Recapping the highlights from the weekend of racing, James Rhodes takes us through the action on the road and the track.
Impressive Performances in Swansea
The autumn road season is in full swing and there were some notable performances over the weekend. Calli Thackery stood out at the Swansea Bay 10k, improving her personal best by over half a minute with a time of 32:19. She won the race by a margin of well over a minute and now ranks among the top thirty on the UK all-time list for the event. In good company, she sits between Alyson Dixon and Zola Budd.
πWelsh 10K Road Race Series 2023 β Race 5β£ / Ras 5β£ #AdmiralSwanseaBay10K
MEN / DYNION π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
1β£ Dewi Griffiths β (29:53)
2β£ Jonathan Butler β (30:35)
3β£ Adam Bowden β (30:48)WOMEN / MENYWOD π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
1β£ Jenny Nesbitt β (33:40)
2β£ Caryl Edwards β (34:52)
3β£ Olivia Tsim β (35:45) pic.twitter.com/hXo0SDuyqqβ Welsh Athletics (@WelshAthletics) September 17, 2023
In the women’s race, Jenny Nesbitt finished second with a time of 33:41, making a strong comeback from injury. Caryl Edwards took third place in a time of 34:52. The men’s race was closely contested, with the top three finishers separated by just ten seconds. Kadar Omar claimed victory with a time of 29:44, followed by Dylan Evans (29:49) and Dewi Griffiths (29:54).
Danish Racing in Copenhagen
The Copenhagen Half Marathon is renowned for its fast course, attracting many British athletes looking for a good race. Emile Cairess was one to watch, as he aimed for a sub-one hour finish. However, he fell short, clocking a time of 60:52, just twenty seconds off his personal best set in Valencia.
There were impressive performances from British women at the Copenhagen Half Marathon. Lily Partridge ran her fastest time in eight and a half years, finishing in 70:36, just five seconds away from her personal best. Mhairi Maclennan also had a strong race, improving on her previous half marathon time with a time of 71:18. Philippa Bowden also ran well, shaving off 50 seconds from her personal best with a time of 72:39. Georgie Grgec had a promising debut over the distance, finishing in 72:57.
70:36 for @LilyPartridge01 in Copenhagen β her fastest in eight and a half years and just 5 seconds shy of her PB.
β James Rhodes (@James_Athletics) September 17, 2023
In the men’s field, Ellis Cross set a new personal best with a time of 61:48, and Jamie Crowe also ran well, finishing in 64:48.
Other Road Races
In addition to the Swansea 10k, there were several other notable 10k races over the weekend. Marco Parolin (32:23) and Naomi Kingston (36:17) won the Altrincham 10k. Catherine Williamson (37:39) and Joe Gentry (32:47) were victorious at the Wetherby 10k.
At the Stevenage 10k, Dominic Howarth (34:52) and Tabitha Woodhouse (40:43) ran well. Monica Petrosino (40:39) and Stephen Buckle (34:15) finished first at the Leighton 10k, while Cat Gillen (43:52) and Fergus Donnelly (36:56) took the top spots at the Arrochar 10k. Samuel Stapley (33:55) and Jo Vickers (40:36) were the winners of the Reigate 10k.
In more challenging courses, Michael Cottam (45:31) and April Stewart (52:39) emerged triumphant at the Stainland Trail 10k. Paula Downing (43:18) and Alex Jefferson (41:21) achieved the same at the Caythorpe Dash 10k.
In London, various 10k races took place. Quinn Ballbach (36:24) and Sarah Heath (45:35) won The One in the Park 10k in Regent’s Park. In Victoria Park, Jen Baird (39:26) and Cameron Hutton (34:13) were victorious in the Pride 10k.
There was no beer mid-race at the Phantom Brewing Co 10k Beer Run in London, but Adam Dart (34:56) and Nicola Lee (40:09) crossed the finish line first. In nearby Richmond Park, Eoin O’Brien (39:23) and Caroline Mclellan (42:21) claimed victory in the Richmond Park 10k.
Other 10k races included the John Faulds Hellingly 10k won by Bryan Brett (34:30) and Sarah Morris (43:26), the Beck Busters 10k won by Lucy Matthews (41:35) and James Ireland (37:16), and the Angels 10k won by Lee Stopford (33:00) and Kate Jacobs (40:32).
Half Marathon and 5k Races
As athletes gear up for the October marathon events, many participated in half marathons to fine-tune their race preparation. Alex Carter (69:42) and Steph McCall (77:45) came out on top at the Battersea Park Half Marathon, with Alex having previously raced in Poznan earlier this year. Shaun Antell (68:25) and Rachel Felton (80:27) finished first at the Chippenham Half Marathon.
Katie Lysons (87:03) and Charles Pearson (75:17) were victorious in the Reigate Half Marathon. In Wales, Emma Taylor (77:45) and Jim Hickinbottom (70:10) claimed first place at the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon.
In the ABP Humber Coastal Half Marathon, Lee Milburn (68:33) won with a comfortable margin of over 90 seconds, while Emily Smith (79:22) finished with a lead of over four minutes. Ulrike Maisch (84:35) and Steve Dawes (71:42) were the winners of the Butterfield Half Marathon in Guernsey.
At the Friday Night Under the Lights 5k in Battersea Park, Adam Clarke (14:12) and Maddie Jordan-Lee (16:15) claimed victory. Lizzie Parry (18:39) and Daniel Pudner (16:16) were the winners of the Hatfield Midweek 5k.
Track Action in Eugene
The Diamond League is reaching its conclusion, marking the end of a long track season. Over the weekend, Eugene and Hayward Field hosted two days of thrilling races. In the men’s mile, George Mills continued his impressive season, finishing third with a time of 3:47.65, which places him third on the UK all-time list for the event. Elliot Giles also achieved a personal best with a time of 3:51.63.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen emerged as the winner of the men’s mile, clocking an impressive time of 3:43.73, which is the third fastest in history and a new European Record. Yared Nuguse broke the longstanding American Record, and there were also new World U20 and European U20 Records set. The women’s 1500m race was equally impressive, with Faith Kipyegon delivering a masterclass and winning in a time of 3:50.72. Laura Muir finished third with the second fastest time of her career (3:55.16), and Melissa Courtney-Bryant ran sub-four minutes again, finishing in 3:59.57.