It’s that time of year when it’s a real mix of road racing, cross country and indoors. There were lots of strong performances including a European Record and British Record at a 10km race in Valencia. Over in Cardiff there was an unofficial U20 British Record for 3000m indoors. And closer to home there were some quick times at the Weston Prom Run Series. Read on for race results!

International

Races in Valencia continually produce very quick results and the 10k Valencia Ibercaja on Sunday was no exception. The men’s race was won by Andreas Almgren (Nike) in 26:53 as he just edged out Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (On Running) in 26:54 and Vincent Langat (Adidas) in 26:55 as all three went under the previous European record of 27:04. Hellen Ekalale Lobun (Adidas) pulled away to win the women’s race in 29:30 with Girmawit Gebrzihair Gebru (Adidas) second in 29:34 and Fotyen Tesfay Haiylu (Adidas) third in 29:42.

Further behind there were a lot of fast times. There was a British record for Rory Leonard who took 6 seconds off the previous held by Mo Farah and Emile Cairess by running 27:38. Charles Wheeler went second all-time on the British rankings running 27:42. Amy-Eloise Neale was the quickest British woman running 31:15 to seventh on the UK all-time list with Jessica Warner-Judd back to form clocking 31:54.

Other notable British performances included Phil Sesemann (28:10), Alfie Manthorpe (28:14), Ellis Cross (28:24), James Gormley (28:33), Logan Rees (28:35) and Jacob Allen (28:35). Efrem Gidey ran a Irish record of 27:46 and Ilias Fifa ran a Spanish record of 27:41.

At the Dubai Marathon it was a clean sweep for Ethiopia in both the men’s and women’s races. The women’s race was won by Bedatu Hirpa in 2:18:27 with Dera Dida second in 2:18:32 and Tigist Girma third in 2:20:47. Bute Gemechu won the men’s race in 2:04:51 followed home by Berehanu Tsegu in 2:05:14 and Shifera Tamru in 2:05:28.

The indoors season has started and over in Spain it was the Miting Internacional de Catalunya on Friday evening. There was a women’s 3000m race which was won by Esther Guerrero Puigdevall in 8:58.91. The women’s 1500m was won by Mireya Arnedillo Lahoz in 4:17.38 and the men’s race was won by Mariano Garcia Garcia in 3:35.97 just edging out Adel Mechaal Mechaal in 3:36.75. The men’s 800m was won in a very quick 1:45.83 by Elvin Josue Canales Escoto with Brit Justin Davies finishing third in 1:45.83. The women’s 800m was won by Marta Mitjans Munoz in 2:03.68.

There are plenty of indoor college meets taking place over the USA as the athletes build up towards the national championships in a couple of months. The Gamecock Opener in Columbia, South Carolina had a very quick men’s 3000m race won by professional athlete Casey Comber (Under Armour Baltimore Distance) in 7:42.74 followed home by teammates Damien Dilcher and Johnathan Reniewicki in 7:43.17 and 7:46.63.

Also over in the USA it was the USATF National Cross Country Championships in Lubbock, Texas. The men’s podium was made up of Benard Keter (ADP), Joseph Berriatua (Tinman Elite) and Anthony Camerieri (Saucony) with the women’s podium consisting of Carrie Ellwood (Unattached), Cailie Logue (MDE) and Katie Camarena (Saucony).

National

Up in Glasgow it was the third fixture in the UK Athletics Cross Challenge incorporated into the Scottish Inter-District Cross Country Championships. Jamie Crowe (Central AC) won the men’s race ahead of Aidan Thomson (Law) and Cameron Allan (Houghton Harriers). The women’s race was won by Lynn McKenna (Shettleston Harriers) with Morag Millar (Central AC) second and Scout Adkin (Moorfoot) third.

It was the first British Milers’ Club indoor fixture of the year in Cardiff as part of the Cardiff Metropolitan University Non Thomas Endurance Grand Prix event. There was a very quick performance by Innes Fitzgerald (Exeter) who ran a European U20 indoor 3000m record of 8:48.30 but unfortunately the time won’t be officially ratified as it was in a mixed race. The time was also quicker than Zola Budd’s British junior record of 8:56.13 from 1985 but again can’t be ratified as it was a mixed race.

The men’s 3000m race was won by Archie Davis (Brighton Phoenix) in 7:57.23. The quickest 800m times of the day were run by Jack Organ (Brecon) in 1:52.26 and Shaikira King (Wreake & Soar Valley) in 2:04.10. Tiarnan Crorken (Preston) ran 3:44.10 to record the fastest 1500m time of the day with Holly Dixon (Cambridge Harriers) running 4:15.50.

There was a quick performance at the Stubbington 10k by Abdinasir Mohamoud Elmi (Bournemouth AC) who won the race in 29:00 ahead of Matt Sharp (Ryde Harriers) in 30:05 and Christopher Newnham (Ryde Harriers) in 31:20. The women’s podium consisted of Kate Natkiel (Brighton Phoenix) in 35:56, Rebecca Lord (Stubbington Green Runners) in 36:06 and Erin Willmers (Winchester RC) in 37:11.

Local

On Thursday evening it was the fifth race in the Dave Jones Prom Run Series organised by Weston AC. These flat, quick 5 mile road races are run along the Weston-Super-Mare promenade. Jamie Williamson (Springburn Harriers) won the race in 25:06 as Adam Holland (Tavistock AC) finished second in 26:43 and Nick Roberts (Bristol & West AC) was third in 26:49. Charlotte Taylor (Bristol & West AC) ran 27:11 to beat teammates Chelsea Baker (Bristol & West AC) in 27:41 and Jessica Heffer (Bristol & West AC) in 29:30.

Also on Thursday was the Wye Valley and Piercefield Park trail race in Chepstow. This off-road race on mainly grassy terrain is roughly 5-6 miles long and a night race so run with head torches. Iain Porter (Unattached) won the race ahead of Darren Ould (Mdc) and Ben Wood (Westbury Harriers). Mafalda Johnson (Unattached) won the women’s race with Katie Plimmer (Ogmore Phoenix Runners) second and Lisa Jeffrey (Chepstow Harriers) third.

On Sunday it was the Riverbank Rollick organised by Thornbury Running Club. This 9.6 mile trail race was the first race in the Thornbury RC Race Series and run on trails, bridle paths, across fields, in woodland, through a stream and along a riverbank. Jamie Williamson (Springburn Harriers) won the race ahead of Stephen Kenyon (Severn AC) and Alex Sewell (Unattached). The women’s race was won by Annabel Granger (Bristol & West AC) with Caroline McAleese (Vegan Runners) second and Catherine Treble (Westbury Harriers) third.

Unfortunately the fourth race in the Street 5k Series was cancelled on Wednesday due to poor weather however it looks like it will be rearranged to Wednesday the 29th January.