgei, versus a World Champion, Ruth Chepngetich. 2:14:04 against 2:17:08, both times from last year. Both with a point to prove to Kenyan Athletics that they should be on the Tokyo Olympic team and the looped course and fast pacemakers mean it could be electric from the start.

Add in 22 year old Alemu Megertu, who has a 66:43 half marathon and isn’t afraid to go with the front runners.

At the other end of the spectrum you have Edith Chelimo debuting at the marathon at 34, with a 65:58 PB, and Vivian Cheruiyot, 37 years old and with a 2:18:31 PB and not someone you can count out.

Only a little bit of training

Kosgei has downplayed the prospects of a world record a little though. “Due to this pandemic, I cannot say I’ll run this way or that way, because coronavirus means we did not do enough training, like last year. So I want to try my best only on Sunday.”

But the Kenyan star has previously said she feels her record could be lowered to around 2:10, so maybe “just 180, 190km a week” at 3000m of altitude will be enough?

Despite disqualification in the Hour race with Siffan Hassan, Kosgei still showed some of the raw speed that makes her so exciting as a marathoner.

Will Sinead Diver lead from the front again? Photo: Ian Walton for Virgin Money London Marathon

Will the laps play a part?

Aside from the front runners there is also a wonderful mix of PB hunting women to watch. We’re hoping a good bunch work together with the high quality pacers, like Aly Dixon and Eilish McColgan (called in last minute to replace an injured Arter), to really put themselves in contention in the second half.

The lapped course and potentially tough weather conditions could also make for interesting racing. The psychological aspect of lapped races means that one has to ignore the faster athletes lapping you, even though it will affect your perception of your own effort levels and pace.

It can work both way though, so if there are struggling athletes you can lap, then it will make your own effort seem that much easier. Perception of effort may be a key element if the wind and rain pick up on Sunday.

The sub 2:30 race

With Steph Twell starting 2020 with a half marathon PB in Houston, Texas, there was high hopes the year would bring an improvement to her already excellent mark of 2:26:40 set in Frankfurt last year. With a third place 33:38 in a 10k in Switzerland just last weekend, we might see a tactical race from the Brit with the fastest PB in the event.

“It’s my first female-only race, and a British championships too, which is really important to me. This is an opportunity for me to grow again. The time will count too.” was what Twell said at the press conference, which might be an insight into race tactics.

Lily Partridge, Tracy Barlow, Natasha Cockram, Tish Jones, Helen Davies and Naomi Mitchell will all be looking for new personal bests and pushing for that Olympic qualifying time of 2:29:30.

Which shoes will be best for race day? Ben Connor is clearly winning the cool 80’s jacket war. Photo: Dan Vernon for London Marathon Events

There are other men in the race too

Even though Bekele has withdrawn it doesn’t mean it’s just a jog in the park for Kipchoge to win. 2:02:55 man Mosinet Geremew is still looking for his first major marathon win and the 28 year old won’t be afraid of going with the early pace.

That still leaves another five, yes FIVE, men who has PBed under 2:05. Seven runners in total have the pace to run a marathon in 125 minutes.

Marius Kipserum is the only other Kenyan, with the four other athletes all heralding from Ethiopia. Maybe they feel the need to pick up the baton for their fallen compatriot Bekele and we will see something special? Shura Kitata brings a sub 60 min half PB from January 2020, but who knows how the COVID summer training has gone for any of these stars?

Sisay Lemma is one of the only front runners to have notched a podium marathon finish in 2020, with a third placed 2:04:51 at Tokyo Marathon earlier in the year. Will that experience help or hinder the 29 year old?

Frank Futselaar (NED) (skinny blue jeans), Ross Millington (Snazzy jacket), Charlie Hulson (favourite colour blue?), and Jonny Mellor (far right) prepare for some shared miles on Sunday.  Photo: Dan Vernon for London Marathon Events

All aboard the 2:10 train

For the men’s race it looks like there could be a decent amount gunning for the 2:10 mark, with British stars like Chris Thompson, Jonny Mellor and Ben Connor all featuring.

“I’ve always thought I was capable of running two zero-something,” said the NB Manchester athlete before the event. “If I can come away with another qualifying time, that’s goal number one. But if I can get under 2:10 then I’d be delighted.”

In a group paced by Sir Mo Farah, Matt Clowes and Jake Smith, could we see some more British or Irish runners make a big leap in 2020.

One to watch for us, after an excellent performance just behind Sir Mo at the Larne Coastal Half, is Stephen Scullion. The prodigious talent never ceases to amaze with his performances and we certainly wouldn’t bet against something special from the Northern Irishman this weekend.

Exciting debutants to the distance include Fast10’s Jack Gray, who is known for aggressive front running at the shorter distances. With such an opportunity to be within a big group, paced by experienced marathoners, don’t be surprised to see Gray, and others, rolling the dice for the big times.

Another Fast10 athlete, Ollie Lockley, is a man who has flown under the radar a little in the pre race coverage but his half marathon PB is one many of the other men on the start line would love to have achieved and we know he will get amongst it.

For a detailed preview of the course before the Sunday action, check out Dan Biagi’s analysis.

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Ethiopia’s Getaneh Molla and Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich broke the course records to win the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday (January 25).

Molla ran the fastest ever debut marathon in history to win the men’s race in a lightning quick time of 2:03:34.

The 25 year-old finished six seconds ahead of compatriot Herpassa Negasa (2:03:40) to ensure the men’s course record was broken in Dubai for a third straight year.

Molla and Negasa are now the sixth and eighth fastest marathoners in history.

As well as a 12:59.58 clocking over 5000m, Molla has previously run strongly over 13.1 miles including 60:34 in Lille and 60:47 at the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia last year.

Nagasa himself took more than five minutes off his PB to claim the second podium spot, while fellow Ethiopian Asefa Mengstu completed the top three in 2:04:24.

Mengstu was 18 seconds off his 2:04:06 PB from last year’s race where six men memorably finished between 2:04 and 2:04:15.

Guye Adola previously held the honour of the quickest debut after running 2:03:46 at the 2017 Berlin Marathon, while Moses Mosop has also run 2:03:06 on Boston’s point-to-point course, however, the nature of the course is not officially recognised.

The United Arab Emirates city is renowned for fast marathon performances and the top two finishers in the women’s race jump to third and fourth in the world after 2:17:07 and 2:17:41 runs.

Photo: Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

Chepngetich broke the women’s course record after crossing the finish line 34 seconds ahead of Worknesh Degefa.

The 24 year-old’s winning performance was a four minute PB and comes less than three months after running 2:18:35 to take the victory at the Istanbul Marathon.

Degefa’s 2:17:41 clocking for second is a new Ethiopian record, while compatriot Workenesh Edesa finished third in 2:21:05.

Chepngetich and Degefa have now surpassed Tirunesh Dibaba on the women’s all-time rankings, with only Paula Radcliffe and Mary Keitany running faster marathons.

Men’s top results

1) Getaneh Molla (ETH) 2:03:34
2) Herpassa Negasa (ETH) 2:03:40
3) Asefa Mengstu (ETH) 2:04:24
4) Emmanuel Saina (KEN) 2:05:02
5) Shifera Tamru (ETH) 2:05:18
6) Kelkile Gezahegn (ETH) 2:06:09
7) Adugna Takele (ETH) 2:06:32
8) Birhanu Teshome (ETH) 2:08:20

Women’s top results

1) Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:17:08
2) Worknesh Degefa (ETH) 2:17:41
3) Workenesh Edesa (ETH) 2:21:05
4) Waganesh Mekasha (ETH) 2:22:45
5) Sintayehu Lewetegn (ETH) 2:25:59
6) Rahma Tusa (ETH) 2:26:38
7) Muluhabt Tsega (ETH) 2:27:36
8) Sule Utura (ETH) 2:32:52

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The post Getaneh Molla runs fastest ever marathon debut in Dubai appeared first on Fast Running.