Despite a loss of around £400,000 at last year’s London Diamond League, UK Athletics’ chief executive adds that the meet can be a profit-driver like Silverstone is in F1

Jack Buckner states that “our plan is on track”, after UK Athletics announced a loss of £1.2m for the financial year up to the end of March 2024.

That’s down from the £3.7m reported last year, with the governing body projecting a loss of £250,000 for next year and a break even position in 2025-2026.

The figures come off the back of Paris 2024 where Great Britain secured 10 Olympic athletics medals – the most since LA 1984 – and 18 in the Paralympics.

“We never like negative results but we’re pleased that our plan is on track,” Buckner, UK Athletics’ chief executive, said. “In fact, we’re slightly ahead of our plan and that’s our intention to keep step by step improving the position of the sport.

“It feels like we’ve got a great performance programme with not just established stars, but really exciting stars for the future –  whether you talk about Phoebe Gill or Louie Hinchcliffe and obviously Keely Hodgkinson, Jake Wightman, Matt Hudson-Smith and Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

Louie Hinchliffe (Getty)

“It feels like we’ve got a really exciting team and the success of the relays, so we’re delighted with that and we’re delighted with the way Paris went.”

Buckner also believes that the Diamond League can be “like Silverstone” and a “profit-driver for us”, despite UK Athletics losing £400,000 on it last year and £800,000 when Birmingham held the event in 2022.

Since the Diamond League returned to London last year, the meet – now delivered by Athletics Ventures, which involves UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and The Great Run Company – has sold out on both occasions.

Next year’s edition (July 19, 2025) will be the last Diamond League before the national trials, ahead of a September world championships in Tokyo.

The event will once again be at the London Stadium but discussions are already in place on evolving it for the better.

Georgia Bell, Keely Hodgkinson and Jemma Reekie (Getty)

“In terms of innovation, we are absolutely looking to do that,” Buckner added. “I’m hoping we’ll come out with some innovative ideas and I think we probably all recognise the success of some of those kinds of concepts.

“So yeah, we’re definitely looking at ways of innovating, keeping the heart of it kind of pure and authentic, which we did this year.”

UK Athletics however will not be taking up Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track next season.

Grand Slam Track, which has a prize pot of $12.6m and is based off the four Slams you get in tennis or golf, has already attracted some of the biggest athletes in the world, from the likes of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Josh Kerr to Marileidy Paulino and Kenny Bednarek.

Johnson’s new league begins in Kingston, Jamaica in April next year, with Miami and Los Angeles also staging events.

Buckner states that UK Athletics had really good discussions with Johnson about Grand Slam Track but, for now, they just want to see how it goes.

Michael Johnson (Grand Slam Track)

“We know certain things about it and that seems quite US-centric at the moment, which is fine,” he said. “So I think we’re interested in sustainable, innovative events and we’ll look at all of them. But they need to be viable too. If you don’t get events right, you can lose quite a lot of money quite quickly, which is what happened historically.

“So we will look at all these and see the core of it. Step one, get the Diamond League right. We just think there’s loads of potential in that to become strongly profitable.”

As well as UK Athletics’ immediate focus on the Diamond League, the governing body is also looking at a feasibility study into bidding for either the 2029 or 2031 World Championships. An announcement on the 2029 host city will not be made until 2026.

Buckner also revealed that he wants to better support coaches in the UK, with Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows – who train Hodgkinson and Georgia Bell – receiving a fraction of the £60,000 in funding that top coaches once received.

“I’ve set up a performance coaches’ group that Jenny Meadows sits on and we’re going to meet regularly and just generally try and find ways of supporting coaches better than we have done in the past,” Bucker added.

“I’m really hopeful that that the this group will develop. There are some really good coaches on that and I’d absolutely love to do a lot more for coaches on the whole.”

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Catch up with some of the latest road racing results from around the UK

HEATON MEMORIAL RACES, Jesmond, Tyne & Wear, November 10

Birtley’s Adrian Bailes ran out a winner over Morpeth’s Connor Marshall in 31:13, when moving up from second in this race last year.

In her first outing of the year, Tyne Bridge’s Lucy Crookes added the women’s race in 35:34. Tenth in the 2019 English National Cross-Country Championships, the former City of Leeds regular had three years out after the pandemic before having a few outings last year, the best of which was a victory in the Bridges of the Tyne 5 in August 2023.

Heaton Memorial 10km (l to r) Connor Marshall, Lewis McConnell and Adrian Bailes (David Hewitson)

Overall: 1 A Bailes (Birt) 31;13; 2 C Marshall (Morp) 31:20; 3 L McConnell (Birt) 31:52; 4 M Hedley (Tyne Br) 31;55; 5 J Anderson (NSP, M40) 32:03; 6 C Franks (Gate, M40) 32:05

M40: 3 A Swinburn 32:08

M50: 1 M Dennison (Low Fell) 34:41; 2 J Clifford (Darl) 34:52

M60: 1 R Andrew (Alnw) 38:11

M70: 1 D Nicholson Morp) 44:34

Adrian Bailes (David Hewitson)

Women: 1 L Crookes (Tyne Br) 35:34; 2 H Warburton (Tyne Br) 35:55; 3 A Sneddon (J&H, W35) 36:10

W45: 1 J Heslop (Elsw) 36:40; 2 H Waugh (Alnw) 37:35

W50: 1 S Thew 41:09

W55: 1 S Stephenson (Elsw) 43:44

W60: 1 A Kirtley (Gate) 47;10

W75: 1 S Gibson (Darl) 59;23

Lucy Crookes (123) (David Hewitson)

RUN TATTON HALF-MARATHON, Knutsford, Cheshire, November 9

Overall: 1 D Cliffe (HW) 67:50; 2 H Blackburn (Liv) 71:07; 3 M Chipping 71;40

Women: 1 D Morris (Builth, W40) 82:04

W50: 1 J McCarthy (Ilk) 89:35

W55: 1 N McLachlan 1:40:44

STEBBING REMEMBRANCE DAY 10, Essex, November 10

Overall: 1 S Strange (Ton) 52;50; 2 P Coates (Brain, M40) 52:53; 3 S Boxall (S’end) 54:04; 4 B Adams (Badd R) 54:21; 5 R Gillard (S’end) 54:42; 6 B White (Col H) 54:49

M40: 2 R Williams (Grange F&D) 56:02

M50: 1 C Holmes (S’end) 57:28; 2 B Glasgow (Orion) 58:01; 3 H Mizon (Witham) 58:51

M60: 1 O Dare (Witham) 62;20

M70: 1 D Butler (Bill’cay) 68:04

Women: 1 G Kersey (Bas) 58;14; 2 R Vickers (Col H) 61:23; 3 K Creak (Col H, W40) 62;14

W50: 1 H McIlvenna (Grange F&D) 70:37

W60: 1 C Kennedy (Orion) 73:04

W70: 1 D Wooller (Col H) 85:43

VICTORIA PARK HALF-MARATHON, London, November 10

Overall: 1 H Tibbs 71:05; 2 D Bundred (THH) 71:35; 3 R Hale 71:54

M65: 1 M Lewis 94:54

Women: 1 L Boehm (Belg) 79:00

W65: 1 M Stringer (Sydney) 1:46:10

Ossama Meslek, Robin Hendrix and Phil Sesemann (Will Bowran)

PODIUM 5km, Barrowford, Lancashire, November 9

It was close at the front of the main men’s race as Belgian national Robin Hendrix just got the nod on the City of Leeds’ pair of Italian Ossama Meslek and Phil Sesemann in 13:36 as the event celebrated 10 years of competition.

It was a comfortable personal best for Meslek with his 13:38, whilst Paris Olympian Sesemann was just one second inside his previous mark with a 13:38 clocking.

Ben Connor had been with the leading trio for the first four of the five laps, but got dropped off in the shoot out as Matt Ramsden also tailed off with just over a lap to go.

Connor was just inside his best with 13:47 but Ramsden fell just short of his previous mark.

Hannah Nuttall, the European 5000m 10th placer, was the best of the female runners and wound up six seconds to the good of junior Jess Bailey, with a personal best 15:19, to go equal fifth on the 2024 UK rankings.

It was Bailey who led at the end of laps two, three and four but had no answer to the finishing speed of Nuttall over the last kilometre before winding up with 15:25.

Her time leapfrogged Innes FitzGerald at the top of the junior all-time rankings.

READ MORE: Jess Bailey breaks UK U20 record at Podium 5km

The seventh fastest woman, Kirsty Longley of Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton, shaved six seconds off Bronwyn Cardy-Wise’s 24-year-old previously listed women’s W45 best time when given 16:24 by the chip mechanism.

Cardy-Wise’s 16:30 was a gun-to-tape time and it is standard practice to use gun times for record purposes, although the British Masters are attempting to move to using chip times as it is fairer for older runners.

Longley, 48, works full-time as a secondary school teacher and has two children. “So this is a miracle for me,” she says.

Overall: 1 R Hendrix (BEL) 13;36; 2 O Meslek (Leeds/ITA) 13:38; 3 P Sesemann (Leeds) 13:38; 4 B Connor (Der) 13:47; 5 M Ramsden (B’burn) 13:51; 6 J Lay &R&N) 13;59; 7 R Allen (Leeds) 14:00; 8 L Jagger (Newark) 14:01; 9 J Escalante-Phillips (C&C) 14:02; 10 J Armstrong (Sund) 14:03; 11 F Proffit (Traff) 14:03; 12 H Johnson (Hali) 14:03; 13 S Okrafo-Smart (Abs Tri, U20) 14:04; 14 J Brownlow (Bing) 14:05; 15 S Halstead (Brack) 14:07; 16 J O’Connell (AFD, U20) 14:07; 17 A Coscoran 14:07; 18 M Bostock (Leeds) 14:07; 19 B Pattison (BMH) 14:08; 20 F Kavanagh (Lough) 14;11

M40: 1 C Gidlow (Stoke) 15:25

M50: 1 J Prest (Traff) 15:52

U20: 3 O Conway (Radley) 14:14; 4 S Hodgson (SWEH) 14:17; 5 B Kebede (CleM) 14:17

U17: 1 L Doran (Chilt) 14:49

Jess Bailey and Hannah Nuttall (Will Bowran)

Women: 1 H Nuttall (Charn) 15:19; 2 J Bailey (Leven V, U20) 15:25; 3 E Thorner (Yeo) 15:41; 4 M Davies (Sale) 15:51; 5 E Davies (Border) 15:56; 6 T Brockley-Langford (Salf) 16:09; 7 K Longley (Liv PS, W45) 16:24; 8 J Morgan (Liv) 16:32; 9 D Corradi (Leeds) 16:37; 10 E Revitt (Varnethy) 16:45

W50: 1 S Cumber (Hali) 19:35

EVEN SPLITS YORK 5km SERIES, November 8

English Schools cross-country champion Mikey Bacon won overall in his first outing over the distance in 15:00, as Isla Porter made it an under-17 double.

Porter, a member of the Lincoln Wellington trio that won the under-17 cross-country relay title six days earlier, went seventh on the 5km rankings for the year after improving her previous best by more than a minute with 16:46.

Overall: 1 M Bacon (Roth, U17) 15:00; 2 A Ford (Hav’g) 15:17; 3 R Page (Linc W) 15:24

M45: 1 J Wills (R’hay) 15:39

M55: 1 I Martin (V of York) 18:07

Women: 1 I Porter (Linc W, U17) 16:46; 2 N Drakeford (Barns) 16:59

W40: 1 E Lisowska (Goole) 18:16

W50: 1 H Hall (Knaves) 19:54

JIMMY IRVINE BELLA 10km, Bellahouston, Glasgow, November 10

Overall: 1 R Thomson (Cambus) 30:49; 2 C Muir (Shett) 33:06; 3 A Campbell (Cambus) 33:20; 4 C Drummond (Giff N) 33:29; 5 O Coetzee (Bella R, M40) 33:47; 6 Colin Whitby (M40) 33:54

M50: B Brodie (Bella H) 35:02

TEAM: 1 Bella H 26; 2 Bella R 33; 3 Giff N 44

Women: 1 R Donaldson (Bella H) 36:23; 2 A Paton (C’nauld) 37:33; 3 K Taylor (Bella R) 38:27; 4 Jessica Cerrone 38:59

W50: D Gray (Bella R) 40:40

W60: P Henderson (Bella H) 47:26

TEAM: 1 Bella R 16; 2 Bella H 33; 3 Perth R 45

NEWTON 10km, Cambuslang, Glasgow, November 9

Overall:  1 R Macdonald (Law) 32:20; 2 G Turner (Ayrod) 33:10; 3 J Phillips (Kil’k, U20) 34:47

M40: G McKenna (Falk VH) 36:00

M50: M King (Cambus) 37:26

Women: 1 J Williams (Loth) 38:53; 2 K Mann (Cambus) 39:46

Multi-terrain

DAVA WAY TRAIL 50km, Forres, November 9

Overall: 1 Adam Gray 3:26:01; 2 J Anderson (Chill) 3:33:18; 3 Callum Shaw 3:46:35; 4 Andrew Potter 3:50:45; 5 D christie (Sees R) 3:56:01; 6 D Andrews (Metro, M40) 3:56:34

M50: M Hoult (Ross C) 4:17:26

M60: Hugh Foster 5:23:31

M70: G Main (Nairn R) 6:00:32

Women: 1 K McTear (I’ness) 4:18:53; 2 Kirsty Walker 4:35:24; 3 Z Fraser (Nairn R) 4:36:38; 4 C McWhirr (Metro, W40) 4:44:21

W50: P Ross (HHR) 5:04:06

W60: Petro Knops 5:37:37

JOHN MUIR NOCTURNAL ULTRA, Port Seton, November 9

Overall: 1 David Adams (M40) 6:10:58 (13×5.6km laps); 2 E Fitzpatrick (R Shaw, M40) 6:02:03 (12); 3 D Dunnachie (4 Sco) 6:14:20 (12); 4 M Bromwich (W’heart) 6:15:16 (12); 5 N Mcconnell (R Shaw, M40) 6:19:20 (12); 6 Scot Murry 6:29:12 (12)

M60: R Peppiette (NbR) 6:11:03 (11)

Women: 1 Sancha Martin (W40) 6:25:57 (11); 2 E Ross (P’bello) 6:29:35 (11); 3 L Mackie (Shake) 6:00:55 (10); 4 A Currie (Harm, W40) 6:07:59 (10)

W50: T Philp (P’bello) 6:15:32 (10)

Fell

DROGO 10, Drewsteignton, November 10

Overall (16km/536m): 1 Ceri Rees (M50) 61:28; 2 E Dickinson (Falm) 62:17; 3 P Grieve G’bow) 64:45; 4 A Sparks (Teign T) 65:23; 5 E McDaid (R’lagh) 65:46; 6 S Husband (G’bow) 65:50; 7 R Tumber (Axe V) 68:24; 8 C Milward (Erme V) 70:09; 9 P Devine-Wright (Axe V, M50) 70:35; 10 R Barnes (Falm, W45) 70:49

M55: M Shoots (Mine) 79:07

M60: S Scotthorne (N Dev RR) 83:29

M65: D Engledew (Erme V) 84:37

Women: 1 A Kelly (Exm) 72:16; 2 J Meek (Tavis, W45) 75:07; 3 E Dyson (Hald TR) 76:19; 4 A Jones (SWRR, W40) 76:42; 5 E Debenham (SWRR) 80:04; 6 H Harbottle (S Molt S, W55) 80:43

W65: J Reay (Exm) 88:13

ROACHES RACE, Meerbrook, November 10

Overall (18M/3700ft): 1 H Holmes (Mat) 2:02:55; 2 F Macdonald Oulds (Chorlton) 2:07:46; 3 M Wainright (Mat) 2:10:55; 4 H Bond (Staffs M) 2:13:38; 5 S Harding (Macc, M40) 2:15:38; 6 N Booker (Macc) 2:17:06

M45: A Young (Belpr) 2:19:06

M50: P Vale (Mercia) 2:20:01

M55: J Hunt (Dark Pk) 2:27:02

M60: N Hayhurst (Bowl) 2:43:26

M65: G Pettengell (Mow C) 3:14:59

M70: D Gould (Mercia) 3:36:15

Women: 1 E Cowpercoles (DZark Pk) 2:26:54; 2 Annie Soper 2:35:15; 3 S Fawcett (Dark Pk, W40) 2:39:51; 4 Paula Axon (W45) 2:52:57

W50: D Millington (Mercia) 3:01:47

W55: F Whitworth (Holm) 3:11:32

W60: S-A Hales (Macc) 3:12:35

LEG IT ROUND LATHKIL, Over Haddon, Bakewell, November 10

Overall (7.1M/950ft): 1 D Haworth (Mat) 43:50; 2 J Oldfield (Mat) 45:40; 3 Alec Raynard 45:44; 4 L Beresford (Mat, M40) 46:57; 5 C Andrade (Inov8) 47:39; 6 I Newell (Dark Pk) 48:44

M60: B Foreman (Mat) 55:05

M70: A Whitehouse (Totley) 58:38

Women: 1 A Pearce (Steel) 49:50 (rec); 2 H Wingfield (Dark Pk) 53:10; 3 A Mandal (Dark Pk) 54:02; 4 J Mosley (Penn) 54:12

W50: H Elmore (Dark Pk) 58:08

W60: K McAteer (Totley) 71:44

SALE FELL RACE, Bassenthwaite, November 10

Overall (3.7M/570ft): 1 Alex Mason 25:59; 2 M Jewell (C’land F) 26:47; 3 L Procter (Helm H, M40) 27:48; 4 D Pons (C’land F) 28:11; 5 R Coles (C’land F) 28:38; 6 M Buttinger (Kesw, M40) 29:10

M50: K Wallace (C’land AC) 29:24

M60: C Knowles (Ellen) 31:00

M70: P Morris (Kesw) 35:13

Women: 1 S Likeman (C’land F) 30:53; 2 C Mowbray (Summ U) 30:59; 3 R Singleton (N Fells) 31:26; 4 L Osborn (Amble, W50) 31:40

W60: G Atkinson (Kesw) 36:09

DUNNERDALE, Broughton Mills, November 9

Overall (8km/550m): 1 M Elkington (Amble) 38:06; 2 G Dale (Amble) 38:40; 3 T Simpson (Amble) 38:45; 4 H Chatfield (Tring) 39:16; 5 J Wright (Amble) 40:22; 6 R Hope (P&B, M50) 40:42; 7 K Wigley (Swale) 41:04; 8 S Dixon (Helm H) 41:08; 9 L Bowness (Helm H) 41:10; 10 H Cooling (Howg) 41:31

M60: D Wilson (Bowl) 50:32

M70: B Thompson (Helm H) 59:40

TEAM: 1 Amble 6; 2 Helm, H 33; 3 B Combe 80

Women: 1 B Halcrow (Amble) 46:06; 2 L Browne (BCombe) 47:18; 3 A Lupton (B Combe, W40) 50:28; 4 R Hare (Amble) 51:09; 5 S Allen (Amble) 51:23; 6 R Singleton (Amble) 52:31

W50: B Dyer (Helm H) 53:18

W60: R Browne (Bowl) 60:09

TEAM: 1 Amble 10; 2 B Combe 15; 3 Helm H 33

WINTER LEAGUE CRINGLE HILL RACE, Isle of Man, November 9

Overall (3km/75m): 1 A Corlett (Manx H) 24:24; 2 N Colburn (Manx F) 25:09; 3 L Taggart (Manx F, M50) 25:48; 4 Tom Felton-Smith 26:02; 5 Harry Stennett (Northern, U20) 26:45; 6 M Callister (Manx F, M40) 27:28

M60: P Sheard (Manx F) 31:50

M70: I Callister (Manx H) 44:04

Women: 1 E Mylchreest (Manx F) 31:18; 2 Jackie Lee (W40) 32:03; 3 Sian Coleman 32:22; 4 F Teare (Manx H, U20) 33:09

W50: G Sheeley (Manx H) 34:59

W60: J Gledhill (Manx F) 35:34

W70: R Hooton (Manx F) 37:42

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AW promotion: latest news about the market leader when it comes to monitoring your heart

Fourth Frontier, a medical technology company based out of New York and Bangalore, announced the 510(k) clearance of the Frontier X Plus from the U.S. FDA.

The Frontier X Plus is an innovative single-lead, continuous ECG monitor that is worn around the chest and wirelessly relays the user’s ECG instantly to remote dashboards. A range of advanced algorithms identify and classify cardiac rhythm as Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Normal Sinus Rhythm, or Atrial Fibrillation.

The device demonstrated best-in-class signal quality during a range of motions including during intense exercise. The wearable ECG monitor further demonstrated equivalence in the classification of cardiac arrhythmias when compared with the conventional 12-lead ECG, through clinical trials in India and the US.

Paula Radcliffe (Fourth Frontier)

According to the Center for Disease Control, one person dies every 33 seconds from Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), and CVDs are responsible for one in every five deaths in the US. The American Heart Association reports that between three to six million Americans have reported an incidence of Atrial Fibrillation. This number is expected to rise to 16 million by 2050.

Atrial Fibrillation has been described as a global epidemic and is a key indicator of reduced morbidity and mortality in individuals of all age groups. Globally, the incidence and prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has been increasingly observed in younger individuals and is one of the leading reasons for premature death.

“We have seen cardiac arrhythmias develop in individuals of all ages, and the incidence is significantly higher for individuals who are both active and have cardiac health risk factors,” said Manav Bhushan, co-founder and CEO of Fourth Frontier. “The percentage of population that falls in the confluence of these categories is continuously rising. Since the FX+ is able to capture ECGs during all kinds of motion and activity, we think this will be a game changer and significantly improve on the early detection of cardiovascular disease.”

With this clearance, the company plans to enter the US market as a prescription based, class II medical device. Fourth Frontier will partner with Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) and cardiac rehabilitation centres to offer at-home remote monitoring services.

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Here is the list of athletes who UK Athletics are supporting in the hopes to succeed at upcoming Olympic Games

UK Athletics has announced 38 athletes selected for the 2024-25 Olympic Futures Programme, a key initiative designed to support rising stars in athletics.

The programme, supported by Nike and delivered in partnership with the home country athletics federations, provides opportunities for athletes to develop the skills and abilities required for international senior success.

It serves as a crucial stepping stone for young talent, helping them to transition on to the British Athletics’ World Class Programme, where they would have the benefit to receive National Lottery funding.

By being on the Future Programme, British Athletics have identified that athlete as having the potential to win medals at the Olympic Games in coming years.

Among the athletes on the 2024-25 Future Programme are several returning faces, including Charlie Carvell.

Carvell, who earned his first senior international vest at the 2024 European Championships, was initially selected for the Paris Olympic Games but had to withdraw due to injury.

Charlie Carvell (Getty)

Also remaining on the programme are Mia McIntosh, Nia Wedderburn-Goodison and Teddy Wilson, who all represented Great Britain at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima.

The new intake of 13 athletes includes notable figures such as world under-20 medallists Ed Bird, Charlotte Henrich and Jake Odey-Jordan, as well as European under-20 cross country champion Innes FitzGerald.

The programme has already helped launch the careers of athletes who have gone on to achieve major international success.

Jake Odey-Jordan (Getty)

These include Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, European bronze medallist and world indoor pole vault champion Molly Caudery plus Olympic relay medallists Charlie Dobson and Amber Anning.

UKA Head of Performance Pathways, Dan Wagner, said: “It’s been great to see the progress and development of current and former Futures athletes and their coaches in recent years and we look forward to tracking this year’s cohort.

“The Futures Programme focuses on engaging and understanding athletes and coaches and supporting them on their unique journeys throughout different stages of their development, whether that’s achieving a personal best, a GB & NI junior debut, or stepping up to the senior ranks.

“While some have previously experienced the support of the Olympic World Class Programme, we understand that circumstances change and challenges happen. The aim for those athletes is obviously to progress back through the senior ranks. That’s why it’s fundamental for us to understand each athlete’s set up and plan, so that we can offer the tailored support they need to achieve their goals.”

A full list of the athletes are listed below:

Academy (retained)

Michael Allison (Thomas Dobbing, Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow); Success Eduan (Anita Richardson, Sale Harriers Manchester); Shannon Flockhart (Mark Vile, Cambridge & Coleridge); Kenny Ikeji (Fletcher Brooks, Basildon); Abigail Ives (Luke Gunn, Basildon); Mia McIntosh (Jake Awe, Harrow); Emily Newnham (Nicolas Dakin, Shaftesbury Barnet); Zara Obamakinwa (Mark Chapman, Blackheath & Bromley); Jeriel Quainoo (Ryan Freckleton, Blackheath & Bromley); Renee Regis (Clarence Callender, Shaftesbury Barnet); Ella Rush (Ryan Bailey, Amber Valley & Erewash); Nia Wedderburn-Goodison (Ryan Freckleton, Harrow); Teddy Wilson (Marvin Rowe, Shaftesbury Barnet)

Teddy Wilson [C] (Getty)

Sophie Ashurst (Kate Rooney, Sale Harriers Manchester); Alyson Bell (Anne Scott, Glasgow Jaguars); Charlie Carvell (Stewart Marshall, Telford AC); Kane Elliott (Tomas Lewandoski, Falkirk Victoria Harriers); Joe Ferguson (Richard Kilty, Sheffield & Dearne); Samantha Harrison (Rob Denmark, Mansfield); Ethan Hussey (Trevor Painter, Leeds City AC); Henry McLuckie (Terrence Mahon, Isle of Wight); Abigail Pawlett (Ashley Bryant, Trafford AC); Aleeya Sibbons (Coral Nourrice, Newham & Essex Beagles); Matthew Stonier (Sonia McGeorge, Invicta East Kent); Bekah Walton (Blackheath & Bromley)

Abigail Pawlett (Mark Shearman)

New to the Futures Programme

Sammy Ball (Rafer Joseph, Reading AC); Will Barnicoat (Tim Eglen, Aldershot, Farnham & District); Edward Bird (Mark Pauley, Poole AC); Innes FitzGerald (Gavin Pavey, Exeter Harriers); Daniel Goriola (Tony Jarrett, Blackheath & Bromley); Charlotte Henrich (Nigel Stickings, Invicta East Kent); Ben Jefferies (Bristol & West); Ava Lloyd (Trevor Painter, Wigan & District); Sam Lunt (James Wright, Wirral); Jake Odey-Jordan (Victor Blackett); Eden Robinson (Christian North, Cardiff Archers); Jaden Smith (Shaftesbury Barnet); Gemma Tutton (Richard Pilling, Lewes)

Ava Lloyd (David Lowes)

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The Jamaican capital joins Los Angeles as one of two venues confirmed for Grand Slam Track

Jamaica will welcome some of the world’s best athletes next year, with Kingston being named as the host city for the inaugural Grand Slam Track meet.

Kingston, which joins Los Angeles as a confirmed venue, kicks off Grand Slam Track’s first ever season, with the event taking place at the National Stadium in Independence Park (April 4,5 & 6, 2025).

The other two destinations will be confirmed later this week.

The meet in Kingston also occurs a few weeks before the first Diamond League next season, which is in Xiamen on April 26.

“We are thrilled to be bringing Grand Slam Track to Kingston,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder and commissioner. “Jamaica has such a strong history in this sport. The talent and the love for the sport here make it a perfect fit for what we’re building.

“It’s going to be an incredible event, and we’re proud to have Kingston as one of our four Slams in our inaugural season to kick this whole thing off.”

Racers Grand Prix (Getty)

The National Stadium in Jamaica has experience of hosting incredible events, from the Racers Grand Prix and Jamaican National Championships to the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships (better known as ‘Champs’).

“We are proud and excited that Kingston has been selected to host the inaugural Grand Slam event,” said Garth Gayle, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

“As the local governing body for the sport, we see this as a testament to our past and present athletes, whose achievements and legacy have established Jamaica as the track capital of the world.

“This event also marks an important milestone for the development of our future athletes, who will benefit from the opportunity to see the world’s greatest track stars up close and personal on a local calendar.”

 

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A total of 32 athletes have signed up for Grand Slam Track so far: Ackera Nugent, Roshawn Clarke, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Melissa Jefferson, Masai Russell, Quincy Hall, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Nikki Hiltz, Cyrena Samba-Mayela, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Alison dos Santos, Ronald Kwemoi, Muzala Samukonga, Clement Ducos, Marileidy Paulino, Jess Hull, Daniel Roberts, Shamier Little, Marco Arop, Devon Allen, Jasmine Jones, Jereem Richards, Luis Grijalva, Rushell Clayton, Agnes Ngetich, and Tsigie Gebreselama.

All of these athletes will be Racers which means they compete in all four of the Slams and receive an annual base compensation for competing in each one, as well as being eligible for full prize money.

At Grand Slam Track there will be 48 Racers every season. They will be assigned to compete in one of the following categories and will all race in two events during each Slam: short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100m hurdles or 110m hurdles/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400m hurdles/400m), short distance (800m/1500m), or long distance (3000m/5000m).

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The post Kingston chosen to host inaugural Grand Slam Track meet appeared first on AW.

Our latest round-up includes news from the West Mids Young Athletes’ League, Birmingham League, Manchester Area League and Start Fitness Met League

Catch up with our coverage from the Cardiff Cross Challenge here. For further results, see below.

WEST MIDLANDS YOUNG ATHLETES’ LEAGUE, Match 2, Rugby, Northamptonshire, November 10

The Country House at Newbold Revel played host to what claims to be the strongest in the county for the younger age groups.

Midland champion Olivia McGhee matched her win in the opening match but another Midland champion, Archie Lane, who had won the October race in the league, had to give ground in his under-17 race. That was to former champion Owen Ulfig in the under-17 men’s race to emphasise the strength of this league.

U17 Men: 1 O Ulfig (W&B) 15:42; 2 A Lane (Leam) 16:00; 3 S Lambert (Strat) 16:05

U15: 1 F Jones (W&B) 9:30; 2 J Smith (Leam) 9:36; 3 C Pearson (C&S) 9:41

U13: 1 Z Rush (S&SM) 9:08; 2 S Palmer (W&B) 9:22; 3 J Yang (W&B) 9:33

U17 Women: 1 O McGee (R&N) 14:27; 2 F Collins (Hales) 15:07; 3 Z Mzuku (W&B) 15:12

U15: 1 H Turner (Stoke) 10:34; 2 M Blower (B&R) 10:39; 3 T Conway (Bir) 10:52

U13: 1 B Lamb (R&N) 8:53; 2 L Pearce (W&B) 9:58; 3 Z McNamara ((Stoke) 10;16

BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE, Division 1, Match 1, Northampton, November 9

The league started where it left off back in February with a return to Abington Park in a joint match with the Midland Women’s League top flight and it was Aldershot’s Will Barnicoat who won by nearly a minute.

Barnicoat repeated his victory from this fixture last year to add to his European under-20 and under-23 championship wins over the past two seasons.

Running in the colours of Birmingham University, Barnicoat headed Rugby & Northampton’s Finlay Ward.

Further back, Birchfield’s Ed Banks, champion last winter, continued his run as top veteran in the league.

Men: 1 W Barnicoat (Birm U) 29:06; 2 F Ward (R&N) 30:02; 3 B Kandola (Leam) 30:07; 4 T Bridger (Birm U) 30:11; 5 D Gillett (EW Tempo) 30:12; 6 T Shaw (Birm U) 30:15

M40: 1 E Banks (Bir) 31:22; 2 C Jones W Tempo) 32:50; 3 T Evetts (W Tempo) 31:55

U20: 1 L Gilyear (Warw U) 31:26; 2 F Rattray (Birm U) 32:03

TEAM: 1 Birmingham U 79; 2 BRAT 125; 3 Loughborough U 159

B TEAM: 1 Loughborough U 366

M40 TEAM: 1 W Tempo 25; 2 Bromsgrove & Redditch 42; 3 BRAT 61

B TEAM: 1 B&R 130

BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE Div 2, Match 1, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, November 9

Results not yet available

BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE Div 3, Match 1, Pelsall, November 9

North Common saw the third division join forces with the Midland Women’s League Division 2.

The third flight was won by Telford’s Jack Cole from club mate Dan Onyango as they dominated in the team competition.

Men: 1 J Cole (Tel) 35:20; 2 D Onyango (Tel, M40) 35:36; 3 K Heeley (Amaz Ft) 35:37

TEAM: 1 Telford 38; 2 Bourneville 161; 3 Northbrook 168

M40 TEAM: 1 Telford 18

CHILTERN LEAGUE, Match 2, Milton Keynes, November 9

The second match was again at Teardrop Lakes and it was Richard Slade who scored an individual victory for Chiltern Harriers. This was narrowly over Bedford & County’s junior Noel Campion, whose Bedford & County club took control of the league overall with victory in both men’s and women’s sections.

In the senior women’s event, it was regular league winner Rebecca Murray who dominated over junior Madeleine Pearce as top master Kate Rennie, a British & Irish Masters champion, took fourth.

In the young athletes’ races, the stand-out athlete was again Paris Olympian Phoebe Gill, who confirmed what she told AW the previous week about competing in the league before Christmas.

After her fastest under-20 lap in the cross-country relays the previous week, the Dacorum runner said that she would tread the boards over 400m in the new year.

Men: 1 R Slade (Chilt) 29:20; 2 N Campion (Bed C, U20) 29;25; 3 C Allan (Wyc P) 29:51; 4 B Davies (Bed C) 30:09; 5 M Shantry (Head RR) 30:31; 6J Janes (Bed C) 30;44

M40: 1J Eves (Bed C) 31:33

M50: 1 P Williamson (L Buzz Tri) 35:20

M60: 1 M Turney (Chilt) 38:40

U20: 2 J Hampton-Wallace (Lut) 31:1; 3 H Johnson (Lut) 31:21

Div 1

Senior TEAM: 1 Bedford & County 2525; 2 Milton Keynes 2389; 3 Wycombe Phoenix 2444

M40 TEAM: 1 Ampthill & Flitwick 874

U20 TEAM: 1 Bed C 748

U17: 1 M Kotrys (Bed C) 19:32; 2 T Roberts (Mil K) 19:42; 3 E Johnson (Chilt) 19:43

Div 1 TEAM: 1 Bed C 176; 2 Chiltern 139; 3 St Albans 136

U15: 1 T Ford (Chilt) 14:51; 2 E Langley-Aybar (Brack) 14:55; 3 F Hayward (Wyc P) 14:56

Div 1 TEAM: 1 Wycombe P 171; 2 Chiltern 165; 3 Dacorum 142

U13: 1 N Spruce (Abing) 10:57; 2 J Docherty (Dac) 11:01; 2 L Dolan (VoA) 11:02

TEAM

Div 1: 1 St Albans 217; 2 Bed C 191; 3 Chiltern 189

Overall Men’s TEAM: 1 Bed C 3025

Women: 1 R Murray (Bed C) 20:54; 2 M Pearce (Mil K, U20) 22;10; 3 E Butcher (Abing) 22:14; 4 K Rennie (Dac, W45) 22:51; 5 K Stern (St Alb) 22:32; 6 M Blizzard (Bed C) 22;37s

W45: 2 R Cooke (Bucks & Stowe) 24:10

W55: 1 L Bentham (St Alb) 26:45

W65: 1 G Heuter (Oxf C) 30:47

U20: 1 L Danobrega (Bed C) 22:44

Div 1

Senior TEAM: 1 Bed C 911; 2 Dacorum 879; 3 Headington RR 865

W35 TEAM: 1 Dacorum 563

U20/U17: 1 P Gill (St Alb) 17:20; 2 S Chapman (Mil K, U17) 18:45; 3 L Johnson (Dac, U17) 18:51

Div 1 TEAM: 1 Dacorum 117; 2 Mil K 113; 3 Chiltern 96

U15: 1 I Bennetts (Northampton) 16:36; 2 A Lorrimer (Oxf C) 16:39; 3 O Geary (Mil K) 16:54

Div 1 TEAM: 1 Chiltern 144; 2 Mil K 121; 3 St Albans 121

U13: 1 J McDougall Chilt) 11:55; 2 H Lucas (Brack) 12:12; 3 T Davies-Dixon (Brack) 12;27

Div 1 TEAM: 1 Chiltern 196; 2 St Albans 188; 3 Mil K 170

Overall Women’s TEAM: 1 Bed C 1215

Overall TEAM (M&W): 1 Bed C 3436; 2 Wycombe Phoenix 3196; 3 Milton Kenyes 3038

Emily Haggard-Kearney (Harry Shakeshaft)

MANCHESTER AREA LEAGUE, Match 2, Kenworthy Woods, November 9

Max Wharton led a quartet of Sale runners to a resounding team victory in clear and dry conditions at Kenworthy Woods, Stephen Green reports.

Wharton, winner at this venue in February of this year, was always to the fore and by the last of three large laps, had only Nigel Martin and Arlo Ludewick for company, with eventual fourth placer Nicholas Barry coming adrift.

Coming out of the woods and series of three sharp hills, Wharton was able to use his 1:47 800m speed to full effect to pull four seconds clear of Martin on the flatter finish section, with Ludewick two seconds down. First under-20 home was George Noble (11^th) also of Sale Harriers.

Emily Haggard Kearney survived the fast early pace set by Lucy Armitage to come clear by over a minute. The Warriors athlete, who has a half-marathon best of 70:45, looked strong through the series of trails, and playing fields.

Mollie Williams, in third, was around 150m in arrears, replicating her position from the first fixture at Heaton Park. Armitage led Sale to the team win and Lucy Clitheroe of St Helen’s (7th) was the first under-20 home.

Imogen Wharton (Warrington AC) was the day’s most emphatic winner in the under-17 women’s race, 90 seconds ahead of Constance Johnston, who was a minute to the good from Rosie Philbin.

Liam Johnson was able to shake off the early attentions of fellow under-17 Pio Aron, to break the tape 30 seconds ahead, with Finley Goddard third.

In the under-15 races, Warrior’s Isla Yorke, won a closely fought race by three seconds from Rebecca Murphy with Beatrix Soper third. Jake Ireland of Macclesfield enjoyed a 70 gap from Michael Phelan, with Samuel Conkie a close third.

Warriors’ Beddow twins continued their winning ways in the under-13 races, this time it was Isobel, around 80m ahead of Eve, who just managed to edge Kitty Crossland. Fellow Warrior Harry Redhead broke the tape, 13 seconds clear of Loxley Schofield, with Bobby Hughes third.

READ MORE: Cardiff Cross Challenge coverage

The under-11 events saw a win for Lewis Lyons from fellow Salford athlete Isaac Taylor Unitt, with Jack Rattray third. Jasmine Rogan of Warrior was the girls’ champion ahead of Sophie McCready and Emilia Gandy.

The league continues to grow across all age-groups. The senior men and women combined saw almost 850 runners complete the course.

Top three men (Harry Shakeshaft)

Men: 1 M Wharton (Sale) 32:10; 2 N Martin (Sale) 32;14; 3 A Ludewick (Sale) 32;16; 4 N Barry (Sale) 33:09; 5 S Hoydal 33:22; 6 C Williams (Vale R) 33:24

M40: 1 A Norman (Altr) 34:28

M45: 1 N Barnes (Sale) 35:15

M50: 1 G Raven (Salf) 35:32

M55: 1 A Porter (Bramhall) 37;40

M60: 1 S Watmough (Warr) 39:26

M65: 1 A Rafferty (Sale) 43:32

M70: 1 D Gee (Manch) 47:30

TEAM: 1 Sale 29; 2 Salford 150; 3 Vale Royal 163

U17: 1 L Johnson (St Hel) 21:50; 2 P Aron (Traff) 22;20; 3 F Goddard (Sale) 22:36

TEAM: 1 Trafford 13; 2 Sale 33; 3 St Helens Sutton 34

U15: 1 J Ireland (Macc) 17:00; 2 M Phelan (Warriors) 17:13; 3 S Konkie (Vale R) 17:19

TEAM: 1 Macclesfield 10; 2 Warriors Pentathlon 23; 3 Vale Royal 31

U13: 1 H Redhead (Warriors) 14:32; 2 L Schofield (Salf Met) 14:41; 3 B Hughes (Warriors 14:42

TEAM: 1 Warriors 13; 2 Salford 23; 3 Sale 36

Women: 1 E Haggard-Kearney (Warriors) 29:25; 2 L Armitage (Sale) 30:40; 3      M Williams (Stock) 31:15; 4 V Cronin (Traff) 31;44; 5 R Jones (Salf) 31;58; 6 L Clitheroe (St Hel Sutt) 32:21

W40: 1 L Lombard (Salf) 32:22

W45: 1 S Murphy (Vale R) 33:24

W50: 1 M Vaughan (E Chesh & T) 36:49

W55: 1 W Higginbottom (Buxton) 36:21

W60: 1 B Jackson (Alt) 39:57

W70: 1 A Jones (Macc) 44:07

TEAM: 1 Sale 47; 2 Trafford 54; 3 Salford 56

U17: 1 I Wharton (Warr) 25:40; 2 C Jennison (Buxt) 27:10; 3 R Philbin (Stock) 28:01

TEAM: 1 Trafford 13; 2 Sale 33; 3 St Helens Sutton 34

U15: 1 I Yorke (Warriors) 18:22; 2     R Murphy (Liv) 18:25; 3 B Soper (Sale) 18;40

TEAM: 1 Macclesfield 10; 2 Warriors 23; 3 Vale Royal 31

U13: 1 I Beddow (Warriors) 15:14; 2 E Beddow (Warriors) 15:26; 3 K Crossland (Horw) 15:27

TEAM: 1 Warriors 3; 2 Salford 23; 3 Sale 36

KENT CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE, Match 2, Bexley, November 9

Tonbridge maintained their domination of the league, at Danson Park, with another easy team victory as Cole Gibbens led home team-mate Ted Higgins, who now leads the individual standings after three fixtures.

While the women had a weekend off, under-13s Emery Aldridge and Tyla Jade Thomas, under-15 Freddie Gibson, under-17 Holly Diprose, M70 John Tolhurst and W65 Michele Bradshaw all gained their third victory of the winter.

Men (8.2km): 1 C Gibbens (Ton) 25:41; 2 T Higgins (Ton) 25:47; 3 J Shayler (B&B) 26:01; 4 L White (TWH) 26:31; 5 O Weston (Inv EK) 26:48; 6 J Teece (Cent P) 26:59; 7 B Babaker (Camb H) 27:07; 8 J Walsh (M&M) 27:09; 9 N Armstrong (Bex) 27:25; 10 B Tyler (M&M) 27:27; 11 J O’Hara (Bex) 27:30; 12 J Bradley (Than) 27:31; 13 A Webb (M&M, M45) 27:31; 14 S Molloy (Ton) 27:35; 15 M Berry (Cent P) 27:41

M45: 2 B Shearer (Camb H) 27:44; 3 D Kendall (Camb H) 27:44

M50: 1 A Lee (Sev) 27:56; 2 D Varney (B&B) 30:27

M55:  1 O Van Zyl (Sev) 31:21; 2 A Rodgers (M&M) 31:47

M60: 1 G Lewis (CPT) 33:02; 2 S Moss (Beck) 34:31

M65: 1 S Smythe (Camb H) 37:05; 2 S Austin (TWH) 37:12

TEAM: 1 Tonbridge 33; 2 M&M 52; 3 Camb H 74; 4 B&B 81; 5 Cent P 97

TEAM (12 to score): 1 Tonbridge 408; 2 M&M 510; 3 B&B 517

M70 (5km): 1 J Tolhurst (Padd W) 26:23; 2 A Newman (Ton) 26:48; 3 J Denyer (Sev, M75) 28:20

M80: 1 V Thomas (Green T) 35:56

U20 (5km): 1 F Shepherd (M&M) 17:18; 2 M Constable (B&B) 17:28; 3 H Faye (B&B) 17:52

U17 (5km): 1 H Kelk (Inv) 17:14; 2 O Buck (Camb H) 17:32; 3 L Elmqvist (B&B) 18:11

TEAM: 1 B&B 14; 2 Tonbridge 27; 3 M&M 36

U15 (4km): 1 F Gibson (M&M) 14:15; 2 C Warren (Ton) 14:56; 3 K Farrell (B&B) 14:58

TEAM: 1 Tonbridge 15; 2 B&B 27; 3 M&M 39

U13 (3km): 1 E Aldridge (B&B) 10:54; 2 G Bowers (Padd W) 10:54; 3 H Beeraje (B&B) 11:19

TEAM: 1 B&B 11; 2 Tonbridge 32; 3 Dartford 52

Women W65 (5km): 1 M Bradshaw (TWH) 27:08; 2 J Lenton (Orp) 27:21; 3 M MacDonald (Camb H, W70) 32:44

U20 (5km): 1 E Nicholson (B&B) 19:26; 2 E Webb (M&M) 20:12; 3 C Firth (B&B) 20:21

TEAM: 1 M&M 11; 2 B&B 12

U17 (5km): 1 H Diprose (Sev) 20:38; 2 E Tynan (Camb H) 20:44; 3 N Mossi (B&B) 20:53

TEAM: 1 M&M 19; 2 B&B 22; 3 Tonbridge 24

U15 (4km): 1 S Richmond (Weald Tri) 16:02; 2 S Mossi (B&B) 16:37; 3 E de Bruyn (B&B) 16:45

TEAM: 1 B&B 12; 2 Tonbridge 21; 3 Camb H 24

U13 (3km): 1 T Thomas (Dart) 11:53; 2 C Foster (Camb H) 12:05; 3 A Watts (Ton) 12:26

TEAM: 1 Tonbridge 19; 2 B&B 26; 3 Camb H 26

MIDLAND WOMEN’S LEAGUE, Division 1, Match 1, Northampton, November 9

The women joined up with the Birmingham men’s league’s top flight and Birmingham University’s Kate Willis repeated her victory from the January fixture. This led to a win over Western Tempo’s Megan Marchant.

However, it was college rivals Loughborough who comfortably took the team race.

Women: 1 K Willis (Birm U) 20:13; 2 M Marchant (W Tempo) 20:27; 3 B Gunn (Bir) 20;55; 4 E Muzio (Lough) 21;10; 5 H Seager (Charn) 21;24; 6 A Coffee (Lough) 21:29

W40: 1 T Freeman (B&R) 22:55

W45: 1 H Knight (CLC) 23:54

W50: 1 L Tait-Harris (W&B) 24:06

TEAM Div 1: 1 Loughborough U 25; 2 Birmingham U 49; 3 Birchfield 78

W35 TEAM: 1 Bromsgrove & Redditch 21; 2 Stoke 22; 3 CLC 52

DIVISION 2, Match 1, Pelsall, November 9

The second flight joined Birmingham League men’s third division and Coventry Godiva’s Sophie Hurst dominated with a comprehensive victory over team mate Amelia Starling.

Women: 1 S Hurst (Cov G) 22;21; 2 A Starling (Cov G) 24:01; 3 R Routledge (RSC) 24:12; 4 A Deavy (N’brook, W45) 24:17; 5 G Delaney (RSC) 24:23; 6 C Van Der Merwe (RSC) 24:44

W40: 1 D Thomas (Trenth) 25:01

W50: 1 J Standfield (Trenth) 25:52

TEAM Div 1: 1 Royal Sutton Coldfield 24; 2 Spa 52; 3 Coventry Godiva 93

W35 TEAM: 1 SPA 34; 2 Trentham 35; 3 Knowle & D 40

NORTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE, Match 2, Corby, Northamptonshire, November 9

West Glebe Park played host to the second match and Jersey National Thomas Atkinson and Aimee Seager of Charnwood ran out winners of the two senior races.

Men: 1 T Atkinson (Notts Trent U) 29:33; 2 A Hampson (Mansf) 29:36; 3 P Wright (Mansf) 30:01

M45: 1 J Bailey (Mansf) 31:11

M50: 1 D Cass (Mansf) 33:50

M55: 1 T Hartley (Notts) 32:34

M60: 1 P Whittingham (Mansf) 37:26

U20: 1 H Samkin (Linc W) 30:54

TEAM: 1 Mansfield 37; 2 Notts 93; 3 Newark 135

M40 TEAM: 1 Peterboro & NV 102; 2 Beeston 143; 3 Long Eaton 146

U17: 1 J Nugent (Mansf) 18:09; 2 J Ryan (Mansf) 18:11; 3 J Lane (R’cliffe) 19;10

TEAM: 1 Mansfield 11; 2 Rushcliffe 23; 3 OWLS 24

U15: 1 J Pares (Mansf) 16:47; 2 A Phillipson (Linc W) 16:59; 3 O McClemens (Mansf) 17:09

TEAM: 1 Lincoln Wellington 37; 2 Wreake & SV 34; 3 Mansfield 35

U13: 1 W Saunders (Der) 10:38; 2 T Bronnert (OWLS) 10:41; 3 F Melbourne (Charn) 10:44

TEAM: 1 Charnwood 15; 2 OWLS 36; 3 Notts 37

Women: 1 A Seager (Charn) 21:15; 2 E Griffiths (Notts U) 21:22; 3 H Gill (Mansf, W45) 21:59

W55: 1 K Ramsey (Charn) 23:34

W60: 1 C Heaton (H’pont) 26:51

U20: 1 A Wallace INotts U) 21L57

TEAM: 1 Notts U 15; 2 Charnwood 20; 3 Mansfield 46

W35 TEAM: 1 Mansfield 108; 2 Huurstpierpont) 191; 3 Grantham 243

U17: 1 A Arbon (Mansf) 19:48; 2 M Taylor (Notts) 19:58; 3 I Ellwood (Kett) 19:58

TEAM: 1 Derby 19; 2 Mansfield 20; 3 Kettering 28

U15: 1 M Owen (Kett) 10;16; 2 C Whysall (Mansf) 19:31; 3 L Mason (Mansf) 10:40

TEAM: 1 Mansfield 10; 2 Kettering 17; 3 Charnwood 34

U13: 1 O Wright (Mansf) 10:53; 2 A Rennie (Linc W) 10:54; 3 E Clifton (Mansf) 11:14

TEAM: 1 Mansfield 14; 2 Wreake & SV 19; 3 OWLS 49

START FITNESS MET LEAGUE, Match 2, Horsenden Hill, London, November 9

Jacob Allen, a PE teacher who recently placed second in the Manchester-Half Marathon, took Highgate Harriers clear in the points table, setting them on course for their 13^th annual Metropolitan League victory, despite Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets winning their first encounter at Woodford, Alastair Aitken reports.

Highgate Harriers had all their 12 men in the first 33 places from 443 finishers, with M80 runner Stuart Mann 440^th (45:17.49), beating three runners who were behind him.

In the good conditions Hanah Viner, who last won a Met League in February 2023, was looking good again as she won the women’s race.

Jorjia March and Arjuna Pflug were winners again as they were first under-15 races at Woodford.

Men: 1 J Allen (High) 24:03; 2 F Grierson (BHigh) 24:09; 3 F McGrath (Gst) 24;13; 4 T Butler (SB) 24:23; 5 D Jinks (High) 24:48; 6 S Lewis (VP&TH) 24:50

M45: 1 P Martelletti (VP&TH) 25:38

M50: 1 S Shaw (ESM) 28:18

M55: 1 G Low TVH) 29:34

M60: 1 M Cursons (Harow) 29:49

U20: 1 C O’Neill (Herts P) 25:46

TEAM: 1 Highgate 2034; 2 VP&TH 1893; 3 Highgate B 1465; 4 London Heathside 1439; 5 VP&TH B 1337; 6 WG&EL 1288

U17/U15: 1 I Mezey (ESM) 13;27; 2 A Pflug (High, U15) 13:35; 3 B Murphy (Herts P) 14:01; 4 S Turner (Lon H) 14:04; 5 H Stockhill (WG&EL) 14:12; 6 O Eaton (WG&EL) 14:15

U15: 2 D Lewis (Hill) 14:20; 3 K Hussein (VP&TH) 14:25

TEAM: 1 WG&EL 408; 2 Shaftesbury 402; 3 Herts P 389

U13: 1 D Pascal (SB) 9:26; 2 B Caspar (SB) 9:27; 3 J Maiden (Herts P) 9:34

TEAM: 1 Shaftesbury 198; 2 VP&TH 180; 3 Herts P 161

Women: 1 H Viner (High) 29:18; 2 C Boyd-Squires (VP&TH) 29:21; 3 C Baker (TVH) 29;44; 4 L Sterritt (TVH) 29:48; 5 K Catsreton (Serp) 29:52; 6 J Dos Santos (VP&TH) 29:54

W40: 1 K Clark &VP&TH) 31:26

W45: 1 J Triou (ESM) 32:02

W50: 1 J Singer (VP&TH) 33:37

W55: 1 D Rushman (Gerts P) 33:23

U20: 1 A Reid (WG&EL) 30:12

TEAM: 1 TVH 442; 2 VP&TH 435; 3 Lon H 397; 4 Highgate 3654; 5 VP&TH B 325; 6 Serpentine 261

U17/U15:   J March (Barn, U15) 15:29; 2 A Johnson (ESM, U15) 15:48; 3 E Ponkrateva (St Mary’s, U15) 16:28; 4 E Archer (St Mary’s, U15) 16:31; 5 R James (VP&TH) 16:16; 6 L McDonald (VP&TH) 16:50

TEAM: 1 St Mary’s 202; 2 VP&TH 189; 3 Lon H 178

U13: 1 V Muralidhar (ESM) 12:20; 2 M Keam-George (TVH) 12;28; 3 L Graham (St Mary’s) 12;28

TEAM: 1 WG&EL 154; 2 ESM 137; 3 VP&TH 107

SURREY LEAGUE Div 1, Match 2A, Beckenham, Kent, November 9

The top flight divisions in both the men’s and women’s sections again used the former public golf course in Beckenham Place Park and the races went ahead as planned after a circus which had used part of the course completed their packing up.

The scheduled young athletes races have been given a new date of November 30 at Nonsuch Park Ewell for their second match.

Hercules Wimbledon, champions last winter, continued their No.1 men’s team position in the league with another victory over Belgrave Harriers. They were led home by Stuart McCallum, who was ninth in the delayed English National in September.

He just got the better of Thames Hare & Hounds second claimer Jeremy Dempsey, who moved up from sixth in the first match.

Another to improve from the opening match was women’s race winner, Herne Hill’s Lucy Jones, who moved up from fourth in the October fixture but she could not stop Belgrave from scoring a repeat team win.

Men: 1 S McCallum (HW) 22:03; 2 J Dempsey (THH) 22:05; 3 A Milne (HW) 22:1; 4 J Coller (Kent) 22:22; 5 B Dewer (Herne H) 22:25; 6 A Fyfe (Belg) 22:25

M40: 1 R McDowell (HW, M45) 23:16

M50: 1 C Greenwood (Kent) 24:06; 2 N Chisholm (THH) 24:50; 3 S Winder (E&E) 24;57

M60: 1 B Reynolds (THH) 26:28; 2 M Tennyson (G&G) 27:44

M65: 1 D Ogden (S Lon) 30:14

M70: 1 T O’Neill (Bel) 42:52

TEAM (10 to score): 1 Hercules W 199; 2 Belgrave 267; 3 THH 344

B TEAM: 1 Belgrave 131

Women: 1 L Jones (Herne H) 19:12; 2 E Warren (G&G) 19:29; 3 I Wolsey *belg) 19:30; 4 S Tooley (Herne H) 19:35; 5 E Fennelly (Belg) 19:36; 6 R Carter (HW) 19:37

W40: 1 A Clements (Kent) 19:43

W45: 1 C Grima (HW) 21:09

W50: 1 S Biggs (Strag) 21:38

W55: 1 A Riddell-Webster (Ful) 22:11; 2 S McDonald (S Lon) 23:19

W60: 1 C Elms (Kent) 21:51

W65: 1 P Iannella (S Lon) 25:49

TEAM (5 to score): 1 Belgrave 37; 2 Herne H 84; 3 THH 85

SURREY LEAGUE, Match 2B, Hurst Green, Oxted, November 9

There were three races for the lower divisions of the league, as the meeting opened with the men’s division 2 fixture, followed by a combined men’s division 3 & 4, then, finally the afternoon ended with a women’s division 2 & 3 race.

Holland Sports’ Jack Kavanagh, who won three races in the league last winter, again totally dominated the senior men’s race with a near two-minute victory, but was unable to prevent newly demoted Clapham Chasers again just edging the team race.

However, both clubs are now on course to go up to the top flight; Clapham to continue their up and down see-saw, but Holland Sports for the first time. This is likely to condemn relegated Ranelagh Harriers to a second year in Division 2.

In the other men’s race, the combined division three and four outing, it was Reigate’s under-20 Sam Rolaston who led the former division 1 outfit to another commanding team win.

The second flight women’s race, which included their third division, was again won by Kingston & Poly’s Rebecca Keddie, from Croydon’s junior Zoha Jetha.

Men Div 2

1 J Kavanagh (Holl Sp) 24:14; 2 R Bradford (Clap) 26:07; 3 R Soh (Clap) 26:10

M40: 1 M Hyatt (K&P) 27:08

M50: 1 C Blackburn (Holl Sp) 26:32

M60: 1 S Corfield (SoC) 31:25

TEAM Div 2: 1 Clapham 203; 2 Holland Sports 215; 3 Ranelagh 290

B TEAM: 1 Clapham

Men Div 3 and 4

1 S Rollaston (Rei P, U20) 27:25; 2 T Harvey (Ling, M45) 27:33

TEAM Div 3: 1 Reigate Priory 190

B TEAM: 1 Reigate 101

TEAM Div 4: 1 Elmbridge 365

Women Div 2: 1 R Keddie (K&P) 23;56; 2 Z Jetha (Croy, U20) 24:31; 3 A McClelland (Dulw R) 24:47

W50: 1 N Ozawa (L City) 25:27

W55: 1 S Dixon (Vets) 27:42

W60: 1 V Mitchell (Vets) 27:24; 2 A Norris (Dulw R) 27:40

W70: 1 A Garnier (Vets) 29:36; 2 M Statham (Holl Sp) 30:47

D2 TEAM: 1 Dulwich R 65; 2 Ful-on-Tri 71; 3 Holland Sports 100

Div 3 TEAM: 1 Elmbridge 64; 2 26.2 RRC 74; 4 Walton 100

HAMPSHIRE LEAGUE, Match 2, Aldershot, November 9

For many years hosts Aldershot were unable to have a home fixture in the league but Wellesley Woods was opened up and again played host.

Their under-17 Katie Pye had a senior women’s race victory over the W35 masters pairing of Portsmouth’s Cassie Thorp and Aldershot clubmate Georgie Bruinvels.

Pye, the European under-18 3000m champion, was also third in the English Schools championships earlier this year.

Thorp had won the Brighton Half-Marathon earlier in February, while Bruinvels, the Surrey champion, notched up three wins over that same distance earlier in the year.

The younger women’s races saw Kitty Scott head half a dozen Aldershot runners in the under-15 event, as her club continued their autumn domination of the age group. They have taken both English relay championships at Sutton Park and Berry Hill Mansfield in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Cardiff Cross Challenge coverage

The senior men’s event saw refugee Abdinasir Mohamoud Elmi score his second win of the campaign but it was close this time as Aldershot’s Joe Wigfield just lost out by a second.

Men: 1 A Mohamoud Elmi (B’mth) 30:35; 2 J Wigfield (AFD) 30:36; 3 C Charleston (AFD) 32:02; 4 T Chandler (AFD) 32:12; 5 R James (Soton) 32;19; 6 W Atkins (Win RC, U20) 32;32

M40: 1 L Jolly (Read) 32:50

M55: 1 M Symes (AFD) 38:38

M60: 1 P Jewell (Read RR) 40:22

U20: 2 A Marshall (AFD) 32:34

Div 1 TEAM: 1 Aldershot F&D 30; 2 Soton 104; 3 Soton U 115

M40 TEAM: 1 AFD 38; 2 Winchester RC 48; 3 Reading 52

U17: 1 O Wheeler (BMH) 20:18; 2 W Smith (AFD) 20:21; 3 H Worship (Fleet) 20:28

TEAM: 1 Winchester RC 25; 2 AFD 28; 3 Soton 37 

U15: 1 O Knipe (Ports) 12:52; 2 N Manojkumar (BMH) 13:08; 3 B Rivero-Stevenet (AFD) 13:08

TEAM: 1 AFD 19; 2 Portsmouth 24; 3 BMH 28

U13: 1 L Moss (And) 10:48; 2 J Tildersley (Ports) 10:50; 3 S Bryce (AFD) 11:04

TEAM: 1 AFD 26; 2 Portsmouth 28; 3 BMH 3432; 3 AFD 39

Women: 1 K Pye (AFD, U17) 22:00; 2 C Thorp (Ports, W345) 22:15; 3 G Bruinvels (AFD, W354) 22:20; 4 K Estlea-Morris (AFD) 22;22; 5 J Corbett (Soton U) 23:04; 6 A Mann (Win, U20) 23;19

W40: 1 V Gill (Win) 23:22

W55: 1 L Elliott (Win RC) 24:22

W60: 1 C Wheeler (Over) 28:32

TEAM: 1 AFD 8; 2 Winchester & District 41; 3 Winchester RC 44

W35 TEAM: 1 Winchester & D 21; 2 Portsmouth 23; 3 AFD 24

U20 TEAM:  1 AFD 8; 2 Winchester & D 24

U17: 1 I Edwards (BMH) 14:49; 2 G Langdon (Read) 15:16; 3 U Doublet (BMH) 15:18

TEAM: 1 BMH 8; 2 Soton 32; 3 Portsmouth 40

U15:  1 K Scott (AFD) 13:39; 2 I T Robertson (AFD) 14:12; 3 K McBride (AFD) 14:13

TEAM: 1 AFD 6; 2 BMH 42; 3 Portsmouth 47

U13:  1 A Uniacke (Win) 11:42; 2 F Klepacz (Ports) 11:46; 3 D Bulters (Win) 12:06

TEAM: 1 Winchester & D 9; 2 Portsmouth 21; 3 BMH 52

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The Irish teenager takes one second off Andy Butchart’s mark from last year

Andy Butchart’s reign as “parkrun world record-holder” came to an end on Saturday (November 9), when Nick Griggs improved his time by one second at Victoria Park in Belfast.

Griggs clocked 13:44, just short of his personal 5km best of 13:39, which he recorded at the Podium 5k Festival in March.

After Ciara Mageean ran 15:13 at Victoria Park last December, it means that Irish athletes now hold the fastest parkrun times in both men’s and women’s categories.

Parkrun does not classify times as world records or world bests, with the organisation describing its events as a “run and not a race”.

Nick Griggs (Getty)

“I wasn’t going into it trying to break the record,” Griggs told BBC Radio Ulster.

“Before the race, I knew I was in good shape and knew I should be within a chance of breaking the record. It was a bit of a sprint finish to get it but it was a good feeling.

“I don’t think anyone really knew until we finished. I looked at my watch and saw I had taken a second off the world record. It was pretty shocking. I wasn’t really thinking about it, to be honest. We all realised after and there was a bit of a buzz around it.”

Nick Griggs (Getty)

Griggs, who is a European under-20 3000m champion and silver medallist, used the parkrun to prepare for the Irish Cross Country Championships in Enniskillen on November 17.

The 19-year-old is hoping to gain selection for next month’s European Cross Country Championships in Turkey.

READ MORE: Andy Butchart runs parkrun ‘world record’

He claimed bronze in the under-20 race at last year’s edition in Brussels, finishing behind Denmark’s Axel Vang Christensen and the Netherlands’ Niels Laros.

Griggs has also represented Ireland on the global stage, placing 12th in his 1500m heat at the most recent World Championships in Budapest.

READ MORE: Cardiff Cross Challenge coverage

The Irishman boasts respective personal bests of 3:35.04, 7:36.59 and 13:13.07 in the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m.

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New set-up helps British marathon runner progress from “battle” of Houston to “absolute dream” of Berlin

The Berlin Marathon was the race that changed everything for Phily Bowden.

The 29-year-old, whose previous best was a “battle” to 2:29:14 at the Houston Marathon in January, ran a negative split to finish in 2:25:47 (73:40/72:08) and go ninth on the UK all-time list. She had aimed to go through halfway on pace for 2:27 with the potential to pick up in the second half – a scenario she described pre-race as “the absolute dream” – and it went better than planned.

While Houston was far from a disaster, it wasn’t the performance or the experience Bowden had trained for. In contrast to Berlin, she got progressively slower from halfway and was proud just to make it to the finish line, describing the race as one of the toughest of her career to date.

With a reframed mindset and the backing of her coach Jon Green, her primary goal for Berlin was not solely time-focused, but to have a good experience and to cross the finish line excited to race another marathon. She succeeded.

“Berlin was incredible,” she reflects. “It was one of those days where everything just clicked. I surprised myself and I had an amazing time.”

Green, head coach at Verde Track Club and coach to 2021 Olympic marathon bronze medallist Molly Seidel, has been instrumental in fostering such joy and positivity. The pair first met while Bowden was training at altitude in Flagstaff, Arizona, in the final weeks of her Houston Marathon build and linked up officially when she moved on from Team New Balance Manchester.

Philippa Bowden (Sparta Billeder)

“Obviously it meant going from the in-person set-up that I had with Team New Balance to an eight-hour time difference [home is still Manchester], but we’re both just on the front foot with communication, and it’s working really well,” says Bowden, who announced in July that she’d signed with On Running.

Green has made a few welcome changes to Bowden’s training. Mileage has increased; overall training volume is higher; and double-threshold sessions have been introduced.

“It’s been a really positive change for me,” she says. “He really encourages me to ask questions and to almost poke holes in his training if I’m unsure about anything, which is a coaching relationship that I’ve never had before. He’s very happy to discuss ways of working, but also to say: ‘Let’s compromise’, so it’s very collaborative, which I feel like I’m now experienced enough to deserve.

“We’re constantly looking at how we can keep improving things. We’ve been really careful and measured with it, but my body has held up really well and this [marathon] block has been super-consistent. I’ve got to a place where I’m pretty well conditioned to the volume, then having added in strength work and being smart with that, I think it’s given me the room to push on – and I think it suits me.”

Philippa Bowden (David Lowes)

Typical training week (marathon build-up at altitude in Flagstaff)

Most of Bowden’s training in Flagstaff was done with others, but where her schedule made it easier to run alone, she would. “Flagstaff is such a running mecca that if you want company for your runs you’ve got it,” she says.

Having increased her strength and conditioning (S&C) work over the summer to complement her track season, she re-prioritised running volume and recovery and cut back to one S&C session per week – usually Wednesday or Saturday – as she transitioned into her marathon block for Berlin.

Easy paced runs were approximately 7-8min/miles but could be slower (around 8:30) if the purpose was to “flush the legs out” on a session day. There was no specific rest day, but if necessary this would be taken on a Saturday to minimise impact on weekly mileage.

Monday: (am) 5-6 miles easy; (pm) 5-6 miles easy plus drills and strides on the track such as 2-4 laps of in/out strides (striding the straights, jogging the bends), followed by 4 x faster 100m strides

Tuesday: double-threshold day e.g., (am) 3 miles warm-up > 6-7 x mile reps off 60-70sec (at altitude, threshold pace is about 5:40-5:45min/mile which is about 8-10sec slower than at sea level > 2 miles cool down; (pm) 2 miles warm-up > 4-5 miles worth of reps starting with mile reps such as 3 x 1 mile then 1200m or 1km reps (same pace) > 5min-1 mile cool down (approximately 12 miles of threshold across the day and up to around 20 miles total running)

Wednesday: (am) 12-15 miles easy medium long run

Thursday: (am) 10 miles approx. (“I sometimes double on a Thursday depending on where I’m at for mileage for the week,” says Bowden. “Jon gives me my workouts and a mileage goal for the week and where I put that mileage is up to me, so I might just do one run of 10 miles on a Thursday but I could split the miles across am/pm. He’s pretty trusting with where we put stuff, but if he felt my mileage was unhelpfully distributed he’d pull me up on it.”)

Friday: (am) 6-mile steady state run e.g., 3 miles warm-up > 6 miles steady state with a pick-up for the last mile (“for this session the instruction from Jon was to start out in the 5:50s and hang out there then a hard press for the last mile which was 5:18”) > 3 miles cool down;
(pm) 4-5 miles easy

Saturday: (am) 4-5 miles easy (up to a maximum of 8 miles, but varies depending on mileage goal for week)

Sunday: (am) 20-22 mile long run. “This is an easy pace run but sometimes the second half will be naturally faster, it depends where we go; some of the runs in Flagstaff could be run at 7min/mile pace but feel like the effort of 6:20s. The programme will say 20-22 but I’m always shooting for 22.”

READ MORE: How they train archives

Favourite session: “In this build I’ve really enjoyed 20-24 x 400m off 50-60 seconds recovery (track). In Flagstaff we’d be starting off at around 83/84 seconds, but progressing through gradually to finish fast and I’d normally get down to about 69 seconds for the last few reps. It’s just really good fun.”

Least favourite session: “It’s probably one of the first workouts I did in Flagstaff and it’s called 90/30; you run for 90 seconds then have 30 seconds off. You go for a distance such as 5 or 6 miles, so it’s the unknown of how many reps you’ve got that’s tough.”

» This article first appeared in the November issue of AW magazine. Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here

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The teenager clocks 15:25 and takes seven seconds off the previous mark by Innes FitzGerald

Jess Bailey continued to excel at junior level after running a British under-20 5km record of 15:25 at the Adidas Running 10 years of Podium meet in Barrowford (November 9).

The 18-year-old, who is a European under-18 3000m silver medallist, took seven seconds off the mark that Innes FitzGerald recorded back in Cardiff in May.

This was Bailey’s first individual competition since August – she also ran in the National Cross Country Relays earlier this month – and the teenager excelled in a quick race.

Bailey went into the meet off the back of an incredible cross-country and track season.

Jess Bailey (Marco Gulberti)

Back in February, she finished 17th in the under-20 race at the World Cross Country Championships and was part of the Great Britain team that placed fifth overall.

Her summer track season was as equally as impressive, with Bailey securing silver over 1500m at English Schools and placing eighth in the 3000m at the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.

She also finished fourth over 3000m at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, despite missing that entire winter due to injury, and won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.

Now with trail running taking a back seat, Bailey is focused on developing as an athlete over a range of distances, from the 1500m up to the 5km.

“No matter what sport or race you watch at the Olympics, everybody is crazy impressive and it’s great to know it is possible.”

Jess Bailey opens up about her athletics ambitions after continuing to impress in the sport

The teenager ran a stunning British U20 5km record of… pic.twitter.com/04vld6H7t4

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) November 10, 2024

“I loved that, it was so much fun,” Bailey told AW. “The atmosphere on all parts of the course was insane and to do it in front of my family was special.

“We’ll see how long the record lasts! I wasn’t thinking about the time and it was just about the competition. It’s my first proper shoulder to shoulder race for a while and I had an adrenaline rush that got me through in the end.

“I’ve been building throughout the year and have just been getting stronger and stronger. I’m going in the right trajectory and there’s nothing better than going to races and just getting progressively better. It’s about seeing how long it lasts but I’m enjoying the ride.”

Bailey was the second quickest female athlete at the Podium 5k meet, behind Hannah Nuttall, who clocked 15:19.

That time was a remarkable 34 seconds quicker than Nuttall’s personal best and subsequently put her joint-tenth on the UK 5km all-time list.

In the men’s elite race, Belgium’s Robin Hendrix took an outstanding win in 13:35.

Ossama Meslek, Robin Hendrix and Phil Sesemann (Will Bowran)

The 29-year-old, who claimed bronze for his country at last year’s European Cross Country Championships, dominated throughout and did enough to hold on to the victory.

Closing in behind on the final stretch were Ossama Meslek and Phil Sesemann, who both secured personal 5km bests of 13:37.

This was only Sesemann’s fourth individual competition of the season, with the pinnacle being the Paris Olympics.

Sesemann, who ran an incredible personal marathon best of 2:08:02 in Seville to qualify for the Games, placed 46th in tough and testy conditions in the French capital.

After his 5km in Barrowford, Sesemann, now a new father to daughter Frankie, caught up with AW and opened up about his ultimate goals over 26.2 miles.

 

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“I want to get down to 2:05/2:06 [in the marathon],” he said. “I think I can run those times pretty soon to be honest. Not in the next few months but maybe in the next few marathons. That’s what I’m trying to do!

“Seeing what Emile [Cairess] does and going on camps with him, where you can see his dedication close up, shows me that you have to train to run at those levels, even if they don’t seem realistic right now. You have to train to be one of the best in the world.”

On becoming a father, Sesemann added: “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me to be honest. It’s awesome. I absolutely love little Frankie and my partner Jess. I’ve actually had my best training since the Olympics in the past couple of weeks!”

Ben Pattison (Will Bowran)

In a star-studded men’s field at the Podium 5k meet, Jonny Brownlee was 14th with 14:04, Andrew Coscoran placed 17th in 14:06 and Ben Pattison finished 19th with 14:07.

Another notable achievement was that of Kirsty Longley, who ran an extraordinary W45 British 5km record of 16:23.

Not only did the the 48-year-old shatter her personal 5km best by 13 seconds but she was just eight seconds off the world record for her age group.

The Podium 5k meet saw a lot of athletes – including the likes of Bailey and Sesemann – run in Adidas’ Adizero Adios Pro 4 shoes, which will be available to buy on January 2.

The Adidas Adizero Pro range has a fantastic legacy, one that includes five world records and 73 major road race victories.

Full results from Podium 5k here.

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Charity Cherop and Keneth Kiprop win senior races as Brits Kate Axford, Cari Hughes, Zak Mahamed and Innes FitzGerald impress ahead of Euro trials

Ugandan duo Charity Cherop and Keneth Kiprop won the senior titles at the Cardiff Cross Challenge on Saturday (Nov 9) but this was a meeting packed with multiple sub-plots and storylines.

British athletes Kate Axford, Cari Hughes, Izzy Fry and Zak Mahamed showed good fitness a fortnight ahead of the European trials in Liverpool.

Innes FitzGerald showed she is in fine form ahead of defending her European under-20 title in Turkey in December.

Olympic 1500m finalists Niels Laros and Stefan Nillessen demonstrated that cross-country is an important part of their winter plans as they the Dutch duo flew into Britain to get stuck into the senior men’s race.

Rubbing shoulders with the elite runners in the World Athletics Tour and young athlete age-groupers chasing British Athletics Cross Challenge points, grassroots club runners were in abundance as part of the Gwent Cross Country League.

Top four women (l to r): Sheila Jebet, Charity Cherop, Kate Axford, Cari Hughesene

Kiprop defends men’s crown

Kiprop out-sprinted Vincent Mutai to win the men’s race in 2023 and the Ugandan teenager repeated the trick again to take his second consecutive victory under grey skies at the Llandaff Fields venue.

After winning last year he went on to win bronze in the 5000m at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima and the 19-year-old will doubtless be aiming to make his mark in senior track championships in 2025.

A group of eight runners broke away early on over the 9600m course. Such was the pace, Laros, who was sixth in the Olympic 1500m final with a sub-3:30 performance, was detached in the chasing group.

The lead pack was gradually whittled down, though, with Kiprop kicking clear of Mutai of Kenya and fellow Ugandan Dan Kibet to win by two seconds in 27:06.

Burundi runners Célestin Ndikumana and Emile Hafashimana were fourth and fourth with Ireland’s Efrem Gidey enjoying a fine run in sixth and Britain’s Zak Mahamed seventh. “I’m happy with that run,” said Mahamed, “as it was a very strong field.”

In eighth was Younes Kniya of Morocco whereas Logan Rees of Fife enjoyed a great run in ninth as he finished just ahead of Laros with fellow Dutch runners Robin van Riel and Nillessen 16th and 18th.

Mahamed ran a half-marathon PB recently and like most leading Brits in Cardiff he is aiming for the European trials in Liverpool at the end of this month. He made the podium in the under-23 Euro Cross race in 2022 but is now in the senior age group.

As for Laros, he said he was pleased with his result, saying: “I’m happy with my run here after what has been a tough period of training. For me cross country is all about preparation for the track season.”

Charity Cherop (Paul Stillman)

No charity from Cherop

Similar to the men’s race, Cherop out-sprinted Sheila Jebet of Kenya to win by a second in 20:15 in the women’s 6400m race.

Only 17, Cherop won bronze in the 5000m at the World Under-20 Championships this year, whereas Jebet was fourth in the under-20 race at the World Cross Country Championships.

Only five seconds behind in Cardiff, Kate Axford was first Brit home as she laid down a marker ahead of the Euro trials in Liverpool.

The former hockey international has clearly returned from a stint of altitude training in Font Romeu in fine form and the Belgrave athlete is hoping for further improvements when she makes a move soon from London to Leeds to be closer to her coach Andy Henderson, who was in Cardiff to watch the action unfold.

“I thought I still had a bit to go,” said Axford on misjudging the run-in to the finish, “so there are things to learn to take into Liverpool in a couple of weeks’ time. The field was really strong here which gives me a good confidence boost.”

Hot on Axford’s heels was Cari Hughes in fourth. Like Axford, she has been altitude training recently and was one of the Welsh success stories of the day as she hails from Anglesey in the north of the country.

Izzy Fry and Poppy Tank were fifth and sixth with Sofia Thogersen, the talented junior from Denmark, seventh as Emmy van den Berg of the Netherlands and Brits Amelia Quirk and Meg Gadsby rounded out the top 10.

Innes FitzGerald (Paul Stillman)

FitzGerald wins in style

Innes FitzGerald’s winning margin wasn’t quite as big as last year but the Exeter athlete still looked impressive as she finished half a minute clear of Lizzie Wellstead and Zoe Gilbody.

FitzGerald, 18, won the European under-20 in style in Brussels 12 months ago and is gearing up for a defence in Turkey next month. She has now started studying at Exeter University, too, a wise choice that means she is not far from her family home in south Devon plus Gavin Pavey’s training group in Devon that has served her so well.

This was FitzGerald’s first race since finishing fourth in the 3000m at the World Under-20 Championships – a result which left her disappointed at the time as she would have loved to have made the podium.

She showed no sign of race rustiness in Cardiff, though, on her third visit to this race. “I haven’t done any small or local races before this as usual,” said FitzGerald, “so it was literally my first race since the Worlds in Lima.”

Innes FitzGerald with Lizzie Wellstead, Zoe Gilbody and Tanni Grey-Thompson

Wellstead and Gilbody also ran strongly in second and third with Isabel Holt, Isla McGowan and Libby Hale following with McGowan and Hale being the first two under-17s home.

William Rabjohns won a much closer under-20 men’s race as the Poole runner beat Matthew Clark, Mark Ruby and Quinn Miell-Ingram in a sprint finish as Clark was top under-17 home.

William Rabjohns leads

Like FitzGerald, Rabjohns has just started at university but has plumped for the traditional athletics powerhouse of Loughborough.

Kara Gorman was an impressive winner of the under-15 girls’ race. Cheered on by her parents and pet Maltese dog, the Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow runner finished 10 seconds clear of Madison Welby with Phoebe Langlands third.

Kara Gorman with Madison Welby and Phoebe Langlands

The relatively flat course with dry weather conditions led to a number of close finishes and Ewan Withnall was involved in one of them as the Burton AC runner held off Louie Muir, Osian Parry and George Watkins to win the under-15 boys’ race.

Sam Cousins of Radley AC won a competitive under-13 boys’ race from Osian Phillips and Lewis Durston, while Madison Kindler was an emphatic winner of the under-13 girls’ race for Brentwood Beagles as Elizabeth Hutchings and Ellie Blackhurst won silver and bronze.

Madison Kindler with Elizabeth Hutchings and Ellie Blackhurst

Next stop in the British Athletics Cross Challenge series is the much-anticipated Euro trials at Sefton Park.

Full results from Cardiff here.

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Here is the list of people who UK Athletics are backing to battle for Paralympic podium places in future

A total of 35 athletes have been offered membership to the Paralympic World Class Programme for 2024/25.

This follows a Paris Paralympics where the British team won 18 medals – six of them gold – at Paris 2024.

Hannah Cockroft, Sammi Kinghorn, Dan Pembroke, Ben Sandilands and Sabrina Fortune – the five British athletes that secured gold medals in Paris – are all selected for the highest level of lottery funding.

The programme is split into three different levels of support – Podium, Podium Potential and Confirmation – with the goal of helping athletes who the governing body feels can win medals at the 2028 LA Paralympics or in 2032.

The next big aim for athletes will be next year’s World Para Athletics Championships, with the destination of the event still to be decided.

Ben Sandilands (Getty)

Head of the UKA Paralympic programme, Katie Jones said: “Our thanks go to UK Sport and The National Lottery for investing in the Paralympic World Class Programme. We look forward to receiving confirmation of our LA investment later this year so that we can continue to retain our place as one of the world’s leading nations for para athletics.

“The support is essential to helping our para athletes continue to be the best prepared they can be for the major Championships and Games and it is essential we continue to build on the successes of the last few Paralympic cycles.”

The list of people chosen for Olympic WCP is already out, with the cohort of 65 athletes including Keely Hodgkinson, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Matt Hudson-Smith.

The list of UK athletes receiving Paralympic WCP funding for 2024/25

Paralympic Podium (19) 

Kare Adenegan
Hollie Arnold
Olivia Breen
Jonathan Broom-Edwards
Hannah Cockroft
Aled Davies
Sabrina Fortune
Dan Greaves
Sophie Hahn
Sammi Kinghorn
Owen Miller
Anna Nicholson
Daniel Pembroke
Marcus Perrineau-Daley
Ben Sandilands
Zac Shaw
Daniel Sidbury
Zak Skinner
Thomas Young

Paralympic Podium Potential (11) 

Fabienne André
Lydia Church
Nathan Maguire
Luke Nuttall
Funmi Oduwaiye
Jonnie Peacock
Eden Rainbow-Cooper
Kevin Santos
Ali Smith
Harrison Walsh
Melanie Woods

Paralympic Confirmation (5) 

Steven Bryce
Karim Chan
Barney Corrall
Maddie Down
Didi Okoh

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The British athlete looks back on her stellar career that saw her shine on the global stage in the 100m, 200m and 400m

Jodie Williams, a three-time Olympian, officially announced her retirement last month, bringing her incredible career to a close after one final performance at the Paris Olympics.

There, she helped Team GB secure a bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m relay – a fitting end to a journey that has spanned more than a decade and included numerous highs, some lows, and a lot of hard-earned success.

The 31-year-old leaves the sport on her own terms, a decision she is at peace with. Her final race in Paris was not just about the medal, but about being able to walk away knowing she has done everything she set out to do.

 

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“It’s really special for me to be able to walk away knowing that I have done everything that I wanted to do and I was very present in the final years of my career,” says Williams.

“I can walk away on my own terms rather than injury or something else forcing me out, or simply my body giving up on me.

“I’ve always wanted to make sure I wrap things up in a conscious way and it feels like the right time for me. Mentally, the last three years have been a real push and I am really proud of myself for everything I have managed to achieve.”

Williams’ rise to success began when she was still a teenager. She quickly made a name for herself as a teenager, claiming world junior and youth titles over 100m.

She also won European junior and under-23 golds, whilst also making the front cover of AW on numerous occasions.

AW Archive 2010

As a senior sprinter, Williams found her stride in the 200m, where she would go on to claim numerous medals, including silver at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

She cemented herself as the sixth-fastest British 200m runner, clocking a personal best of 22.46 in 2014 to take second place at the European Championships, behind Dafne Schippers.

Looking back, Williams highlights her standout moments with pride – especially her victories at the Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she won 200m silver and 400m bronze, respectively.

“My individual Commonwealth medals were really special to me. Glasgow was my first ever senior medal and I shared the podium with Bianca [Williams], in 2022 I got to share the podium with Victoria [Ohuruogu] and both of those moments were very poignant moments in my career.

“You know, 2022 was a really tough year for me. I had a really big come down in 2021 and my body went haywire and I didn’t manage to get a lot of training done at all. It was a huge push and I took a lot of risks to get myself to that stage so the medal was very special to me.”

Jodie Williams (Mark Shearman)

One of the most pivotal moments in Williams’ career came when she made the switch from the 100m and 200m to focus on the 400m. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it proved to be a defining one.

“I always knew that I had the engine for 400m’s but I’m a very passionate person and I’m only going to go for something if it’s in the event I love,” says Williams.

“I never had any interest in running the 400m even though I knew I had a talent for it. I dabbled in it a couple years before the pandemic and I had some time to think.

“I was becoming dillusioned with the sport and I felt if I didn’t try something new, I was probably not going to continue in the sport for much longer. I thought it would shake things up for me and it definitely did.”

Williams took on the 400m seriously in 2019, joining the 4x400m relay team at the World Championships in Doha. The team of Williams, Emily Diamond, Zoey Clark and Laviai Nielsen finished fourth.

GB women 4X400m (Mark Shearman)

In her second Olympic appearance in Tokyo – after reaching the 200m semi-finals at Rio 2016 – she finished sixth in the 400m final, running her fastest ever time of 49.47.

Williams was also part of the 4x400m team that placed fifth, a sign that her shift to the 400m was paying off.

But it was in Paris that provided ultimate vindication. Running third in the 4x400m heats, Williams clocked a 51.39 leg, helping the team secure a spot in the final.

With a final-team change, all eight athletes including, Amber Anning, Yemi Mary John, Hannah Kelly, Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen, Nicole Yeargin, and Victoria Ohuruogu got to share the podium for the bronze.

Jodie Williams (Getty)

“I’ve always loved 4x400ms, it’s such a different event to the flat,” says Williams. “I’ve always watched them and I really like running in a pack so I think it’s really cool that it ended up being my Olympic medal.

“Standing on that podium with those girls was incredible and it was so special that all eight of us got to stand on the podium together. It felt like a full circle moment to share a podium with that many incredible women.”

Though Williams had already made the decision to retire before the Games, it was the medal and the outpouring of support that made her realise the impact she’d had over the years.

“It’s funny when I actually made the announcement, it suddenly all felt very real,” says Williams. “Seeing the outpouring of love was honestly so touching.

“I don’t think you always realize the impact that you’ve had when you are so focused on training and doing what you’re doing. I’ve always been someone that wants to stay very authentic and I’ve always tried to be very open and try and give a greater insight into what the reality of sports is.

“Everything that I wanted to be in the sport, regardless of achievements or medals, is someone that was just authentic and true to themselves and didn’t feel pressured to move in a certain way. I’m just so glad that that was seen and received by so many people.”

You can find all of our original coverage from Williams’ achievements over the years via the Athletics Weekly archive.

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British runner’s extensive career may not always have gone to plan but it has left him with an enduring love of pushing limits

Chris Thompson likes to talk, so much so that he has a term for it. “You’ve been ‘Thommo’ed’,” he laughs as we come to the end of what has been a lengthy but fascinating video call. There is much to digest.

The reason for the chat was to go back through what has been a lengthy and fascinating distance running career that began as an under-15 with Aldershot in 1995 and came to an end as a V40 runner with victory at the Great South 5km.

Let’s not forget this is an athlete who out-kicked Mo Farah to win the European under-23 5000m title in Bydgoszcz in 2003, while seven years later he was runner-up to his British team-mate at the European Championships 10,000m in Barcelona. He also competed in two Olympics, all despite a career that was regularly interrupted by serious injury.

Chris Thompson pips Mo Farah (Mark Shearman)

“Thommo” always had talent and has seen first hand how his chosen sport has changed from the lean years he experienced when he first broke through, to the rise of the current shoe brand investment in training groups and teams that he says is providing a far clearer pathway for the current generation to follow.

He has strong opinions on, amongst other things, performances like Ruth Chepngetich’s world marathon record, as well as what he sees as athletics’ unfortunate way of showing itself to the world.

We’ll come back to those later but the overarching feeling I come away from the conversation with is that I have just spoken to someone who has been battered and bruised – even left heartbroken a few times – but is still deeply in love with what he chose to devote his physical prime to. If distance running needed another promoter or spokesman, then here’s exhibit A.

Chris Thompson (Mark Shearman)

“I think there was a healthy – though others would probably say unhealthy – relationship or addiction to pushing my body from a young age,” he says as we go back to the beginning to discuss what got him into distance running in the first place.

“I remember doing a session, and I hadn’t been at Aldershot very long at all. A group of us were doing some grass reps and all I could think of was: ‘Go faster, faster, faster’.

“I was legging it, running away from everyone in every rep and I distinctly remember whooping and hollering: ‘Yeah, give me more. Give me more!’ I don’t know where it came from, but I was absolutely loving thrashing myself, and I couldn’t run hard enough.”

“My mate Brian [who had also been doing that session] said to me: ‘Do you realise how irritating that was? You were destroying us and you were almost showing off’. And I said: ‘ Honestly, I just went to this weird place of pushing my body’.

“I have a very large set of lungs – my Vo2 max is very, very big – and it’s my superpower. I must have just woken it up that day and I never looked back. I just found this relationship with the red line that I kept going back for.”

Chris Thompson (Great Scottish Run)

But it wasn’t just because he was good at it that Thompson returned to test himself time and again.

“My biggest asset in my life as a person and in sport was my resilience to never give up,” he adds. “I’m stubborn in everything, but with sport that stubbornness was born because I had such an amazing experience with running as a teenager, with my friends, with everyone I interacted with. Everything was just so positive. That was what fuelled me to keep coming back. I never fell in love with running. I fell in love with what the sport had to offer.”

There is a pause as he considers where his train of thought is headed. As it turns out, the next stop is pretty much perfect summation of what it is to tackle and train for the longer events.

“If you’re a distance runner, my word, you understand what hard work is,” he says. “Self punishment, resilience, perseverance… if you go through being a distance runner in your life for any period of time, I defy you not to come out of it a better person. Your relationship with yourself improves and when that improves, your relationship with everyone else improves, because you go through experiences like nothing else. By and large, that’s why I got sucked in.”

» The above article is an abridged version of a much longer feature that appears in the November issue of AW magazine. Subscribe to AW magazine here, sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here or check out our latest podcast below…

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The popular and much beloved athletics event will make a return to Highgate in 2026

The Night of the 10,000m PBs, one of the most anticipated meets on the domestic athletics calendar, will take a fallow year in 2025.

The volunteer-driven and spectator-friendly meeting, established by Ben Pochee in 2013 to improve British racing standards, returns in two years and it’s expected to be bigger and better.

From its humble beginnings over a decade ago, the Night of the 10,000m PBs – courtesy of the hard work from Pochee and Highgate Harriers – has evolved into a well-known meet on a global level.

The event has staged the British trials for the Olympics and world championships, with the last couple of editions part of the On Running Track Night series.

Night of the 10,000m PBs (Mark Shearman)

Even with the year-on-year changes, the Night of the 10,000m PBs has never lost its ethos and is famous for its “lane three beer and cheer zone”, its “lactic tunnels of love” and the circus-style entertainment and back straight DJ.

This year’s edition was perhaps the largest yet, with the in-field particularly packed with people, trade stands and plenty of things to keep young fans entertained, such as a climbing wall.

In recent years, athletes from all over the world have travelled to London to compete, flying in from the likes of Chile and Burundi to Ethiopia and the United States.

Megan Keith and Fiona O’Keeffe (David Hicks)

This year’s edition saw an incredible battle between Britain’s Megan Keith and the USA’s Fiona O’Keeffe, with the former claiming victory in 31:03.02.

In the men’s event, Mohamed Ismael of Djibouti clocked 27:22.38 to out-sprint Patrick Dever.

Young athletes have also been given the opportunity to race in front of thousands of people and the last few editions have incorporated junior 800m races.

Mohamed Ismael wins (David Hicks)

“We’ve flatteringly been called the Glastonbury of athletics, and the similarities will now extend beyond our annual #Lane3BeerNCheer party night,” said Pochee and Highgate Harriers.

“In a similar vein to the festival we’ve decided to take a ‘fallow year’, instead of the Worthy Farm land, it will be our volunteers who’ll be receiving a well-earned rest and therefore we will not be hosting Night of the 10,000m PB’s in 2025.

“We hope to welcome you back in 2026 and would like to thank our Highgate Harriers crew, partners, volunteers and supporters who come together each year to build the event as a celebration of our grassroots community. Happy running one and all.”

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Masters athlete has broken four world records and won multiple world titles in the W85 age group this year

Masters athlete Evaun Williams has enjoyed a terrific year winning world masters gold at shot, discus, hammer, javelin, weight and weight pentathlon. In addition she set world records in Gothenburg in the shot (9.42m), discus (22.42m), weight (11.97m) and javelin (24.78m).

Her athletics journey began in 1987 when she started as a 200m sprinter with Haringey Athletics Club. After a tendon injury at the World Championships in Oregon, she took up throwing events and has since become a powerhouse in the W85 category, now at age 86.

Lee Valley Athletics Centre has been instrumental in her success, providing year round access to both indoor and outdoor facilities, as well as specialised equipment for throwing events. She also takes part in weekly fitness classes such as body conditioning and circuit training, alongside her throwing training with regular gym sessions.

“This venue has been very important to my success by having both indoor and outdoor facilities allowing me to train all year round,” she says. “It also has all of the equipment and throwing implements I need to train for my events.

Evaun Williams (Gary Mitchell)

“All of the staff are extremely friendly and helpful and are always assisting me whenever I need help. Lee Valley Athletics Centre is a base for my club (Enfield & Haringey AC) so I get to train with and around my fellow club members.”

Williams also credits the GLL Sport Foundation for easing the financial burden of training, letting her focus on competition. “The Foundation has allowed me to train without worrying about paying for entry, which means I can put that money toward travel expenses for competitions.”

At this year’s World Masters Championships she says it was about more than the medals—it was also about reconnecting with friends. “It was great to compete with my friends again,” she says.

Evaun Williams (Tom Phillips)

When asked about the secret to her success, she adds: “Determination—no, make that bloody mindedness. I have a willingness to succeed and achieve the best I can. I do not worry about legacy, I only think about my next performance and how I can improve. I have daily involvement from my coach John Waugh. Even on days when I’m not training, he will call to check up.”

Looking ahead, Evaun is setting her sights on the World Masters Indoor Championships in Florida in March, where she plans to break her own indoor records.

More about the Lee Valley Athletics Centre here.

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Commonwealth Games athlete is keen to remain competitive and active despite spinal injury earlier this year

Henrietta Paxton, the former 4.35m pole vaulter who competed for Scotland in the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games, is aiming to make her mark in wheelchair basketball and rugby after being paralysed from the waist down following a spinal injury she sustained in the gym.

In May this year the 41-year-old slipped while doing a squat, causing a 120kg barbell to crush her spine. The mum-of-two attempted to readjust her stance, but overcompensated — knocking herself forward and being crushed under the weight.

She was rushed to Southampton General Hospital where doctors told her the news that she’d broken part of her spine and damaged her spinal cord, leaving her paralysed from the waist down.

Undeterred, though, she is plans to continue doing para sports and has already won a para-badminton contest at the Inter-Spinal Unit Games.

“My career never really went the way I dreamed of it going,” she told The Times. “But the thing I’m most proud of is exactly that: my tenacity, the ability to keep picking myself up and keep coming back.

Henrietta Paxton (Mark Shearman)

“From the off, the prognosis on the extent of damage I did to my spinal cord was not good. They’re very keen to make sure that you understand that, which I found difficult to deal with just because that’s never been my mindset.

“It’s not that I don’t accept that this is serious but I’ve always been open-minded to pushing for the best outcome I can get. That was demonstrated in previous injuries where again I was told you’re not going to get back from this and I did.

“I’m of the mindset that if you don’t think there’s any way forward, there’s not going to be, because you’re not going to chase things down and you’re not going to keep trying.”

Paxton began life as a combined events athlete and long jumper. She has jumped well over six metres but she found more success in pole vault where she sits No.11 on the UK all-time women’s pole vault rankings.

Following the accident she is planning to return to the classroom as she has worked in recent years as a PE teacher. Adapting to home life with her children, who are aged five and three, with husband Shane Kelly, a former UK Athletics physio, brings its challenges too.

Given this, a JustGiving page has been set up with the goal of raising the £230,000 required to make all parts of her house accessible.

“When your whole identity is based around being active and fit and healthy, it’s really hard to re-find yourself in a situation where, having never had to rely on anyone before, I now have to accept that in some situations I do have to ask for help,” she says.

To support Henrietta Paxton’s fundraising, see justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helphen

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Following back-to-back sell-out years the Australian event is back next year on May 17-18

The Great Ocean Road Running Festival will return in 2025 with a weekend long celebrations of running, music and wellness hosted in the towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay.

Following a sell-out year in 2024, the festival will return on May 17-18 in 2025 with eight distances to choose from. From the 60km Ultra Marathon to 1.5km Kids Gallop, roads to trails, walks to runs – there is an event for everyone.

The ultra marathon will see athletes head inland through flourishing forest before returning to glorious ocean views. Completing such a unique and breathtaking 60km course all on your own strength is simply one of the most empowering feelings there is.

Last year’s race saw winners James Rigg take the men’s crown in 3:56:41, while Grace Tame won the women’s race with 4:43:43.

Grace Tame (GOR)

The marathon (44km) will allow you to experience surreal views and stunning landscapes as you wind your way along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean.

Starting in Lorne, try spot Koalas as you make your way down the Great Ocean Road through Wye River, Kennett River and Skenes Creek before finishing in Apollo Bay.

Germany’s Johannes Motschmann travelled the distance in 2023 to win the men’s race (2:36:35) and Meriem Daoui won the women’s section (3:04:24).

Beyond the running events, the festival boasts a vibrant atmosphere with live music, yoga sessions, glamping and family-friendly activities. There is something for the entire family at the Great Ocean Road Running Festival.

Don’t miss your chance to run along one of the most stunning coastal routes in the world and be part of something epic.

Timetable

Saturday, May 17, 2025

1.5km Kids Gallop; 10:30am (Start & finish at Apollo Bay)
6km Run; 11:30am (Start & finish at Apollo Bay)
Chobanti Fit 14km Paradise Run; 1pm (Start & finish at Apollo Bay)

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Ultra Marathon (60km); 8am (Lorne – Apollo Bay)
Marathon (44km); 8am (Lorne – Apollo Bay)
Half Marathon (23km); 8am (Kennett River – Apollo Bay)
Great Ocean Road Walk (5km/10km); 8:30am (Start & finish at Lorne)
12km Trail Run; 8:10am (Start & finish at Lorne)

Find out more about the running festival here

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Olympian and broadcaster Tim Hutchings says we shouldn’t underestimate just how spoiled track and field fans are for choice at the moment

I fear that many of us in the sport of athletics take for granted just how much of it is broadcast – either on terrestrial and satellite TV, or streamed over the internet. We are fortunate that the “No.1 Olympic sport” is visible in our living rooms pretty much all through the year and on an incredibly regular basis.

While athletics was never under threat in this case, the recently announced and pared back schedule of the 2026 Commonwealth Games should serve as a sobering reminder that no sport is immune to the cost-cutter’s knife.

We are lucky, then, that there has been such a feast to devour and I for one have delighted in the wide range and volume of athletics events that have been staged over the past year in stadia and on the road.
For the past 35 years I have been in the privileged position of being part of it all from my position in the commentary box and 2024 has been one of the most enjoyable to witness from behind the mic.

We had the European Championships in Rome in early June and of course the Olympics eight weeks later, while 15 Diamond League meetings were also stitched into the fabric of the summer, as were dozens of World Athletics Continental Tour meetings.

Our fabulous squad of British athletes have done us proud this year and, as I write, Keely Hodgkinson seems at least to be favourite to win BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year. Our medal hauls in Rome and Paris, despite many being relay medals, was wondrous, and more than sufficient to justify the sport rightly expecting good TV coverage for the immediate future, good funding to continue and good recruitment to continue at club level.

Keely Hodgkinson (Getty)

Indeed, it is testament to the set-up of our sport in the UK that athletics has provided the best value for central funding money per medal garnered in Paris. In complete contrast to this, the sport’s astonishing lack of sponsors on the UK scene remains one of the great mysteries of this current era. It both puzzles and angers me.

But back to the day job. Many of you reading this no doubt would dearly love to try your hand at TV commentary. I mean, how hard can it be? You turn up, describe what you’re seeing with a few nuances and it’s a case of job done.

Of course, the phrase “armchair expert” came into being for a reason, though, and it’s all too easy to pass judgment, not only on the athletes trying their best but on commentators, too. If you miss something, you’re wrong. If you misidentify someone, you’re wrong. If you slip up over a split, a faller, a field position or make an error on a clip that’s thrown at you, live or off tape, you’re wrong – and don’t those “experts” let you know it!

That said, like any challenging job, it’s satisfying to get a project (race call) right, and equally frustrating to make an error. With many jobs, everything is in the preparation but, no matter how ready one can be, live sport has a habit of throwing googlies at you.

I’ve known colleagues beat themselves up over a poor race call, but what we do know is that 99 per cent of those listening wouldn’t even have noticed, and the few that did are largely both sympathetic to a small error, and too busy enjoying the rest of the coverage to bother with any public criticism.

Happily, most programmes go well, viewers are enthused – which I think is perhaps the most important element of our job – and they look forward to the next top meeting.

Olympic 1500m final (Getty)

Speaking of which, the men’s 1500m final in Paris, was my “race of the Games”, a truly fascinating battle, with such fine margins deciding the result. Jakob you-know-who told me after the Games that he knew he’d blown it when he saw the first 400m time was under 55 seconds and that, 1000m later, his legs were “absolutely dead” coming into the straight. His racing strategy carries huge risks, but high reward when it goes right, and I admire him enormously for that gung-ho, “catch me if you can” attitude. While he’s involved, no major final will be won with a 51-second last lap again and others are constantly trying to be as strong as him. He has changed the whole world of middle-distance racing.

Britain’s success in Paris was solid, but frustratingly could have been so much more; imagine if Matthew Hudson-Smith had not been caught by Quincy Hall, or if Josh Kerr had hung on for that 1500m gold after passing Jakob? Neither Matt or Josh put a foot wrong in their races, but were simply beaten by an outside force over which they had no influence.

In athletics, as Discus Queen and two-time Olympic champion Valarie Allman told me recently, you simply have to accept that on any given day, one other person might achieve something incredibly special for them, something that you have zero control over, even when you’ve done everything right yourself. There is no shame at all in losing in those circumstances.

But the race of the summer, for me, didn’t take place at the Games – it was Jakob’s 3000m world record in the Silesia Diamond League. That’s because, just as in his two miles world record last year at the Paris Diamond League, he didn’t just break a long-standing best ever mark, he totally obliterated it.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Getty)

We’re living through a privileged time in our sport, with consummate professionals putting on races that, again and again, get me giving it oomph down the mic. Commentating is often an “act”, in that you have to gauge your volume and excitement levels, going “through the gears” to hit top speed as the athletes approach the finish line.

But, again and again this summer, I found myself simply calling a race from instinct, not by design – and that was a huge privilege and genuine pleasure for me on too many occasions to recount.

The coming year carries many fascinations, with Michael Johnson’s four-meeting “Grand Slam Track” series, for track events only, arriving on the scene. How will it be regarded? I’m sure the Diamond League will also, again, produce fabulous performances by the hatful, but this time it will conclude before the World Championships in Tokyo in September. After that there will be nothing, no track meetings at all. Now that will be weird!

Thankfully, the familiarity of intense competition never leads to boredom or disinterest. Will Keely threaten the 800m world record, as many are predicting? Will Jakob get that elusive world 1500m title? Can Noah Lyles keep the pack at bay, after winning the Olympic 100m title but losing over 200m (albeit with Covid)? Finally, let’s remember how lucky we are that whether your thing is running, jumping, or throwing, you’ll have umpteen opportunities to see it next year, indoors and out. These are special times and we should celebrate them.

» This article first appeared in the November issue of AW magazine. Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here

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The 2008 edition of the New York Marathon proved to be a significant milestone in the glittering career of British distance running great Paula Radcliffe

Steve Jones is the last male British winner of the New York City Marathon, finishing first in 1988, while Paula Radcliffe completed a hat-trick in the women’s race 20 years later.

A dip into the AW archive shows that November 2, 2008 represents the last time the former world record-holder and world champion would enjoy victory in a major marathon. Having won New York in 2004 and 2007, she made it three victories in emphatic style.

AW Archive 2008

As Jason Henderson wrote in AW at the time: “Charging toward the finish line at the Tavern on the Green on the west side of Central Park, the Briton held a lead of almost two minutes.

“It was remarkable, given the fact that less than three months ago she cut a forlorn figure in Beijing, painfully limping to a disappointing 23rd place in the Olympic marathon.

“Every time Radcliffe comes to the Big Apple, it seems she is biting off more than she can chew. Every time, she proves her doubters wrong and demonstrates that she is still the world’s No.1 woman marathoner.”

Just as she had done four years previously, Radcliffe used New York to bounce back from Olympic disappointment. The race fell just 11 weeks after Beijing, but she was back training just five days after that blow in China and warmed up for New York with a UK 10-mile record in Portsmouth.

AW Archive 2008

In cold, windy conditions as AW reported she: “Carried out a true demolition job on her rivals, with a time of 2:23:56 to boot.”

Radcliffe said: “I knew I was away but did not know I had two minutes. Was I tempted to look back? No. It’s been something that’s been drilled into me from an early age. My dad used to say ‘never look back’ as it’s a sign of weakness.”

However, it wasn’t her last time racing through the city’s streets as in 2009 she competed in the marathon once again, finishing fourth in 2:29:27.

Earlier that year she also took gold in the New York City Half Marathon in 69:45, just two seconds off the course record.

Paula Radcliffe (Getty)

This year saw the New York City Marathon take place on November 2 as Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won the women’s title, finishing in 2:24:35 – 39 seconds slower than Radcliffe ran in 2008.

2024 New York City Marathon report

To celebrate the 20-year anniversary, you can find our original coverage from all three of Paula Radcliffe’s NYC marathon wins via the Athletics Weekly archive.

From the first ever issue in December 1945 through to the present day, current subscribers to our magazine are able to dip into this resource for free whereas non-subscribers can pay just £3.99 per month for full access.

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Young Dutch runner and fellow Olympic 1500m finalist Stefan Nillessen face last year’s one-two in the Welsh capital, Keneth Kiprop and Vincent Mutai

Niels Laros, the Dutch teenager who was sixth in the Olympic 1500m final this year, will enjoy an early-winter endurance test at the Cardiff Cross Challenge on Saturday (Nov 9).

It promises to be a true test as well as the 19-year-old is set to face the top two men from the Cardiff Cross Challenge last year – Keneth Kiprop of Uganda and Vincent Mutai of Kenya – plus fellow Dutchman, training partner and Olympic 1500m finalist Stefan Nillessen.

Laros clocked a European under-20 1500m record of 3:29.54 in Paris in August as he finished behind Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr, Yared Nuguse, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Hobbs Kessler. Nillessen, meanwhile, was ninth in Paris in 3:30.75 and is the reigning European under-23 champion.

It promises to be a great race with the going on the Llandaff Fields course set to be firm and fast following recent dry weather and unseasonably warm temperatures. The event’s status as a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold Label continues to attract quality line-ups. The event is also the first of this winter’s British Athletics Cross Challenge series.

Cardiff Cross Challenge (Paul Stillman)

Age-group races and the inclusion of the John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League mean there will be a strong turn-out from club runners. Not surprisingly, Brits are also using the event as a warm-up for the Euro Trials in Liverpool two weeks later.

Laros clearly enjoys tackling cross-country as part of his preparation for the summer track season. Last winter, for example, he was narrowly beaten by Axel Vang Christensen in the under-20 race at the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels.

Kiprop, who is still only 19, set a fierce pace from the front in Cardiff last year. Since then he has gone on to win 5000m bronze in the World Under-20 Championships in Lima this year.

Keneth Kiprop with Vincent Mutai (left) and Abele Bekele Alemu (right)

Mutai will be looking for revenge this year and is familiar with the Welsh capital as he is a former winner of the Cardiff Half Marathon.

Other contenders include Célestin Ndikumana and Emile Hafashimana of Burundi, Daniel Kibet of Uganda, former Dutch 1500m champion Robin van Riel and Younes Kniya of Morocco. Kibet should be especially dangerous as he was 11th in the World Cross earlier this year.

The British challenge is led by Zak Mahamed, who is fresh from a half-marathon PB of 62:07 in Valencia and who was top Brit in Cardiff 12 months ago in fourth place, plus Charlie and George Wheeler, who impressed 12 months ago when placing in the top 10. Ireland’s Efrem Gidey, meanwhile, is also set to compete.

Zak Mahamed (Mark Shearman)

Welshman Osian Perrin is also due to race with Dafydd Jones and James Heneghan adding to the local interest.

Sheila Jebet of Kenya, who was fourth in the under-20 race at the World Cross Country Championships this year, leads the women’s entries along with Charity Cherop, who took 5000m bronze for Uganda at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima this summer.

READ MORE: Cardiff Cross Challenge 2023 coverage

Look out as well for rising Ethiopian star Tsige Teshome, Veerle Baaker, Emmy Van Den Berg and Femke Rosbergen of the Netherlands, plus Sofia Thøgersen of Denmark, the European under-20 cross-country runner-up behind Innes FitzGerald in Brussels last year.

Brits in action include Izzy Fry, Amelia Quirk, Jess Gibbon, Charlotte Alexander, Sara Axford, Sarah Astin, Alex Bell, Cari Hughes and the evergreen Gemma Steel, the latter of whom won the European cross-country title 10 years ago.

FitzGerald, meanwhile, runs the under-20 women’s race and will be a strong favourite to win again following her 57-second clear victory in 2023.

Innes FitzGerald (Getty)

Timetable
11:02 – U11 girls – 1250m
11:12 – U11 boys – 1250m
11:25 – U13 girls – 2780m
11:45 – U13 boys – 2780m
12:00 – U15 girls – 3200m
12:15 – U15 boys – 3200m
12:30 – U17/20 women – 4450m
12:55 – Senior women and masters – 6400m
13:40 – U17/20 men – 5560m
14:05 – Senior men and masters – 9600m

While you’re here, check out our latest podcast too…

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The British athlete smashed her half-marathon personal best and reflects on a successful year following the Olympics and European Championships

Clara Evans-Graham set a Welsh half-marathon record on October 27 in Valencia, crossing the finish line in 69:00.

The 30-year-old not only secured 14th place in the race but broke the previous record of 69:41, set by Charlotte Arter in 2019.

This achievement adds to Evans-Graham’s growing list of records, as she also holds the Welsh marathon record of 2:25:04, which she set in Valencia last December. She was also ninth in the half-marathon at the European Championships in Rome, winning team gold.

With her sights set on further success, she is now aiming to break her own marathon record once again back at the Valencia Marathon later this year (December 1).

Evans-Graham’s journey has been anything but conventional as she was called up to the Team GB squad at this year’s Paris Olympics, following Charlotte Purdue’s withdrawal due to an ankle injury.

Despite only getting the call a week before, Evans-Graham made a strong Olympic debut, finishing as the top British runner in 46th place with 2:33:01 on a tough hilly course.

Yet, even after the Olympic whirlwind, there was little time to rest as just a week later, she had to quickly shift her focus to another major life event – her wedding.

Clara Evans (Getty)

Here is our Q&A with Evans-Graham:

How did you feel after your PB in Valencia?

I was really happy, you always are when you get such big PBs. I did the Berlin Half Marathon which was ridiculously hot and then I did Europeans this year, which I ran a PB in both, but in ridiculous conditions. I wanted to do a half-marathon that was in normal temperature and I knew I was in good shape going into it.

I’m training for the Valencia Marathon so you aren’t quite sure how the half is going to go but I knew I wanted to get a low 69. A couple of the other girls had a bit more speed and I didn’t have it in the legs, because I haven’t done any faster work as I’m marathon training. But that is to be expected and I didn’t slow down.

What did your preparations look like for the half-marathon?

I was in Font Romeu for three weeks so preparations went really well. The aim was to get a race in to see where I was on the build-up to the full marathon in December. I was still doing marathon workouts a week before and I didn’t really taper too much down for it.

Have you had time to reflect on your Olympic experience?

It was a bit of a whirlwind, seven days of pure carnage. It was a great experience and I just bounced from one thing to another thing. But I think when I end my season this year, I’ll be able to take it in more. I appreciate it now, but I can work through it because I went straight from the Olympics to my wedding, to training camp, to racing.

It’s been continuous. I’m looking forward to the break and being able to fully process everything that’s happened this year.

Clara Evans (Getty)

How did you feel when you got the last minute call-up for the Olympic team?

I obviously hoped I would get called up but a week before the hope had gone and I had forgotten about the Olympics. I wasn’t even watching them. I didn’t watch the opening ceremony, I didn’t watch anything. I couldn’t even think about it, I was just trying to keep myself super busy.

I didn’t really care at that point until I got called up. I found out on the Saturday and flew out on Tuesday. I tried to take it in my stride, take everything in and get out there.

I had no expectations for the race, I just wanted to go have fun, take in the atmosphere, enjoy it and see what I could do because I hadn’t done the training block specifically. I got everything out of it that I really wanted to.

What was it like to go straight from the Olympics to your own wedding?

I was really organised at the start when I knew I was in consideration. When I didn’t get the selection, I thought I didn’t need to be so organised anymore because I had loads of time. So when I got the call there was loads of stuff I left to the last minute.

I got back on the Monday and everything had to be at the venue the next morning so I literally had one day to do everything.

I didn’t see anyone for a whole week when I got home because I was really focused on sorting all my wedding stuff out. It was a really bizarre time because everyone was congratulating me on two things.

What is the aim for the Valencia marathon?

I knew the process that I was going to do training-wise for the marathon would have kept me fit if I was called in to the Olympics. My personal best is 2:25:01, so I would obviously like to go down to 2:24.

The half went better than I expected, so I’m probably in slightly better shape than I thought. I’m just going to go with the flow of the race and see how it feels and where the groups are. I’ll make the decisions as I am going.

Clara Evans (Getty)

How important is it for you to represent the Welsh community?

I think it is massive because younger athletes can see themselves in you. I think it’s good as an individual, but also I think it has a bigger impact on the wider community in South Wales. You often see all the posts online about ‘Paris this and Paris that’ and it means so much to them that somebody from Wales is represented at the Olympics.

Breaking the Welsh records is always something nice to have and it is something quite special to say that you are the fastest.

What does the future look like for you?

I’m not really somebody who like sets big goals. I’m probably quite boring in that sense. I just follow the process and wherever that leads me is the goal.

I don’t necessarily target making teams because I personally find it stressful because realistically it is out of your control. You can only control what you can run so I feel like as long as I can control my controllables and run to the best of my ability, whatever comes from that situation, I will take it as it comes.

As long as I’m still running personal bests that’s all I really care about, because that will ultimately lead to those kind of selections and those goals. I’ve already done a lot this year so if I ever had any goals, I’ve probably already done them.

Sam Harrison, Calli Thackery, Clara Evans, Abbie Donnelly (British Athletics)

What have you learnt from your career this year?

Just trust myself, trust the process and everything that I do. Sometimes when things don’t go your way, you can still get an opportunity out of it and you can still make a positive out of the situation.

Obviously not getting the original selection for the Olympics did hurt and you’ve just got to use that to fuel you and to prove a point, and see what you can do.

When I did Europeans, I wasn’t going to the Olympics. So I thought it was my Olympics of the year and I raced it like it was and did the best I could. Winning that gold and standing on that podium was probably a slighter higher achievement than the Olympics.

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As financial pressures bite hard and more “off-track” championships are added to the global calendar, a greater number of athletes looking to compete for Britain will have to dip into their own pockets

Paying your own way to compete for Great Britain. The notion is one that would have seemed almost unthinkable until recently but, whether it is a symptom of the harsh financial realities currently being faced by athletics in the UK or part of a cultural shift already adopted by other nations and other sports, athletes will be dipping into their own pockets when it comes to a number of championship events in 2025.

While events like next month’s European Cross Country Championships will remain fully funded, given that the event has a role in the performance pathway of the country’s distance athletes, those who are planning to target the European and World Road Running Championships, World Mountain and Trail Running Championships or the World 50km and 24-hour Championships next year will have to look elsewhere.

This isn’t entirely new territory. Late last year AW reported on the British teams travelling to those global ultra running championships having to crowdfund to help pay for their costs. While that isn’t necessarily a sustainable avenue, thinking differently will be a necessity.

“It’s not what anybody wants, saying you have to pay to represent Great Britain,” says UKA Endurance Strategy Manager Chris Jones. “The landscape has changed. However, as custodians of the sport, then we have a responsibility across the whole sport. That’s the challenge.

“If an investor came along, such as a sponsorship, [UKA CEO] Jack Buckner would totally back that area of the sport, but until that financial balance comes into the sport, we’re beholden to UK Sport and that’s the way we have to operate.”

As Jones points out, it’s how some other sports, such as cycling and triathlon, have been operating for some time.

“They actually spell out that [in their policies]: ‘You’ll get this, this and this, but the rest of it you’re paying your own way’. In our sport, we’ve probably tried to hang on to things a little bit too long and, culturally, it’s expected that we will continue to fund these areas of sport.”

Jess Bailey (Marco Gulberti)

As part of the UKA selection policies, it will be highlighted exactly what is required from the athletes. For example, the European Road Running Championships document that has already been published highlights the need for a contribution of “no more than £1100” per athlete, with an initial deposit paid on the acceptance of their selection.

While it would be tempting for the athletes to immediately search out cheaper ways to do it themselves – such as low cost flights and accommodation – the policy adds: “The UKA Operations team commits to ensuring the cost reflects a balance between meeting high performance requirements and best value.”

With health and safety at the forefront of his mind, as Jones says it relates to: “How do we look after the environment for athletes and staff? How do you make sure the product is the right product that we want to represent Great Britain?”

World Cross relay delight (Getty)

Jones cites the example of this year’s World Cross Country Championships as indicative of the changing landscape, with some nations deciding not to send teams at all and others adopting the self-funding route.

“I think it was the first time that nations like Germany and Italy didn’t send teams and then teams from New Zealand and Australia self-funded,” he says. “So it’s not just ourselves. I think it’s across the whole infrastructure of athletics around the world. People are having to make choices now where investment is going. It’s a cultural shift in the UK to see that happen, but it happens in lots of other nations.”

He adds: “I think it is a harsh reality [of the financial situation], but I don’t think it is just that. With World Athletics and European Athletics constantly adding things to the programme it’s putting pressure on areas of the sport. There is an element of financial support at some of those competitions [usually two athletes] but it’s not full team coverage.”

World Cross U20 start (Getty)

The obvious concern is creating a situation of “haves” who are able to pay their way and “have nots” who are left on the sidelines. Measures such as a hardship fund are under consideration but, as Jones says, there are other potential solutions to bridging the financial gap.

“Could those costs be written into a shoe contract?” he says, before adding: “There’s massive opportunity in the commercial area for mountain and trail running, to get a different model into that space.”

There is much to consider and avenues to explore but, for the moment at least, self-funding looks like being part of the new normal.

2025 Championships that will require self-funding
European Running Championships Brussels, April (Anticipated team size: 36 athletes)
European 10,000m Pace, May (8 athletes)
World Mountain and Trail Championships Canfranc, September (40 athletes)
World Road Running Championships San Diego, September (14 athletes)
World 50km Championships TBC (12 athletes)
World 24-hour Championships Albi, October (12 athletes)

» This article first appeared in the November issue of AW magazine. Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here

The post Why athletes are starting to pay their way to run for Britain at major events appeared first on AW.

Popular event on Tyneside kicks off our latest UK-wide endurance running results round-up

NORMAN WOODCOCK MEMORIAL RELAYS, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, November 3

Gosforth High Park played host to this mixed road racing event where each team had to include one woman and Morpeth Harriers came out on top overall.

However, they had to come from behind and it was their Tom Balsdon who saw them home with the fastest time of the day, at 8:03, for the 1.66-mile lap.

Earlier, it had been Tyne Bridge who had led after Zak Kettle’s 8:08, before Jo Woodcock took the women’s leg for Heaton to put them ahead mid-race. Then Morpeth went through to win by just four seconds.

Former three-time English Schools champion Justina Heslop was part of the winning Elswick over-40 trio and fastest W40, as many-time British masters champion Guy Bracken gave North Shields Poly’s over-60 team the best possible start with the fastest M60 lap.

Tom Balsdon (David Hewitson)

Mixed (3×1.66M): 1 Morpeth 25:38 (L Ramsey 8:25, P Buck (W) 9:10, T Balsdon 8:03); 2 Heaton 25:42 (F Davies 8:13, J Woodcock (W) 9:10, L Head 8:19); 3 Tyne Bridge 25:44 (Z Kettle 8:09, B Blain (W) 9:27, T Charlton 8:08); 4 Elswick O/40 26:16 (D Bell 8:28, J Heslop 9:06 (W45) A Bell 8:42); 5 Tyne Bridge B 26:42; 6 Elswick 27:04)

Fastest: Balsdon 8:03; S Rankin (Sund, M40) 8:04; Charlton 8:08

M40: Rankin 8:04

Women: I Bungay (Elsw) 8:38; Heslop (W45) 9:06; Woodcock 9:10

W40: Heslop (W45) 9:06

Mixed O/50 (3×1.66M): 1 Gosforth 28;30 (A Johnson 8:26, A Fletcher (W) 10:06, S Daniels 9:58); 2 Heaton 31:36; 3 NSP 31:42

Fastest: Johnson 8:26; M Dennison (Low Fell) 8:37

W50: R Oldham (NSP) 10:03

Mixed O/60 (3×1.66M): 1 NSP 33;57 (G Bracken 8:53, N De Bruin 10:55, J O’Neill (W) 14:09); 2 Morpeth 35:20; 3 Heaton 37:54

Fastest: Bracken 8:53

W60: D Dickinson (Sund) 12:48

85 teams finished

Norman Woodcock Relays (David Hewitson)

BIDEFORD 10, Devon, November 3

Olympic Games steeplechaser Phil Norman won overall in a personal best of 49:58 to retain his Bideford title and make it three in a row but, deep in the field, there was a W65 British 10-mile best time by Okehampton’s Claudine Benstead at 68:25.

This was more than two minutes better than Sue Haslam’s five-year-old previous best.

Overall: 1 P Norman (WG&EL) 49:58; 2 R Richmond (Bide, M40) 51:00; 3 C Jones (W Tempo) 51:20; 4 J Rowe (Corn) 52:21; 5 M Walker 52:25; 6 B Neale (Tav) 53:33

M45: 1 D Roose (Newq RR) 56:52

M50: 1 J Colaco (Newq RR) 59:13

M55: 1 S Mugglestone (Bide) 56:59; 2 J Matthews (N Dev) 57:48

Women: 1 K Knowles (Truro) 59:20; 2 A McEwing (Erme V, W35) 60:59; 3 N Kelly (Tav) 61:58

W55: 1 H Harbottle (S Molt) 67:40; 2 G Aspden (Corn) 69:33

W65: 1 C Benstead (Oke) 68:25

BILLERICAY STRIDERS 10km, Essex, November 3

Overall: 1 P Whitaker (RRC) 30:01; 2 A Hickey (S’end) 30:16; 3 J Dodsworth (LoS, M40) 33:59

M70: 1 M Jones 53:22

Women: 1 L Colman (S’end, W40) 38:27

CORNISH MARATHON, Pensilva, November 3

Overall: 1 S Reynolds (Truro) 2:42:59

M50: 1 T Coyne (Belle V) 2:58:57

Women: 1 J Gauld (St Aust) 3:19:11

DERWENTWATER 10, Keswick, Cumberland, November 3

Overall: 1 D Connolly 53:22; 2 R Lightfoot (Ellen) 54:30

Women: 1 Y Small (Bing) 64:48

W50: 1 K Bridge (Eden) 71:54

EAST COAST 10km, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, November 3

Overall: 1 J Skipper 31:54

M45: 1 N Adams (NNBR) 33:41

M60: 1 J Moore (Norf G) 38:11

Women: 1 E Grubb (Norw) 35:46

W60: 1 S Roberts (Colt) 44:54

GUY FAWKES 5, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, November 3

Overall: 1 R Green (M40) 25:56

Women: 1 E Hilliar (W35) 28:54

W40: 1 N Juniper 29;59

W45: 1 K Jacobs 30;27

W50: 1 T Hinxman 31;51

W65: 1 A Lewis 38:30

HAYLING 10, Hayling Island, Hampshire, November 3

Overall: 1 K Taylor (B&W) 52:54; 2 J Baker (Chich R, M45) 54:22; 3 A Jones (Ports) 54:33

M55: 1 D Allaway 62:00

Women: 1 G Shipp (Ports Tri, W40) 59:34; 2 R Reed 62:05; 3 N Moxham (Gosp, W50) 62;55

W55: 1 E Prinsep (Gosp) 72:04

GUY FAWKES 10, Ripley, North Yorkshire, November 3

Overall: 1 E Hobbs (Ilk) 54:04

Women: 1 J Elgood leeds) 63:35

W50: 1 J McCarthy (Ilk) 70:12

W60: 1 B Coomber (Denby D) 70:59

HERTFORDSHIRE HALF-MARATHON, Knebworth, November 3

Overall: 1 M Waddington (Ware) 69:45

M60: 1 S West 80:18

Women: 1 F Weddell (St Alb) 78:32

W60: 1 C Findlay (Dac) 1:46:51

W65: 1 J Christie 1:49:26

FLYING FOX 10, Rugeley (Staffordshire, November 3

Overall: 1 L Gratton (Ruge) 51:24; 2 J Thomas (Stoke) 53:03; 3 A Dight (Vale R) 53:51

M45: 1 J Hart (W&B) 54:06

Women: 1 E Taylor (Stoke, W35) 60:04; 2 G Stanfield (Trenth) 62:15; 3 L Cooper (Shrews, W35) 62:23

W45: 1 D Sherwin (Stoke) 63;50

W50: 1 J Cook (Shrews) 64:28; 2 J Stanfield (Trenth) 66:57

W55: 1 S Taylor 72:36

W60: 1 C Skellern (Staff) 77:17

LEICESTER RUNNING FESTIVAL, Prestwold Hall, Loughborough, November 3

Overall (10km): 1 D Haymes (Der) 31:16

Women: 1 A Walters (Corby) 36:38

W50: 1 S Heath 41:50

Overall (10M): 1 J Bennett (Bir) 53:42

Women: 1 L Callaghan (Trenth, W45) 66:51

RUN LONDON VICTORIA PARK HALF-MARATHON, November 3

Overall: 1 A Camps 70:48; 2 N Wilson 70:58

Women: 1 H Marsh-Smith (Ealing E, W35) 90:43

Cross country

Oxfordshire League, Cornbury Park, November 2

Men: 1 C Jardine (Abing) 28:01; 2 M Marshall (Head RR) 28:22; 3 H Woods (Swin) 28:45

M40: 1 L Byrne (Sin) 29:23

M50: 1 J Bolton (W’stock) 31:10

M60: 1 N Bunn (Abing) 36:46

U20: 1 J Davies (Oxf C) 28:55

U17: 1 W Potts (Oxf C) 21;59; 2 E Robertson (Newb) 22:01; 3 J Hatt (Radley) 22:43

U15: 1 F Byrne (Swin) 16:08; 2 L Blyton (Bic) 16:11; 3 S Nixon-Gagg (Bic) 16:13

U13: 1 S Cousins (Radley) 10:28; 2 N Mazieres (Read) 11:05; 3 W May (Read) 11;13

Women: 1 J Robertson (Newb) 322;37; 2 F Hannon (Oxf C) 34:40; 3 C Powell (Swin) 34:44

W50: 1 E Hines (Swin) 35:06

U17: 1 E Spencer (Swin) 25:30; 2 L Denne (Banb) 27:00; 3 I Haines-Gray (Oxf C) 27:13

U15: 1 A Lorimer (Oxf C) 18:02; 2 S England (Banb) 18:14; 3 C Campbll (Oxf C) 18:51

U13: 1 Z Tait (Gst) 12:03; 2 C Griffiths-Clark (Swin) 12:29; 3 J Beard (Read) 12:51

GLOUCESTERSHIRE LEAGUE, Cirencester, November 2

Men (9.6km): 1 D James (W Tempo) 30:21; 2 B Robinson (B&W) 30:34; 3 A Bampton (High) 30:43; 4 T Pickering (T Bath) 31;20; 5 B Price (W Tempo) 31;24; 6 J Reeder (T Bath) 31:54

M50: 1 I Leonard (Emersons) 34:56

M60: 1 A Hope (Severn) 40:58

U20: 1 J Davis (Bath U) 31:59

M65 (6km): 1 M Hamm (Yate & S) 24:51

M70: 1 T Hutchison (T Bath) 25:24

U17 (6km): 1 T Loughlin (T Bath) 19:22; 2 D Phelps (T Bath) 20:05; 3 R Johnstone (T Bath) 20:22

U15 (4.9km): 1 T Spurr (Chelt) 16:31; 2 P Paul (Chelt) 16:33; 3 T Edwards (FoD) 16:40

U13 (3km): 1 A Spurr (Chelt) 10:31; 2 J Shingler (Chelt) 10:33; 3 A Kirk (Durs) 11;15

Women (6km): 1 M Porter (W Tempo) 20;24; 2 B Wallis (W Tempo) 21:34; 3 L Ingram (Bath U) 22:02

W45: 1 H Knight (CLC) 23:49

W50: 1 J Rockliffe (T Bath) 23:03; 2 N Davis (T Bath) 24:32

W55: 1 F Maycock (T Bath) 24:45

W65: 1 M Derrick (Yate & S) 27:35; 2 M Grace (Yate & S) 27;38

U17: 1 R Brook (Glouc) 23:28; 2 E Musty (Chelt) 23:45

U15 (4.9km): 1 O Avery (Glouc)_ 17:58; 2 O Paul (T Bath) 18;19; 3 M Blower (B&R) 18:42

U13 (3km): 1 I Wightman (Chelt) 12:06; 2 H Cooke (Worc) 12:12; 3 J Hathway (Stroud) 12:15

PRIORY RELAYS, Reigate, Surrey, November 2

Men (4×2.8M approx.): 1 Croydon 59:01; 2 Dorking & Mole V 60;59; 3 Epsom & Ewell) 61;49

Fastest: H Hewitt (Craw) 13;55; D Aikman (Croy)/S Rollaston (Rei P) 14:17

Women (3×2.8M approx): 1 Stragglers 50;48; 2 Reigate Priory 52:09; 3 Crawley 52:59

Fastest: N Douglas (Strag) 16:19; E Bull (Rei P) 16:23; E Jeanes (Rei P) 16:58

60 teams finished

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This would have been the Brit’s first international medal and will add to her impressive collection of medals as Britain’s most successful athlete at the indoor championships.

Muir, who was just 21 at the time, narrowly missed out on a podium place in the 3000m final in Prague, finishing fourth.

However, due to the disqualification of race winner Yelena Korobkina, who was banned for doping offences, Muir’s performance was rewarded.

This means gold has gone to Belarus’ Sviatlana Kudzelich and silver for the Netherlands’ Maureen Koster.

Laura Muir at the European Indoors in 2015 (Getty)

Muir’s bronze medal brings her total to an impressive 14 major medals across the Olympics, World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Scottish Athletics held a special presentation at its short course championships to honour her achievement – a race which she has previously won in 2021, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Ian Beattie, chair of UK Athletics, handed Muir the bronze medal. She was also awarded with her Eric Liddell Olympic/Paralympic Achievement trophy from the Scottish Athletics Awards.

Laura Muir with Ian Beattie (Bobby Gavin)

“It is definitely mixed feelings and odd feelings but it is lovely to see and receive the actual medal and have family and friends here at Kirkcaldy,” Laura told Scottish Athletics.

“Better late than never is the phrase I suppose but we do need to keep doing these.

“I’m fortunate I am still a runner but of course it could have meant a lot to my career at that time – aged 21 and not having won my first international medal.

“People need to be held accountable and hopefully bans and rewriting results works as a deterrent down the line. We need to send a message that it isn’t acceptable.

“I want to thank European Athletics, UK Athletics and Scottish Athletics for making this happen for me. Kirkcaldy felt like a good place for it to happen and I’ve fond memories of racing in this event as a junior athlete.

“The reaction of people here today was so sweet. I wanted it to happen in Scotland and there were athletes here I’ve faced against years ago and I loved seeing so many friendly faces.”

Laura Muir with Ian Beattie (Bobby Gavin)

The event also showcased strong performances from other Scottish athletes. In the senior men’s race, Ben Potrykus from Inverclyde AC took the win, finishing just ahead of Jamie Crowe of Central AC, who was last year’s winner.

Aidan Thompson, also running for Central AC, secured the bronze, helping his team clinch gold in the team competition, with Carnethy HRC and Edinburgh University taking silver and bronze respectively.

In the senior women’s race, Nancy Scott from Edinburgh AC claimed gold, followed by Lynn McKenna (Shettleston Harriers) and former champion Morag Millar (Central AC), who took bronze.

Edinburgh AC’s strong performance earned them the team title with Edinburgh Uni taking silver and Shettleston Harriers bronze.

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The post Laura Muir awarded 2015 European indoor 3000m bronze appeared first on AW.

British middle-distance runner-turned-coach looks back on her European indoor 3000m victory in Paris in 2011

I was 32 when I started doing the steeplechase. I was pushed towards it by British Athletics, because 2008 was the first time it was going to be in the Olympics. I’d never even jumped over a barrier until I was in my 30s, so I didn’t have that natural hurdling ability. I practised, but I enjoyed running on the flat more and I just felt like I wanted to change.

In 2010 I’d run the Commonwealth 1500m and steeplechase and it was a turning point. I’d fallen out of love with the steeple a little bit. I’d gone for the 1500m, but ended up running both, because I’d done this qualifying time and there was a spot available in the steeplechase, but I ended up coming fourth in that.

I spoke to John Nuttall, my coach, and I said: “What do you think my best options are for 2012?” He went: “Let’s go for 5000m/10,000m and have a real good bash at that.” Going into the winter of 2010 and preparing for the 2011 season, we went to high altitude training in Kenya.

We had no intention of doing the indoors that season, but, as we got going in the camp, I was feeling in really good shape.

I discussed it with John and we thought: “Let’s just do a couple of indoor races”. I came back and I did the GB v USA match in Glasgow. I won that and broke Liz McColgan’s stadium record. I did the Grand Prix in Birmingham and ran a 3000m PB there of 8:39.

Going into the European Indoor Championships, on paper I was probably the fastest, but I’d previously come fourth twice over 1500m at those championships, so it was like: ‘Will it ever actually happen for me?’

We talked about the tactics. The Polish athlete Lidia Chojecka had won the champs twice previously and was probably the one to beat. There were a couple of Russian athletes who were good, too. It was about weighing up the best strategy, but I just felt nobody was really going to take it on as a fast race. As long as it was a good clip and I was up there at the front and ready to strike, we believed that I could win, because I had a good kick.

I’d never really trusted myself to sit and kick, though. Before, I probably would grind it out and then hang on. It was probably the first time I did exactly what John told me to do in a race. He said: “Make sure you’re in the front few, but if somebody goes past you, that’s a good thing. You tag on to them.” That’s pretty much what happened.

I never used to believe in my kick, but I did that day. I got into the lead, but the Russian girl Olesya Syreva was coming for me, so even when I crossed the line I knew it was pretty close. Had I actually won something for the first time ever? I had. It was a beautiful moment, because that was a long time coming.

I won a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2002 over 1500m at the beginning of my career. At that point, you’re like: “Hopefully I’ll have loads more days like this”. And then I made teams and I got in finals, but I’d often be fourth, or not be great in the final, or not make finals. You think your chance to get on top of a podium has gone, so it was a really nice moment, even more so because, from the moment I turned 30, I’d walk off the track and be asked: “When are you finishing?” not “What’s next?”

Helen Clitheroe (Mark Shearman)

Jo Pavey’s a prime example of it, and there are many athletes, especially female athletes, who run well in their 30s. I was 37. I was the oldest person to ever win a European indoor title. I remember being told at the time it was rare to run that well on the track – that it was more likely you’d become a good marathon runner in your late thirties. It was just so nice to go: “We can still do this.”

I did change my training a little bit as I got older. I probably was careful on hard sessions and recovered before I did the next one. More thought went into that, just because I was respectful that it might take me a bit longer to recover. As long as you’re looking after yourself and you’re looking after your body, you can still run fast. I felt like so many people had wondered when I was finishing, rather than thinking that I could actually get on top of a podium.

As athletes, you can get a little bit blasé about making a team or going to a championships. There are some athletes that you know are regular medal winners, but the vast majority don’t get that many medals. That’s the actual truth of it.

READ MORE: My greatest race archives

I’ve had these conversations with loads of athletes I know, or have even worked with as a coach over the years. They might wonder whether to bother running at the Commonwealth Games or indoor championships but I say: “Trust me, getting a medal will be the thing you’re remembered for.”

Not that many people get to stand on an Olympic podium. As an athlete, you should look at the opportunities to represent your country and look at the opportunities that will give you the best chance to get as high up as possible in the competition.

The European Indoors, European Champs outdoors and Commonwealth Games are the competitions that offer that. For some athletes, it’s a stepping stone to better things, but, for others, it’s the absolute highlight of their lives.

As told to Mark Woods

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The post Helen Clitheroe: my greatest race appeared first on AW.

Belgrave Harriers’ women and Shaftesbury Barnet’s men won the senior titles on a busy day of racing in Mansfield

Belgrave Harriers retained their senior women’s trophy, with their anchor runner Kate Axford fastest overall, while Shaftesbury Barnet added the men’s title at the Saucony English Cross Country Relay Championships at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield on Saturday (Nov 2).

With five podium places, Aldershot were adjudged the best overall club, while Chelmsford had three podium places in the young athletes’ races.

Conditions were pretty much perfect for the racing despite a little early drizzle, in stark contrast to the weather and going last year.

Senior women’s start (David Hewitson)

Women

The story was much the same as last year as Belgrave Harriers retained their title and Aldershot took both minor medals.

Such was the superiority of the holders that even if Aldershot had put their best three runners in their A-squad they would still have only finished second. As it was, their B team just held on to third from a fast-finishing Bea Wood for Cambridge & Coleridge.

Belgrave had a steady start with Nadine Donegan back in sixth, as Herne Hill’s Lucy Jones stole the early honours. She said: “That is the best run that I have had in years and is a credit to the coaches at the club.”

Then Sarah Astin, a member of the winning team last year, took Belgrave up to the lead mid-race with a 9:53 clocking. She said: “I felt strong and kept fighting.”

This was ahead the Aldershot B team’s Amy Griffiths, whose 9:49 stood as the second best of the race.

Amy Griffiths (left) and Sarah Aston (David Hewitson)

It was then left to former hockey player Kate Axford to complete the job, as she did last year, with the fastest lap time of 9:36 for the 3km lap.

Belgrave’s anchor said: “I felt like I needed to push but it is so nice to be in a team race.”

British Athletics Cross Challenge races and then a possible Euro Cross spot are hopes in Axford’s diary for the next two months.

Kate Axford (David Hewitson)

Aldershot’s A squad then called on Niamh Brown to salvage some pride on their third and final stage and her 9:53 spilt was equal third fastest with Astin and Blackheath’s Niamh Bridson-Hubbard, who gained five slots on the last lap to sixth.

Deeper in the field there were notable runs from Amelia Quirk, who ran a 10:07 for Bracknell, and Jess Warner-Judd, who ran an encouraging 10:01 time mid-race for Blackburn after suffering focal epileptic seizures during races earlier this year.

The Olympian said: “I needed a outing as it’s been three months since my diagnosis and I have probably always had epilepsy as my sister has it and it runs in a family.”

Senior women’s start (David Hewitson)

Women (3x3km): 1 Belgrave 29:40 (N Donegan 10:12, S Astin 9:53, K Axford 9:36); 2 AFD 30:38 (M Jordan-Lee 10:12, K Estlea-Morris 10:34, N Brown 9:53); 3 AFD B 30:53 (P Roessler 10:20, A Griffiths 9:49, K Brown 10:44); 4 Cambridge & Coleridge 30:56 (L Shanahan 10:29, K Lowery 10:34, B Wood 9:54); 5 Loughborough Students 31:02 (C Dannatt 10:24, E Muzio 10:31, E Parker 10:08); 6 Blackheath & B31:07 (C Sharp 10:20, M Squibb 10:55, N Bridson-Hubbard 9:53); 7 Belgrave  B 31:22 (I Wolsey 10:17, K Popadich 10:45, S Hicks 10:21); 8 Sale 31:23 (L Armitage 10:20, J Spilsbury 10:54, M Davies 10:10); 9 Herne Hill  31:31 (L Jones 10:00, H Keenan 11:11, S Tooley 10:21); 10 Reading 31:54 (L Church 10:03, N Harris 10:48, E Howsham 11:04); 11 Leeds 32:02 (D Corradi 10:40, E Curran 10:49, S Stockton 10:34); 12 Thames Valley 32:13 (C Buckley 10:07, N Edmunds 11:19, L Sterritt 10:48); 13 Loughborough B 32:21 (A Coffey 10:46, C Young 10:45, J Norkett 10:51); 14 Thames Hare & Hounds 32:36 (E Weir 10:38, B Murray 11:13, C Hammett 10:45); 15 Belgrave C 33:08 (M Corden-Lloyd 10:53, S Hewitt 11:04, M Canham 11:12); 16 Mansfield 33:14 (L Coleman 10:35, H Gill 11:33, N Yates 11:07); 17 WSEH 33:17 (A Barbour 10:13, N Thompson 11:12, K Clutterbuck 11:53); 18 Charnwood 33:24 (K Parker 11:13, Juliet Potter 10:56, A Seager 11:15); 19 Peterborough & Nene Valley 33:30 (G Holloway 11:03, H Knight 11:26, M Peel 11:03); 20 Salford 33:37; 21 Herts Phoenix 33:42; 22 Loughborough 33:57; 23 Norwich 34:01; 24 Trafford 34;14; 25 Rotherham 34:25; 26 Steel City 34:18; 27 Hallamshire 34:25; 28 York 34:30; 29 Tonbridge 34;35; 30 Blackburn 34:35

Fastest lap: Axford 9:36; Griffiths 9:49; Astin/Bridson-Hubbard/N Brown 9:53; Wood 9:54

92 teams finished

Men’s start (David Hewitson)

Men

Shaftesbury also came from behind after the first lap, as Isaac Hirschman-Chandler was way down in 16th after their 5km two-lap opener.

Liam Dee then moved them up to sixth by halfway before Dylan Thomas finally took the black and white striped vest to the front on the penultimate lap. Then it was Jamie Dee who completed the job and a comfortable 19-second victory over Bedford & County. He said of his team-mates: “They did all of the work.”

With a consistent squad who were all within 12 seconds of each other, Bedford had a steady start before hitting the silver medal position with one stage to go. Then Harry Brodie took over from their fastest man Ben Alcock’s 15:00, before Jack Goodwin confirmed their medals at the finish with a 15-second margin over 2023 champions Cambridge & Coleridge.

None of the leading teams to finish troubled the timekeepers much on the first lap and none of their runners were in the top half-dozen fastest runners.

Men’s start (David Hewitson)

Those honours were led by Morpeth’s Rory Leonard, whose 14:31 took them from ninth to fourth on the final stage. Earlier, the north easterners had Scott Beattie run 14:48 for equal sixth fastest but they sorely missed their long-serving Carl Avery who, said Leonard, had run a 2:17:09 personal best marathon a few days earlier in Frankfurt.

Earlier in the race, the Milton Keynes Distance Project’s Wheeler twins, Charles and George, had held the front of the field. Charles ‘won’ that first 5km leg with a 14:45 time that was to remain the third best time of the race.

He said: “I have been training in Fort Romeu and here decided to push from the top of the hill.”

Rory Leonard (David Hewitson)

He was just ahead of York’s Angus McMillan who was fastest last year and who was also given 14:45 for equal third best overall, albeit a few hundredths down.

After his effort George said he had paced the Valencia Half-Marathon to 8km six days earlier at 59-minute pace, then waited for two minutes before pacing the 65-minute pace runners to the finish. Brother Charles had won the Wolverton 5 a week earlier to head the 5-mile rankings for the year at 23:04.

Their club then fell away as Shaftesbury, Bedford and Aldershot’s Ellis Cross, who ran a 14:48 split, went through.

Somewhat further down, the former double English National champion James Kingston ran 14:42 for second fastest on the day after moving from 19th to ninth.

Shaftesbury Barnet winners (David Hewitson)

Men (4x5km): 1 Shaftesbury 60:11 (I Hirshman-Chandler 15:17, L Dee 14:56, D Evans 14:58, J Dee 15:02); 2 Bedford & County 60:30 (E Blythman 15:12, B Alcock 15:01, H Brodie 15:12, J Goodwin 15:07); 3 Cambridge & Coleridge 60:45 (T Keen 14:56, J Escalante-Phillips 15:02, J Gray 15:30, C Elson 15:18); 4 Morpeth 60:51 (A Brown 16:02, S Beattie 14:48, P Winkler 15:32, R Leonard 14:31); 5 Aldershot Farnham & District 61:00 (C Charleston 15:31, J O’Connell 15:08, E Cross 14:48, S Eglen 15:36); 6 Highgate  61:05 (S Ghafari 14:59, J Allen 15:24, A Lepretre 15:04, R Poolman 15:39); 7 Bracknell 61:13 (R Harvie 15:28, S Halsted 15:18, B Wills 15:36, Z Seddon 14:52); 8 Hallamshire 61:25 (A Manthorpe 14:52, T Power 15:20, D Haworth 15:40, A Heyes 15:34); 9 Tonbridge 61:34 (B Murphy 15:36, J Higgins 15:42, T Higgins 15:36, J Kingston 14:42); 10 Ashford 61:40 (L Small 15:10, A Hasan Ogeto 15:11, W Zerom 15:57, J Small 15:23); 11 Newham & Essex Beagles 61:50 (O Adedeji 16:04, F O’Brien 15:39, C Brisley 15:00, J Cann 15:09); 12 Salford 62:04 (A Ediker 15:27, D Barratt 15:44, R Smyk 15:36, C Davidson 15:19); 13 Highgate B 62:15 (T Fawden 15:37, P Chambers 15:36, F Grierson 15:30, J Young 15:33); 14 City of York 62:21 (A McMillan 14:45, J Tucker 16:11, T Shaw 15:51, D Neary 15:34); 15 Leeds 62:28 (J Sagar 15:32, M Bostock 15:48, E Bovingdon 15:33, R Allen 15:37); 16 Milton Keynes Distance Project 62:37 (C Wheeler 14:45, G Wheeler 14:56, M Nicolle 15:56, M Lovell 17:01); 17 AFD B 62:49 (T Chandler 15:29, L Stone 15:36, L Prior 15:54, T Doran 15:52); 18 Birmingham U 63:41 (T Bilyard 15:30, O Smart 15:14, J Geddes 17:05, L Rawlings 15:54); 19 Gateshead 63:50 (L Minale 15:32, C Johnson 14:53, L Liddle 16:27, D Richardson 17:01); 20 Bristol and West 63:54. 21 Tonbridge B 63:58; 22 Leeds B 64:00; 23 Bed C B 64:22; 24 Mansfield 64:30; 25 Highgate C 64:32; 26 Newark 64:54; 27 Norwich 65:00; 28 Blackburn 65:02; 29 Radleigh 65:14; 30 Shaftesbury B 65:29

Fastest lap: Leonard 14:31; Kingston 14:42; C Wheeler/McMillan 14:45; M Ramsden (B’burn) 14:46; Beattie/Cross 14:48

146 teams finished

Junior men’s start (David Hewitson)

Junior men

Radley won the under-20 men’s race. but only just, as Peterborough & Nene Valley’s Harry Hewitt almost caught them on the line.

They had gone ahead mid race on their 3km lap when Johnny James improved Oliver Conway’s fifth place to the head of the field and then Quinn Miell-Ingram finished things off as all three ran within six seconds of each other.

Hewitt built on earlier work by Sebastian Beedell, to almost snatch victory after an 8:42 timing that took the fastest lap of the race honours.

Earlier, Brighton Phoenix B team’s Alexander Sproston had surprised with a third spot and an 8:47 split behind stage one ‘winner’ Sam Mills’ 8:44 for Leeds and Norwich’s Henry Jonas’ 8:46.

Mills, who was his club’s only runner said: “It was closer than I would have wanted, but today was a good sharpener.”

Quinn Miell-Ingram (left) holds off Harry Hewitt (David Hewitson)

U20 (3x3km): 1 Radley 26:39 (O Conway 8:52, J Johnny 8:57, Q Miell-Ingram 8:51); 2 Peterborough & Nene Valley 26:39 (T Preston 8:58, S Beedell 9:00, H Hewitt 8:42); 3 AFD 26:55 (M Pickering 8:53, J Pearce 9:02, O Smith 9:01); 4 Invicta East Kent 27:09 (J Keir 8:59, A Dack 9:01, J Stevens 9:11); 5 Chelmsford 27:20 (W Steadman 9:09, J Grange 9:09, R Tuck 9:03); 6 Shaftesbury Barnet 27:23 (S Greenstein 9:02, R Gayer 9:15, G Stubbs 9:07); 7 Blackburn 27:29 (D Thompson 8:57, B Stratton 9:26, D Smith 9:07); 8 Brighton Phoenix 27:31 (O Wallek 9:26, S Stapley 9:06, M Waterworth 9:00); 9 Taunton 27:47 (D Fisher 9:01, N Heal 9:38, D Millard 9:09); 10 Wirral 27:47 (A Poulston 9:29, W Sutcliffe 8:58, E Brady-Jones 9:20); 11 Cambridge & Coleridge 27:51 (C Benyan 9:21, L Conway 9:12, E Taylor 9:19); 12 Vale Royal 27:53 (R Price 9:11, J Wilson 9:32, I Leydon 9:11); 13 Chelmsford B 28:00 (W Nuttall 9:10, G Martin 9:19, F Rattray 9:32); 14 Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow 28:02 (F McGrath 9:02, G Thomas 9:19, S Colley 9:41); 15 Ipswich H 28:02 (S Tilley 9:05, M Fisher 9:15, I Fothergill 9:43); 16 AFD B 28:05; 17 Loughborough 28:12; 18 Phoenix 28:16; 19 Blackheath & B 28:24; 20 Tonbridge 28:27

Fastest lap: Hewitt 8:42; S Mills (Leeds) 8:44; H Jonas (Norw) 8:46; A Sproston (Phoe B) 8:47; N Campion (Bed C) 8:49; Miell-Ingram 8:51

66 teams finished

U17 men’s start (David Hewitson)

Under-17 men

Salford Harriers won the under-17 men’s event over three 3km laps and had to rely on second leg runner Evan Grime’s race fourth best 9:02 and anchor leg man Jack Marwood’s 9:07, to see off Blackheath & Bromley.

Blackheath too came through from some way down and had to thank Jed Starvis and finally Joseph Scanes for their silvers.

Earlier, some laps had been posted on the opener with City of Norwich’s Michael Clark, with 8:57 and Matthew Drummond-Clark’s 9:00 the best but they were later upstaged by Luke Dunham’s 8:56 race best time.

One of the biggest gainers of the day had been Chelmsford’s Jacob Hurrell, whose equal fourth best time of 9:02 took his club up 30 places to ninth on stage two.

Jack Marwood (David Hewitson)

U17 (3x3km): 1 Salford 27:40 (B Burton 9:33, E Grime 9:02, J Marwood 9:07); 2 Blackheath & Bromley 27:59 (J Hill 9:28, J Starvis 9:15, J Scanes 9:17); 3 Preston 28:09 (M Drummond-Clark 9:00, M Fraser 9:06, L Kane 10:04); 4 Mansfield  28:14 (J Ryan 9:10, E Holden 9:41, J Nugent 9:23); 5 Tonbridge 28:24 (O Head 9:32, E Prendergast 9:36, T Bawtree 9:16); 6 City Of Norwich 28:26 (M Clark 8:57, M Parsley 9:56, W Percival 9:33); 7 Trafford 28:33 (P Aron 9:13, T Austin 9:41, F Dobson Emmas 9:39); 8 Herts Phoenix 28:35 (B Murphy 9:37, L Dunham 8:56, M Benveniste 10:03); 9 Blackburn 28:35 (O Gill 9:21, S Aspey 9:34, J Wood 9:42); 10 Chelmsford 28:56 (A Kelly 10:06, J Hurrell 9:02, H Wright 9:50); 11 Chiltern 28:59 (A Hughes 9:21, A Suleyman 9:59, J Holdsworth 9:41); 12 Rotherham 29:04 (M Bacon 9:13, D Reeve 9:59, A Bedford 9:52); 13 Bromsgrove and Redditch 29:05 (S Hembry 9:34, W Hembry 9:56, G Wagstaff 9:36); 14 Hercules Wimbledon 29:10 (N Fernandez 9:48, A McGuigan 9:35, P Panchev 9:48); 15 WGEL 29:17 (H Stockill 9:39, O Eaton 9:48, L Norden 9:51); 16 WSEH 29:17

Fastest lap: L Dunham (Herts P) 8:56; M Clark (Norw) 8:57; M Drummond-Clark (Prest) 9:00; Grime/Hurrell 9:02; Fraser 9:06; Marwood 9:07

75 teams finished

Under-15 boys

Cambridge & Coleridge had their Finn MacLennan home second on the first 2km stage with a 6:38 split before Harry Cantell took them into the lead and Harrison Pearson finished things off.

However, their lead boy was only tenths of a second down on Burton’s Ewan Withnall’s leg ‘winning’ time that was also rounded up to 6:38, but the club slipped back as Herne Hill came through. Withnall said: “I pushed it all of the way after he slowed around a corner.”

Teddy Murphy was close for Dacorum on the first leg and his 6:39 was third best overall and their eventual third place yielded their first national medals after an unfortunate disqualification for allegedly being paced in the English road relay at Sutton Park four weeks earlier.

Harrison Pearson (David Hewitson)

U15 (3x2km): 1 Cambridge & Coleridge 20:15 (F MacLennan 6:38, H Cantell 6:50, H Pearson 6:47); 2 Herne Hill 20:32 (C Holmes 6:43, L Roch 6:59, T Clerkin 6:51); 3 Dacorum 20:39 (T Murphy 6:39, T Pritchard 7:05, O McDonald 6:56); 4 Southport Waterloo 20:44 (W Delamere 6:47, E Clark 7:16, C Still 6:42); 5 Hallamshire 20:44 (E Hannay 7:02, H Kirkman 6:59, T Thake 6:44); 6 Blackheath & B 20:59 (J Shaw 7:04, D Horgan 7:00, K Farrell 6:56); 7 AFD 21:00 (J Procopakis 7:06, D Orbell 7:02, B Rivero-Stevenet 6:54); 8 WG&EL 21:04 (D Arnold 7:07, G Watkins 6:52, L Freedman 7:05); 9 Macclesfield  21:28 (J Ireland 6:49, G O’Donnell 7:20, T Wood 7:19); 10 Burton 21:30 (E Withnall 6:38, L Shaw 7:37, L Boyce 7:17); 11 VP&TH 21:33 (K Hussein 7:05, M Robert Sancho 7:13, A Lessard 7:15); 12 Herts Phoenix 21:40 (J Summers 7:08, S Mazur 7:16, F Hollings-Yates 7:17); 13 City Of Portsmouth 21:43 (O Knipe 6:49, J Klepacz 7:42, L De Giovanni 7:13); 14 Bracknell 21:48 (B Lucas 7:40, E Langley-Aybar 6:54, J Legg 7:14); 15 Tonbridge 21:48 (C Warren 7:08, E Brooks 7:21, S Galliard 7:20); 16 Charnwood A C 21:51; 17 Trafford 21:53; 18 Herne H B 21:53; 18 Lincoln W 22:02; 20 Tonbridge B 22:10

Fastest lap: MacLennan/Withnall 6:38; Murphy 6:39; Still 6:42; Holmes 6:43; Thake 6:44

69 teams finished

Under-13 boys

The title went to Preston Harriers by seven seconds over Liverpool, after Jack Turner took them ahead mid-race and then Harry Hopkinson finished things off.

The fastest laps went elsewhere and were all on the first 2km stage.

There, it was Wakefield’s Thomas Hastings who edged it with the quickest time of 7:13, over Solihull & Small Heath’s Zak Rush (7:14) and North Shields Poly’s Noah Penfold.

Harry Hopkinson (David Hewitson)

U13 (3x2km): 1 Preston 22:31 (A Yates 7:23, J Turner 7:24, H Hopkinson 7:44); 2 Liverpool 22:38 (B McEvoy 7:15, M Myles 7:52, S Lambert 7:31); 3 North Shields Polytechnic 22:59 (N Penfold 7:15, P Davies 7:43, T Hale 8:02); 4 Hercules Wimbledon 23:14 (I Derian 7:43, T Hennigan 7:47, M Harrison 7:45); 5 Wakefield 23:31 (T Hastings 7:13, H Tolson 8:11, S Swan 8:08); 6 Blackheath & B 23:37 (E Aldridge 7:28, Z Poulier 8:06, D Mein 8:03); 7 Bingley 23:44 (T Griffiths 7:52, T Jebb 8:03, C Porteous 7:50); 8 VP&TH 23:48 (H Dimmock 7:52, L Togher 8:08, M Cinesi 7:49); 9 Solihull & Small Heath 23:59 (Z Rush 7:14, J Larkin 7:57, A Albarel 8:49); 10 WSEH 24:03 (A Evans 7:28, F Fraser 8:07, F Grehan 8:28); 11 Wirral 24:07 (F Reese 7:48, T Smout 8:06, R Boyd 8:14); 12 Bedford & County 24:12 (T Harper 8:29, H Nevzat 7:53, E Gibbs 7:50); 13 Derby 24:15 (O Segal 7:35, W Saunders 7:55, T Newboult 8:45); 14 Reading 24:21 (W May 7:55, I Paviour 8:27, N Mazieres 8:00); 15 Impact 24:27 (E Victor 7:40, M Inman 8:36, H Myerson 8:11); 16 Lincoln Wellington 24:34; 17 Sale 24\;36; 18 Hallamshire 24;37; 19 Milton Keynes 24:39; 20 Preston B 24:40

Fastest lap: Hastings 7:13; Rush 7:14; McEvoy/Penfold 7:15; Yeats 7:23; Turner 7:24

55 teams finished

Junior women’s start (David Hewitson)

Junior women

Birmingham University had dominated the Manchester University relays a week earlier and here did the same.

They led from the start after Eleanor Strevens gave them a first lap lead over Cambridge & Coleridge’s Jenny Leggate on their 2.5km lap, with a third quickest 8:28, before admitting: “I didn’t feel my best.”

Alice Bates then kept them ahead before World Cross runner Jess Bailey finished things off with the second fastest under-20 lap of 8:07.

The margin of victory was over a minute and more than enough to see off the challenge of St Albans Striders, whose anchor leg runner was Paris Olympian Phoebe Gill.

Gill’s final time of 8:05 was enough to take the fastest lap plaudits and she said: “I felt quite good”, adding on her winter plans: “I will do the leagues before Christmas and then move indoors over 400m.”

For St Albans, Antonia Jubb had moved them up to eighth before Gill just brought them home for silver ahead of Holly Weedell’s Vale Royal.

Jess Bailey (David Hewitson)

U20 (3×2.5km): 1 Birmingham U 25:08 (E Strevens 8:28, A Bates 8:34, J Bailey 8:07); 2 St Albans Striders 26:16 (S Jacobs 8:59, A Jubb 9:14, P Gill 8:05); 3 Vale Royal 26:17 (E Bushill 8:41, G Roberts 9:03, H Weedall 8:33); 4 WSEH 26:27 (J Ridley 8:38, E Bartlett 8:49, R Clutterbuck 9:01); 5 Salford 26:38 (F Murdoch 8:58, E Platt 8:42, S Roiditis 8:59); 6 WSEH B 27:03 (E Davey 8:58, J Heller 8:52, C Dewar 9:14); 7 Cambridge & Coleridge 27:12 (J Leggate 8:35, R Green 9:48, I Mansley 8:51); 8 Rotherham 27:41 (L Harris 9:04, A Fearn 9:06, M Walsh 9:33); 9 Birmingham U B 27:47 (H Blundy 8:49, W Baker 9:19, E Yelling 9:40); 10 Loughborough 28:21 (E McLennan 8:55, C West 9:41, A Young 9:46); 11 Sheffield & Dearne 28:22 (H Davies 9:34, G Brown 10:02, E Inch 8:48); 12 Dacorum 28:23 (P Gray 9:22, L Collis 9:48, I Frost 9:14); 13 Epsom & Ewell  28:28 (S Lomas 9:21, L Brown 9:54, A Bloomfield 9:14); 14 Salford B 28:39 (E Bartalotta 9:23, N Mason 9:49, I Appleby 9:28); 15 Chelmsford 28:47 (L Morgan 10:18, K Beaton 8:49, R Vinton 9:41); 16 Preston 28:59; 17 Gateshead 29:01; 18 Derby 29:13; 19 Tonbridge 29:42; 20 York 29:44

Phoebe Gill with Martin Duff (Steve Wilkin)

Fastest lap: Gill 8:05; Bailey 8:07; Strevens 8:28; Weedell 8:33; Bates 8:34; Leggate 8:35

33 teams finished

U17 women’s start (David Hewitson)

Under-17 women

The in-form club in this age group are Lincoln Wellington’s trio and after Isla Porter had to just concede to on the opener, Faith Taylor and, finally, Ellarose Whitworth saw them home for victory over Aldershot.

That first leg had seen St Edmunds Pacers’ English Schools 800m fifth placer Bella Taylor just squeeze home ahead, as the two women were the second and third fastest of the race. Despite the almost perfect going under foot, Taylor said: “There was muddy corner.”

The fastest split went to Aldershot’s Katie Pye who moved her club up from ninth to the silver medals with an 8:30 fastest lap as Chelmsford took third from Windsor.

Ellarose Whitworth (David Hewitson)

U17 (3×2.5km): 1 Lincoln Wellington 26:33 (I Porter 8:42, F Taylor 9:07, E Whitworth 8:44); 2 AFD 26:58 (M Jobbins 9:12, K Ealden 9:17, K Pye 8:30); 3 Chelmsford 27:36 (L Wilkin 9:04, D Stollery 9:05, S Shipton 9:28); 4 WSEH 27:46 (M Fieldsend 8:56, G Colley 9:18, Y Grant 9:33); 5 Cambridge & Coleridge 27:47 (K Shaw 9:02, C Hughes 9:16, I King 9:30); 6 Stoke 27:53 (G Burge 9:17, T Thursfield 8:54, D Cowden 9:42); 7 Warrington 27:58 (I Wharton 9:07, H Hull 9:52, E Heavey 9:00); 8 Salford 8:00 (S Hutchinson Thompson 9:31, J Wright 9:01, D Slattery 9:28); 9 Rotherham 28:01 (G Turner 9:15, G Igoe 9:06, I Waugh 9:41); 10 Milton Keynes 28:28 (S Chapman 9:03, L Webb 9:56, K Webb 9:30); 11 VP&TH 28:58 (L MacDonald 9:28, M Panoutsou 10:02, R James 9:28); 12 Wreake & Soar Valley 29:14 (R West 9:25, L Donaghey 10:19, V Rudkin 9:32); 13 Liverpool 29:20 (B Hughes 9:38, I Doran 9:54, E Redmond 9:49); 14 York 29:27 (K Setchell 10:03, I Madden 9:47, S Robertson-Dover 9:37); 15 Saint Edmund Pacers B 29:37 (I Moore 9:40, A Winstanley 9:57, T Wooldridge 10:01); 16 Cornwall 29:37; 17 Preston 30:04; 18 Norwich 30:06; 19 Derby 30:07; 20 Milton Keynes 30:13

Fastest lap: Pye 8:30; B Taylor (St Ed) 8:41; Porter 8:42; Whitworth 8:44; Thursfield 8:54; Fieldsend 8:56

40 teams finished

Under-15 girls

Aldershot were adjudged the best overall team over the 10 races but their only win came in the under-15 girls’ race and they did it coming from behind thanks to Poppy Guest and Kitty Scott with the fastest two laps of the three by 2km race.

It was Guest’s 7:23 who moved them from ninth to second with a stage left to run and she said: “I wasn’t sure that I would get her,” but all was then okay as Scott’s 7:10 overall fastest lap sealed the win, despite her saying: “I was scared!”

This victory was over a consistent Chelmsford whose Jorjia March secured the silvers over Windsor, whose Kara Gorman had ‘won’ the first stage ‘race’ in the age group’s third best time of 7:24. This was after Chelmsford had an early lead before losing out over the second half of the stage.

Kitty Scott (David Hewitson)

U15 (3x2km): 1 AFD 22:09 (M Robertson 7:38, P Guest 7:23, K Scott 7:10); 2 Chelmsford 22:28 (E Harrold 7:25, A King 7:38, J March 7:26); 3 WSEH 22:31 (K Gorman 7:24, Z Allan 7:35, T Ferguson 7:33); 4 Sale 23:20 (O McManus 7:58, R Heywood-Young 7:41, B Soper 7:42); 5 AFD B 23:34 (K McBride 7:33, N Walmsley 7:43, A Rattray 8:19); 6 Rotherham 23:45 (M Schofield 7:51, H Bacon 7:54, M Holmes 8:00); 7 Chelmsford B 23:51 (E Kelly 7:55, L Sanford 7:58, F Philipps 7:59); 8 Wreake & Soar Valley 23:53 (M Mullett 7:34, E Hart 8:00, S Evans 8:20); 9 York 24:01 (B Lewis 7:25, L Davey 8:24, H Lovett 8:13); 10 Hercules Wimbledon 24:08 (I Harrison 7:45, B Eminson 8:21, F Harper-Tee 8:03); 11 Blackheath & Bromley 24:13 (A McDonagh 7:56, E Debruyn 7:52, S Mossi 8:25); 12 Derby 24:18 (O Lee 7:27, A Lincoln 8:18, S Wheeler 8:35); 13 Mansfield  24:24 (C Whysall 7:53, L Mason 7:53, M Slack 8:39); 14 Sale B 24:25 (M Boyer 8:06, C Wetters 8:06, I Anderson 8:14); 15 Birtley 24:26 (O Murphy 7:34, K Graham 8:29, N Graham 8:24); 16 Kettering 24:29; 17 Stoke 24:31; 18 Tonbridge 24:35; 19 Lincoln W 24:38; 20 Leeds 24:46

Fastest lap: 1 Scott 7:10; Guest 7:23; Gorman 7:24; Harrold/Lewis 7:25; March 7:26

71 teams finished

Under-13 girls

It was close in this age group over a 2km loop but Madison Kindler secured the gold medals for Brentwood Beagles with a final stage 7:25.

This was not only the age group fastest but also saw her club up from 10th, to a narrow win over Lincoln Wellington whose Holly Norris was third best overall with a 7:53 effort.

Earlier, Ellie Blackhurst had ‘won’ the first stage for Preston Harriers with a third fastest overall time of 7:57.

Madison Kindler (David Hewitson)

U13 (3x2km): 1 Brentwood Beagles 24:19 (A Twydell 8:28, S Bickerstaff 8:27, M Kindler 7:25); 2 Lincoln Wellington 24:21 (A Ronnie 8:15, E Goulsbra 8:14, H Norris 7:53); 3 Chelmsford 24:37 (I Kehoe 8:04, O Martin 8:24, B Cooke 8:09); 4 Saint Edmund Pacers 24:51 (S Bolton 8:00, I Johnson 8:25, A McVittie 8:27); 5 Warriors Pentathlon 4:57 (E Beddow 8:19, D McVicar 8:22, I Beddow 8:16); 6 Liverpool 25:07 (M Ford 8:30, D Rushton 8:13, H Peers 8:25); 7 Hallamshire  25:15 (C Bailey 8:35, N Watkinson 8:40, J Thake 8:01); 8 Bracknell 25:21 (H Lucas 8:09, M Hamilton-Martin 8:56, T Davies-Dixon 8:16); 9 Mansfield 25:26 (O Wright 8:07, E Clifton 8:21, M Manson 8:59); 10 Herne Hill 25:30 (M Millar 8:34, I Carter 8:44, S O’Brien 8:14); 11 Corby 25:31 (E Griffiths 8:00, M Moore 8:55, F Ives 8:37); 12 Bingley 25:33 (B Bailey 8:29, C Pedley 8:42, H Carter 8:23); 13 Derby 25:51 (C Hodge 8:07, J Lenton 8:37, A Wheeler 9:08); 14 Portsmouth 26:07 (R Baker 8:58, F Klepacz 8:14, E Fowler 8:56); 15 Stoke 26:21 (M Edwards 9:08, M Forrester 8:51, Z McNamara 8:24); 16 Saint Edmund Pacers B 26:30; 17 Wreake 26:30; 18 Blackheath & B 26:32; 19 WSEH 26:45; 20 Warriors B 26:40

Fastest lap: Kindler 7:25; Norris 7:53; E Blackhurst (Prest) 7:57; Bolton/Griffiths 8:00; Thake 8:01

63 teams finished

Note: all times have been rounded up to the whole second

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The teenage sprint sensation goes fourth on the U18 all-time list after an incredible performance in Australia

Gout Gout’s stock has continued to rise after clocking a sensational 20.29 (1.3) over 200m at the Queensland All Schools Track and Field Championships.

The 16-year-old’s time was the fastest by an Australian since 1993 and saw him break the country’s under-20 record over half a lap.

Gout will surely have his eyes on the Australian senior record of 20.06, which secured Peter Norman Olympic 200m silver at the 1968 Mexico Games.

If Gout can better that time before the start of next year, he will also leapfrog Usain Bolt, who ran 20.13 at 16, on the under-18 200m all-time list.

Gout Gout, Bayanda Walaza, Jake Odey-Jordan (World Athletics)

Gout’s time of 20.29 currently ranks him fourth on those rankings, with Erriyon Knighton (19.84), Bolt and Puripol Boonson (20.19) ahead of him.

The Australian first caught people’s attention two years ago when he clocked 10.57 for 100m and has since improved his personal best over the distance to 10.29.

It’s over 200m where he has made the biggest impact though – this past summer Gout claimed a superb silver medal over half a lap at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, placing behind South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza.

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The Australian city is the first location to join the prestigious list since Tokyo 11 years ago

Sydney has been chosen as the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major.

The Australian city had to meet certain criteria to join the likes of London, Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin and Tokyo.

The Sydney Marathon is the largest race over 26.2 miles in Oceania and had a record 20,272 finishers at this year’s edition, allowing it to pass its second consecutive assessment.

That means that next year’s event (August 31) will be a World Marathon Major, the first city to make the cut since Tokyo did back in 2013.

Sydney, welcome to the family.

— Abbott WMMajors (@WMMajors) November 3, 2024

“I am thrilled that Sydney will become the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major,” said Abbott WMM CEO Dawna Stone.

“The team in Sydney has been working towards this day, every day, for more than three years, and to see the improvement in their operations and event experience to the point where we can now call them a major has been deeply impressive.

“We cannot wait to see our community embrace this race as a Major and start planning their visits to run the streets of one of the finest cities in the world. Runners, your Sydney star awaits.”

The current six star medal will remain in place for those striving to complete the original races.

However, in a few years there could be a nine star medal, with two other marathons — Cape Town and Shanghai — candidates to become World Marathon Majors races.

That could happen as early as 2026 and 2027 if they pass checks over a two-year assessment.

“Becoming the seventh Abbott World Marathon is just incredible for the event, the city of Sydney and State of New South Wales,” said Wayne Larden, race director of the Sydney Marathon.

“We could not have achieved the incredible growth and uplift in delivery to make it into the Majors if it wasn’t for the support of the NSW Government and Destination NSW plus our key partners TCS and ASICS. Our team are first rate and have put in so much work to make this happen. It is really special for all of us.

“This amazing milestone is going to have a profound impact on running in Australia, inspiring the community to become marathoners and do something special for themselves, their families and friends. Community health will benefit alongside a huge increase in fundraising.

“We are so excited to deliver the 2025 event as part of the greatest marathon series on the planet!”

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New champions were crowned in the Big Apple on Sunday as the titles went to Kenya and the Netherlands

Sheila Chepkirui powered away from defending women’s champion Hellen Obiri at the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday as Abdi Nageeye took the men’s race in 2:07:39 from Evans Chebet.

With no pacemakers and a rolling, twisty course, New York is not known for producing fast times. On Sunday no one in the men’s and women’s races seemed keen to push the pace in the early stages either.

Things picked up in the second half of each race, but the winning times of 2:24:35 for Chepkirui and 2:07:39 for Nageeye still did not threaten the course records (Margaret Okayo’s 2:22:31 and Tamirat Tola’s 2:04:58) let alone the ever-improving world records.

Still, the championship-style racing produced some exciting action.

The women passed halfway in 73:59 with Chepkirui content to sit in the pack conserving energy. All eyes were on defending champion Obiri, but she ultimately had to concede defeat as she finished 14 seconds behind the winner.

“This means a lot to me as it shows my training has been going well,” said Chepkirui. “The last mile was very hard but I pushed myself and I’m so happy. I plan to be back next year!”

Sheila Chepkirui (Getty)

Kenyans took the top three places with Vivian Cheruiyot, 41, showing great form in the twilight of her career to place third in 2:25:21 after earlier trying to break away.

Eunice Chumba of Bahrain was fourth in 2:25:58 and Fabienne Schlumpf of Switzerland was fifth in 2:26:31 with Sara Vaughn being the first American home in 2:26:56 and then Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia in 2:27:14.

Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 winner and 2023 runner-up, was ninth as Lily Partridge was the leading Brit home in 2:30:55.

Tirunesh Dibaba, the multiple global track champion, dropped out soon after halfway.

The men’s race developed in similar fashion with halfway passed in a slow 65:33 with lots of runners still in contention.

At around 25km, though, the pack split up when Chebet put in a surge, soon followed by Tola, as the reigning champion and Olympic gold medallist went to the front.

The battle boiled down to Nageeye versus Chebet in Central Park, however, with the 35-year-old Somali-Dutch runner surging clear of Chebet, with the Kenyan finishing six seconds behind.

Abdi Nageeye (Getty)

“I felt so good I felt I could go on to 50km!” said Nageeye. “I’ve had a tough year and the Olympics was disappointing for me but this felt like a dream here.

“I won Rotterdam Marathon in April so I knew I was capable of winning here. I knew this was my race today. It might have looked simple but a lot of hard work was behind it.”

Albert Korir of Kenya was third in 2:08:00 with Tola of Ethiopia fourth in 2:08:12 and Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya fifth in 2:08:50.

Conner Mantz was first American in 2:09:00, just 21 seconds ahead of his training partner Clayton Young.

Abel Kipchumba and Bashir Abdi followed in eighth and ninth.

First Brit was Jonny Mellor, who held on to clock 2:11:22 after having earlier been part of the leading group until it broke up after halfway.

Fellow Brit Callum Hawkins was 23^rd in 2:15:12.

Daniel Romanchuk (Getty)

Daniel Romanchuk of the United States pipped Britain’s David Weir by five seconds to win the men’s wheelchair race in 96:31 with Tomoki Suzuki of Japan third and favourite, Marcel Hug of Switzerland, fourth.

Susannah Scaroni (Getty)

Susannah Scaroni was a more clearcut winner of the women’s wheelchair race as the American clocked 1:48:05 to win by more than four minutes from Tatyana McFadden of the US and Manuela Schar of Switzerland with Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper fourth.

Full results here.

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After a painful Olympic experience, the British distance runner returned to clock 2:21:24 in Berlin in September

Calli Hauger-Thackery just couldn’t let all of her hard work go to waste. Yes, there were racing options available later in the year and the pain of the Paris Olympics remained raw, but there were demons to slay and many, many training miles in the tank.

So it was that, with only a week-and-a-half until race day, she decided to see if it might be possible to enter the Berlin Marathon. Having spoken nicely to some contacts, the 31-year-old found herself going for a Sunday run with a difference in Germany on September 29.

Simply setting herself another 26.2-mile mission barely six weeks after what was a truly traumatic experience in the French capital was a big deal in itself. While Sifan Hassan and Tigist Assefa had been waging war at the front of the field on the Versailles course on August 11, Hauger-Thackery had been fighting a battle simply to stay upright.

She knew even before the race had begun that something was wrong. Scorching weather was a near constant feature of the Paris Games, but the mercury was only nudging 16 degrees centigrade as the athletes gathered at the start. What should have represented a pleasant temperature instead felt more like a furnace to the European half-marathon bronze medallist, who found herself going in search of ice packs to cool herself down. More alarm bells began to ring when the race got underway.

Calli Hauger-Thackery in lead group (Getty)

“It was horrible because it was way too early,” says Hauger-Thackery of the discomfort she began to feel. “I was really dizzy, too. Because I had been so strong in my running and there was never one training session where I underperformed, I thought: ‘I’ll get through this. It’ll be fine’, but the taper, unfortunately, just didn’t do its normal job this time because of everything that was going on. Stress is stress, it will unfortunately take over, and it did. I thought I was tough enough to get through it but my body was doing some crazy things. I just hit absolute exhaustion. I could barely stand up.”

So much so that, when she reached the 17th mile, by the side of the road she fell into the arms of her husband and coach Nick. Her Olympic race was run. “I just wanted to sleep for a week,” she recalls.

It was indeed her body’s way of telling her it had had enough – not surprising given how difficult the preceding weeks had been. Earlier this year Hauger-Thackery’s mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer which, at one stage, had looked like it was terminal.

“We were being told the worst, so I was thinking: ‘Oh my God, I could lose my mum this year’ and I was freaking out,” says the British 5km champion. “I didn’t sleep for days and the not knowing is even worse. I’m normally a positive person, but it wasn’t looking good.”

Thankfully, Rachel – a former sprinter – has responded to treatment and is in a far better place now. “It was just a really tough time,” adds her daughter. “And an unfortunate time for everything to unfold how it did. But life gets messy. It’s not always rainbows and butterflies. And we are human. My training was going absolutely immensely and that’s why I just thought that would take over. But I knew I was losing a lot of sleep and then, on top of that, when you lose a lot of sleep, you also lose your appetite. In the marathon, you can’t get away with that.”

Calli Thackery (Getty)

Like her mother, Hauger-Thackery carries the PALB2 gene which has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. It means she too undergoes regular medical checks and, that process represents another mental challenge to contend with. It made the finish line feeling at the Brandenburg Gate all the sweeter.

The Yorkshirewoman had shown herself to be a marathon natural at the end of last year, clocking 2:22:17 on her debut over the distance at the McKirdy Micro Marathon in New York – a time that secured her Olympic qualification.

Such a strong start, coupled with good training and that bronze medal in the half marathon at the European Championships in Rome in June (Britain took team gold) all made the Paris experience more difficult to take. To bounce back with a personal best run of 2:21:24, finish first European woman and seventh place overall in Berlin, then, felt like vindication.

“I’m happy I could pull off a [true] reflection of my running,” says Hauger-Thackery, the second-fastest British female marathon runner in history behind Paula Radcliffe. “I trained so hard up to Paris, so I was like: ‘I can’t let that go to waste’. That’s why I did one so soon after.”

» This is an abridged version of a feature that appeared in the November issue of AW magazine. Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here

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