It was an action packed weekend for GB athletes competing at home and overseas, with Leeds City AC dominating the National Road Relay Championships, and Dave Weir’s fine performance in the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris.
Here’s a recap on how British athletes performed this weekend.
National Road Relay Championships, Birmingham, 8 April
Leeds City AC were runaway winners in the women’s race, stopping Aldershot, Farnham & District’s seemingly never-ending run of titles as they took victory by nearly four minutes. GB marathoner Susan Partridge put them second after leg one, as she produced the second fastest long leg of the day, behind only Verity Ockenden of runners-up Swansea Harriers.
The third fastest short leg of the day by GB mountain running international Emma Clayton put Leeds out in front, and they never looked back, extending their lead all the way to the line. Kate Maltby clocked the fastest short leg of the day with 16.38, six seconds quicker than Laura Weightman.
The men’s race was equally one-sided as Swansea Harriers won by five minutes, ahead of Bristol & West and Liverpool Harriers. It did take until the halfway mark for the Welsh team to take the lead, but once they did they were never headed, Dewi Griffiths helping them on their way with the fastest long leg of the day, a 25.10 clocking.
Great Ireland Run, Dublin, Ireland, 9 April
Gemma Steel put in a fine performance to win her third Great Ireland Run title. The former European cross country champion crossed the line in 34:15. Behind Steel in 2nd place was Jenny Spink in 34.24.
Paris Marathon, Paris, France, 9 April
Dave Weir fine-tuned his preparations ahead of the London marathon at the end of the month with a commanding victory on his first time racing at Paris’ marathon, with a time of 1:29.25 seeing the six-time Paralympic champion seal the win.
Sun Angel Classic, Arizona, USA, 8 April
Chijindu Ujah made an early start to his outdoor season and was rewarded with a 200m personal best of 20.39 (+1.7m/s). He also posted a 10.29 100m clocking into a strong 2.9m/s headwind.
Baylor Invitational, Texas, USA, 8 April
400m man George Caddick produced a personal best in his first outing of the outdoor season as he finished runner-up in 45.80.
Skechers Performance Carl Kight Invitational, Texas, USA, 7 April
Steeplechase specialist Lennie Waite made a solid outing over 5,000m, taking victory in a personal best of 16.12.54, seven seconds fastest than her old PB set in 2014.
Grenada Invitational, Grenada, 8 April
Martyn Rooney didn’t quite have what it took to stop local hero Kirani James from having a party on his home track, losing out 45.44 to 46.35, but he did beat some quality athletes to finish second in his first individual outing of the season.
Podebrady Walking Race, Czech Republic, 8 April
In the men’s 20km international match race, Cameron Corbishley finished a terrific eleventh, with a 1.26.00 time, some five minutes quicker than he’s ever gone before. In the women’s race Gemma Bridge was tenth in 1.35.03, a two and a half minute personal best and inside the London 2017 qualifying time of 1:36:00.