There was a great weekend of racing across the UK and abroad with a World Record in the women’s marathon. Closer to home, cross country action kicked off with the Gwent and Gloucestershire Leagues and there were some quick performances over 5k, 10k and half marathon in Street, Chippenham and Burnham-on-Sea.
International
At the Chicago Marathon, Ruth Chepng’etich of Kenya, became the first woman in history to go sub-2:10 and completely obliterated the previous world record of 2:11:53. This was the third time Chepng’etich has won Chicago and she stated running the world record was a dream come true. She started fast, going through the first 5km in 15:00 and 10km in 30:14 which is 2:07 pace! She went through half way in 64:16 and maintained her strength well through to the 40km mark. On the finishing straight, she could see the clock ticking closer to 2:10 so mustered all of her strength for a sprint finish to run an astonishing 2:09:56. She finished ahead of the rest of the field by over seven minutes.
John Korir, also of Kenya, won the men’s race by almost two minutes, running a super fast 2:02:44 that puts him sixth on the all-time list. The men weren’t so much quicker through the first 5km (14:43) and 10km (29:27) than Chepng’etich in the women’s race but they kept it consistent and passed the halfway mark in 62:19. Korir made his move at 30km and his lead only grew from there.
The ASML Marathon in Eindhoven was also dominated by Kenyans with Enock Kinyamal winning the men’s race in 2:06:28 and Vivian Jerotich the women’s race in 2:26:41.
Eilish McColgan ran a very quick 5km in 30 degree heat and 80% humidity at the Super Sports Events SKECHERS Performance Run in Dubai to finish first in 15:18.
National
The Manchester Half Marathon produced two course records and some very quick times with Jack Rowe winning the men’s race in 1:02:12 followed by Jacob Allen in 1:02:43 and Alexander Lepretre in 1:04:14. The women’s race saw Lucy Reid win by over five minutes in 1:09:13 with Charlotte Dannatt and Rebecca Murray taking second and third in 1:14:24 and 1:14:42.
Leeds Abbey Dash 10k came down to a sprint finish with James McMurray just edging out Charlie Brisley to dip under 29 minutes winning by just one second in 28:58. Georgie Grgec was the first woman home in 31:39 followed by Hannah Irwin in 31:53 and Alexandra Bell in 32:29.
In Peterborough it was the AEPG Great Eastern Run. Jonathan Escalante-Phillips dominated the men’s race winning by almost three minutes in 1:03:55. Georgina Schwiening won the women’s race in 1:10:42.
The Oxford Half Marathon was won by Mark Pearce (Unattached) in 1:05:18 followed home by Hugo Fry (Belgrave Harriers) who just held off Chris Davies (RAF Athletics) in 1:07:18 and 1:07:21. Harriet Freeman (Clapham Chasers) was first lady home in 1:14:35 with Alex Eykelbosch (Dacorum AC) finishing second in 1:15:11 and Grace Baker (Hastings AC) third in 1:17:57.
Local
The Chippenham Lightning Bolt 10k was won by David Long (Pontypridd Roadents AC) 30:50 with Johnny Suttle (Unattached) just holding off Mark Cherryholme (Marlborough Running Club) to finish second and third in 32:10 and 32:12. Under-20 athlete Paige Quinn (Torbay AAC) won the women’s race by over four and a half minutes in 34:39. Marie Monaghan (Bristol & West AC) was second in 39:16 and Kelly Dicks (Great Western Runners) was third in 39:20.
The Burnham-on-Sea Half Marathon was won in a quick 1:08:05 by Luke Prior (Aldershot Farnham & District) followed by Ben Neale (Tavistock Athletics Club) and Michael Sandiford (Fordy Runs Running Club) in 1:09:46 and 1:11:26. First woman home was Ella Waldman (Unattached) in 1:19:41 with Victoria Hill (South West Road Runners) finishing second in 1:22:59 and Nicole Avery (Taunton AC) third in 1:25:34.
On Wednesday the first race of the Street 5k race series took place. Adam Gibson (Wells City Harriers) took the victory in 15:50 followed home by Jamie Williamson (Springburn Harriers) in 15:54 and Alexander Coombs in 16:11. The women’s race was won by Laura Jones (Unattached) in 18:27. Phobe Aspinall (Unattached) and Abi Bushell (Unattached) finished second and third in 19:18 and 19:52.
The Bristol Epic 10k Trail at Ashton Court was won by Craig Smith in 39:18 and Charlotte Bane in 51:10. The “Ruck Run” (added 12kg weight for men and 8kg weight for women) was won by Greg Fearn in 48:06 and Natalia Jozefowicz in 54:01.
It was great to see some local cross country action kicking off with the first match in the Gwent League taking place at Pembrey Country Park and the first race in the Gloucestershire League at Yate Outdoor Sports Centre.