It was another busy weekend of racing with the autumn marathon season in full swing and cross country really starting to get going in the area relays. Closer to home there was plenty of trail and multi-terrain action on what was a very wet weekend!
International
Plenty of Brits travelled to Holland over the weekend for the TCS Amsterdam Marathon but it was Ethiopia that tasted victory. Yalemzerf Yehualaw took half a minute off the course record to win the women’s race in 2:16:52. For much of the race she was 90s ahead of the course record but she admitted to struggling towards the end on her way to a 30s PB. Haven Hailu finished second in 2:19:29 and Winfridah Moseti was third in 2:20:27.
Tsegaye Getachew ran 2:05:38 to claim his second victory the Dutch capital. It wasn’t plain sailing though. Just before entering the stadium at the end, he nearly took a wrong turn, however quickly recovered and held his lead. Boki Asefa finished second in 2:05:30 and Maru Teferi was third in 2:05:42. From a British perspective, it was great to see Dewi Griffiths back in action as he clocked 2:12:45 and Weynay Ghebresilasie ran 2:13:24.
The 5000m and 10000m world record holder Joshua Cheptegei won his first ever half marathon at the Delhi Half Marathon as he came from behind to win in 59:46. Alex Matata finished second in 59:53 with Nicholas Kipkorir third in 59:59. There was a surprise victory in the women’s race for Alemaddis Eyayu as she beat pre-race favourite Cynthia Limo by 10s in 68:17. Tiruye Mesfin took third place in 69:42. Eilish McColgan who started the race with the fastest PB finished fourth in 69:55.
National
There were various marathons across the UK this weekend. The Abingdon Marathon was won by Matthew Kunov (Reading AC) and Rebecca Piggott (London Heathside) in 2:26:24 and 2:48:59. The Yorkshire Marathon was won by Heather Townsend (Leeds City AC) and George Ravenhall (Airecentre Pacers RC) in 2:39:11 and 2:24:39.
The famous Cabbage Patch 10 Mile in Twickenham was won in a quick 48:50 by Joe Wigfield (Wirral AC) followed by Tewelde Menges (Medway & Maidstone AC) and Dylan Evans (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) in 49:04 and 49:05. Verity Ockenden (Unattached) won the women’s race in 55:41 with Annabel Gummow (Herts Phoenix AC) and Alice Braham (Ealing Eagles RC) taking the minor places in 56:10 and 58:17.
The Area Cross Country Relays also took place. There were victories for the Bristol & West AC men and women in the Midland Relays. The men finished well ahead of City of Stoke AC and Bromsgrove & Redditch and the women beat Tipton Harriers with the Bristol & West B team finishing in third.
In the Southern Relays, Herne Hill Harriers won the women’s race followed by Belgrave Harriers and Thames Valley Harriers. It was victory for Victoria Park H & Tower H AC in the men’s race with Thames Valley Harriers and Chiltern Harriers making up the minor places.
In the Northern Relays, Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield won the men’s race followed by Salford Harriers and Sunderland Harriers. Trafford AC won the women’s race and Birtley AC and City of York AC finished second and third.
Up in Scotland it was the National Cross Country Relays. Edinburgh AC won the women’s race followed by Shettlestone Harriers and Edinburgh University Hare & Hounds. The men’s podium was made up of Central AC, Cambuslang Harriers and Edinburgh University Hare & Hounds.
Local
The Bath & Bristol Railway Races utilise the amazing Bristol-Bath cycle path that follows the route of the original train line from Bath’s Green Park Station to Bristol Temple Meads. There were various distances including a 2km Fun Run, 10km, Half Marathon, Marathon and 50km Ultra. The 2km Fun Run was won by Jonas Maconachie and Emma Bains. George Taplin and Emma Gibbs won the 10km. Peter Nimmo and Amy Gill won the Half Marathon. Nick Rood and Sherrie Derrick won the Marathon. The 50km Ultra was won by Liam Culliford and Karen Hacker.
The Keynsham Dandy which is a 12.5 mile trail race around the Keynsham countryside with a couple of stream crossings was won by Jamie Williamson (Springburn Harriers) with Rhys Goddard (Vegan Runners) in second and Matt Barnes (Southville Running Club) in third. Katie Vooght (Bitton Road Runners) was first lady home with Lynette Porter (Bitton Road Runners) and Francesca Knapper (Bristol & West AC) taking second and third. There was also a Canicross competition won by Pavel Teklinski (TACH) and Wendy Falk (Somerset Canicross).
In Somerset there was the Mendip Muddle. This challenging 20km multi-terrain race with 400m+ of elevation that sees spectacular scenery including an Iron Age fort was won by Phoebe Aspinall and Christian Green.
The undulating Well Run 10km road race in Northleach was won by Rory Gilling in 35:25 with Kathryn Robinson winning the women’s race in 39:43.