We’re winding down towards the festive season but that doesn’t mean the number of races taking place is getting any less. There was another big weekend of racing with track & field action returning with indoor events in the UK and outdoor action over in Australia. The cross country season continues as do the road races. Locally we enjoyed plenty of festive races. Read on for more race results!
International
The World Athletics Cross Country Tour continued with another Gold level event in Spain at the Cross Internacional de Banos. The women’s podium was made up of Carolina Robles, Cristina Ruiz and Carla Gallardo. Nassim Hassaous took the victory in the men’s race ahead of Aaron Las Heras and Javier Guerra.
The Tata Steel World 25k took place in Kolkata, India at the historic Red Road race. Stephen Kissa (Uganda) surged away from the field at 20k and held his lead to win in 1:12:33 ahead of Daniel Ebenyo (Kenya) in 1:12:37 and Anthony Kipchirchir (Kenya) in 1:12:55. The winner of the women’s race, Sutume Kebede (Ethiopia) holds the World’s Best time for 25k of 1:18:47 and won the World title in 1:19:17. Viola Chepngeno (Kenya) was second in 1:19:44 and Desi Jisa (Bahrain) was third in 1:21:29.
The Malaga Marathon saw Lucy Reid (Great Britain) run the third-fastest marathon debut by a British woman as she finished fourth in a time of 2:26:37. The race was won by Aynalem Desta (Ethiopia) in 2:25:10 with Adanech Mekonnen (Ethiopia) second and Gojjam Enyew (Ethiopia) third in 2:26:01 and 2:26:13. Vincent Kigen (Kenya) won the men’s race in 2:08:05 followed home by Micah Chemweno (Kenya) in 2:09:21 and Andrew Rotich Kwemoi (Uganda) in 2:10:20.
The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon proved a bit quicker with Chala Ketema Regasa (Ethiopia) taking the win in 2:06:16. Ibrahim Hasson Bouh (Djibouti) was second in 2:06:33 and Wilfred Kirwa Kigen (Kenya) was third in 2:06:47. Catherine Reline Amanang’ole (Ethiopia) won the women’s race in 2:20:34 as Dolshi Tesful Teklegergish (Eritrea) finished second in 2:23:47 and Aurelia Jerotich Kiptui (Kenya) was third in 2:26:28.
Over in Asia, the Taipei Marathon saw a win for Amid Fozya Jemal (Ethiopia) in the women’s race in 2:32:47 ahead of Careen Cheptoek (Kenya) and Obse Abdeta (Ethiopia) in 2:32:53 and 2:32:54. Brimin Kipkorir (Kenya) was the first man home in 2:11:41 followed by Gadisa Birhanu (Ethiopia) in 2:11:54 and Okubay Tsegay (Eritrea) in 2:12:00.
The Bangsaen21 Half Marathon took place in Thailand and was won by Nibret Melak Bogale (Ethiopia) in 1:02:32 with Alexander Mutiso Munyao (Kenya) second in 1:02:34 and Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba (Kenya) third in 1:02:36. The women’s race was won by Winfridah Moraa Moseti (Kenya) in 1:10:01 as Rebecca Chelangat (Uganda) and Rosemary Wanjiru Monicah (Kenya) took the minor places in 1:10:34 and 1:10:53.
Over in Australia there were some quick times at the On Track Nights Zatopek 10. Linden Hall won the 3000m in 8:43.02 with Abbey Caldwell second in 8:51.49 and Amy Robinson third in 8:56.53. The men’s race was won the incredibly talented youngster Cameron Myers in 7:41.11 followed home by Jude Thomas in 7:42.30 and Jack Anstey in 7:42.60. The event hosted the Australian 10000m Championships with Rose Davies and Jack Rayner taking the titles in 32:21.71 and 28:26.12. Lauren Ryan and Leanne Pompeani completed with the women’s podium in 32:23.30 and 32:32.51. In the men’s race Samuel Clifford was second in 28:29.17 and Oliver Chignell was third in 28:35.08.
National
There were some lightning quick times at the Telford 10k with Jack Rowe (Aldershot Farnham & District) taking the win in the men’s race in a course record of 28:02 which was a massive 30 seconds off the previous record. Philip Sesemann (Leeds City AC) was second in 28:28 with Kader Omar (Birchfield Harriers) third in 28:34. Amerlia Quirk (Bracknell AC) won the women’s race in 32:40 followed home by Sarah Astin (Belgrave Harriers) in 32:43 and Natasha Phillips (Dundee Hawkhill) third in 32:56.
Indoor season is here and kicked off with the Cardiff Met Christmas Classic. The very talented junior, Innes Fitzgerald (Exeter Harriers) took the win in the women’s 3000m in 9:04.87 beating a good field including Lauren Church (Reading AC) in 9:23.67 and Freya Bradley (Yate & District AC) in 9:33.94. James Heneghan (Pontypridd Roadents AC) ran the fastest time of the day in 8:08.45 followed home by Joseph Rogers (Halesowen ACC) in 8:16.44 and Fionn O’Murchu in 8:18.98.
Local
The Cardiff Festive 10k was won by Ben Hughes (Pontypridd Roadents) in 33:52 with Tom Flitcroft (Les Croupiers) second in 33:55 and James Hansell (San Domenico) third in 33:56. Millie Gold (Swansea Harriers) was the first women home in 36:55 followed by Moli Lyons (Pontypridd Roadents) in 37:26 and Ceri Merwood (CDF Runners) in 38:26.
The 12ks of Christmas in Dursley, Gloucestershire is a 12k trail race with mince pies and mulled cider at the halfway mark. Paul Walley was the first man home in 59:05 and Rachel Liston was first lady in 1:09:10.
Another race that took place in Gloucestershire was the Westonbirt House Christmas 10k which is fairly flat route around the beautiful Westonbirt estate. Natalie Kemp won the women’s race in 40:13 with Sophie Tabor second in 41:21 and Heather Marnoch third in 41:41. Liam Wilson was the first man home in 33:22 as Peter Hackett finished second in 35:09 and Simon Brummitt was third in 37:00.
It was the first edition of the Santa Run Patchway in Bristol and it featured a 5k and 10k event. Participants were given the option to purchase a Santa suit to run in. The 10k event was won by Jade Smart (41:02) and Cameron Smart (41:02) with Eliot Enoch (24:02) Noemi Nemeth (24:31) winning the 5k race.
A staple in the local racing calendar took place in Weston-Super-Mare at the Weston Christmas Cracker 10k. This race takes place mainly on the seafront, starting and finishing under the Grand Pier on the beach. There was plenty of fancy dress including a best dressed competition. In total there were over 1200 finishers. The race was won by Jamie Williamson in 33:38 followed home by Jonathan Riley in 38:20 and Adrian Prust in 38:34. Hannah Baggott won the women’s race in 40:24 with Caroline McAleese and Annabel Granger completing the podium in 40:40 and 41:42.