The Armagh 5k regular from the North West of England last featured when making a break through back in 2019 when he surprised himself with a 13:54 at the super fast Northern Ireland event.

“I just didn’t think I had the natural talent to run that fast,” was his first reaction, but the hard working athlete has since gone on to prove he certainly does have the right mix of natural talent and dedication to post quick times.

After successfully stepping up to half marathon distance over the last couple of years, Martin is currently preparing for his marathon debut at the Olympic Marathon Trail in Kew Gardens in March.

Photo: Keith McClure

Profile

Name: Nigel Martin
Age: 33
Hometown: Lymm
Club: Sale Harriers
Main discipline: Currently the Marathon, though I haven’t done one yet!
Other disciplines: 5k/10k/Half Marathon/XC
Work: Full-time Mechanical Engineer
Goals or targets for 2021: Sub 2:15 Marathon (British Olympic Trials), Sub 29 10k, Sub 64 HM.

Past Running highlights:
Armagh 5k (every year)
11th at the National XC
Sub 14 at the Track 5000 Challenge (because it was on the track in regular spikes!)
64:10 at the Great North Run, finishing 3rd Brit
Northern XC Team Gold 2017,2018,2019,2020
Northern 12-stage Gold 2017 on a sunny day in Blackpool
Running holidays in Portugal and one in the Atlas Mountains

Normal view for Fast Running editor Robbie when training with Nigel, disappearing into the distance.

Interesting or fun facts

I’ve never dropped out of a race, though I came extremely close in the incredibly muddy Northern XC at Knowsley Safari Park in 2017, when my shoe came off twice within the first 5 minutes. I lost two full minutes sorting it out, but carried on and despite being sure I wasn’t in the scoring six as Sale had a strong contingent, I was told with 400m to go I was the sixth counter. I gained about five places from there to the finish and we won team gold by just two points!

I’ve been injury free for 5 years, but despite doing 80-90mpw fairly often I’ve always averaged less than 70mpw in a year. I also train much slower than I race. Two weeks before the Great North Run, I ran a 15k tempo over 30s/mile slower than I then raced at and not for lack of trying.

I run because…

I love it! I love racing and enjoy training and I’ve been lucky to see consistent and sometimes rapid progress.

Favourites

Favourite training session: Tempo in winter, 5x2k (off 60s) in summer
Least favourite training session: Any virtual race
Favourite pre-race food: Banana and coffee
Favourite post-race food: Chocolate and coffee
Favourite running shoes: Altra for Easy runs. Next% for racing.
Brands or organisations that support me: None.

The post Fast10: Nigel Martin appeared first on Fast Running.

Where to begin? What a week! On the roads and the track indoor and outdoor our athletes have really been putting their winter training to the test and reaping the rewards.

Mageean stars at the AIT International Grand Prix

Getting us off to a flying start was Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn AC/ Team New Balance) who broke her own Northern Irish Senior record, ran a PB and a Stadium Record at the AIT International Grand Prix in the Women’s 3000m on Wednesday night.

After battling with GB’s Rosie Clarke from the start the Northern Irish Olympic hopeful won out and Clarke had to settle for second in 8:49.49. Third place also went to team GB – Beth Kidger finished in 9:18.53 and Eloise Walker set a GB U20 record to finish fourth in 9:21.30. Read more here.

The Men’s Mile was similarly competitive. Ethiopia’s Samuel Tefera ran a PB of 3:55.86 for the win, followed by Ireland’s Brian Fay who bettered his previous indoor record to take silver in 4:00.77 ahead of Brazil’s Thiago Andre (4:01.55). Also heading home with a PB was Adam Craig who placed sixth in 4:03.34

Møller and Clarke win in Armagh

It was a night to remember at the Armagh International Road Races. Not just for the scrappy beginning of the men’s race that saw several tripped, stumbling or even falling in the crush to get a fast start.

Near perfect conditions led to 50 women running under 10 minutes in the Intersport Women’s 3k. 135 men ducked under 15 minutes (113 last year) in the 5k, with 21 going sub 14. In that depth of field it is not surprising that it took a new course record to secure the win for Anna Emilie Møller in 8:58 with Adam Clarke clocking 13:42 in an exciting finish.

Blazing after Møller in the women’s 3k was Alex Bell, who would normally race over 800m but appears to have plenty to offer over longer distances. According to her twitter she rather enjoyed the chance to stretch out her run and was rewarded with the silver in 9:06. Amy Griffiths was just behind Bell to take third in 9:09 and Kate Avery was fourth in 9:10.

Tight race for men’s podium

For the gents, it was Johnny Davis and Phil Sesemann who were both just two seconds behind Alex Clarke in the 5k to take second and third with the same time of 13:44. As suggested by the crazy start, the race was a battle for every place, and the next two positions were also neck and neck at 13:46 for Phil Norman and Jake Shelley.

In the team competition England was victorious in both the men’s and women’s competition. An astonishing average of 13:50 won it for the guys, led by team captain, Phil Sesseman (3rd, 13:45), Jake Shelley (4th, 13:46) and Graham Rush (12th, 13:55). The ladies scorers were Charlotte Dannatt (7th, 9:21), Laura Brenton (16th, 9:32), Rebecca Johnson (19th, 9:34) and Kirsty Longley (31st/1st W40, 9:44).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

When you realise that the race record is within reach, and the finish line smile changes slightly Had good fun racing my first 3k on the road last night! Didn’t really focus on the time – just on the . Enjoyed the great atmosphere in Armagh, a nice little town in Northern Ireland. Definitely worth coming back for Ciara had left, so this time the race was NOT cancelled. Last weekend I wasted a trip to Holland, where I was meant to run a 10k, which Ciara cancelled.. So I was pleased to finally get to do a road race again | : Keith McClure

A post shared by Anna Emilie Møller (@anna_moeller97) on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:55am PST

Scott, Reekie, Muir and Learmonth impress on the track

In Seattle, Washington the Husky Classic 3000m was part of a weekend of indoor racing and resulted in a 7:46.11, a little indoor PB and second place for Mark Scott of Cambridge & Coleridge who was running for Bowerman Track Club in this setting. James West who was running for Oregon but is a Tonbridge athlete when on home turf ran a sizeable PB to place sixth in 7:47.10 with Jack Rowe 10th in 7:51.00.

It is weekends like this when athletes thank their lucky stars for indoor meets. With races being cancelled left right and centre on Saturday, the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow was a safe haven for runners wanting to burn it up on the track. In the Men’s 800m Adam Kszczot of Poland took the 10 points for top spot in 1:46.34. Scotland’s Guy Learmonth ran a 1:47.16 for third with Josh Kerr and Elliot Giles fourth and fifth but with the same time of 1:47.40 and Alex Botteril seventh in 1:47.77

What a day!!! Thanks so much for all the messages today, love being back to my old self!!
Put so much graft in the last few months to get back here and I couldn’t be happier. My team is the best in the world!
Now the ball is really rolling!! #TeamNB #F8TC pic.twitter.com/PFd1vobyZS

— Guy Learmonth (@GuyLearmonth) February 15, 2020

The Men’s 1500m victory belonged to Bethwell Birgen of Kenya in 3:36.22. First home for GB was Piers Copeland who took fourth place in a new PB of 3:38.81. Following him for GB were Geroge Mills in 3:39.25 for sixth (also a PB) and Archie Davis in seventh 3:44.48. Charlie Da’vall Grice sadly had a fall midway through the and Jamie Webb also did not finish.

Laura Muir proved that although she’s battled injury over the winter she can still command a strong victory in the Women’s 1000m. The Scot said it was a tough race, commenting “I was a little down at 600m and oh that last lap was so sore“, but nevertheless she took home the win in 2:33.47 and will “be back out training in the wind and rain tomorrow” ready for the outdoor season.  Adelle Tracey couldn’t quite reach Muir and had to settle for second in 2:37.95 to make it a GB one-two.

It was Muir’s training partner Jemma Reekie though who grabbed everyone’s attention yet again. After breaking the national 800m, British indoor mile and British indoor 1500m records just weeks ago Reekie just went and churned out a 4:04.07 to grab top spot in the 1500m ahead of Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum (4:04.24). Reekie said ““It was a good race and a good confidence boost. I try to focus on myself out there because I’ll only ever work with the pressure that I put on myself and I don’t feel it off other people.”

Goolab claims British 5km record

On Sunday morning at RunMonaco, the 5k World Record was smashed to smithereens by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei. He went into the race ‘thinking of sub-13’ and he certainly achieved it with his 12:51. That makes him 27 seconds faster than the previous best.

Britain’s Nick Goolab (Belgrave Harriers) ran an absolutely sensational race to finish third in a new British record of 13:27 – three seconds faster that Mo Farah and Rob Denmark’s joint record. France’s Jimmy Gressier was second in 13:18.

Connor and Arter lead home strong British challenge in Barcelona

Meanwhile it may not seem very spring-like here at the moment, but the season for long distance road running IS warming up and athletes were tuning up and testing out at the Barcelona Half Marathon.

Good conditions at the start gave way to a bothersome headwind at 15k. This caused a lot of runners to slow in the latter part of the race but didn’t stop some impressive times. Kenya’s Victor Chumo broke the tape in 59:59 to go sub-1hr for the first time.

Ben Connor placed ninth with a speedy 61:34 – not far off his PB and only two weeks after winning Murcia Half Marathon. Kristian Jones finished 22nd in a 22 second PB of 63:33 ahead of Josh Griffiths (29th in 63:34, PB) Frank Baddick (38th in 63:54, PB), Scott Overall (42nd in 64:23), John Travers (48th in 64:42), Eoghan Totten (52nd in 64:58), Eric Keogh (55th in 65:11), Conor Bradley (60th in 65:35) and Thoman Hayes (63rd in 65:58). There were many other fine performances under 70 minutes so be sure to check out the full results list.

Went for it today. 28.37 through 10k and a few seconds outside 46mins through 10 miles, then blew up a little. still happy to hold on for a 61.33, my second fastest time over the distance. In a good place with 10 weeks to go #Londonmarathon #ne… https://t.co/WwVbovOTwg pic.twitter.com/2pZSjWbiZw

— BEN CONNOR (@bdconnor) February 16, 2020

Arter 6th as Brits pack top 40

Charlotte Arter has a good history with the race, having run a Welsh record there last year to finish fifth in 69:40. This year she was chasing the likes of Ethiopia’s Ashete Bekere who won in 66:37. She couldn’t quite beat her 2019 showing but came close, placing sixth in 70:00 right behind Valencia Marathon winner Rosa Dereje. Ireland’s Fionnuala McCormack finished just outside the top 10 in 71:39 and Samantha Harrison ran a huge PB to scrub out her 73:01 on Power of 10 and replace it with a 71:43 and 13th place.

Other top performances came from Ann-Marie Mclynn (16th in 72:12), Tracy Barlow – who went out in gutsy style and hung on in that headwind to run a PB of 72:12 (17th), Clara Evans (19th in 72:29, PB), Jenny Spink (30th in 74:09), Danni Nimmock (32nd in 74:47), Fionnuala Ross (34th in 74:54), Lucy Niemz (58th in 78:47), Rosemary Jennings Maun (59th in 78:36), Catherin Whoriskey (65th in 79:55) and Georgina Weston (67th in 79:55).

UK road racing roundup

A rather different half marathon experience awaited those taking part in the Kinloss to Lossiemouth Half. The point to point course had forecast a tailwind gusting into the 30s. We’re awaiting official results but a bit of Strava stalking suggests that Kenny Wilson was blown to a PB of 64:55 and Robbie Simpson ran 65:00.

In Chessington the Valentine’s 10k saw some good results. Daniel Cheeseman (City of York) raced home in 31:42. Ollie Garrod of South London Harriers (33:00) was 2nd and Ben Chown (33:20) 3rd. Isabel Brinsden of Epsom and Ewell Harriers brought home the win for the women in 36:06 with Suzannah Month (36:57) and Lisa Rooney (39:29) shortly after her.

RunThrough Battersea Park 5K / 10K beat at least the worst of the storm on Saturday morning in London. Lucy Reid was a little way outside her PB with 35:29 but claimed the win. Steph McCall of Herne Hill Harriers followed her with 35:42 and Lou Hunter rounded out the podium with a 35:53.

For the men, Matthew Dickinson of Clapham Chasers raced over the line in 31:33 ahead of Nick Bester (Herne Hill Harriers) in 31:52 and Ewan Cameron in 32:23. A mysterious man-with-no-name topped the 5k race in 16:59. Nacho Garcia (17:44) and John Ross (19:10) took the other two awards. Hannah Pullen of Waverly Harriers won the women’s 5k in 17:57, followed by London Heathside’s Amy Cook in 19:18 and Marta Acosta in 19:30.

Soggy conditions didn’t deter runners at Devon’s Tavy 5k. Local boy Lewis Mill of the Tavistock Run Project was champion of the day in 19:04 in a comfortable lead over Lee Herbert (19:20) and first lady, third overall Jodi FIsk (19:25).

The Harrow Hill 10k does what it says on the tin. Harrow AC’s Lucy Ashe took 4th overall and won the women’s race in 39:34 just two weeks after her PB at Watford Half Marathon. Sarah Gerrie came second in 42:36 and Joanne Kent was next home over the hill in 43:23. For the men, Thomas Grimes (East London Runners) took top spot in 37:26 ahead of Adam Horne (38:37) and Werner Kranenburg (38:51).

Jo Meek hit the trails in Arizona and took fifth place at the Black Canyon 100k in 9:49. In Costa Rica the Coastal Challenge, a multi stage race over 6 days with 10, 000m+ of elevation over 236k through rainforest, mountains, river valleys and beaches sounds like a beast of a race. It was enough to stop Oxford City’s Rebecca Ferry who finished the whole lot in 17:57:12. Susie Chan finished third with an overall time of 21:14:31.

I tried my hardest but it wasn’t good enough. 5th in #blackcanyon100k

My goal for a @wser golden . I had time on the trail (the later half of 9hrs 49mins!) to come to terms with it.
Blog to follow

@aravaiparunning for hosting such a great race

Run Run pic.twitter.com/5PauYwIZSb

— RunningSquirrel • Ultra runner (@jo_meek) February 16, 2020

Most Cross Country races seem to have been cancelled or are awaiting results. Club runners could still have their fix against each other in the North East Road Relays. Gateshead Harriers were victors in the women’s race in a combined time of 52:33 thanks to their team of Chloe Wellings, Gillian Manford Jane Giles and Innes Curran. For the men it was Kieran Hedley, Taylor Glover, Dan Melling, Rowan Bennett, Sam Hancox and Adam Pratt who grabbed the premier honours for Morpeth Harriers.

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The post Top racing in Armagh, Barcelona and Monaco – weekend roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

Funnily enough we’ve got news items about races from 5k to 100 miles, opinion pieces about which of those races are easier and a focus on the potentially destructive nature of endurance running, especially within female endurance athletes.

As a group we’re clearly passionate about endurance running in general and the health of those taking part. We, the Fast Running audience and the small team putting the website together, want to protect our sport and help it to grow stronger.

So what were the most popular articles from 2019?

What’s tougher, 5k or an ultra? 

Seeing as the person writing this also features in the list of popular authors for the site you can see the motivation behind such an article. But the people have spoken and they enjoyed discussing whether running a short distance quickly or a long distance much slower was more difficult.

Following on the back of racing the Armagh 5k, I wrote about the different types of physiological and psychological pain involved in the different disciplines. What is harder? Well read the article to find out.

Photo: Keith McClure

Armagh 5k winners

It’s one of our favourite events of the year, the super quick and competitive Armagh 5k and 3k road races. This year was one of the quickest ever and Topi Raitanen led a host of men under 14 minutes. In the women’s race it was a win for popular Socttish athlete Steph Twell, who had only a couple months before ran 2:30 at Valencia marathon so showed a huge range of performance.

This year’s race could be faster still with many again returning to the streets of Northern Ireland to chase PBs and be part of the world’s fastest queue.

World 100 mile record

Showing the scope of distances that interest out readers was the popularity of Zach Bitter’s 100 mile world record in the summer. The 11:19:18 run inside “The Dome” in the US brought a chunk off of the old record and Bitter was without competition.

If you want to see the American distance runner try to get even quicker, with the competition of World 24hr champ Aleksandr Sorokin, then get down to the Centurion Track 100 this April. Fireworks are promised at the invitational track event that will also see many of Britain’s best ultra distance athletes compete to run fast 100 mile times.

Photo: Robbie Britton

Seeking help after ignoring the signs

When Sale Harriers Katherine Wood spoke about her battle with an eating disorder our readers listened. It was one of our most popular articles of the year and we think a large part of that was the honesty with which Katherine spoke and the importance we see in listening to such stories.

An aspect worth highlighting was the waiting lists for people in a similar situation and just how it seems there isn’t the importance necessary placed on athletes with eating disorders within our health system.

“One thing that has really shocked me is the availability (or lack thereof) of services in the NHS. After waiting three months for my NHS Eating Disorders Unit initial assessment, I was told that this appointment was to decide which waiting list to put me on to receive the appropriate treatment.”

If you’d like to read more then sit back and enjoy Katherine’s honesty about her experience. It’s an eye-opening read.

When dedication becomes destructive

When Fast10 athlete Hannah Irwin wrote about her own similar experience, coupled with a start contrast in the pictures in the article, once again people listened. In recent years we have been seeing more and more people speak about the struggles they face and it is important to learn from those who have been there.

Hannah was one of our most popular writers of the year, also taking on the FR weekly round-ups with marathoner Gill Bland and continuing to be part of the Fast 10 each month. We’ve delighted that Hannah is going to continue to be part of the team and this is a great example of someone within our sport with a talent for running and writing beautifully at the same time.

Distance running fans in the cold

We have be fortunate to have a host of top writers feature on Fast Running and Adharanand Finn is one of the best writing about endurance running. On the back of his successful book “Running with the Kenyans”, Finn went on to write about the Japanese running scene and then stepped into ultra running.

This piece about the IAAF revamp affecting distance events shows his understanding of the current athletics climate and really why our readers care about. We want to protect our sport and it seems endurance running faces a battle against shortening attention spans of the general public.

Nike hypocrite

Then to finish the year my own writing features again with a topic that is probably the biggest talking point in our sport at the moment. The Nike Vaporfly shoes. As an outspoken critic of Nike’s behaviours with regards to doping, female athletes and beyond, it felt like I had to be honest about capitulating and wearing their performance enhancing shoes.

Personally, as an editor for Fast Running, but also as a fan of the sport and reader on many other endurance websites, I wanted to put something honest out there as it seems a lot of people were underplaying the impact the footwear has (whilst simultaneously winning races and setting PBs in said shoes).

Love them or loathe them, the shoes seem to be here to stay. Maybe the Alpha Fly will be a step too far and the IAAF will step in with a ban, but unlike swimming or cycling where technology that jumped too far were banned, the difference in our sport is the mass participation.

The trickle down to non-elite runners happened before any action was taken, so now to make a ban you would have to take away tens of thousands of PBs (probably more) form not just elites, but everyone else too.

Going forward into 2020

Here’s to another year of writing about Fast Running in UK and Ireland. We’re a small team, with Tom Craggs and I doing all the editing, with a couple of additional writers, such as Lindie Naughton, Blaithin Sheil, Gill Bland and Hannah Irwin helping out, but it really is a labour of love for all of us.

The current online climate leads to click bait articles providing the bigger hits and quantity being more important than quantity. We want to keep producing quality work, rather than chasing hits by producing rubbish “7 of the best” articles to make you click on the website… which I’ve just done.

Soon we announce the Fast10 of 2020 and wow, we’ve got a fantastic bunch. Watch this space.

Robbie is sponsored by Odlo, Profeet Sports Lab and Precision Hydration. If you want to follow his training you can also see it here on Strava or the highs and lows of Twitter and Instagram.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Seven of the best in 2019 appeared first on Fast Running.

There were over 250 personal best runs across the two main races at the 2019 edition of the Armagh International Road Races. It certainly lived up to the expectations, but not everyone was happy.

Records were broken across the board and an astonishing 113 men broke 15 minutes for 5k and 49 women broke 10 minutes for 3k. Led home by Scotland’s Steph Twell and Finn Topi Raitanen, it was a great sight for British and Irish endurance running.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of the runners dipping under 15 minutes, which was the arbitrary barrier I had set myself as a target.

In my mind, it was the ultra running equivalent of a four-minute mile, the bottom end of race distance that I wanted to have a proper crack at after the marathon last year.

When I crossed the finish line I had ran a personal best for not only 5km but also 3km, but I felt disappointed. 15.25, but starting the race from dead last meant the official time was 15:27. Normally I wouldn’t even mention the faster unofficial time but I’m grasping here. Making it sound better to myself. 

So do you have to be happy with a personal best?

The short answer is yes. If you have the right mindset, a growth mindset, then any improvement needs to be celebrated. Well, maybe not celebrated, but appreciated for the progress it shows.

In a sport and age that can be all about the numbers, it can be easy to find disappointment in any performance. But the numbers aren’t always what counts.

For a healthy and sustained relationship with the sport, it can be really beneficial to have a growth mindset – as proposed by academic Carol Dweck – and focus on improving, growing as a person and an athlete, not just the outcome.

The phrase “process not outcome” is becoming increasingly common and was the focus on Stephen Scullion’s recent Fast 10: class of 2019 blog. It was one of the reasons that the Irish international feels he has reached new heights in recent years.

Rather than being entirely taken over by a bad performance or training session, Scullion has learnt to embrace the high and lows of the journey. If you’re moving in the right direction, that is what matters.

Reflecting back

When you think back on a race, a personal best you’re not happy with or any performance, it’s okay to be disappointed. There may always be areas to improve on, but getting down about it doesn’t help anyone. Constrictive reflection is key.

Personally, I ask myself questions such as “Did you try your hardest?”, “How was your pacing?” “Did you give up at any point?” and “What would you do differently next time”.

If you tried your best on the day and just did’t hit that number you wanted, then maybe you’re just not there yet. I’m not in sub 15 minute 5k shape, so I just need to accept that and move on.

Photo: Keith McClure

At Armagh, I did hit a new max HR (always a joy), didn’t start too fast and struggled a little bit in the fourth kilometre. I’m happy I did my best on the day. 

The expectation I placed on myself wasn’t helpful but we all do it. I should have gone to Armagh with the aim of just running as best I could on the day.

It would have made for a happier day and a faster run may have been possible. Watching the clock tick past nine minutes before I had run three kilometres wouldn’t have mattered as much, but that’s easier said than done.

So what next?

Take what happened on race day and use it to make you stronger. Even just the experience of a hard 5k race for someone inexperienced over the distance will make you stronger. Focus on what worked, but also talk to your coach or peers about what you could do differently. A second or third opinion can work wonders.

Getting disappointed with a PB isn’t worthwhile. It’s unproductive. You might use the disappointment to drive you in training for the next time, but it’s very much a stick rather than a carrot motivation. It’s extrinsic motivation linked to an outside factor, rather than intrinsic motivation, the more valuable and long lasting.

Berating yourself to try harder might work for some, but working hard to feel the enjoyment of a PB will provide more longevity in your work ethic.

It sounds a simple difference but it all stems from how we feel about our last performance. Being disappointed with a PB can lead you into a negative mindset.

Look around for inspiration

The greatest thing I took from Armagh from inspiration from others. The power of the group, helping everyone achieve their best and strive forward together.

Friends ran huge PBs and were clearly really happy with the race. It helped me refocus my mind on the positives and have faith in the journey ahead. Most notably were friends Paul Navesey and Nigel Martin.

Having trained with Paul for years and known Nigel since a trip to Portugal two years ago, they are relatable people to me, unlike superstars in the telly or the people unknown to you at the front.

Yet both have seen the fruits of years of hard work and determination. Paul broke 30 minutes at Chichester 10k recently and then ran 14:07 in Armagh to finish 15th. If you consider that Paul is also a former British 100km champion, that’s some range.

Then you have Nigel, or ‘Big Nige’ as no one calls him. The quote from him after the race that sticks with me was: “I didn’t think I had the natural talent to run that fast.” The Sale Harrier posted 13:53 to finish ninth.

When first told the time after the race I felt almost as happy as I might have done breaking 15 myself. The power of running in a strong race, training consistently and dedicating to one’s sport was shown in both men’s performances.

Next year?

With everything I have taken from the race, the value of coming to Armagh is there for me to see. Firstly I’m happy with a personal best, it’s moving in the right direction.

Secondly, I believe I can go faster, much faster. Not from some strange belief that I’m naturally talented or I just didn’t try hard enough, but from seeing friends run brilliant times it shows me just how it can be done.

Now I just have to decide if I want to feel the pain of a 5k again. Do I want to chase another personal best and get closer to that 15 minute barrier in the future?

RELATED: 2019 Armagh International Road Races report

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The post Should you always be happy to run a PB? appeared first on Fast Running.

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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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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Online entries for the renowned Armagh International Road Races in Northern Ireland on Thursday, February 14, closes today (January 18).

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

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

Racing for the first time in Armagh and his first 5k on the road, Sam Stabler won the men’s race in a lightning fast 13:59, while women’s course record holder Laura Weightman clocked 9:00 to finish within one second of her 8:59 best from 2017.

Photo: Keith McClure

RELATED: Sam Stabler and Laura Weightman win in Armagh

The night of racing also includes an open men’s 3k and juvenile races.

The 2019 lapped race around the Mall in the city is shaping up once again to produce some the fastest times around. Could 100 men break 15 minutes for 5k this year?

Further information about race entry can be found here, while Fast Running’s coverage of the action in Armagh can be found here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

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Racing for the first time in Armagh and his first 5k on the road, Stabler proved to be the unknown quantity among a host of familiar faces and clinched the win in a lightning fast 13:59, while course record holder Laura Weightman clocked 9:00 to finish within one second of her 8:59 best last year.

Once again race organisers amassed fields of incredible depth and despite the chilly temperatures 93 men dipped under the 15-minute mark for 5km and 34 women under 10-minutes for 3km.

The lapped race around the Mall in Armagh, that measures just over 1km, saw a tightly packed group of about 20 men at 3km with Charlie Hulson taking over from Dewi Griffiths who lead the first two laps. As the race progressed and the bell went for the final lap any one of 10 had the potential to take the 2018 crown with America Jordan Mann leading.

As they came down the home stretch Hulson made a move to pull away, but Leeds Abbey Dash winner Stabler held on and kicked at the vital time to take control.

From that point, the race belonged to Stabler and despite the best efforts of chasing 2016 winner Hulson and Mann, the jubilant Stabler held on to win the 28th edition of the Armagh race just dipping under the 14:00 mark.

“I went out so conservatively because the shapes not quite there yet, I think I was 30th or 40th after the first lap,” Stabler told Fast Running. “I then quietly moved up going into the bell and then I spotted a gap and suddenly found myself shoulder with first.

“That was the move that got me in contention. Coming into the home stretch Charlie Hulson made a big move, but I kept waiting because Dewi [Griffiths] gave me some great advice, ‘don’t kick until the cones’ and I just went.

“I feel so good with the win and how I’ve progressed since my 8:07 indoors last week.”

Hulson took second in a three-second personal best 14:00, with Ocean State’s Mann, who finished eighth last year, taking the third podium step in 14:01.

Elsewhere England’s Graham Rush and Scotland’s Luke Caldwell finished sixth and seventh both in 14:05, while the young Mahamed Mahamed impressed for England to finish 10th in 14:07.

Dewi Griffiths was racing for the time in 2018 after his hamstring injury at the Euro Cross Country Champs in December, ran a strong race and finished 11th in 14:07. Matt Bergin, 10th last year, was the first athlete in the green of Ireland in 14:08 for 12th place.

With Hulson and Griffiths in the top 11, the Wales’ A quartet won the men’s international team title, with England second and Ireland third. While the top ranking club was Swansea Harriers.

Weightman retains Armagh 3k title

Weightman said before the race she hoped “for a good hard fast race” to test herself after five weeks at altitude in South Africa and she certainly got that with Jess Judd pushing her all the way.

But it was the two-time Olympic finalist who just had that extra bit of strength and pipped her challengers to the win in 9:00, just one second off her own course record.

Fellow London 2017 participant Judd gave Weightman a fantastic race and lead for the first two laps, however, two-time Olympic finalist Weightman knows what it takes to win in Armagh and duly delivered with the important kick down the home straight to clinch the win.

“It was hard out there, it was really cold compared to last year, hence all the clothes I am racing in,” a shivering Weightman said after winning her second Armagh title. “I found the cold quite tough on my chest and was breathing quite hard.

“But I managed to dig deep in the last few hundred metres and showed my strength to get past Jess [Judd]. It was a big confidence win after a big January training camp.”

Judd finished second in a big eight-second personal best 9:03, with the ever improving Verity Ockenden finishing third in the vest of England with 9:14.

Elsewhere Team New Balance Manchester’s Lauren Howarth impressed to finish fourth in 9:15, while Amy Griffiths was the next from England’s team with 9:18 for fifth place, and Northern Ireland and Ulster’s Emma Mitchell finished sixth with 9:19.

Scotland’s Steph Pennycook completed the top 10 with a four second PB 9:26, while race organisers Armagh AC’s Fionnuala Ross finished 12th in 9:28.

England won the women’s international team title, with Northern Ireland and Ulster second and Scotland third. The club win went to Leeds City AC.

With 77 men going under sub 15-minute mark and 28 women under 10-minutes last year – this year’s field truly delivered and maintained the upward curve.

A special mention should also go to Class of 2018‘s Dave Norman who continues his comeback with a great 15:25 performance in the Armagh 5k.

The final race of the night, the open men’s 3k saw a new course record set Polish athlete Michal Rozmys in 8:30. Second and third were two young Northern Irish athletes Craig McMeechan in 8:43 and Jack O’Farrell in 8:59.

Top 10 – men’s 5k
1) Sam Stabler: 13:59
2) Charlie Hulson: 14:00
3) Jordan Mann: 14:01
4) Yannick Michiels: 14:02
5) John Sanderson: 14:04
6) Graham Rush: 14:05
7) Luke Caldwell: 14:05
8) Jonny Hopkins: 14:05
9) William Fuller: 14:06
10) Mahamed Mahamed: 14:07

Top 10 – women’s 3k
1) Laura Weightman: 8:59
2) Jess Judd: 9:03
3) Verity Ockenden: 9:14
4) Lauren Howarth: 9:15
5) Amy Griffiths: 9:18
6) Emma Mitchell: 9:19
7) Iona Lake: 9:24
8) Matylda Kowal: 9:25
9) Claire Duck: 9:26
10) Steph Pennycook: 9:26

The full results from the action in Armagh can be found here.

Fast Running will help showcase a number of high-quality club organised races this year to highlight the great work that happens at the club level. Get in touch at team@fastrunning.com if you think your race deserves more coverage.

The post Sam Stabler and Laura Weightman win in Armagh appeared first on Fast Running.

A podium place and a 5k road personal best in the cathedral city last year was the catalyst for a stellar season and the Swansea Harrier hopes for the same again on Thursday night.

His sub 14-minute clocking was the initiator of a series of personal bests – from 3000m on the track – to 10k on the road – and an eye-watering 2:09:49 marathon debut.

However, following those magnificent performances, a hamstring injury at the European Cross Country Championships in December would somewhat dampen the mood on a perfect year.

Some time out was required, but now back, there is a Commonwealth Games 5000m and 10,000m double on the horizon. So what better race to test your fitness than the fast Armagh 5k, a race Griffiths first competed in as a bright-eyed 16-year-old.

Having raced in Armagh eight times in the past decade his road 5k best has dropped from 14:49 in 2009 to 13:58 last year.

Now gearing up his ninth appearance, Fast Running was intrigued to find out why the race has become a bedrock of his early season preparations.

“As a 16-year-old I first raced as part of the Welsh team, Griffiths tells Fast Running. “I didn’t know much about the race, just that it was a fast course and had a great reputation.

“I’m now returning as a 26-year-old and the atmosphere still stands out like nothing you experience elsewhere. It’s a staple race for me and great for gauging where my fitness is at early in the year.”

A unique race

Griffiths is not alone in the runners who travel across from Great Britain and further afield on an annual basis, and it’s safe to say anyone who races in Armagh ends up returning eagerly for the experience again.

“Running in the evening, running around the 1k and change long loop, a stacked field, the supporters, it all gives you a massive buzz,” he joyfully explains. “There isn’t a 5k in the UK that matches it.”

“Last year Ben [Connor] won in 13:55 and 77 went sub 15. It just shows how compact everyone is. You are never isolated which is a major help in trying to run fast and the front guys really drag everyone along.

“Unless you’re in sub 14 shape you won’t see the front and so you’re dragged around at your limit from the gun.

“The guys that are running 14:10 will run on their limit from the start trying to hold onto the low 14 guys. The 14:20 guys will try and hold onto the 14:10 guys and so on.”

Laura Weightman, the returning women’s 3k champion, was quick to praise the course when asked about her experience of the race, and specifically mentioned the fantastic atmosphere created from the supporters along the looped course.

RELATED: What makes racing in Armagh so special?

With a soon to be ninth appearance in Armagh, few have raced around the course as often -or as quick – as Griffiths, so what is his assessment?

“I definitely enjoy running lapped races, they are more spectator friendly which adds to the atmosphere,” he explains. “The Armagh course is flat and fast and is essentially a massive 1k oval track on the road.

“People go with the intention to run as fast as they can and the race is sort of a throwback to how racing was back in the day.

“Tactics are thrown out the window and the only aim is to run as hard as you can for as long as you can.

“The race goes off at suicidal pace and it’s survival of the fittest until the end. Kilometre splits get shouted out, so if you’re going well that can give you a massive boost if you’re on for a big performance. I’ve been in positions before going through the first kilometre in 2:45 and barely in a top 30 position.

“The fourth lap is the big one though. If you can hold on, maintain your position and pace, you’ve got a chance. Then you hit the bell and you empty the tank on the on the final lap.”

The depth of the race and almost guaranteed fast times is the main draw for the elite runners, but the club organisers also provide first-class hospitality before and after the race, this includes the post-race celebrations to say well done to the runners and everyone involved who helped organise another night of unforgettable racing.

“Post-race, listening to skinny distance runners, two shandies in, trying to sing – or more accurately ruin – karaoke always make it an enjoyable couple of days,” says the Kevin Evans coached runner – highlighting that there is also a lighter side to the whole trip.

Back to the task at hand and after finishing third last year it would take a brave person to bet against Griffiths moving further up the podium on Thursday night.

However, the path back from injury is not an easy one, and although you may want to do nothing more than run hard and fast, the body can have other ideas.

“This is my first race since tearing my hamstring, so coming away injury free is the main thing,” he says. “If I come away with a low 14 too, I’ll be pretty pleased.”

“The work that I did last year is still there somewhere, but I might need a couple of races and a bit more miles in the legs to get back to where I want. We will just have to wait and see what I have when the gun goes off.

“All my focus at the moment is geared towards the Commonwealth Games, so if I can come away injury free and with a good performance, that should help me edge closer to my best again.”

A preview of the two international races that begin with the women’s 3k at 8:05pm and men’s 5k at 8:25pm on Thursday (February 15) can be found here.

Fast Running will help showcase a number of high-quality club organised races this year to highlight the great work that happens at the club level. Get in touch at team@fastrunning.com if you think your race deserves more coverage.

The post Dewi Griffiths ready for his ninth Armagh 5k appeared first on Fast Running.

With elite runners from Britain, Ireland, USA and Europe ready to toe the start lines in the men’s 5k and women’s 3k races, everyone is wondering just how fast the 28th edition of racing in Armagh will be?

Every year more and more men dip under the elusive 15-minute barrier for 5k, and with 77 last year, 2018’s crop of runners have the difficult task of extending the upward rise. Equally the women’s 3k is just as impressive with 28 sub 10-minute finishers at the last edition.

As well as chasing individual personal bests, there are team honours up for grabs, with the USA, England, Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Belgium among the nations out in force in the cathedral city.

Vying for top honours in the men’s 5k is the returning Dewi Griffiths who finished third in 2017 in a personal best 13:58.

Griffiths then went on to deliver numerous PB performances last year including the fantastic 2:09:49 marathon debut in Frankfurt. Two months later in December a hamstring injury at the European Cross Country Championships somewhat stalled his no fear attitude to racing.

Now after a brief time-out, he’s ready once again for the roads, where he will aim to kick-start 2018 ahead of a Commonwealth Games 5000m and 10,000m double.

Following the late withdrawal of Kris Jones, the Welshman will be the solo Swansea Harrier challenging for the title.

There are plenty of contenders lying in wait, and you need to look no further than Englishman Graham Rush, who makes a return after his 14:07 seventh place last year, while American Jordan Mann who finished eighth in 14:08 is also back.

Mann leads the American charge that includes Zap fitness athletes Josh Izewski and Aaron Nelson, who both compete for the first time in Armagh. The latter with outstanding track bests of 13:42 for 5000m and a 10,000m best of 28:44.

While Mann’s Ocean State AC clubmate, Shane Quinn from Ireland, will put himself in the mix once again after finishing 10th last year.

Such is the depth of the men’s field, the podium places are anyone’s guess, with other notable names including 2016 winner Charlie Hulson, Luke Caldwell of Scotland, and England’s Jonny Hay.

Leading the Irish team is Matt Bergin, who ran 14:12 to just miss out on a top 10 placing in the 2017 edition of the oval lapped course.

Also among the Irish contingent are John Travers and Hugh Armstrong, with the latter a 19th place finisher in Samorin last December. If the pair can deliver a performance they are capable of, it would be no surprise to see them at the front end of the race.

Belgium’s Yannick Michaels, the 2016 runner-up is also back and is a runner not afraid to go to the front and attack, while Poland’s Krystian Zalewski will aim to get closer to his fifth place in 2015 after finishing 24th last year.

Elsewhere there are the unknown quantities in newcomers Sam Stabler and Mahamed Mahamed.

The English pair impressed this year in the British Cross Challenge series, going neck and neck on a number of occasions. Stabler, who like many in the field has the US collegiate pedigree behind him, impressed at the end of 2017 with a 29:13 win at the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, and with a 13:30 track 5000m it would be no surprise if he won the 2018 title.

“I’m starting to get back into fitness after missing five weeks with an injury I picked up at the Euro XC trials in Liverpool,” the 25-year-old told Fast Running. “I ran 8:07 for 3000m indoors last week, so I am now looking to build upon that in Armagh.”

“I don’t have a road PB for 5k so my aim going into the race is just hang onto Dewi [Griffthis] for as long as possible.”

For the home support and representing Northern Ireland and Ulster, locals will get the behind the quartet of Danny Mooney, James Edgar, Scott Rankin and Neil Johnson. 1500m specialist Mooney clocked 14:38 in last year’s race.

Weightman’s ready to defend her 3k title

Reigning women’s 3k champion Laura Weightman makes a welcome return to Armagh after setting a new course record last year.

“I am really excited to be racing again this year. I have had a great five-week training camp in South Africa so I am looking forward to testing the legs out back down at sea level,” she said. “I am hoping for a good hard fast race to really push myself.”

Weightman clocked 8:59 in her first visit to the Armagh, finishing ahead of fellow British internationals Rosie Clarke and Jess Judd to the win. Clarke sits out this year focusing on the British indoor championships this weekend, while Judd returns once again aiming to move further up the podium steps after clocking 9:11 in 2017.

Kate Avery, who continues her comeback from injury, is another well-known name racing this year. The two-time European cross country silver medalist will without a doubt be a strong challenger if the fitness is there.

Another newcomer to the event, Verity Ockenden, in the vest of England, will be amongst the favourites for the podium spots. The Swansea Harrier concluded an impressive cross country season with an eighth-place finish at the Great Edinburgh XCountry.

Northern Ireland and Ulster duo Kerry O’Flaherty and Emma Mitchell will be at the front of the race throughout with aims of bettering their ninth and 10th place finishes last year. 2017 was a record-breaking year for the latter with Northern Irish bests on the road and track.

RELATED: What makes racing in Armagh so special?

They will be joined in the team by Irish marathon champion Laura Graham and race organisers Armagh AC’s own Fionnuala Ross.

While Ireland will be represented by Ciara Durkan, Una Britton, Siobhra O Flaherty and 17-year-old Laura Nicholson. Nicholson won the Irish U20 national cross country title in November before going to compete in the U20 Euro XC Championships.

Steph Pennycook and Holly Rees will lead the Scottish assault on Armagh. Pennycook finished 18th last year in 9:37, while US-based Rees is making a first appearance in Armagh having posted a 9:19 indoors just last month in Boston.

Other notable names who will surely feature high up the field are Amy Griffiths for England, Jenny Nesbitt in the Welsh vest, while Commonwealth Games-bound Alex Bell makes the step up in distance from the more familiar 800m and 1500m. Elsewhere Leeds athlete Claire Duck makes a return after finishing 11th in 2015.

Laura Howarth will join the aforementioned runners on the start line on the back of a second place finish at the North of England Cross Country Championships.

The Team New Balance Manchester runner finished second that day to Mhairi MacLennan, who also makes a return in the vest of Scotland after finishing 34th last year.

The two international races begin with the women’s 3k at 8:05pm and men’s 5k at 8:25pm, but before that, there is a full programme of juvenile races which get underway from 6.30pm, with the night of exciting racing brought to a close with the open men’s 3k at 8:50pm.

Fast Running will help showcase a number of high-quality club organised races this year to highlight the great work that happens at grassroots. Get in touch at team@fastrunning.com if you think your race deserves more coverage.

The post Go fast in Armagh or go home appeared first on Fast Running.