If you put the words Belfast, mid-May, a Saturday afternoon, and 800m together, you get something special. That has certainly been the case in recent years at the Belfast Irish Milers Meeting. Alex Bell, Ciara Mageean, Callum Dodds, Phoebe Gill. They have all benefited from fast races (and amazingly favourable conditions) in prior editions.

This year’s meeting, which took place yesterday at the Mary Peters Track, was no different. As always, the best two races were left till last – the international 800m. The grand finale, the women’s race. Could the sub-two minute tradition continue? Yes, it could. This year, the honours went to Abbie Ives, thanks to her time of 1:59.49.

It is Abbie’s second time inside two minutes, her first coming at the same meeting in 2023. This time, however, it came with the added bonus of a race victory. That time moves her to third on the British U23 all-time list – impressive for a season opener. As a nice bonus, the race was paced by training partner Issy Boffey (who had earlier raced over 400m). It led to some lovely celebrations afterwards.

Photo: James Rhodes

Behind, Grace Vans Agnew finished second in 2:00.45, improving on her previous best of 2:01.21. Finishing third was Jenna Brommell, also in a PB of 2:00.53.

Shaikira King finished fourth and just four hundredths shy of her PB of 2:01.65, in her opening race of the season.

Men’s Excellence Also

After an excellent indoor season which included reaching the semi finals of the European Indoor Championships, Justin Davies’ outdoor opener could not have gone much better. Entering the race with a PB of 1:45.37, he rewrote that to 1:44.35 in winning the international 800m.

That time is a Welsh Record and moves him into the top-twenty on the British all-time list. He becomes the 33rd British athlete to join the sub-1:45 club for 800m. It is also inside the qualifying standard for September’s World Championships in Tokyo. Justin will next race in Zagreb (24 May), with the European U23 Championships his current primary focus.

Photo: James Rhodes

The British sub-1:45 club gained two further members yesterday. Henry Jonas (1:44.72) and Tiernan Crorken (1:44.98) both had the best races of their careers. Both are inside the UKA ‘consideration’ standard for Tokyo.

Longer Distances

A close finish in the men’s international 1500m saw the top-three separated by one second. Irishman Darragh McElhinney took the win in 3:37.86, with the fast finishing Ryan Martin second (3:38.23). That time is the Stirling University Athletics runner’s first under 3:40.00. Alex Melloy (3:38.98) was third and just shy of his PB.

Photo: James Rhodes

The women’s race saw Eleanor Strevens take victory in 4:14.61, less than one week after winning silver in the BUCS 800m. Zoe Gillbody (4:22.76) was the next best non-Irish athlete (note: a detailed round up of Irish performances will feature in Monday’s Irish Round Up).

Photo: James Rhodes

Gabriela DeBues Stafford was a clear winner of the first race of the day, the women’s 3000m. The Canadian, now based in Edinburgh and co-coached by Mark Rowland (the former steeplechaser and British Record holder), finished over half a minute before the rest of the field. Her closing kilometre was particularly impressive as she finished in 8:39.35.

The men’s race over seven and half laps provided Tomer Tarragano with a win. His time of 7:47.32 was a PB and also a University of Birmingham Club Record – their first of two during the competition. Behind, Italian Mohad Abdikadar Sheik Ali (7:54.65) and Zak Mahamed (7:58.44) both ran inside eight minutes. A further ten athletes finished in under 8:20.00, including Liverpool Harrier Jack O’Farrell and Oscar Schofield, who trains with the M11 Track Club.

Photo: James Rhodes

Pacers Not Racers

It would be remiss to not mention the pacemaking efforts of Jack Gray and Josh Elston-Carr. Alongside promoting their FLYCARB products, the pair paced multiple races – sometimes separately and sometimes together. Josh doing so less than two weeks after running the London Marathon!

Photo: James Rhodes

The post Brilliant in Belfast – Irish Milers Meeting appeared first on Fast Running.

It took 2,116 days, but last night 1500m World Champion Josh Kerr set a new 800m PB. By doing so at the second Grand Slam Track of the year, he won $100,000 in the process.

Grand Slam Track has done many things. For Josh Kerr, one of those is bring him a PB over 800m (and a $100,000 payout in the process). That is exactly what happened at the second of four meetings, in Miami this weekend.

You have to go back to 2019, and over 2,000 days, since his previous was set – 1:45.35. Now, it sits at 1:45.01 – a time that moves him up eight places on the British all-time list. Naturally, one can argue it is not his most frequently raced distance. However, that’s not to say we don’t see him compete over two laps. Since that PB was set, he has raced over 800m ten times, excluding indoor races and heats (for example of the British Championships). Over one third of a second feels a large jump for an athlete of his calibre. That can, partially at least, be attributed to the field that, thanks to Grand Slam Track, he was part of.

If you’re looking to run a fast time, having Marco Arop – the fourth fastest man in history – to tow you around is no bad thing. That’s exactly what happened, with Arop wining the race in 1:43.69. Kerr finished fifth. Between them, Yared Nuguse and 800m specialists Peter Bol and Kethobogile Haingura.

Photo: Howard Lao / Grand Slam Track

Second Race

A day earlier, Kerr won the 1500m in 3:34.51. Those two results, combined with the finishing places of the rest of the field, saw him secure the points needed to be named ‘Slam Champion’ – and win the $100,000 that comes with it.

Encouragingly, the Scot finished over one second faster than he did in Kingston. On that day in early April, a first race after injury, he finished fifth. The progress since then is evidence, with eyes firmly set on the big prize of the year; defending his World Championship title.

The finish line celebration was large. Perhaps unsurprising, given notably it is the first time he has won a non-championship 1500m. A first place finish is something that has eluded him at every Diamond League meeting he has contested over 3.75 laps. Yes, he won the Bowerman Mile at last year’s Eugene Diamond League – but let’s exclude the extra 109m as a technicality. It’s not as if Grand Slam Track has assembled a weak field, either. Olympic Champion Cole Hocker, fellow medallist Yared Nuguse and 800m specialist Marco Arop join Kerr as the four ‘racers’. This weekend’s meeting saw Timothy Cheruiyot – the 2019 World Champion – join as a ‘challenger’.

Until yesterday, Kerr had never beaten Nuguse outside of a championship (in four previous meetings), and Hocker only once. It can only be a confidence boost moving towards Tokyo. What is most exciting is we get to see the four compete against each other at least twice before Tokyo, over both distances! One definite positive of Grand Slam Track.

Photo: Matt Pendleton / Grand Slam Track

The next Grand Slam Track meetings take place in Philadelphia (30 May-1 June) and Los Angeles (27-29 June). Josh Kerr, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse and Marco Arop will race over both 800m and 1500m. Four ‘challengers’ for each meeting will be announced in coming weeks.

The post Josh Kerr Returns at Grand Slam Track appeared first on Fast Running.

It may be four months until Tokyo hosts the World Championships, but a number of ASICS’ best athletes headed to the Japanese capital. Rather than the track, it was in search of a fast time on the road. Held as part of the launch of the new METASPEED Tokyo series, the Tokyo:Speed:Race incorporated races over 5k and 10k. Just six days after racing at the London Marathon, Phil Sesemann acted as a pacemaker in the 10k – the sole British representative. 

With the Tokyo National Stadium as the backdrop, the races saw ten National Records and three Area Records set. They included a European Record over 5k for Italian Nadia Battocletti of 14:32. Additional 5k National Records were set by Sarah Lahti (Sweden), Ismail Mohamed (Djibouti), Maxime Chaumeton (South Africa) and Tomoki Ota (Japan). Wins went to Caroline Nyaga (14:19) and Harbert Kibet (13:00).

Joy Cheptoyek (30:22) and Jemal Yimer (27:10) won the 10k. Australian Records were set by Isobel Batt-Doyle (30:44) and Sam Clifford (27:34), with an American Record for Simbassa Abbabiya (27:32). Mekdes Woldu improved the French Record to 31:01. 

The post Fast Times in Tokyo appeared first on Fast Running.

Tor des Geants. Here’s what we know. It’s a 330km race around the Aosta Valley, with 24,000m of ascent. You’ve got 150 hours to complete it. There are six lifebases where you can refuel and sleep, plus many refuges and aid stations. And, it will be hard. Those are the facts.

Then there was everything I didn’t know. What would the weather be like? How would the altitude affect me? How would my nutrition and sleep plans hold up? How would my legs cope with relentless descents?

One of the best pieces of advice I was given (by coach Robbie) was not to have a strict plan. To be ready to adapt. Not to stick to an inflexible sleep plan, trying to sleep for 90 mins if it was daylight and I wasn’t tired when I got to the lifebase, but to sleep when I needed to, ideally when it was dark. Little did I know at the start, but adapting the plan would be very much the theme of the race. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face…

Adapt and keep moving forward

We set off from Courmayeur in the rain on Sunday morning. Having two waves of runners, two hours apart, meant that the start had a fairly relaxed feel and you weren’t crammed in with your face in people’s armpits (unlike those other races on the other side of Mont Blanc). The initial climbing was dictated by the snake of runners and I was happy just to settle in and keep it manageable. So far, so good.

One of the key things about this race is that you quite quickly find yourself up high, close to 3000m. So everybody starts to feel the effects of altitude early on.

You work harder and breathe harder, you feel sluggish, you might feel sick. But then you drop down again and hopefully you feel better fairly quickly. I got through the first night feeling ok, with nutrition plan pretty intact, but into the second day, the altitude punched me in the face. But actually, rather than a haymaker to the face, I think it was a series of light jabs over a prolonged period.

The reason? I hadn’t stayed on top of my hydration well enough, and I had let my nutrition slip when I started to feel nauseous. Add to that the general exertion and fatigue and it was no surprise I was feeling terrible. I had to work to turn that around.

A new day, a new weather forecast

Into the second day the rain stopped, the views opened up and I was absolutely punched in the face with the sheer beauty of this route. It felt like an incredible privilege to be on this journey in the mountains, seeing ibex, chamois, even a marmot, glimpsing snow-capped mountains all around. It is absolutely, hands-down, the most stunning route I have ever run.

The middle section of the race passed relatively well for me. I got back on top of my nutrition and hydration, I started to feel better, I was absolutely loving the route, the atmosphere and the fact that my legs were feeling pretty good (thanks Big Paul T, for my strength and conditioning plan).

We had a spell of running through pretty mountain villages, where the volunteers insisted we try their local delicacies on the aid stations. It’s touches like this that make the race unique and special and I loved soaking up these experiences.

A middling experience

I started to feel very fixated on getting to the mid-way point of the race, which was Rifugio Coda. It’s worth noting that the refuges are some of the highlights of this race. Ranging from small stone buildings to large, almost luxury hotel-like structures with bar and restaurant, all welcome you in and feed you soup and pasta. And some had beds. Actual beds!

At the lifebases you can sleep in camp beds, sometimes in a building, sometimes in a marquee, but always with a scratchy blanket that smelt of ‘other runners’ (you know that smell). But at some refuges they had beds, and that was an absolute highlight. Rifugio Coda didn’t have beds available, but the next refuge – della Barma – did, so I pressed on, buoyed by the fact I was halfway.

Rifugio della Barma just refused to appear. Over sections of ferrata with scary drops and up and down technical sections we went, but it just never seemed to get any closer. This is definitely a theme of this race – for every gloriously runnable section there is a long, bouldery, slow section which will mess with your mind. Eventually I reached it and entered to find about 30 runners, all with 1000 yard stares. 60 minutes in an actual bed never felt so good.

An ultramarathon with good food? Only in Italy

After another good day I got to Gressoney in pretty good shape. It was there that I had the culinary highlight of my trip to Italy – a cheese and tomato focaccia sandwich. I can’t explain how perfect it was in that moment. The fresh tomatoes, the salt, the soft bread, the salt, the carbs, the salt. I think I needed salt.

So I set off feeling good but also over-confident. I started to feel like the end was in sight and I just wanted to crack on and get that next section done. Fast forward a mere 15k with a couple of climbs in and I no longer knew what I was doing. This was my biggest punch in the face.

I found myself standing on the trail in the dark and I didn’t know where I was or what I was doing.

All I knew was that I had to follow the yellow flags. I read what it said on the flag (Tor de Geants) and then, with a sharp intake of breath, said “am I in Italy?”.

I’ve never been that confused through lack of sleep in my life and it was terrifying and something I am keen to avoid happening again. Fortunately I was close to Champoluc, an aid station with beds, so I followed the flags there and had an emergency sleep. If I’d been in a more remote place I could have been in danger, and it was the closest I came to a DNF.

Wall napping at its finest. Short sleeps like this help Tor des Geants runners keep moving forward.

Time for a nap?

After getting going again and after a big ascent to Rifugio Grand Tournalin and then a gruelling, long descent to Oyace I had another short nap. Then it was time for another push to Ollomont, during which the conditions were deteriorating with snow coming in.

After a final sleep I set off into what would be the last day for me, somewhat trepidatiously due to the conditions.  On the one hand I felt very privileged to experience some snowy mountain conditions, but on the other hand I was slightly scared about the final section already, let alone with added ice.

From the final refreshment point of Saint-Rhemy-en-Bosses it was essentially one big climb, punctuated by Rifugio Frassati, then one massive push over the top. “Easy”… maybe not.

Col du Malatra at 2900m looking chilly. Photo: Kirsty Reade

All four seasons in a race

Despite being so tired by this point the climb went well, but the conditions were very difficult by time I reached the refuge. I actually started to doubt if I had the courage to get over the scrambly summit in the ice. I was absolutely terrified by this prospect. Fortunately I buddied up with another runner and we took it as carefully and safely as possible, and we made it over just as night was falling.

The Tor flags are yellow for good reason.

It was almost literally all downhill from there and, once we were low enough to be below the snow/ice we could relax and run it in. The feeling that I was going to finish this race was indescribable and there were definitely tears shed. Coming into Courmayeur and seeing my crew (plus Nats, Rosa and Pica) is a moment I’ll remember forever.

The enormity of that journey, everything I’d seen and experienced, and the sense of pride I felt was completely overwhelming.

 This was without doubt the hardest race I’ve ever done, the most rewarding and the most beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever top it. If you’ve got a good amount of mountain ultra experience and you’re looking for a race where you can test your limits in every way, I cannot recommend it enough. It’s an adventure with a family feel and a unique atmosphere and I honestly don’t know how to get back to normal life after doing it. I might need to adapt that plan.

The post Why the Tor is still a knockout race appeared first on Fast Running.

The first big competition after a major championship is always interesting. There can be many unknowns; will the peak performance have passed after focusing so long on the race just gone, or does the upward trajectory continue. Lausanne, the first post-Olympics Diamond League for the third consecutive time (after 2016 and 2021) provided a mixture of both.

So Close, So Far

After two laps of the Lausanne track, Emmanuel Wanyonyi moved one step closer to the history books. The Olympic Champion is now just 0.2s away from becoming the fastest there has ever been. With his 1:41.11, he has moved to the joint-second fastest athlete in history, sitting alongside Wilson Kipketer’s once World Record. Afterwards, he said he was “so happy to have run that crazy time”. Four races, four PBs (excluding the rounds in Paris).

Marco Arop sat behind the pacer, completing the first lap in 49.26, considerably faster than he did in Paris where he ran 1:41.20. However, the Canadian found himself on the outside of lane two on the penultimate bend to pass. He finished second in 1:41.72, the second fastest of his career behind Paris.

Such is the change in the landscape of men’s 800m running this year, 1:42.30 and 1:42.63 for third and fourth seem “slow”. A time not seen all that too often in recent years, yet it is only the 23rd fastest time of the year.

Pieter Sisk, who has acted as a pacemaker at a number of meetings this season, was given a chance to compete himself. He improved his PB to 1:43.48.

Many, Wanyonyi included, go again on Sunday. A second World Record attempt of the week incoming.

Jakob’s Back

If there is one person who loves a Diamond League, it is Jakob Ingebrigtsen. He took to the track for his first 1500m since finishing fourth in Paris, joined by Olympic Champion Cole Hocker.

The pair, plus Hobbs Kessler, sat just off the pacemakers, who – with the support of wavelights – were tasked with bettering Jakob’s World Lead (and European Record) of 3:26.73. The trio were together midway into the final lap. However, Ingebrigtsen did what he does best to move away and finish in 3:27.83 (Meeting Record). That is his third fastest and the 22nd fastest in history.

Hocker was rewarded with his fastest time outside of the Olympics (3:29.85) and he was happy with his performance.

“Considering the overwhelming past two weeks, it was a solid race. Physically I felt comfortable, but mentally, it’s a new challenge being announced as Olympic Champion. I felt the pressure but I’m excited about how things are shaping up”.

Jochem Vermeulen improved the Belgian Record to 3:31.74, finishing sixth, whilst home athlete Dominic Lobalu improved his PB to 3:34.39. George Mills finished thirteenth in 3:36.80.

Ingebrigtsen and Hocker, plus Josh Kerr and Yared Nuguse, are due to race at the Zurich Diamond League (5 September). Ingebrigtsen will race 3000m in Silesia on Sunday.

Photo: James Rhodes

Diribe Delivers

Much attention was focused on Wanyonyi and Ingebrigtsen, but they were not the only ones delivering fast times. Diribe Welteji moved to fourteenth on the all-time list for 3000m, with 8:21.50. Welteji was just three seconds shy of Sifan Hassan’s 8:18.49, the fastest non-1990s-Chinese time on that list.

“I’m very happy with my time. It’s incredible. The conditions here in Lausanne were perfect, truly great to be here. The crowd was big and I heard it a lot when I raced. I was happy at the end”.

It was a good race too, with Tsigie Gebreselama leading for much of it. She finished third (8:24.40 PB) with Janeth Chepngetich second (8:23.48).

Four in the field set PBs, including Revee Walcott-Nolan (8:44.26) who recorded a 17 second improvement.

Photo: James Rhodes

Marvellous Mary

Mary Moraa returned to Lausanne in winning form, taking the 800m in 1:57.91 after a 56.84 first lap for pacemaker Aneta Lemiesz. Nine in the field ran sub-two, including a British two-three. That came thanks to Georgia Bell (1:58.53) and Jemma Reekie (1:58.73). Georgia, whilst noting on social media she had hoped to run faster, continues her fine season. That time is the second fastest 800m of her career, a good continuation after a whirlwind period since winning Olympic bronze. She returns to her specialist 1500m on Sunday.

Photo: James Rhodes

Jemma too noted she was hoping to be faster, but is looking forward to bouncing back from a disappointing Olympics.

“The race was a bit rusty, and I ran slower than I wanted, but it was the first one [post-Olympics] so it was always going to be the hardest. It was tough, but I’m happy to be back. I’m aiming to get closer to my PB from London at as the season wraps up, and I’m excited for what’s ahead”.

She too races in Poland, but over 1000m, where she will be joined by Moraa.

Elsewhere & Looking Forward

Matthew Hudson-Smith won the 400m in 43.96. With a third sub-44 clocking, he now holds the five fastest times in European history. Dina Asher-Smith made a welcome return to form after what she called a disappointing Olympics. She won the 100m in 10.88, only 0.05s shy of her British Record.

The Diamond League continues in Silesia on Sunday afternoon.

The post Lausanne Diamond League appeared first on Fast Running.

The noise, oh the noise.

It started as a ripple of applause, then it got louder. Louder. Louder. Before long, the Stade de France had erupted, but to those not in the know, momentary confusion. It was not anything on the track, but Leon Merchand winning his fourth gold medal in the pool, a few hundred metres away.

That noise, that atmosphere, sums up the first day of athletics well. Every race, every field event, every athlete introduction. A noise fitting of the occasion.

The final race of the evening, the men’s 10000m, was a perfect ending. Ethiopian team tactics, with Yomif Kejelcha, Selemon Barega and Berihu Aregawi taking it in turns to keep the pace up. The Ugandan powerhouses Joshua Cheptegai and Jacob Kiplimo in the pack, not showing their cards. Grant Fisher and Mo Ahmed right up there. Plus, keeping the crowd fully engaged, Jimmy Gressier in there too.

The pace was fast, 63 second laps, 2:40 kilometres. Relentless. A lull in the third quarter, one lap dropping to 69 seconds, but it was building up for one spectacular finale. That is exactly what was delivered.

Joshua Cheptegai made his move, and the Olympic title was his. The World Champion’s first, and Uganda’s first, 10,000m Olympic gold medal. Plus, with 26:43.14, a new Olympic Record, bettering Kenenisa Bekele’s 27:01.17 from 2008. It was a close finish, with the top six separated by less than a second. Aregawi took silver, and Fisher bronze. Only the fourth men’s 10000m medal for the United States in Olympic history.

Terrific Two Laps

The heats of the women’s 800m were the highlights of the evening from a British perspective. Keely Hodgkinson, Jemma Reekie and Phoebe Gill all safely progressed to Sunday’s semi-finals, avoiding this morning’s repechage races.

Keely (1:59.31) controlled her heat from the front, doing as little as needed to take the win. Jemma (2:00.00) did the same. Post-race, Keely noted it wasn’t the easiest of two laps:

“I’m just happy to qualify through because it was a quite a tough heat. I’m just glad to make it through safely. The semis will be fun. The final I know I just have to give everything, but the heats and rounds you have everyone giving it there all, but I am trying to save my energy and you are trying to not make any mistakes“.

Photo: Sam Mellish/Team GB

Perfect Phoebe

Phoebe found herself in a particularly fast hear, the bell reached in 57.35 by Ethiopian Worknesh Mesele. You’d be forgiven for forgetting that this is not just Phoebe first Olympics, it is her first ever Great Britain vest. She raced as controlled a heat as possible, making an excellent move in the closing part of the race to finish in 1:58.83 in third.

She is just seventeen years old. Until this year, she’d never raced a British Championships. Now, it’s the biggest stage of them all. Speaking after the race, she said just how much it meant to her:

“It’s the Olympics, it’s the best competition in athletics. seeing my face on the screen when the camera came round, I was trying not to cry. I was like, you can’t break down before you’re about to do an 800m!“.

Photo: Sam Mellish/Team GB

She went on to say, even in the middle of the biggest racing moment of her young career, she has been able to take in just how far she has progressed:

“I’m just very proud of myself because I was looking at photos of my young self yesterday, doing primary school cross country leagues. I think she would just be so happy that I’m here now, at Paris doing the Olympics because it’s a big dream of mine“.

Phoebe’s time is also inside the qualifying standard for next year’s World Championships in Tokyo.

Morning Fun

The morning session saw Josh Kerr and Neil Gourley safely progress from their 1500m heats. George Mills finished tenth in his heat, clocking 3:35.99. It means he will go again in the repechage this evening. Also in the repechage will be Ireland’s three competitors; Luke McCann, Andrew Coscoran and Cathal Doyle.

Reigning World Champion Josh Kerr made it look oh, so, easy in the first of three heats, comfortably winning against a strong field including Yared Nuguse, Narve Gilje Nordas and Brian Komen. He sat at the back in a slow paced start (2:01.00 for the first 800m) before an effortless-looking move in the last lap.

In the 100m, Daryll Neita, Dina Asher Smith and Imani Lansiquot all progressed to this evening’s semi-finals, and added World Championships qualifiers to their resumes.

This morning sees Louie Hinchliffe, Zharnel Hughes and Jeremiah Azu open their campaign in the men’s 100m heats.

The post Olympic Games Day 1 – Summary appeared first on Fast Running.

Women’s 3000m

Final 14:24 Sunday

Reigning Champion: Melissa Courtney-Bryant (8:50.76)

World Indoor Q: 8:37.00 (8:27.00 outdoors)

Athletes with World Indoor Q: Laura Muir

Last time a women’s 3000m was held at this venue, Gudaf Tsegay missed the World Record by just 0.06 seconds. Sunday’s race won’t be as fast, but with Laura Muir headlining the field it is unlikely to be slow. She is the only athlete to have the World Indoor standard, a tough mark given it will be a straight final in Glasgow. Unfortunately, reigning British Indoor Champion Melissa Courtney-Bryant missed it by less than a second in Boston a fortnight ago and is a late withdrawal for this weekend.

Photo: James Rhodes

It’s not been the most straightforward qualification for Laura. She ran 8:34.39 in Cardiff in December, but it transpired the meeting did not have a World Athletics permit meaning the time would not count as a qualifier. All ends well, however, as she ran an 8:31.45 split at the Millrose Games during her two-mile European Record last weekend.

There is no need for Laura to run that fast, but a number of other athletes will be hoping for PB-pace. They include 2021 European Indoor Champion Amy Eloise Neale, who ran 8:48.79 at the start of the month, and Hannah Nuttall, who has run 3000m and 5000m PBs this year. Also in the field are last year’s bronze medallist Eloise Walker and Jenny Nesbitt – fresh off a 15:10.19 PB in Boston. It would take a monumental performance for any to reach the Glasgow standard; only Laura Muir, Jo Pavey and Liz Nuttall have ever run inside it.

Photo: James Rhodes

Men’s 3000m

Final 14:09 Sunday

Reigning Champion: James West (7:49.78)

World Indoor Q: 7:34.00 (7:29.00 outdoors)

Athletes with World Indoor Q: N/A

One thing is for certain in the men’s 3000m; with nineteen athletes currently due to start, it will be a congested first few laps. Undoubtedly, that number will reduce with late withdrawals, but the field will need to concentrate to avoid any trips.

Reigning champion James West returns to Birmingham and will be looking to retain his title. He set an outright 5000m PB at the magic Boston University track last weekend (13:19.98) and is in good form to potentially succeed with his endeavour.

He does not enter as the fastest athlete over 3000m this year, however. That honour goes to Scott Beattie, thanks to his 7:47.22 run in Ghent in Belgium. Scott is one of a handful of Hoka athletes having an excellent start to the year, that performance moving him into the top-30 fastest Brits ever.

His training partner Ellis Cross is also in the field on the back of a 4:03.44 mile PB and a 13:42 5k in Monaco, both last week. This will be his first 3000m since 2020. Charles Wheeler ran alongside Scott in Ghent and was only a fraction slower, with 7:47.39. He too has run a 5000m PB in Boston this month (13:20.17). His brother George Wheeler is also due to compete.

Photo: James Rhodes

Alfie Manthorpe, Zak Seddon (the steeplechase specialist who has dropped down to run a couple of 800m this indoor season) and James Young also race. James ran a PB of 7:55.31 at the BMC in Sheffield in January, his one and only race of 2024. Rory Leonard is a late withdrawal due to illness.

Sam Atkin and Josh Kerr have the World Indoor standard, but neither are competing in Birmingham and are not expected to be seeking qualification. With a field of only 15 in Glasgow, the qualification standard is a tough ask.

The post British Indoor Championships Preview – 3000m appeared first on Fast Running.

Birmingham Bound

For some, simply competing at this weekend’s British Indoor Championships is the highlight of the indoor season. The culmination of training and racing during recent weeks, a chance to race on a ‘big’ stage. For others national titles are at stake and, more importantly, spots at the World Indoor Championships waiting to be secured.

With those championships being held in Glasgow, it is a rare chance to experience a world-level event at home (especially if you’re Scottish). However, it is not an entirely simple-to-follow process. Restricted field sizes, wildcards and exemptions from competing this weekend combine with some athletes focusing on training for this summer’s Olympic Games.

This preview seeks to explain, event by event, what might happen and who is racing. In short, each country can field up to two athletes in each event. However, wildcards are available for winners of the World Indoor Tour. These athletes can compete in Glasgow in addition to this quota, meaning three athletes. For Great Britain, this is the case in the men’s 1500m (Neil Gourley) and women’s 800m (Keely Hodgkinson).

Women’s 800m

Heats 16:25 Saturday, Final 15:50 Sunday

Reigning Champion: Issy Boffey (2:03.72)

World Indoor Q: 2:00.80 (1:58.00 outdoors)

Athletes with World Indoor Q: Jemma Reekie and Issy Boffey

As winner of last year’s World Indoor Tour, Keely Hodgkinson has a wildcard for Glasgow and is absent this weekend. This means Great Britain can field three athletes, one being Keely. Two spots are therefore up for grabs in Birmingham, with the winner guaranteed selection if they have the standard.

Jemma Reekie and Issy Boffey are the only athletes competing this weekend with the Glasgow standard. Unless that changes before Sunday evening, both will likely be selected. Jemma has run 1:59.42 and 2:00.40 this month, both in France. Issy, meanwhile, has run 2:01.53 in Boston and 2:01.67 in France, finishing second in both races. She ran inside the 2:00.80 standard during last year’s indoor season, clocking 2:00.25.

Photo: James Rhodes

Closest to the standard in the field are Ellie Baker and Erin Wallace. The pair have run 2:01.94 and 2:02.69 respectively this season. If it is a fast race, which may well happen with Jemma in the field, both may look to chase the standard. That could certainly change the dynamics of selection.

We are guaranteed a near-new podium, with Issy the only finalist from 2023 competing this year. If you’re interested, Jenny Selman, Abbie Ives, Gemma Finch, Ella Greenway and Jill Cherry are all absent, with Jill contesting the 400m.

Men’s 800m

Heats 15:55 Saturday, Final 15:40 Sunday

Reigning Champion: Guy Learmonth (1:47.

World Indoor Q: 1:46.00 (1:44.00 outdoors)

Athletes with World Indoor Q: N/A

Four-time British Indoor Champion Guy Learmonth headlines the men’s 800m, and is the fastest by a considerable margin. In an interview with Fast Running last season he spoke of his desire of making a home World Indoor Championships. If he is to do so, he will need to run fast this weekend as he is yet to secure the 1:46.00 standard.

His season opener in Erfurt (1:46.80) was his fastest ever and providing a winning start to 2024. This was followed by a 1:47.84 in Lyon a week later, run with a considerably faster first 400m. A perfect race tactically and the standard is not impossible – but needs an indoor PB.

The composition of the rest of the six-person final is harder to predict. Eleven of the twelve fastest Brits this year are not competing, many studying Stateside. Jack Higgins has run inside 1:50 this year, and Tiarnan Crorken has also raced well. Callum Dodds may also feature after making great improvements last year.

British leader Yusuf Bizimana is midway through the collegiate season in the States and so is not in Birmingham. Ben Pattison and Max Burgin both ran the Glasgow standard outdoors last summer, but neither are racing indoors this year.

Women’s 1500m

Heats 18:52 Saturday, Final 15:30 Sunday

Reigning Champion: Ellie Baker (4:06.73)

World Indoor Q: 4:06.50 (4:00.00 outdoors)

Athletes with World Indoor Q: Georgia Bell, Revee Walcott-Nolan, Sarah McDonald and Ellie Leather

Of all the middle-distance events, the women’s 1500m is perhaps the most exciting. Four athletes have the standard, with two spots for Glasgow available. Put simply, four does not go into two. The fastest this season is Georgia Bell, who is having a standout year. Four races, four wins, including outright PBs over 1500m and 3000m. Having opened with a solo 4:10.74 in Sheffield in January, Georgia followed up with two impressive wins in Dortmund (4:03.54) and Stockholm (4:03.22). Those times put her fourth on the British all-time list indoors.

Photo: James Rhodes

Excitingly, Revee Walcott-Nolan finished just behind Georgia in Dortmund with 4:03.93. That is a significant indoor PB and less than a tenth outside her outdoor PB. Both were well inside the World Indoor standard, and looked to be favourites to make the team.

However, Sarah McDonald and Ellie Leather have joined the conversation this month. Sarah ran 4:05.52, an indoor PB, in Torun at the start of the month; her first PB since 2019 and periods of injury. After a journey that included near-retirement, it is great to see Sarah back at her best. Ellie, meanwhile, is another athlete having a breakthrough season. She took four seconds off her mile PB in New York in January and then a further five in Boston last Friday. Her time of 4:25.23 makes her the fifth fastest Brit indoors and serves as a World Indoor Q. Her 4:11.33 1500m PB, set outdoors in 2022, must be on borrowed time.

Photo: James Rhodes

Ellie has made the final of the last three British Championships outdoors, but has not raced in Birmingham for a while. Her last visit was at the 2015 Midland Championships, where she ran 2:19.04 for 800m as an U20. She has in fact raced in Birmingham, Alabama more than here. Perhaps not a surprise, given she is based Stateside as part of the Under Armour Mission Run Baltimore Distance team, as is Adam Fogg. More on him shortly.

Whatever happens, it will be an exciting race!

Men’s 1500m

Heats 18:34 Saturday, Final 15:20 Sunday

Reigning Champion: Neil Gourley (3:41.20)

World Indoor Q: 3:36.00 (3:32.00 outdoors)

Athletes with World Indoor Q: Adam Fogg and Callum Elson

Like the women’s 800m, the men’s 1500m is an event where we could potentially send three athletes to Glasgow. Neil Gourley has a wildcard after winning last year’s World Indoor Tour. However, the Scotsman recently suffered an injury in training forcing him to miss the Millrose Games. He is also absent this weekend, but has said he hopes to be able to compete in Glasgow for a home World Indoor Championships. This has no impact on wider selection for the British team.

Another Scot with a question mark over his participation is World Champion Josh Kerr. He has spoken multiple times in interviews of his wish to compete, but the desire to focus on the Olympics provides a pull away from Glasgow. After setting a World Indoor Best for two-miles at the Millrose Games, Josh said he would speak to coach Danny Mackey and confirm this week. His decision has yet to be made public.

This is important as it impacts upon selection. UKA’s policy says that, as an individual medallist in Budapest last year, he would automatically be selected alongside the winner of the British Championships, as long as the latter has the standard. It means, this weekend, it may well be win-or-bust.

Photo: James Rhodes

Callum Elson and Adam Fogg will be keen to find out before Sunday’s final, as the pair both hold the standard. In his (excellent) YouTube videos, Callum had spoken of his wish to run the World Indoor standard and qualify for Glasgow. The World Road Running Championship silver medallist succeeded with the first part last weekend in Boston, running 3:53.22 for the mile. That was a considerable improvement to his PB, and a near-four second improvement on his first outing of the year in France, itself an outright PB.

Adam had the race of his life at the Millrose Games, bravely sticking to Yared Nuguse, Hobbs Kessler and George Mills to run 3:49.62. He is only the fourth Brit to run under 3:50 indoors. Last year, American-based Adam finished sixth in the 3000m at these championships, his one and only appearance at the British Indoors.

Many with the World Indoor standard, including Jake Wightman, George Mills and Elliot Giles, are now focusing on the summer season.

The post British Indoor Championships Preview appeared first on Fast Running.

Brussels Brilliance

The European Cross Country Championships have often been successful for the Great Britain team, and 2023 was no different. Returning to Brussels for the first time since 2008, the team topped the medal table collecting seven gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Not only that, it was the most successful edition in championship history. There were three individual victories, coming from Megan Keith (U23 women), Innes FitzGerald (U20 women) and Will Barnicoat (U23 men), alongside team victories for the senior women, U23 women, U20 women and U23 men.

The U20 women’s race commenced the racing action, and Innes FitzGerald took a dominant victory, crossing the line 19 seconds of second placed Sofia Thogersen of Denmark. Afterwards, Innes said the course had suited her much more than last year’s, where she finished fourth. She completed the 5k course in 18:19. Behind, Jess Bailey finished eighth (19:31) and Lizzie Welsted thirteenth (19:47), securing the team title. Katie Pye (28^th), Moli Lyons (31^st) and Zoe Hunter (32^nd) completed the British team.

Photo: Bjorn Paree

The U20 men’s race saw Great Britain take team silver, finishing just two points behind winners Ireland. The scoring athletes were Sam Mills, Henry Dover and Rowan Miell-Ingram, who finished in fifth, sixth and thirteenth respectively. The race over 5k provided a close finish between Denmark’s Axel Vang Christensen, previously based in Birmingham, and Niels Laros of the Netherlands, who was overtaken in the closing metres. Nick Griggs of Ireland took bronze.

Dominance

The most dominant performance of the weekend came from Megan Keith, who won the U23 women’s race by an incredible 83 seconds. She has had an excellent cross-country season, which follows her European U23 Championships 5000m win and maiden World Championships appearance. It is the first time Great Britain have won this race since 2012 and Jess Coulson (Piasecki).

Megan completed the 7k course in 25:32. Top-15 finishes from Alex Millard (11^th) and Eloise Walker (15^th) secured the team title. Tia Wilson (34^th), Lynn McKenna (35^th) and Olivia Mason (44^th) completed the six-strong team.

Photo: Bjorn Paree

Twelve months ago, Will Barnicoat won the U20 title in dramatic fashion. He faced a new age group this year, but an equally dramatic finish saw him win the U23 men’s race in a sprint finish from Frenchman Valentin Bresc. It was so close, the pair clocked the same time of 23:42 for the 7k course. The win follows Barnicoat’s bronze over 5000m at the European U23s in Espoo in the summer. Behind, 1500m specialist Matt Stonier (23:51) took a well deserved bronze in one of the best results of his career.

Joined by Tonbridge’s James Kingston who finished 21^st in his Great Britain debut, it was another team gold for Great Britain. Tomer Tarragano (27^th) and Henry Mcluckie (57^th) also completed the race, with Rory Leonard sadly not finishing.

Credit: European Athletics via Getty Images

Senior Success

Having three of the top-ten finishers secured the team gold in the senior women’s race over 9k. They were led by Abbie Donnelly, who had an excellent run to take bronze individually. She finished in 34:02, behind Karoline Grovdal of Norway and Italian Nadia Battocletti. It was Grovdal’s third senior title, whilst Battocletti had moved up from the U23 ranks, which she won last year. Abbie finished ninth twelve months ago and has had a fine season.

Behind, Jess Warner-Judd rallied well to finish fifth (35:20), with Izzy Fry tenth (35:37). One place behind was Poppy Tank (35:42), with Amelia Quirk fourteenth (36:03). In her Great Britain debut, Niamh Bridson Hubbard finished nineteenth (36:27). Only the top-three score, but the team title would likely have been won had it been four, five or six to score.

Photo: Bjorn Paree

Last up was the senior men’s race. In the absence of Jakob Ingebrigtsen, there was no clear favourite, which led to an exciting race. Hugo Milner, who has transitioned over the past couple of seasons to focus on the triathlon, won the trials race in Liverpool and took an early lead, alongside Frenchman Yann Schrubb. The pair took it in turns at the front over the first four of six laps. The Frenchman started to move away on the penultimate 1.5k loop, and did not relinquish the lead from that point. A tough last lap saw Hugo slip to fourth, finishing in 30:27, ten seconds shy of the win. Magnus Tuv Myhre of Norway finished second and Belgian Robin Hendrix third. The British team finished fifth in the team race. Calum Johnson (23rd), Zak Mahamed (27th), Angus McMillan (38th), Alfie Manthorpe (44th) and Callum Elson (59th) also competed.

Photo: Bjorn Paree

The mixed relay quartet of Josh Lay, Bethan Morley, Adam Fogg and Khai Mhlanga won bronze, finishing behind France and the Netherlands.

Photo: Bjorn Paree

Terrific in Telford

Sometimes, it is hard to know what race should headline the road results of the round-up. It is rather easier this week, thanks to the impressive depth seen at the Telford 10k. There are not many races that would see 54 men run inside 30 minutes (52 gun time) and 41 women inside 35 minutes (40 gun time).

Georgia Bell took over three minutes off her PB, taking victory in the women’s field in 32:23 (32:22 chip). It was her first race over the distance since January 2020, so an improvement is maybe expected given she has improved over 1500m, 3000m and 5000m on the track this summer. Just three seconds separated her from Lauren McNeil, who’s 32:26 (32:20 chip) improved her best by over a minute. Lauren won the Manchester Half Marathon in a PB of 70:01, and Telford was her first 10k since 2021.

A possibly unexpected face finished third; 800m specialist Alex Bell. It wasn’t only her 10k debut, but her previously longest road race was over three miles, so double the distance. She clocked an impressive 32:59 (32:56 chip) to complete the podium. Quite a range, having run 1:59.28 for 800m this summer.

 

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Behind, there were PBs for Nancy Scott in fifth (33:12, 33:10), Almaz Nerurkar in seventh (33:19, 33:17) and Megan Gadsby in eighth (33:25, 33:19). Natasha Phillips (33:06, 33:03 chip) and Sophie Wallis (33:18, 33:18) finished fourth and sixth respectively.

Close Finishes

Five seconds separated the top-five in a strong men’s race. In his first race since the Great South Run in October, Marc Scott took victory in 28:36. It is just five seconds shy of his fastest time of the year, from Manchester in May. Behind, brothers Charles and George Wheeler clocked identical times of 28:40, with Charles given second on the results. However, George’s chip time is one second faster with 29:39. It was a considerable PB for Charles, having raced the distance just once before, and a debut for George.

Dewi Griffiths’s 28:41 (28:40 chip) for fourth is his fastest 10k since 2017, whilst Scott Stirling improved by almost a minute with the same gun and chip time in fifth. Behind, there were lifetime bests for Jack Gray in sixth (28:45, 28:44 chip) and Charlie Brisley in eighth (29:09, 29:08). Alex Lepretre (29:06, 29:05) finished seventh.

Elsewhere, just two seconds separated Jason Vranek (32:08) and Ollie Thorogood (32:10) at the Aberystwyth 10k, with David Cole (32:51) third. The margin of victory was larger for Emma Price (39:05) in the women’s field. She finished over one minute ahead of Polly Summers (40:10) and Ffion Morgan (40:55).

Hayley Gill (36:37) and Luke Beresford (33:38) were quickest at the Bolsover 10k. Matthew Lock (37:12) and Sarah Overington (42:15) won the Chiltern Hills Invitational 10k.

RunThrough’s midweek Chase the Moon Olympic Park provided Michael McCarthy (33:39) and Chloe Wilkinson (38:45) with commanding victories. Their ever-popular Battersea Park 10k saw Laura Thompson (37:39) and James Hoad (31:41) win on Saturday. Seventy six runners finished in under 40 minutes.

Christmas Getting Closer

It appears plenty of runners love taking part in a race when it comes with a Christmas-themed name. Kate Maltby (37:30) and Sam Burnstone (34:30) won the Langdale Christmas Pudding 10k, whilst the Broad Haven Christmas Pudding 10k went to Edwards Clements (34:32) and Lucy Walwin (42:49).

Benjamin Douglas (39:10) and Rochelle Ramsden (44:33) took victories at the South Leeds Bah Humbug 10k. Not too far away in York, Ruth Drauself (42:33) and Ellis Murray (40:03) won the Chase the Pud 10k.

Steve Crowe (36:40) and Oceana Lindgren (46:16) crossed the line first at the Chasewater Christmas 10k. The associated 5k went to James Wilson (20:23) and Suzy Street-Hall (21:57) who finished third overall. Rachel Cameron (46:15) and Jevgenij Rusak (39:36) won the Salcey Christmas 10k.

Sarah Murphy (42:07) and Daniel Orr (37:25) crossed the line first at the excellently named Tatton Yule Yomp 10k. Back in Wales, Sian Edwards (47:20) and Jacob Tasker (40:13) were victorious at the Merthyr Mawr Pudding Race 10k.

The Chatham Maritime Christmas Dash 5k saw Amy Dizon (19:09) and Sean Barwick (16:35) cross the line first. The Flood Light Festive 5k in Stourport went to Robert Meredith (16:36) and Nicole Bevan (19:25).

Over imperial distances, there were wins for Harrie Smith (68:10) and Howard Bristow (58:37) at the Mince Pie 10 in Peacehaven, and Shane Boxall (27:05) and Victoria Wadley-Smith (31:55) at the Southend Rudolph 5.

The 30th anniversary running of the Maidstone Harriers Turkey Run, over 6.5 miles, gave wins to John O’Mahony (45:37) and Kay Sheedy (49:40). Niall Malone (40:23) and Heather Tomlinson (43:56) won the Longridge Christmas Pudding 7.

Longer Distances

In conditions slightly different to those closer to home, Hattie Freeman had an excellent outing at the Malaga Half Marathon. She took victory in 73:46, improving her PB by almost two minutes. Over double the distance, Carl Avery ran the Malaga Marathon in 2:21:39.

In his first half marathon since 2020, Tom Evans (66:26) took a commanding win at the Keyworth Scouts Turkey Trot Half Marathon. He was joined on the winner’s spot by Claire Frankland (82:42). George Phillips (70:35) and Kelly Barnett (81:24) were quickest at the Milton Keynes Winter Half Marathon.

Imogen Campbell-Black (86:20) and Matt Chipping (69:12) crossed the line first at the Dorney Lake Half Marathon. The associated 10k went to Daire Stack (35:05) and Michelle Moran (41:31), and the 5k to Katherine Streams (19:19) and Ben James (18:15).

Wins at the Run Heaton Park Half Marathon went to Andrew Snowdon (84:30) and Natasha Coveney (88:07). On the same course, Katie Halligan (41:25) and Phil Richardson (35:07) won the 10k whilst the 5k went to Joseph Souza (19:52) and Natalie Apted (22:43).

The post Brilliant Brits in Brussels – Weekend Round Up appeared first on Fast Running.

Location, Location, Location

Once again this September, a stellar international field descended on the small town of Morbegno in Valtellina, ready to race around the famous cobbled circuit.

Lying between the sparkling waters of Lake Como and the high mountain passes of Livigno, Morbegno is an attractive host town to a race that has been taking place in various formats for over 60 years.

The author Ross Gollan doing his best Bruce Lee impression on the famous step. Photo: Angela Testa Exelio/Fabio Vedovatti

A Race Route Like No Other

The race takes place around a circuit consisting of punchy climbs, with sustained gradients of over 25%, leg sapping switchbacks and a technical descent that twists down cobbled single track before finishing in the heart of Morbegno.

The race is run as a relay with the women’s course taking place on a 5km circuit with 250m of climbing with the men running a slightly longer route with 440m of climbing.

The course is special but the ‘Tifosi’ are what make this race a must do for any Mountain Runner. Hundreds of fans line the course, their support deafening competitors as they are urged on with shouts of ‘forza, vai and allez’.

The women have only been able to run a relay format at Trofeo Vanoni once every 3 years but as of 2023 the relay is to become a permanent fixture. It would be great to see the women get to race in a team of three and on the same route as the men in the near future.

Photo: Roberto Ganassa

The Main Protagonists

The 2023 Vanoni Feminale showcased the strength of British and Irish athletes with a number of teams featuring in the top 10 overall.

Irish Mountain Running superstar Sarah McCormack holds the course record and lead the charge for the Irish, setting the fastest lap time ahead of local hero Elisa Sortini and setting up a battle royale between the Irish team and local favourites Alta Valtellina and Recastello going into the final leg.

Alta Valtellina came home victorious in a tight battle that saw the Irish duo anchored by Aine Gosling hold on for a well earned third place. The Scottish team of Alice Goodall and Catriona MacDonald stormed through to take fourth closely followed by the strong Yr Wydfa team pairing of Helen Leigh and Caroline Lambert in sixth.

In the men’s race the French were too strong yet again and added to their impressive run of wins. The ephemeral Manu Meyssat produced another sub 30 minute performance to break the finish tape.

There was a similar story of success for the home nations with 2023 Scottish masters athlete of the year nominee Andrew Douglas running the third fastest time of the day helping secure second place for the GB team completed by Matt Knowles and Ross Gollan.

The Yr Wydfa team finished just outside the podium places in 4th with Ben Rothery setting a blistering pace to take the prize for fastest descent. A youthful Scotland team secured an excellent 9th place finish just ahead of Wales in 11th and Ireland in 13th.

Post Race Reaction

Some of the British and Irish contingent took the time to talk to Fast Running about their experience at the 2023 Trofeo Vanoni.

Helen Leigh had this to say about her Vanoni debut; ‘My first time racing Trofeo Vanoni and what an experience. It feels like the whole town is cheering for you, on the fast and furious course. Already planning my trip back next year!’

Uphill specialist Zak Hannah, a regular on the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup circuit can’t wait to come back again; ‘Absolutely class as always, the Morbegno community welcomes everyone with open arms, the racing spirit and camaraderie amongst competitors makes it a classic that every runner should experience.’

A huge thanks to the organisation (notably Cristina Speciale) and the supporters out on course for making the 2023 Trofeo Vanoni extra special.

The post A relay to remember – Trofeo Vanoni appeared first on Fast Running.