The autumn road running season is in full swing, both at home and abroad. Less-than-ideal weather may have been a feature of the weekend, but that did not stop athletes chasing fast times. James Rhodes brings the highlights in the weekend round up.
Amsterdam Adventures
The pancake-flat course of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, coupled with its relative proximity, has seen it become a race of choice for many British runners. This year was no different, including within the elite fields.
The fastest British performance came from Dewi Griffiths, who clocked 2:12:45 (2:15:47 gun) to finish eighteenth. That is his fastest time since 2019 and betters his time in Seville in February by four seconds. One place behind was Shettleston Harrier Weynay Ghebresilasie who finished in 2:13:24 (2:13:25 gun). It is Weynay’s second race of the year after finishing third at last month’s The Big Half.
Dewi Griffiths, with pacers Jonny Mellor & Josh Grace. Photo: Bjorn Paree
Having acted as the 2:23:30 pacemaker for the elite women’s field, Tom Higgs finished in 2:23:53.
In her marathon debut, Naomi Taschimowitz (2:39:39) was the fastest British woman. She finished fifteenth in a field led by Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:16:52 CR). Behind, both Sarah Trahair-Williams (2:48:57) and Catherine Hill (2:51:08) set considerable lifetime bests.
Naomi Taschimowitz. Photo: Bjorn Paree
26.2 Closer to Home
Plenty of opportunities existed over the weekend to run 26.2 miles closer to home.
The fastest of these came from George Ravenhall (2:24:39) at the Run for All Yorkshire Marathon. That time takes almost two minutes off his previous PB, set in Manchester in April. Behind, George Mallett (2:26:06) had an excellent run for second in his first marathon since 2016. Naturally, that meant a considerable improvement – over 25 minutes to be precise. Debutant Ed Buck (2:28:39) completed the podium.
In the women’s field, Heather Townsend (2:39:11) set a new Course Record and finished nine minutes clear of the field. Alice Bourne (2:48:32) and Chloe Malcolm (2:52:27) finished second and third respectively.
London Heathside’s Rebecca Piggott (2:48:59) and debutant Matt Kunov of Reading AC (2:26:24) won the Abingdon Marathon. A close finish saw Adrian McBride (2:30:20) and Jon Cracknell (2:30:30) complete the men’s podium. Karima Harris (2:51:00) and Katherine Wood (2:51:40) took second and third respectively in the women’s field.
Well done to all the runners & huge thanks to all the volunteers at today’s #Abingdonmarathon run in difficult conditions. Winners were Matt Kunov (2.26.24 & Rebecca Piggott (2.48.59).
First in for AbAC were Harrison Read 2.37.07 (10th) & James Clayton 2.47.25 pic.twitter.com/LmsWd1DJmj— Abingdon AC (@AbingdonAC) October 20, 2024
Stephen Buckle (2:40:32) was a commanding winner of the Stevenage Marathon ahead of Christopher Westcott (2:49:45) and David Harris-Cherguit (2:50:20). The race for first in the women’s field was closer. Just 14 seconds separated Suzy Hawkins (3:32:25) from Kelsey Downie (3:32:39). Abigail Turner (3:34:24) finished third. Wins in the associated half marathon went to Freya Weddell (80:02) and Ben Tacey (73:48).
Rob Corney (2:48:38) and Rachel McDonald (3:54:33) won the Langdale Marathon, and Emily Harrison (3:31:11) and Steve Reynolds (3:02:24) the Eden Marathon.
One of a few RunThrough organised events this weekend was the Running GP at Goodwood Marathon. James Baker (2:38:53) and Louise Kipping (3:42:12) crossed the finish line first. Meanwhile, Natalie Green (83:21) and Daniel Gaffney (77:46) won the associated half marathon.
Less Distance
Racing action returned to the ever-fast Battersea Park with RunThrough’s Battersea Park Half Marathon. Belgrave Harrier Henry Hart (68:44) improved his PB by ten seconds for victory in a park he knows well. Six seconds behind was Patrick Hutton (68:50) in his half marathon debut, according to Power of 10. Nick Harris-Fry (69:47) completed the top-three. According to Power of 10, Kosana Weir has not raced above 5k on the roads until this weekend. However, she was a clear winner here with 79:34, finishing ahead of Caroline Williams (83:06) and Sofie Lindevall (84:47).
Earlier in the week, Thomas Gandee (35:13) and Chloe Baker (37:49) won the Chase the Moon Battersea Park 10k.
Further south, Craig Halsey (76:15) and Amelia Porter (87:01) were victorious at the Maidstone Half Marathon. Daniel Clarke (71:26) and Natalie Bhangal (89:41) won the Rugby Half Marathon, and Kate Murrell (85:22) and Martyn Bath (74:32) the Autumn Bickling Half Marathon.
The challenging Cannock Chase Half Marathon provided Jennifer Badger (1:42:54) and Ethan Capper (1:34:35) with wins.
With the cancellation of the Great South Run, the longstanding Cabbage Patch 10 led the ten-mile times this weekend. Joe Wigfield (48:51) added his name to the winners list for the second time, having previously won in 2022. His time on Sunday was seven seconds slower, but largely attributable to the weather conditions. Behind, Tewelde Menges (49:04 PB) and Dylan Evans (49:05) finished inside 50 minutes.
A last-minute entrant and running without a chip, Verity Ockenden (55:41) was an unofficial winner in the women’s field. The official victory went to Annabel Gummow (56:10) in her first time racing over ten miles. Alice Braham (58:17) finished third.
Whilst the Great South Run was one of many races to fall to the weather, the Great South Run 5k a day earlier did not. In the absence of the longer race, it provided a farewell for Chris Thompson, who was due to end his career on Sunday. He ends with victory, however, crossing the finish in 14:48. Eve Bailey (18:35) joined him on top of the podium.
Brilliant times from our AJ Bell Great South Run 5k racers today!
⁰
Top 3 Mens
Chris Thompson – 14:48
Malek Roostaei – 15:23
Thomas Evans – 15:40
Top 3 Womens
— Great Run (@Great_Run) October 19, 2024
10k to End
Ending this week with a handful of races over 10k.
Matt Williams (33:51) and local athlete (Brighton Phoenix) Nicole Allan (36:30) won the Hove Prom 10k. Staying on the coast, but much further north, and to the Autumn Breaker 10k in Blackpool. Miranda Layton (40:43) and Ethan Dunn (34:22) crossed the finish line quickest. Adam Theaker (33:12) and Daisy Glover (35:38) did the same at the Yorkshire Coast 10k.
There were victories for David Bissuel (34:42) and Stacey Hawkins (40:19) at the Bridgnorth 10k, Ben Williams (35:16) and Sarah Williams (41:46) at the Tonbridge 10k, and Chloe Kendal (39:19) and Ben Nutter (34:52) at the Wigton 10k.
Rob Jackaman (41:06) and Liz Brooks (52:04) took the honours at the Lullingstone 10k, as did Max Eckert (43:44) and Katie Waller (48:50) at the Blaze the Biblins 10k. Taking place near Wigan, Keith Johnston (42:24) and Marie Leahey (44:16) won the Standish Hall Trail 10k on Saturday.
The post Wet & Windy – Weekend Round Up appeared first on Fast Running.
Source: fastrunning.com