It was one of the biggest marathons of the year, outside of the World Majors, at the Valencia Marathon with a lot of marathon action taking place. Closer to home there was cross country action at Blaise Castle in the Gwent League. And it’s really starting to feel like Christmas is coming with lots of festive races taking place. Read on for race results!
International
The Valencia Marathon has quickly gained a reputation for being one of the world’s fastest marathons and this year’s edition did not disappoint. The men’s race was won by Sabastian Kimaru Sawe (Kenya) in 2:02:05 ahead of some very big names. Dereas Geleta (Ethiopia) was second in 2:02:38 and Daniel Mateiko (Kenya) was third in 2:04:24. Megertu Alemu (Ethiopia) won the women’s race in 2:16:49 ahead of Stella Chesang (Uganda) in 2:18:26 and Tiruye Mesfin (Ethiopia) in 2:18:35.
There were plenty of PBs and national records including Swiss, Israeli, Italian, German, Australian and Czech records. The top Brits were Alice Wright who ran a PB of 2:28:48 and Dan Nash who also ran a PB in 2:13:02. There were other strong performances by Molly Smith 2:31:46, Becky Briggs 2:32:43, Clara Evans 2:33:16 and Verity Hopkins 2:34:20. On the men’s side Chris Perry ran 2:15:00, Daniel Hamilton 2:15:03, Ronnie Richmond 2:15:07 and David Bishop 2:15:19.
Running is one of Japan’s most popular sports and there were some very quick times at the Fukuoka International Marathon. Yuya Yoshida (Japan) won the race in 2:05:16 ahead of Yusuke Nishiyama (Japan) and Patrick Mathenge (Kenya) in second and third.
Over in China the Shanghai Marathon was won by Bekelech Gudeta Borecha (Ethiopia) in 2:25:21 with fellow country-women Sisay Meseret Gola and Tejitu Siyum (Ethiopia) in 2:25:29 and 2:26:28. The men’s race was won by Samsom Amare (Eritrea) in 2:06:26 with Titus Kipruto (Kenya) second in 2:06:30 and Solomon Kirwa Yego (Kenya) third in 2:06:34.
In Italy the Torino City Marathon saw a home victory for Pasquale Selvarolo (Italy) in 2:11:13 ahead of Jonathan Akankwasa (Uganda) in 2:15:58 and John Kioi Mungai (Kenya) in 2:17:15. Rael Cherop Boiyo (Kenya) was the first lady home in 2:33:51 as Catherine Bertone (Italy) was second in 2:39:01 and Janet Jelagat Rono (Kenya) was third in 2:43:29.
The Singapore Marathon was won by Fantu Zewude Jifar (Ethiopia) in 2:39:04 with Agnes Keino (Kenya) second in 2:39:34 and Meleka Meseret Dinke (Ethiopia) third in 2:39:41. Geoffrey Yegon (Kenya) won the men’s race in 2:16:06 as Abel Sikowo (Uganda) and Korir Laban Kipngetich (Kenya) took second and third in 2:16:12 and 2:16:24.
Various National Cross Country Championships took place including the Canadian and Irish Championships. The Irish Championships doubled up as the selection race for next week’s European Cross Country Championships in Turkey. Sean McGinley won the men’s race and Abbie Sheridan won the women’s race.
National
The British Masters 5km Championships took place at Battersea Park. There was a M80 British Record for Peter Giles as he clocked 22:29 to win his age group. Sarah Roberts ran a W75 British Record of 22:31 and beat all the M75 men! The overall winner was Adam Baker who won the M35 title in 15:00.
Adam Hickey appears to be coming back to form with a 65:41 clocking to take the victory at the Victoria Park Half Marathon with Kirsty Fitzgibbon winning the women’s race in 80:43.
A quick 5 mile race down in Portsmouth at the Victory 5 saw Melissa Courtney-Bryant win in 26:33 as Abdinasir Mohamoud Elmi doubled back from a victory in the Hampshire Cross Country League the previous day to win in 24:21.
There was a lot of Cross Country action around the country including East, West and North District Championships up in Scotland as well as various League races taking place across England including the Gwent League.
Local
The third race of the Gwent League took place at Blaise Castle in Bristol. The top three women were Gemma Tutton (Swansea Harriers AC), Lucy Marland (Les Croupiers RC) and Jessie Sanzo (Bristol & West AC). The men’s podium was made up of Ciaran Lewis (Les Croupiers RC), Felix McGrath (Bristol & West AC) and Steven Denby (Bristol University). There were plenty of local clubs present including Bristol & West AC, Westbury Harries, North Somerset AC, Wells City Harriers, Clevedon AC, Weston Athletic Club, Great Western Runners, Somer AC and more.
A few festive races also took place including the Jingle Jog in Bradford-on-Avon which was a 5k fun run raising money for the Dorothy House Hospice. The Saltford Santa Dash included a 5k, 5 mile and children’s race, run in complete Santa suit. And the Mental Elf Run was a 6km fun run that took place in Bradley Stoke and involved everyone dressing up as an elf.