Another busy weekend, with bad weather across much of the United Kingdom not preventing athletes taking to the roads in search of fast times. James Rhodes brings you the highlights.
In a weekend with multiple marathons across Europe and further afield, plus plentiful racing over shorter distances at home, it is hard to know where to start. Germany seems a good bet, however, and the Frankfurt Marathon.
The best British performance came from Tom Anderson, who’s 2:12:52 saw him finish twelfth overall. That time was less than a minute shy of his best of 2:12:05, set in Seville in February this year. Behind, Chris Rainsford (2:21:02) and Belgrave’s Henry Hart (2:23:31) were inside the top-25. Both set PBs, Chris in his first marathon in over five years whilst Henry improved by an impressive six minutes.
After going out in sub-2:40 pace through halfway, Steph McCall finished as the quickest British female with 2:49:38. The next best performances came from Rowen Hughes (2:53:14) and Laura Barber (2:55:47). It is Steph’s fastest marathon since 2020, whilst Rowen and Laura both set PBs. Rowen improved her best by a shade under 15 minutes, previously from London this year.
The races were won by Brimin Kipkorir Misoi (2:04:53) and Buzunesh Getachew Gudeta (2:19:27).
Fancy a Hill?
For those looking for a 26.2 mile challenge closer to home, the Snowdonia Marathon definitely fits the billing of a challenge. It encircles Yr Wyddfa, the highest peak in Wales, and takes in 836m elevation gain.
Marshall Smith (2:31:21) took victory on the challenging course in a fantastic time. It is only ten minutes shy of his fastest marathon, which he ran less than three weeks prior in Chester. Two and a half minutes behind was Daniel Connolly (2:33:56) with Thomas Charles (2:35:10) third.
View this post on Instagram
There was a clear margin of over six minutes for Alaw Evans (2:58:07) in the women’s field. She finished ahead of Gillian Allen (3:04:46) and Caryl Edwards (3:5:08) who completed the top-three. It was Alaw’s first marathon of 2023, and her first race since winning the Cardiff 10k last month.
View this post on Instagram
In all, 36 runners finished inside three hours – impressive for a course that includes over 830m of elevation gain. They includes former middle distance international James Thie, who’s 2:55:12 was a three minute PB, in his second ever marathon. Sub-2:50 must be on the cards on a flatter course!
Half the Distance
A rarity is starting the half marathon results in the United States. However, it would be remiss to not begin with the Indy Monumental Half in Indianapolis. Making his half marathon debut, Tom George took victory in 63:17.
Excellent performance from Tom George to win Indy Monumental Half yesterday in 63:17.
— Fast Running (@FastRunning) October 29, 2023
On the over side of the pond, the fastest times of the weekend came at the Run for All Coventry Half Marathon. They came thanks to Jason Bennett (70:05) and Claire Jacobs (76:41). It was a relatively close finish in the men’s field, with the top three separated by less than thirty seconds.
Paced by her brother Jake, Molly Smith (77:55) was a clear winner of the River Thames Half Marathon. Three weeks after the Chester Marathon, Melissah Gibson (83:08) finished second in her seventh half of the year. They sit alongside her ten marathons. Not enough racing, I’d say. Paul Piper was fastest overall, crossing the line in 72:14.
View this post on Instagram
Only a few miles away was the Wimbledon Half Marathon, a mostly trail route that was won by Breno Maximiano (82:18) and Sharon Walker (93:58).
Wimbledon was one of a number of RunThrough events this weekend. Another was the Macclesfield Half Marathon, won by Rob Whitby (76:11) and Margaret Beever (85:49). At the same venue, the 10k went to Vicki O’Meara (40:26) and Andrew Miles (32:39). Niki Faulkner (15:43) and Eva Mion (20:20) took the 5k.
Rachel Felton (80:18) and Lee Stopford (70:59) were quickest at the Stroud Half Marathon. Moving eastwards to Kent where Luke Levine (82:53) and Claire Page (96:02) entered the winners book at the Bedgebury Forest Half Marathon. Charlotte Johnston (45:45) and David Ervine (38:56) won the associated 10k.
Finally, across the border to Milnathort in Scotland. There, Ben Kinninmonth (78:18) and Laura Gibson (84:49) were victorious at the Path of Condie Half Marathon.
Racing Over 10k
The name of the Lightning Bolt 10k was apt, as it delivered lightning quick times. Making her 10k debut was Ellie Wallace; you’d never guess, however, as she took victory in 32:49. That time is the equal thirteenth quickest by a British woman this year. Tom Brookes (31:57) crossed the line first amongst the men racing.
Elsewhere, Ben Jones (32:22) and Lisa Thomas (38:06) ran well to win the Redditch Kingfisher 10k, as did Amy Hall (40:42) and Lee Varley (32:58) to win the Brigg Poppy 10k. The Tamworth 10k provided Stefi Honkowicz (41:44) and Matt Scarsbrook (31:30) with victories. It was the latter’s quickest 10k of the year by over half a minute.
The Mallory Park 10k organised by Active Training World saw Johannes Arens (32:50) and Tina Tosh (43:59) cross the line first. The Clock Change Challenge 10k in Calne celebrated the extra hour in bed as the clocks went back. Gill Davies (49:53) and Mo Kachach (34:44) made the most of the additional sleep (perhaps!) to take victory.
Sally Armitage (37:59) and David Mckinnon (33:03) won the Wistow 10k. Joseph Booth (32:41) and Sally Higgs (41:03) were victorious at the Brewers 10k, whilst Zach Lomas (16:46) and Helen Taylor (18:58) won the associated 5k.
Staying with 5k, there were two races midweek over the distance. Firstly, George Anderson (16:41) and Charley Clark Taylor (19:02) were victorious at the Even Splits Leeds 5k on Wednesday.
London’s Hyde Park played host to the regular Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5k on, you guessed it, Friday! It witnessed a hugely impressive run from Olivia Forrest (16:38). She was the quickest female with a 15 second PB that moves her to fourth on the British U15 all-time rankings. Round up regular Ollie Garrod (15:09) was the quickest male.
View this post on Instagram
Something In Between
If a 10k is too short and a half marathon too long, ten miles is perhaps the perfect distance. A good job there were (at least) three happening this weekend. Firstly, Martin Amos (55:07) and Claire Frankland (59:52) went quickest at the Fenland 10. There were wins for Croydon Harrier Douglas Aikman (58:09) and Katy Peri (77:01) at the Ashford & District 10. Finally, celebrating spooky season, Victoria Scrowston (1:23:17) and Iuean Galvin (1:02:07) were winners of the Exeter Halloween 10. The 5 miler went to Sam Bailey (30:20) and Judith Bond (31:13).
& Finally
It’s always nice to be able to include a performance from one of the Fast Running team. Robbie Britton finished third at the Trail Monte Casto in his home Piedmont in Italy. The race covers over 44km and 1,900m of elevation gain, and Robbie finished in 3:58. Not a bad way to end a 120 mile week!