We’re well and truly into cross country season now with many league races taking place around the country as well as the first race in the British Athletics Cross Challenge Series in Cardiff which incorporated the second race in the Gwent League. Read on for more race results.

International

The Cardiff Cross Challenge brought together a strong international field. The U20 athlete Keneth Kiprop (Uganda) won the men’s race just ahead of Vincent Mutai (Kenya) and Daniel Kibet (Uganda). The women’s race was won by an U17 athlete with Charity Cherop (Uganda) outsprinting Sheila Jebet (Kenya) and Kate Axford (Great Britain).

Over in Spain it was the 30th edition of the Cross Internacional de Soria. This iconic World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold level meet attracted a great field. The women’s race was won by Mercy Chepkemoi (Kenya) in a fast finish that came down to the last 300 meters. Rodrigue Kwizera (Burundi) broke away in the last kilometre to win and take his third victory at the event.

In Germany there was a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Silver event at the Sparkassen Cross in Pforzheim. It was German dominance in the men’s race with Markus Görger running away with the win. The women’s race was won by Maurine Jepkoech Chebor of Kenya.

The Maratona Di Ravenna Citta’ D’Arte in Italy saw some quick times with Cynthia Chepchirchir Kosgei (Kenya) winning in 1:09:44 ahead of Vivian Jepkogei Cheruiyot (Kenya) in 1:09:49 and Veronicah Nyaruai Wanjiru (Kenya) in 1:10:10. The men’s race was won by James Kipkogei Kipcoech (Kenya) in 1:00:27 with Joseph Kimeli Kimutai (Kenya) finishing second in 1:00:49 and Jonas Raess (Switzerland) ahead of four more Kenyans in 1:02:17.

The B. A. A. hosted the Boston Half Marathon which was won by Yemane Haileselassie (Eritrea) in 1:01:46 followed home by Isaac Kipkemboi (Kenya) in 1:02:01 and Kieran Lumb (Canada) in 1:02:03. Fentaye Belayneh (Ethiopia) just outsprinted Mestawut Fikir (Ethiopia) and Senayet Getachew (Ethiopia) to win the women’s race by just one second in 1:10:26 as second and third both recorded 1:10:27. Calli Thackery (Great Britain) was back racing finishing ninth in 1:10:49.

The prestigious Athens Marathon attracted a largely domestic field with the top 3 men and top 3 women all being Greek. This authentic event was won by Charalampos Pitsolis in 2:18:56 with Stamatia Noula winning the women’s race in 2:40:19.

National

Kate Axford (Belgrave Harriers) was the only Brit to make the podium at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event in Cardiff finishing third overall. Cari Hughes (Cardiff Athletics) and Izzy Fry (Newbury AC) finished fourth and fifth overall to make up the domestic podium. On the men’s side, the top British athlete was Zakariya Mahamed (Southampton AC) who finished seventh overall with Logan Rees (Fife AC) finishing eighth and Angus McMillan (City of York) in tenth.

At the 10 year anniversary Podium 5k event in Barrowford, Robin Hendrix from Belgium won in a very quick 13:35 ahead of Ossama Meslek (Italy) and Philip Sesemann (Leeds City AC) who both clocked 13:37. Hannah Nuttal (Charnwood AC) won the women’s race in 15:18 with Jess Bailey (Leven Valley) clocking a British U20 record in 15:24 and Elise Thorner (Yeovil Olympiads) finishing third in 15:40.

The Tatton Half Marathon was won by Danny Cliffe (Unattached) in 1:07:50 followed by Harry Blackburn (Liverpool Harriers) and Matt Chipping in 1:11:07 and 1:11:40. Donna Morris (Builth & District) was first lady home in 1:22:24 with Sarah Whitehead (Unattached) and Hayley Tyson (Penny Lane Striders) finishing in 1:25:35 and 1:26:56.

Local

There was lots of cross country league race action across the country including the Gwent League which was incorporated in the Cross Challenge race at Llandaff Fields in Cardiff. There was strong representation from Bristol & West AC with Jack Millar finishing second man and Chelsea Creak third woman in the Gwent League results. There were also runners from Westbury Harriers, North Somerset AC, Wells City Harriers, Bristol University, Clevedon AC, Great Western Runners and other local clubs.

On Thursday the Severn Bridge 5 Mile Night Race took place. Lloyd Cottrell (Lliswerry Runners) clocked the quickest time of the evening with 27:28. Niki Morgan (Chepstow Harriers) was the quickest woman in 33:34.

The Dock 2 Dock is a 50k ultra race along river and canal paths starting at Gloucester Docks and ending at Sharpness Docks. Jody Hogg was first man home in 4:14:27 with Kate Perry leading the women in 5:17:02.

The Mo Run charity event supporting Movember took place at Ashton Court. There was a 1.5k fun run, 5k and 10k event. The 5k was won by Luke Thomas in 20:56 and Charlotte Mansfield in 23:35. The 10k was won by Robert Farley in 36:20 and Lucy Rycroft in 43:46.

Bitton Road Runners delivered another edition of the famous Sodbury Slog which is a mix of mud, trails, hills, streams and more in Chipping Sodbury. The 10 miler was won by Ben Rawlins (Westbury Harriers) in 57:32 with Will Massey (Westbury Harriers) and Richard Elston (Bristol & West AC) coming second and third. The women’s podium consisted of Penny Guess (Southville RC) in 1:11:46, Annabel Granger (Bristol & West AC) and Holly Fisher (UBACCC).