UK road results, March 30-April 3, 2022
Becky Briggs enjoyed a huge breakthrough as she took five minutes off her PB with 2:29:04, while Jonny Mellor was close to his lifetime best with a commanding men's win in 2:10:46 .
In ideal conditions for marathon running, Briggs and Mellor both smashed the England qualifying standard for the Commonwealth Games of 2:14:00 plus the European Championships mark of 2:14:30 on a day of brilliant racing.
A total of 20 Brits broke the 2:20 barrier with Mellor's training partner Ross Millington clocking 2:11:38 in his debut marathon in second place, as Kevin Seaward of Northern Ireland was third in 2:11:54.
Behind Briggs, Naomi Mitchell was runner-up in a PB of 2:30:54 while Georgina Schwiening was third in 2:31:37 and Sonia Samuels, 42, fourth in 2:32:32.
All of them were well inside the 2:34:00 women's qualifying standard for the Commonwealth Games. Although in addition to places in the England team for Birmingham in July and GB team for Munich in August, the race was also a trial for the GB team for the IAU 50km European Championships in Avila, Spain, in October.
In a race packed with top-class performances, the super-vet Tommy Hughes clocked a phenomenal 2:30:05 aged 62, although it is not quite as quick as his M60 record of 2:30:02 set two years ago.
Defending champion Matt Crehan enjoyed an early lead in the race but he was caught before halfway – which the leaders reached in 66:05 – and Mellor, who had been helped by pacemakers such as Ben Connor, Omar Ahmed and Charlie Hulson, made a strong move just after 20 miles to break away from his rivals.
Mellor and Millington are both members of Team New Balance Manchester and are coached by Steve Vernon. Millington ran for Britain over 10,000m at the Rio Olympics but Mellor has endured bad luck with major championships qualification, being overlooked by England in the run-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games and then being forced to miss last year's Olympic marathon trial due to a freak leg injury caused, he thinks, by compression socks during his sleep.
Briggs only turned 22 last month but looks ideally suited to the marathon. Just three years ago she was the third British athlete in the under-20 race at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus but ran 2:38:58 on her marathon debut in the Olympic trial last year and then 2:34:34 in London last October.
Here she went through halfway in 74:16, then overhauled long-time leader Mitchell with about 10km to go and finished strongly to smash the 2:30 barrier and to go No.20 on the UK all-time rankings.
Huge PB from Becky Briggs as the 22-year-old takes more than 5min off her PB to win the Manchester Marathon in 2:29:05 (tbc). pic.twitter.com/cUpPbA3OFB
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) April 3, 2022
"I can't believe it as I didn't feel great before the marathon," said a tearful Briggs, who runs for the City of Hull. "I've beaten the qualifying times! It was great conditions and it's a great race."
While Hughes missed out on a record time in the men he did set a world age 62 best by ten minutes - the previous best was John Gilmour's 40 year old mark of 2:41:07 but there was a women's age group record.
For much of the race it looked as if Sue McDonald was going to improve on her UK W50 record set in London last year of 2:51:27.
She was well ahead of target at 10km in 39:05 and at halfway in 1:24:06. At this stage fellow W50 Zelah Morrell was behind but closing after a 40:09 opening 5km and 1:24:45 halfway time.
By 30km, Morrell (2:01:01) had passed McDonald (2:01:27) and carrying on at virtually the same pace she just missed breaking the 2:50 barrier with 2:50:02 which took 85 seconds off of McDonald's record.
McDonald, who joins the W55 age group later this year, ran 2:53:56.
Elite Overall (Mar): 1 J Mellor (Liv H, M35) 2:10:46; 2 R Millington (Stock H) 2:11:38; 3 K Seaward (Card, M35) 2:11:54; 4 E Goddard (AUS) 2:13:45; 5 A Heyes (Hallam) 2:13:53; 6 N Martin (Sale, M35) 2:15:19; 7 D Nash (Card) 2:15:34; 8 F Baddick (NEB, M35) 2:16:20; 9 R Richmond (Bide, M35) 2:16:59; 10 W Mycroft (C&C) 2:17:02; 11 A Bowden (B'end, M35) 2:17:19; 12 A Milne (HW) 2:17:53; 13 W Bryan (Soton) 2:17:54; 14 I Allen (Spa) 2:17:58; 15 W Strangeway (Linc W, M35) 2:18:02; 16 N Bowker (Clap C, M35) 2:18:10; 17 M Crehan (SHS) 2:18:16; 18 L Taylor (Leeds C) 2:18:50; 19 M Kallenberg (Card) 2:18:56; 20 K Walker (NE Project) 2:19:37; 21 T Frith (S'end) 2:19:46; 22 R Skelton (HY Runners) 2:20:49; 23 G Laybourne (S Lon, M40) 2:22:42; 24 L Cotter (Roth) 2:23:09; 25 C Oddy (Leeds C, M35) 2:23:13; 26 S Blake (AFD) 2:23:45; 27 N Barry (Sale, M35) 2:23:45; 28 P Robinson (Spring S, M35) 2:24:43; 29 T Austin (Poole) 2:24:51; 30 K Wilson (Moray) 2:25:45; 31 P Martin (PNV, M40) 2:26:53
M40: 3 A Clark (B'mth) 2:28:36
Women (elite):
1 B Briggs (CoH) 2:29:07; 2 N Mitchell (Read) 2:30:55; 3 G Schwiening (Cambridge Runners) 2:31:38; 4 S Samuels (Sale, W40) 2:32:33; 5 C Richardson (Bir) 2:33:27; 6 A Bracegirdle (Salf) 2:34:22; 7 H Seaward (TVH) 2:35:44; 8 E Styles (Nun, W35) 2:37:40; 9 S Wood (Sale) 2:38:25; 10 G Ganiel (NBH, W45) 2:41:46; 11 R Bunting (Lon Hth, W35) 2:41:49; 12 E Renondeau (Vale R, W40) 2:42:08; 13 R Birt (Annalee, IRL) 2:43:00; 14 L Thomas (Ips J) 2:43:27; 15 V Fouhy (Fulham) 2:44:20; 16 G Hillier-Moses (Charn) 2:46:40; 17 H Stables (Avon VR, W40) 2:46:50; 18 H Lord (Rut RC) 2:46:57; 19 N Hall (VP&Conns, W40) 2:47:50; 20 C Hanson (Linc W) 2:48:15
Overall (non-elite Mar):
1 F Stewart (Cambus) 2:18:40; 2 G Phillips (Notts) 2:24:16; 3 W Clarke (Barr R, M35) 2:24:30; 4 D Bishop (Der) 2:24:54; 5 E Mcginley (L'kenny, M35) 2:24:59; 6 C McGarrity (Shett) 2:25:24; 7 C Spelina (Serp, M35) 2:26:00; 8 M Costley (Soton) 2:26:01; 9 J Ramm (Dulw) 2:26:03; 10 J Payne (VP&TH) 2:26:47; 11 J MacDonald (Camb H, M40) 2:27:14; 12 M Eccles (Bure, M40) 2:27:19; 13 C Xenos (VP&TH, M35) 2:27:22; 14 T Campion-Smith (Oxf C) 2:27:36; 15 T Webb (N Herts, M35) 2:27:41; 16 M Williams (Tip, M40) 2:27:42; 17 M Speed (Lon C AC) 2:27:42; 18 C Matthews (Unatt) 2:27:50; 19 S Yates (Twemlow, M40) 2:27:54
M40: 5 G Tomlinson (Chorlton) 2:28:14; 6 L Mcintyre (RunThrough) 2:29:02; 7 C Burgoyne (Spring S) 2:29:13; 8 J Dale (VP&TH) 2:29:14; 9 T Owens (Shett) 2:30:04; 10 J Herrera (Lon C AC) 2:31:22; 11 C McGonagle (L'kenny) 2:31:24; 12 D Hunt (Soton) 2:31:35; 13 J Tipper (Kent) 2:31:41; 14 A Stacey (CAN) 2:31:52; 15 D Sunter (N Herts) 2:31:58; 16 B Cook (NSP) 2:32:23; 17 P Dickens (Camb H) 2:32:48; 18 N Pollard (Newmkt J) 2:33:03; 19 G McKivett (Arena) 2:33:26; 20 N Collins (Ashf D) 2:33:36; 21 N Mihalik (N'hant RR) 2:33:49; 22 L Bek (Abu Dhabi Striders) 2:34:29; 23 A Smith (Slaithwaite striders) 2:34:54
M45: 1 S Brember (Centr) 2:30:16; 2 K Russell (Read RR) 2:35:06; 3 S Crook (Stock H) 2:35:13; 4 S Shaw (ESM) 2:35:15; 5 H Taggert (Keep Er Lit) 2:37:20; 6 B Lloyd (RSC) 2:37:25; 7 A Haney (Chorlton) 2:37:26; 8 D Lawson 2:37:34; 9 P Cheetham (THH) 2:37:35; 10 M Sayers (North Herts RR) 2:38:37; 11 N Dixon (Newc S) 2:39:02; 12 A Bridgman (BMH) 2:39:20; 13 J Riley (Rane) 2:39:31; 14 D Tamburini (I'clyde) 2:39:38; 15 G Shaw (Barlick) 2:39:44
M50: 1 P Sadler (Cranbrook RC) 2:38:13; 2 W Langler Watts (100MC) 2:43:12; 3 C Batho (Stock H) 2:44:03; 4 J O'Sullivan (IRL) 2:44:06; 5 K Mcgee (L'kenny) 2:44:10; 6 A Mckillop (St Alb S) 2:44:35; 7 I King (Ashf) 2:46:04; 8 S Nimmo (Orp) 2:46:55; 9 P Chamberlain 2:48:13; 10 J Ratcliffe (Herne H) 2:48:17; 11 M Tomkinson (Hoad) 2:48:54; 12 R Collier (Axe V) 2:49:07; 13 C Oosthuizen (Tone Z) 2:49:29; 14 B Poll (Brack) 2:49:33; 15 P Coughlan (BRAT) 2:49:35; 16 D Williamson (Tadw) 2:49:35; 17 C Furness (BMH) 2:49:47
M55: 1 A Bloore (E&E) 2:41:07; 2 M Murray (New M) 2:43:30; 3 M Lynas (THH) 2:43:54; 4 G Bale (Plyms) 2:44:37; 5 R Shipway (Western) 2:45:49; 6 R Soutar 2:48:31; 7 R Burn (Bux) 2:49:12; 8 R Johnson (Alt) 2:49:24; 9 P Summers (Handy C) 2:49:36; 10 M Allen (Ips J) 2:50:08; 11 A Pearson (P'stone) 2:50:32; 12 S Ramek (26.2) 2:51:04; 13 M Turney (Chilt) 2:52:02; 14 K Klidzia (Folk) 2:53:01; 15 P Mills (Holc) 2:53:25; 16 D Somerville (Omagh) 2:53:36; 17 R Andrew (Aln) 2:54:43; 18 R Dixon (Knowle & Dorridge) 2:55:34; 19 J Bigg (BMH) 2:55:40; 20 B Park (S'port W) 2:56:42; 21 R Voaden (100MC) 2:57:08; 22 R Rycroft (Unatt) 2:57:08; 23 A Childs (Leigh S) 2:57:11; 24 S Chambers (Salf) 2:57:31; 25 A Brookes (Woking) 2:57:43; 26 M Havenhand (Barns) 2:57:50; 27 W Mcgarrell (W Ches) 2:57:55; 28 E Nicoll (Tri Prest) 2:58:18; 29 A Oliver (Hart) 2:58:22; 30 R Evans (Alt) 2:58:23; 31 S Loughran (Kirkby Milers) 2:58:42; 32 J Anderson (C&C) 2:58:46; 33 M Powell (Doddy) 2:59:16; 34 G Taylor (LFR) 2:59:19; 35 P Lane (Danum) 2:59:30; 36 G Tait (Styal) 2:59:30
M60: 1 T Hughes (Strive) 2:30:05; 2 M Slaney (BMH) 2:56:34; 3 I James (Wrex) 2:58:03; 4 G Dale (Salf) 2:58:33; 5 K Davies (Clay) 3:02:09; 6 S Sincock (SWRR) 3:03:03; 7 D Esposito (Midlands Master AC) 3:06:36; 8 I Robinson (Barr R) 3:07:22; 9 G Evans (Lon Hth) 3:08:27; 10 S Sharma (B'mth) 3:09:50; 11 K Harrison (Sneyd) 3:10:44; 12 D Rees (Liv PS) 3:11:45; 13 S Cory (Unatt) 3:12:16; 14 C Dixon (Camb H) 3:13:50; 15 R Hobbs (Redway) 3:13:57; 16 S Smith (Strag) 3:14:23; 17 M Stacey (March) 3:15:22; 18 C Murphy (Derg Athletic) 3:16:50; 19 R Corsini (Darw) 3:18:09; 20 L Hanlon (Unatt) 3:18:18; 21 M Halvey (Rane) 3:19:10; 22 G Bull (Reig) 3:19:11; 23 M Foy (Unatt) 3:19:50
M65: 1 D Jolly (CAAT) 3:09:35; 2 T Coyle 3:15:51; 3 M Auger 3:19:54; 4 J Black (Eton M) 3:23:59; 5 G Chapman (Ely) 3:25:36; 6 D Travis (South Galway AC) 3:26:30; 7 M Knight (Bray Runners AC) 3:28:49; 8 W Grey (ESM) 3:29:19
U20: 1 W Lindsey (Dur) 2:38:57
Women (non-elite):
1 K King (St Ed) 2:46:14; 2 A Granger (B&W, W45) 2:48:33; 3 J Vine (Gard CR, W35) 2:49:18; 4 A McEwing (Erme) 2:49:45; 5 E Dimond (Llis, W35) 2:49:51; 6 J Hinton (Lon Hth, W35) 2:50:02; 7 Z Morrall (Corn, W50) 2:50:02 (UK W50 record); 8 M Hawtin (Oxf C) 2:50:09; 9 A Braham (Eal E, W45) 2:50:30; 10 C Fraser (I'ness) 2:51:02; 11 A Harris (Phoe) 2:51:44; 12 T Millmore (Birt, W35) 2:52:04; 13 S Holt (Strag, W40) 2:52:05; 14 C Tyler (Lon Hth, W35) 2:52:10; 15 K Smith (W Ches, W35) 2:52:10; 16 L Niemz (Bir, W35) 2:52:57; 17 H Roberts (Dartf, W40) 2:53:24; 18 V Ratcliffe (Somer, W45) 2:53:40; 19 B Timmings (BRAT) 2:53:48; 20 E Hawthorn (Strag) 2:53:53; 21 S McDonald (S Lon, W50) 2:53:56; 22 L Colman (S'end, W40) 2:54:05; 23 S Logan (Fife, W35) 2:54:06; 24 C McErlean (Soton, W35) 2:54:09; 25 G Bland (Hunc, W40) 2:54:32; 26 M Dohren (VP&TH, W40) 2:54:41; 27 C Charlton (Notts, W40) 2:54:52; 28 A Thorn (Erme, W45) 2:55:03; 29 N Wangler (Edin U HH) 2:55:13; 30 R Winter (Ack, W35) 2:55:19; 31 J Harvey (AFD) 2:55:25; 32 C Parker (Abing) 2:55:34; 33 R Hattersley (SWRR) 2:55:59; 34 G Parker (Clap C) 2:56:10; 35 L Eastman (K'worth) 2:56:17; 36 A White (Unatt) 2:56:21; 37 C Marwick (High H, W35) 2:56:28; 38 K Austin (Ips J, W35) 2:56:31; 39 K Mactear (B&W) 2:56:32; 40 L Rooney (King T, W40) 2:56:34; 41 N Woodyard (Spring S, W40) 2:56:37; 42 C Brock (Steel, W35) 2:56:38; 43 G Moriarty (N'pton) 2:56:57; 44 M Cawthorn 2:57:04; 45 D Tarleton (Arena, W45) 2:57:19; 46 R Hodgkinson (S Liv) 2:57:21; 47 A Bayliss (Salis, W45) 2:57:27; 48 V Hill (SWRR, W40) 2:57:29; 49 F Lightowler (P'fract, W40) 2:57:46; 50 F Hannon (Oxf C) 2:57:46; 51 C Fitzpatrick (W End) 2:57:49; 52 J Sutcliffe (P'fract, W45) 2:58:14; 53 K Good (Clap C) 2:58:15; 54 K Streams (Read RR, W50) 2:58:22; 55 F Todd (Bord H, W45) 2:58:37; 56 K Chapman (Bish S, W45) 2:58:57; 57 F Maycock (Western Tempo, W50) 2:59:19; 58 M Jones-Walters (Shrews) 2:59:28; 59 F Rawlings (Cleve, W40) 2:59:40; 60 C Mullenger (Wimb W, W40) 2:59:46; 61 T Malone (Ennis, W40) 2:59:48; 62 H Somani (VP&TH) 2:59:50; 63 R Marshall (Scar, W40) 2:59:50; 64 K Morgan (LFR, W40) 2:59:57
W35: 14 V Riches (Had H) 3:01:42; 15 A Mcclusky 3:01:44; 16 A Sole (Corn) 3:03:14; 17 M Heald (L&M) 3:03:34
W40: 16 R Miller (Kenil) 3:00:54; 17 L Collins (S'bridge) 3:01:11; 18 S Bell (Chep) 3:02:07; 19 J Vickers (S Lon) 3:03:39; 20 F Buxton (NantRC) 3:04:15; 21 O Odland (Varhaug) 3:04:45; 22 L Jones (Swan) 3:04:49; 23 S Duncan (Weston) 3:05:06; 24 K Gibson (Convoy AC) 3:06:41; 25 S Ward (Stubb G) 3:06:46
W45: 10 J Sangster (Redway) 3:00:17; 11 J Thomas (Holm) 3:03:40; 12 L Dixon (Newc S) 3:03:50; 13 C Robinson (DSDAC) 3:04:24; 14 D McVey (Wilm) 3:05:23; 15 M Walsh (Raheny Shamrock) 3:05:45; 16 S Wright (Arena) 3:06:40; 17 L Fraser (Edin) 3:06:44; 18 A Young (Chilt) 3:07:31; 19 M Maxwell (Chipp) 3:07:49; 20 M Mc Granaghan (L'kenny) 3:08:40; 21 K Stevenson (Tyne Br) 3:09:05
W50: 5 S Mctigue 3:06:02; 6 J Cook (Shrop S) 3:06:05; 7 J Stanfield (Trent) 3:11:44; 8 T Medley (Bord H) 3:13:00; 9 M Jesson (Corby) 3:14:30; 10 A Thompson (Skegness & District) 3:14:50
W55: 1 E Prinsep (Roms) 3:19:06; 2 J Smith (Ely) 3:21:22; 3 A Bade 3:25:25; 4 J Yates (Radc) 3:26:15
W60: 1 K Flikschuh (VP&TH) 3:14:58; 2 C McCarthy (P'fract) 3:20:49; 3 J Kidd (Kenil) 3:34:42; 4 A Connell (Fitstuff) 3:43:10; 5 D Bolt (Datch) 3:44:32
W65: 1 S Polkey (Tadcaster) 3:52:36; 2 S Jones (Radc) 4:00:10; 3 K Waddicor (Steel) 4:03:19
Wheelchair (Mar):
1 S Kolek (Kirkby AC, M35) 1:48:24; 2 M Clarke (British Wheelchair Racing Association, M45) 1:57:10; 3 M Snopek (W35) 2:40:26
Women: 1 Snopek 2:40:26
Full Manchester Marathon results are here on Run Britain
At the age of 39, 2:18:26 marathoner James Connor had his biggest win to date as he made the most of the near perfect cool and still conditions with a PB 65:58.
Ed Bovingdon came through strongly for second in 66:45 with Neil Kevern third in 66:59.
Kate Drew was a clear women's winner in a PB 74:38.
W40 Sarah Webster was second in 77:24 while Hayley Munn was third in 77:56.
Clare Elms set a world age-58 best of 82:01 (chip time) to go second in the UK all-time W55 lists with her fastest time for nine years as she improved Fiona Matheson's previous best by 40 seconds.
That time put her top of the 2022 UK W55 rankings while close behind 2:32:40 marathoner Emma Stepto went top of the W50 rankings albeit with a slightly slower chip time of 82:13.
Overall:
1 J Connor (Have, M35) 65:58; 2 E Bovingdon (I&I) 66:45; 3 N Kevern (Brack) 66:59; 4 P Roddy (THH) 67:26
M45: 1 K Kyereme (SB) 68:52; 2 A Grenville (TV Tri) 72:27; 3 B Underwood (Poole) 73:11
Women:
1 K Drew (Taun) 74:38; 2 S Webster (Nthn (IOM), W40) 77:24; 3 H Munn (R&N) 77:56; 4 S Delderfield (VoA, W35) 78:35; 5 L Locks (AFD, W45) 79:11
W35: 2 L Bromilow (Mil K) 80:19; 3 C Firth (WSEH) 80:28
W50: 1 E Stepto (Corn) 82:16; 2 C Hoskins (Unatt) 86:16
W55: 1 C Elms (Kent) 82:04
Full results on Run Britain here
In near perfect conditions in Perth, the Sri Chinmoy 100km race, which incorporated the British and Scottish 100km Championship together with the annual Anglo Celtic Plate Home Countries International, saw victories by England's Matt Dickinson and Scotland’s Jo Murphy, Adrian Stott reports.
In one of the most competitive 100km races ever seen in Britain on Sunday seven men broke the magical seven-hour barrier and three women the magical eight-hour barrier with a string of personal bests throughout the field.
Running his first 100km road race, Dickinson was content to sit in the pack in the early stages. At 50km, which was reached in around 3:18, no less than two minutes separated the top 12 men. Approaching the 40 miles mark, as some slowed or faltered, the Clapham Chaser maintained a steady pace to ease into the lead and achieve almost even 50km splits to win in 6:39:34 breaking Charlie Harpur's 2019 course record by almost four minutes.
Behind him England’s Ollie Garrod and the two Scots from Metro Aberdeen – Jason Kelly and Chris Richardson looked strong along with Northern Ireland's Gareth King.
Kelly finished second in 6:42:23 with Garrod third in 6:46:50 and King fourth in an all-Ireland record of 6:47:33 .
Former women's champion Sam Amend and her English team-mate Caroline Turner led through 50km in 3:46 with Murphy running at her own pace a few minutes further back in 3:52:29.
Murphy, the winner in Ireland last August, was to prove the stronger again, showing incredible pace judgement to run a negative split coming home in 7:41:12 – a PB by almost 10 minutes and obliterating the long held course record of 8:00:30 set by former GB international Emily Gelder in 2011.
Amend took second in 7:48:39 PB with Turner in her first 100km placing third in 7:51:39.
The Norman Wilson Trophies for the best newcomers were taken by Dickinson and Turner.
Overall:
1 M Dickinson (Clap C) 6:39:34; 2 J Kelly (Metro) 6:42:23; 3 O Garrod (S Lon) 6:46:50; 4 G King (Unatt, M40) 6:47:33; 5 J Turner (C&C) 6:48:55; 6 P Martelletti (VP&TH, M40) 6:51:02; 7 C Richardson (Metro) 6:51:07; 8 M Innocenti (Tring, M35) 7:00:38; 9 R Turner (Muss, M45) 7:02:36; 10 J Baker (Stad R, M35) 7:07:43; 11 P Mullins (St. Finbarrs, M40) 7:12:45; 12 R Payne (Clee) 7:13:38; 13 A Irvine (M40) 7:30:32; 14 P Tucker (I'clyde, M40) 7:35:36; 15 S Richards (P'pridd R) 7:36:08; 16 J Murphy (C'gie, W) 7:41:12; 17 J Hammond (PH Racing, M35) 7:42:04; 18 D O'Keeffe 7:43:28; 19 G Pritchard (Vegan, M40) 7:45:07; 20 S Amend (Belg, W40) 7:48:39
M55: 1 J Mower (Glouc) 9:05:49
M60: 1 S Bennett (B'land F) 9:38:59
Women:
1 Murphy 7:41:12; 2 Amend 7:48:39; 3 C Turner (LonelyGoat, W40) 7:51:35; 4 A Sarkies (R&N, W40) 8:00:50; 5 A McGill (Fife, W40) 8:02:34; 6 S Carter (W'stock, W40) 8:35:34; 7 P Mcloughlin (Le C, W45) 8:36:24; 8 L Allen (Kirk O, W35) 8:41:40; 9 J Newens (RRC, W50) 8:49:23; 10 A Jennings (Dublin Bay RC, W45) 8:57:24
W45: 3 A Rowlands (Eryri) 8:58:50; 4 V Sesto (Lym Ath) 9:08:54
Overall:
1 R Britton (N Norf, M35) 2:57:17; 2 M Heggie 3:19:04; 3 B Gibson (Dund H, M45) 3:23:40
Women:
1 A Woodrow (C'thy) 3:47:40; 2 S Sawyer (Arena, W45) 3:53:26; 3 H Falconer (Harm, W40) 4:07:11
Rising costs and availability at the previous venue necessitated a change and Preston Park was pressed into service, albeit with the main races’ 2-mile distance having to run over two out and back laps, Martin Duff reports.
Race organiser Gavin Stephens said: “Christs Hospital was proving difficult for a couple of reasons: increasing cost was a factor, but the main one was being restricted to the same date as Brighton Marathon which wouldn't have worked.”
The new venue proved a success and a total 223 teams of three or four finished.
With three of their fourth-placed sextet from the South of England women’s six-stage event a week earlier, Lewes came out on top but not without missing out on the top two times. These went to the Brighton Phoenix pair of Maria Hardman and under-29 Alice Wright, with a race best 10:45, who brought them home second.
For the winners, Emma Navesey, Emily Proto and Lizzie Keep won by 41 seconds.
There was a change in the men’s race where it was four to run and not six and the M40s also had three rather than the four before.
In the men’s race, Crawley had a 24 second win over Horsham Blue Star, with Ben Shaw their best, mid-race, on 9:55, but the fastest laps went elsewhere. It was Worthing’s Jack Woods best at 9:30 whilst second placed Horsham had Luke Burgess and Bradley Bure the next best.
The under-17s ran in the senior race and the fastest there was Luke Newton from Crawley’s B team with a 9:52.
Brighton & Hove won the M40 race but Chichester’s Joe Corbett was quickest with 10:05, whilst Emma Footman led from the start, with the fastest lap, for Worthing in the W40 section.
The age group events over the out and back mile, saw Owen Wallek, the Southern cross-country silver medallist anchor for Phoenix, whilst another Southern second-placer Yasmin Kashdan found herself only second fastest under-17 woman behind Crawley team mate Amelia Cox.
Men (4x2M):
1 Crawley 39:58 (N Blackledge 10:01, K Barnes 9:56, B Short 9:55, J Hobbs 10:04); 2 Horsh BS 40:22 (B Burke 9:40, A Williams 11:01, L Triccas 10:04, L Burgess 9:55); 3 Phoenix 40:57 (A Carter 10:01, S Peters 10:23, A Dorrington 10:35, M Waterworth 9:56); 4 Crawley B 41:07; 5 Arena 41:28; 6 B&H 41:42; 7 Hy R 41:43; 8 Lewes 42:14; 9 Phoenix B 43;19; 10 Worthing 43:47
Fastest: J Woods (Worth) 9:30; Burgess 9:35; Burke 9:40
U20: T Kimber (Craw) 9:54
U17: L Newton (Craw) 9:52; Waterworth 9:55; C Wright (Lewes) 10:01
M40 (3x2M):
1 B&H 31:24 (M Bristow 10:42, H Bristow 10:29, C Halsey 10:12); 2 Phoenix 32:08 (J Clays 10:37, S Roberts 10:56, I Leitch 10:34; 3 Haywards H 32:29 (M Kimmins 10:50, B Duncan 10:45, I Kenton 10:53; 4 Lewes 32:57; 5 Worthing 33:16; 6 B&H B 34:03
Fastest: J Corbett (Chich R) 10:05, T Meanwell (Lewes) 10:06; Halsey 10;12
M50 (3x2M):
1 Lewes 33:47 (C Gilbert 11:10, C Bennett 11:22, L Sida 11:15; 2 Phoenix 36:04; 3 Phoenix B 36:10
Fastest: Gilbert 11:10
M60 (3x2M):
1 Horsh J 35:40 (S Wigmore 12:17, D Angell 11:35, P O’Connell 11;47; 2 Phoenix 41:10; 3 B&H 41:17
Fastest: Angell 11:35
U15 (3x1M):
1 Phoenix 14:54 (M Noakes 5:00, R Reed 5:09, O Wallek 4:44); 2 B&H 14:58 (R Curtis 5:01, T Matthews 5:04, F Goodman 4:52); 3 Crawley 15:10 (M Webb 5:03, T Kenkins 5:16, S Sprostranova 4:51); 4 Worthing 15:19; 5 B&H B 16:15; 6 Hay H 16:19
Fastest: Wallek 4:44; Sprostranova 4:51; F Goodman (B&H) 4:52
U13 (3x1M):
1 B&H 16:10 (A Roberts 5:38, G Gilbert 5:17, S Bennett 5:14); 2 Crawley 17:12 (O Maranzano 5:33, P Nixon 5:50, O Alward 5:48); 3 Phoenix 17:23 (L Wilbey 5:48, J Pursey 5:46, R Barra 5:48); 4 B&H B 17:45; 5 Chich R 17:51; 6 Horsh BS 18:09
Fastest: Bennett 5:14; Gilbert 5:17; F Boniface (Horsh BS) 5:19
U11 (3x1M): 1 B&H 18:11 (E Taites 6:03, E James 6:05, S Skinner 6:03; 2 Chich R 18:44; 3 Steyning 18:51
Fastest: M Staynes (Steyn) 5:54
Women (3x2M):
1 Lewes 34:08 (E Navesey 11:18, E Proto 11:33, L Keep 11:16); 2 Phoenix 34:49 (M Hardman 10:53, S Akilade 13:10, A Wright 10:45); 3 Crawley 34:53 (A Cox 11:09, T Sullivan 12:27, Y Kashdan 11:17); 4 B&H 36:17; 5 B&H B 36:57; 6 Phoenix B 38:01; 7 Lewes B 38:36; 8 Crawley B 38:41; 9 Arena 38:51; 10 Phoenix B 39:23
Fastest: Hardman 10:53; Keep 11:16; Navesey 11:18
U20: Wright 10:45
U17: Cox 11:09; Kashdan 11:17; E McLean (E’brne) 11:20
W40 (3x2M):
1 Worthing 37:10 (E Footman 11:59, T Clark 13:08, P Scott-Andrews 12:02; 2 Arena 40:41; 3 Lewes 40:53
Fastest: Footman 11:59; Scott-Andrews 12:02; S Latchman (Phoe) 12:22
W50 (3x2M):
1 Arena 38:21 (R Burgess 13:06, C Wood 13:31, J Briggs 11:43); 2 B&H 38:40; 3 Arena B 46:10
Fastest: L Schofield (B&H) 11:30; Briggs 11:43; Burgess 13:06
W60 (3x2M):
1 Chich R 42:26 (J Harrop 13:09, H Dean 13:29, A Godfrey 15:48); 2 Lewes 48:28; 3 Burgess HR 50:16
Fastest: Harrap 13:09; Dean 13:29; J Hughes (Arena) 14:03
U15 (3x1M):
1 Crawley 16:36 (R Daniels 5:41, A Cox 5:38, S Shaw 5:16); 2 Lewes 16:49 (G Tuesday 5:23, E Stephenson 5:45, A James 5:40); 3 Worthing 17:00 (Lillie Hellyer 5:26, F Lloyd 6:13, Laila Hellyer 5:20); 4 B&H 17:35; 5 Chich R 17:44; 6 Phoenix 17:56
Fastest: Shaw 5:16; Laila Hellyer 5:20; Tuesday 5:23
U13 (3x1M):
1 E’brne R 17:51 (B Green 6:34, I Wheeler 6:20, I Jestico 6:19); 2 Crawley 18:07 (E Singer 6:03, E Barry 6:38, A Bedford 6:36); 3 B&H 18:32 (M Corbett 6:11, P Cooper 7:17, A Sparkes 6:27); 4 B&H B 18:59; 5 Bodyworks 19:07; 6 Horsham BS 19:14
Fastest: E Whyman (Craw) 5:50; R Petrova (E’brne)/B Webb (Craw) 5:52;
U11 (3x1M):
1 Hy R 18:14 (A Cole 6:04, F Tewkesbury 6:21, I Buchanen 5:48); 2 Phoenix 18:23; 3 Crawley 19:23
Fastest: K Haslip (Phoe) 5:29
Overall:
1 P Coon (Salf, M40) 57:06; 2 P Lowery (Bord H) 58:36; 3 K Wallace (C'land, M40) 60:21
Women:
1 M Mcvittie (Bord H, U20) 68:43; 2 S Holliday (C'land, W40) 70:12; 3 E Zielinska 72:28
Overall:
1 I Mann 37:23; 2 G Lambie 38:09; 3 R Keenan (M40) 38:16
Women:
1 A Hudson 39:56; 2 J Hoyle (W35) 42:03; 3 V Manchulenko 45:05
RUN THROUGH RUNNING GRAND PRIX, Goodwood, April 3
Following his 2:35:03 solo run in the February running of this event and victory in the Hastings half-marathon two weeks ago, James Baker was back for another go and it resulted in lifetime win number 990, Martin Duff reports.
After what be described as “four months of solid training averaging 75 miles a week,” the 45-year-old knocked nearly four minutes from his previous best set way back in 2012.
He said: "I had a great run today. There were good conditions around the 11 laps of the motor circuit and I set off at a strong pace aiming to break 2:30.”
Baker was always ahead of that schedule and was through 20 miles in 1:50.26. He added: “I kept it going to cross the line in 2:26:38, breaking my PB set 10 years ago at the Brighton Marathon. My winning margin was just over 17 minutes.”
His laps were 13:14, 12:58, 13:01, 13:15, 13:10, 13:14, 13:07, 13:10, 13:07, 13:15 and 13:26.
Fellow M45 Oliver Cobb ran 2:43:44 in second spot in his debut marathon, while Myuki Okubo took the women’s race in 3:13;43.
Elsewhere, Annabel Stearns went third on the W50 lists for the year when winning the women’s 20-mile race in 2:20:01, as veteran Dan Morgan took the half-marathon in 76:22 and Rebecca Pearson the women’s 13.1-mile race in 87:31.
Overall (Mar):
1 James Baker M45 2:26:38
2 Oliver Cobb M45 2:43:44
3 Gareth Baker M40 2:43:45
Women:
1 Mikuki Okubo W35 3:13:43
2 Alison Moore 3:19:14
3 Sarah Smith W40 3:25:46
Overall:
1 D Burke (Guern) 2:40:25; 2 C King (Guern, M40) 2:52:28; 3 M Jamieson (Guern, M45) 2:55:21
Women:
1 A Munro (Guern) 3:36:23; 2 T Stevens (Guern) 3:36:23; 3 L Guilbert (Guern) 3:40:32
Overall:
1 R Sparkes (Bev) 47:02; 2 J Johnson (Bev) 47:07; 3 D Tyas ( ) 52:21
Women:
1 V Moverley (E Hull) 54:10; 2 D Lidster (Bev) 55:06; 3 M Hatfield (CoH) 58:34
Overall:
1 T Merson (Exm H, M35) 67:07; 2 J Landers (Tamar) 68:49; 3 W Loveridge (Chard, M35) 71:38
Women:
1 G Pearson (Running For Time, W45) 82:44; 2 N Davies (Weston, W50) 87:50; 3 C Arckless (Run For, W35) 93:24
Full results on Run Britain here
Overall:
1 A Holland (Tav, M35) 2:34:37; 2 M Sandiford (Unatt) 2:36:04; 3 R Kelly (Okehampton, M40) 2:48:02
M55: 1 P Norris (Newq RR) 2:49:36
M60: 1 A McEwen (Ryde) 3:11:41; 2 C Richards (Cleve) 3:15:08
M65: 1 K Bryant (Fordy) 3:24:37
Women:
1 A Smith (P'fract, W35) 3:14:58; 2 N Flanagan (Torbay Tri, W35) 3:16:37; 3 D Burman (S Dev, W40) 3:24:59
Full results on Run Britain here
Overall:
1 A Woodman (Willow, M35) 32:27; 2 C Hutchinson (Anna, M35) 32:37; 3 G Lyons (NBH, M45) 32:38
M40: 1 G Morrow (Willow) 32:47
M55: 1 F Marsh (N Down) 34:33
M60: 1 N Mawhinney (Scrabo Striders) 38:09; 2 L Johnston (NBH) 38:46
M70: 1 B Stewart (NBH) 43:21; 2 E Hall (Newc) 44:43
U20: 1 D Keogh (Finn) 32:46
Women:
1 S Nic Dhomhnaill (Don, W35) 33:55; 2 J Craig (N Down) 34:00; 3 I Nic Dhomhnaill (Unatt) 34:22; 4 C Whoriskey (Derry, W35) 34:47
W60: 1 L Robinson (BRC) 44:02; 2 C Forth (PACE) 44:54
Annabel Simpson won the women's race in a UK leading time and PB of 54:10 with Fionnuala Ross second in 56:36 and Virginia Barrand third in 57:53.
Jonathan Glen was a clear winner of the men's race in 49:44 to go second in the UK rankings with Michael Christoforou's 50:38 and Douglas Selman's 50:48 completing the top three.
Overall:
1 J Glen (I'clyde) 49:44; 2 M Christoforou (Cambus) 50:38; 3 D Selman (Cors) 50:48; 4 L Rodgers (Fife) 51:17; 5 L Oates (Shett) 51:31; 6 D Hastie (Gala, M35) 51:36; 7 A Thomson (Fife, U20) 51:43
M40: 1 G Robertson (Cambus) 53:28; 2 C Whitby (Gars) 53:47; 3 L Johnson (Edin) 53:59
M45: 1 P Kieran (PH Racing) 56:32
M50: 1 S Wylie (Cambus) 54:49; 2 S Campbell (Cors) 57:51; 3 S Robertson (Perth RR) 58:14; 4 P Monaghan (G'nock) 58:27
M55: 1 C Upson (Cambus) 60:44; 2 M McLoone (G'nock) 61:12; 3 D Cross (Edin) 62:44
M60: 1 K McCaig (Dumf) 63:28; 2 B Aitken (Fife) 64:54
M70: 1 E Norton (PH Racing) 71:32; 2 N Baillie (Gars) 76:03
Women:
1 A Simpson (Fife) 54:10; 2 F Ross (Shett) 56:36; 3 V Barrand (Metro) 57:53; 4 A Frankland (Lass) 58:58; 5 L Bell (Gars, W45) 59:09; 6 S Brown (Edin) 60:13
W35: 1 Y McNairn (Giff N) 62:18
W40: 1 K Lownie (PH Racing) 64:06
W45: 2 J Rainger (Edin) 62:50; 3 J Menzies (PH Racing) 65:43; 4 A Mcgregor (Kirk O) 66:47
W50: 1 E Hogg (Kirk O) 69:22; 2 D Gray (Bella RR) 69:44; 3 C Wharton (Bella RR) 69:49
W55: 1 A Richardson (WestEnd RR) 69:23
W60: 1 J Jackson (Irv) 74:32; 2 K Scott (Gars) 74:44; 3 E Christie (Cambus) 76:37
Full results on Power of 10 here
Overall:
1 S Sweeney (Perth) 18:14; 2 J Lenehan (Derry, M35) 19:13; 3 F Murray (E Suth) 19:22
Women:
1 V Wright (Giff N, U17) 22:03; 2 E McNicol (Law) 22:23; 3 J Inglis (Law, U15) 22:56
Every year, Nottingham University Athletics Club holds its own relay event each spring around the spectacular grounds of University Park Campus. Ed Prickett, one of the best sportsmen seen at the university, tragically lost his life when he was knocked down by a motor vehicle outside the Gateshead Stadium whilst representing the University of Nottingham Athletics Club in the BUSA Championships on May 2 in 2004.
The event returned this year, as a low-key event, after a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic and individuals were grouped in to ad-hoc teams.
Men (4x2M approx): 1 Team 8 48:07 (C Spinks 11:43, A Watt 12:35, A Bradford 12:19, J Millar 11:30); 2 Team 1 49:56 (D Lloyd 11:37, T Hirani 13:12, M Crossman 13:17, W Bowran 11:50); 3 Team 6 52:08 (D Stanway 11:58, G Leete 15:11, T Trimble 12:11, W Morris 12;48)
Fastest: Millar 11;30; Lloyd 11;37; Spinks 11:43
Women (4x2M approx): 1 Team 3 66:27 (A Cole 15:26, E Parry 17:58, A Cole 16:12, R Tomey 16:51)
Fastest: E Bradbury (Mx team) 14:25
The latest of the big City of London runs saw nearly 12,000 passing all of the landmarks in both the Cities of London and Westminster and it was David Smale who came out on top with 68:57, Martin Duff reports.
It was a personal best for the Southend runner who had won the Victoria Park 10km back in January in another best of 31:17.
For the women, winner Ella Fennelly also set a PB with 79:23.
Overall:
1 D Smale (S’end) 68:57; 2 S Norris 70:47; 3 N Harris-Fry (Orion) 71:40; 4 M Mohun 72:59
M40: 1 P Fitzgerald 75:10; 2 M Wilkes 77;48
M50: 1 D Impey (Dav) 81:11
M60: 1 M Haylett (LoS) 84:36
Women:
1 E Fennelly (THH) 79:23; 2 E Meins 83:51; 3 L Ashrafian (W35) 85:09
W50: 1 K Worrell (L City) 92:28; 2 C Ballesteros 97:06; 3 C Constantine (Sutt R) 99:12; 4 T Gleich 99:31
W55: 1 A Wallis 1:40:18; 2 C Drew (S’bury) 1:43:11; 3 C Frost 1:43;39
Overall:
1 M Brown 37:22; 2 J Watts (M40) 37:35; 3 B Thompson (W40) 39:34
Women:
1 Thompson 39:34; 2 N Ivers 40;23; 3 S Smith 43:41
Overall:
1 M Martin (Clowne, M35) 16:50; 2 C Bell (Unatt) 17:04; 3 S Gascoyne (C'field, M40) 17:06
Women:
1 H Walker 18:32; 2 E Kiernan 20:34; 3 K Leese 21:13
The 2:12 marathoner Phil Sesemann was a clear men's winner in 14:09 ahead of Luke Duffy and Scott Stirling who both ran 14:23.
Former Olympic 5000m runner Nick McCormick was first M40 in 14:28 in ninth.
The fastest women's 5km time came in the B race as Steph Pennycook (15:58) led home Mollie Williams (16:09) and Georgia Malir (16:22).
Overall (A race) (5km):
1 P Sesemann (Leeds C) 14:09; 2 L Duffy (Mans) 14:23; 3 S Stirling (Falk) 14:23; 4 J Moores (Salf) 14:24; 5 C Davidson (B'burn) 14:24; 6 B Brown (Soton, U17) 14:25; 7 A Ediker (C'field) 14:25; 8 M Bostock (Wake) 14:26; 9 N McCormick (B'burn, M40) 14:28; 10 J Armstrong (Sun) 14:37; 11 W Aitken (Barns, U20) 14:43; 12 R Serif (Vale R, U20) 14:44; 13 E Smith-Rasmussen 14:48; 14 W Parkin (GRC) 14:49; 15 M Walsh (Salf, M40) 14:50; 16 M Nixon (Edin, M35) 14:50
M40: 3 J Stewart (Leeds C) 15:29; 4 B Lima (Salf) 15:31
M45: 1 M Burrett (Leeds C) 16:03
U20: 3 T Middleton (Horw) 14:51; 4 C Stephenson (R&Z) 14:52; 5 E Spencer (C'field) 14:52; 6 W Tighe (C'field) 14:52; 7 S Loughlin (Liv PS) 14:53; 8 T Shaw (York) 14:55; 9 J Jones (Warr) 15:14
Overall (B race) (5km):
1 J Hudak (E Ches) 15:16; 2 M Parolin (BWF) 15:24; 3 D Bodman (Parc BB) 15:25
M45: 1 J Prest (Traff) 15:34; 2 M Collier (Salf) 16:16
U20: 1 J Dutton (Salf) 15:27
U17: 1 H Pickard (Stock H) 15:41; 2 I Battye (Horw) 15:41; 3 A Franklin (Hal) 15:42; 4 J Rees Gara (Wig D) 15:57
Women:
1 S Pennycook (Fife) 15:58; 2 M Williams (Stock H) 16:09; 3 G Malir (Leeds C) 16:22; 4 J Walsh (Leeds C) 16:24; 5 K Longley (Liv PS, W45) 17:06
Overall C race (5km):
1 P Greenwood (Queensb, M40) 16:06; 2 A Lawson (York, U20) 16:08; 3 S Hall (RVH, M45) 16:09
M50: 1 N Gaskell (B'burn) 16:14
Women:
1 I Patel (SB, U20) 16:43; 2 D Corradi (Sutt, U20) 16:53; 3 E McColm (Prest) 16:55; 4 H Anderson (E Kilb, U20) 16:59
U20: 4 R Woodhams (Kend) 17:22
U17: 1 G Roberts (Vale R) 17:29
Overall D race (5km):
1 J Leyden (North Endurance) 18:03; 2 B Bergstrand (M'bro, U20W) 18:08; 3 J Franklin (Unatt) 18:10
Women:
1 Bergstrand 18:08; 2 A Chinoy (Sale, W45) 19:23; 3 E Sagar-Hesketh (B'burn) 19:33
W50: 1 J Hartley (Acc) 20:29
Full results on Run Britain here
Overall:
1 S Hayes (Dees, M45) 15:58; 2 M Wynne (Liv PS, M45) 15:59; 3 J Sache (St H Str) 16:28
M50: 1 J Prichard-Taylor (Wrex) 16:55
M60: 1 B Godwin 18:43
Women:
1 R Fairclough (St H Str, W35) 20:11; 2 J Harrison (Penny L, W35) 21:00; 3 K Marrin (Knows, W45) 21:04
Overall:
1 L Hollyman 27:47; 2 O Price (Card, U20) 27:53; 3 C Oxley (San D, M40) 28:12
M50: 1 M Turner (Caerleon) 29:53
M55: 1 A Meek 31:19
M65: K Brewer (P Bryn) 35:00
M70: 1 R Morris (San D) 37:32
Women:
1 N Morgan (Chep, W55) 32:28; 2 J Wakley (Caerleon) 33:52; 3 L Morgan-MacDonald (San D) 34:41
W45: 1 E Jeffrey (Glouc) 34:52
Overall (5km):
1 T Link (RR Med, U20) 20:52; 2 J Leslie (W) 22:31; 3 L Mitchell 23:51
Women:
1 Leslie 22:31; 2 J Morgan (W50) 25:00; 3 S White (W40) 27:49
Overall (10km):
1 B Hebblethwaite (Ashf, M45) 36:33; 2 R Cunningham (M40) 40:02; 3 A Miller (M45) 40:20
Women:
1 A Link (RR Med, W45) 46:37; 2 L Watson (Harv HH, W45) 48:09; 3 E Brown (Dartf RR, W40) 48:20
Overall:
1 A Davidson (Chilt) 31:59; 2 T Mackay (Fulham) 32:24; 3 A Bond (Dulw, M45) 32:27
M40: 1 J Hutchins (Woking) 32:34
M45: 2 S Farmer (Fulham) 33:09
Women:
1 M Owen (Dees) 37:35; 2 E Bavister 39:57; 3 O Eskell (W'bury) 41:38
Overall:
1 O Subuh-Symons (DMV) 15:02; 2 A Kilby (Walton, U20) 15:15; 3 J Blaiklock (THH) 15:53
M55: 1 G Green (RunThrough) 16:58. U20: 2 B Prior (Thurr) 15:58
Women:
1 O Desborough (Lon Hth) 17:41; 2 M Harris (Chelm, U20) 17:50; 3 E Donald (High, U20) 17:51
U15: 1 R Daniels (Craw) 18:51
Overall:
1 A Poulston (Wirr, U17) 18:13; 2 N Finegan (W Ches, M45) 18:50; 3 S Hollins (W Ches, U17) 18:56
Women:
1 K Brady-Jones (Wirr, U17) 19:58; 2 E Smith (Unatt, U20) 20:37; 3 J Bemand (W Ches, U17) 21:10
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