Richard Askwith, author of a new book about running in later life, looks at what keeps ageing athletes going and finds that the high achievers of masters athletics deserve more recognition

I have been interested in running for much of my longish life: not just doing it but watching it and soaking up its rich traditions. Yet I was almost 60 before I discovered Ed Whitlock. I had never heard of Olga Kotelko, either, at that point; or of Earl Fee; or of a host of other giants of early 21st century track and field multiple world record-holders and champions whose golden athletic years coincided with my own period of greatest interest in the sport.

Why not? Because I wasnt watching. Year after year, athletes such as Charles Allie, Guido Müller, Nicole Alexis, Angela Copson, Gene Dykes, Caroline Powell, Clare Elms, Tommy Hughes, Yoko Nakono and Mariko Yugeta would push back the boundaries of human possibility. And year after year I missed them.

I wish I hadnt, but prejudice blinded me. They were the wrong age.

I knew that masters athletics existed, but I assumed, as most people do, that it was a lacklustre affair: a sad, second-best niche for people who couldnt think of anything else to do when they grew too old for proper athletics.

Then I encountered the reality.

My journey of discovery began uncomfortably, four or five years ago, when a much less illustrious running career my own seemed to be grinding to a halt. I had been vaguely noticing for years that I was getting slower, but I hadnt given it much thought. Then, in my late fifties, my physical decline began to trouble me. I wasnt just slower and weaker. I was a shadow of the runner I used to be.

I had less bounce, less stride length, worse balance, less lung-power, less range of motion and much less resistance to injury. I seemed short of courage, too, or even basic enthusiasm. All the things that had once made me a moderately good runner were draining away.

Time passed and the cycle of decline reinforced itself. The lay-offs for injury grew longer, from each one I came back a little weaker and, as a result, more susceptible to other, seemingly random injuries.

There isnt really a reason, said the physio who treated my torn calf. Its just age.

My morning run, which for years I had thought of as my daily treat, began to feel like an ordeal. And what made it worse was that all this coincided (as it does for many runners) with a stage in life when there are all too many other reasons to think of yourself as being on lifes scrapheap.

Im sure Im not the only middle-aged athlete to have sunk into something approaching a mid-life crisis as I wrestled with the miserable thought that my running days might be over. But then, much to my surprise, I found a way forward.

Surveys suggest that there are around 1.25 million regular runners in the UK who are over 40. 80 per cent will stop running before they reach retirement age. Thats not because they dont like running. Its just that the ageing process doesnt like runners. The older we get, the more of a struggle our sport becomes. Most of us end up admitting defeat.

But being an ex-runner isnt much fun either, so I resolved to find out what I could about the 20 per cent; and about the even smaller minority who continue to run, happily and healthily, until they are far into their seventies and eighties and, in a few cases, beyond.

My curiosity developed into a long, sprawling quest for the secrets of late-life running, which brought me into contact with a bewildering range of experts and enthusiasts scientists, coaches, runners, medics from many countries.

I spoke to champions and joggers, sprinters and distance runners, recent ex-Olympians and bright-eyed centenarian novices. Where possible I ran with them, too. Each offered their own special insights into how runners can overcome the challenges of later life, and their cumulative effect was to persuade me that I could overcome them too.

Eventually I tried to distil the most valuable lessons into a book: The Race Against Time. But the main thing they taught me can be stated in half a sentence: its worth it. The gift of being a runner is too precious to be surrendered lightly.

Olympic champion and world record-holder takes on defending champion Evans Chebet on April 17 while world champion Gotytom Gebreslase heads strong womens field

It is almost 10 years to the day since Eliud Kipchoge won his debut marathon in Hamburg in 2:05:30. Since then he has won in Berlin and London four times, claimed two Olympic titles, improved the world record to 2:01:09 and dipped inside the impossible two-hour barrier in Vienna. Yet he has never contested the Boston Marathon and aims to add victory there to his great list of accomplishments next Monday (April 17).

Aged 38, he is still going strong and indeed his last venture over 26.2 miles saw him set the current world record in Berlin last September. During his amazing career he has also enjoyed marathon victories in Tokyo and Chicago which means that the only races on the World Marathon Majors series that he has not won are Boston and New York City.

Boston has immense history with the 2023 race being the 127th edition. It also has a notoriously tough course with rolling inclines as the runners enter the latter stages including the infamous Heartbreak Hill.

Kipchoges rivals include fellow Kenyan Evans Chebet, who won last years Boston Marathon in 2:06:51 before taking victory in New York City in November. The 34-year-old has also run 2:03:00 when winning in Valencia in 2020.

There is also the 2021 Boston and 2022 Chicago winner Benson Kipruto of Kenya and two-time winner Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia, who triumphed in Boston in 2013 and 2015 and also finished runner-up in 2016 and 2019.

Behind Kipchoge and Chebet, the fastest man in the line-up is Tanzanian record-holder Gabriel Geay, who finished runner-up at the Valencia Marathon in December in 2:03:00.

Added to this are 2021 New York winner Albert Korir of Kenya, 2015 world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea, 2020 London winner Shura Kitata of Ethiopia and Ethiopias Herpasa Negasa, a 2:03:40 man.

Last years seventh-place finisher and top American, Scott Fauble, returns for his fourth Boston Marathon and will be joined by world 50km record-breaker CJ Albertson. After a 2:08:16 marathon debut in Chicago last year, Conner Mantz will take on the Boston course for the first time.

Gotytom Gebreslase leads the womens line-up that includes several former winners too.

The 28-year-old from Ethiopia won the Berlin Marathon in 2021 and then took the world title in Eugene last year in a championship record of 2:18:11. In the New York City Marathon in November she placed third behind Sharon Lokedi of Kenya and Lonah Salpeter of Israel but is hoping to return to winning ways in Boston.

Lokedi was due to run in Boston but has recently withdrawn, but Salpeter is still set to race and the 34-year-old ran 2:17:45 to win in Tokyo in 2020 and earned bronze at the World Championships last year.

All eyes in Boston will also be on Amane Beriso as the Ethiopian improved her best by six minutes to clock 2:14:58 to win the Valencia Marathon in December. It was the third quickest time in history and the 31-year-old felt she could have threatened Brigid Kosgeis world record of 2:14:04 if the pacemakers had helped her in the latter stages instead of staying with the struggling Letesenbet Gidey.

Hellen Obiri is another star attraction in Boston. The 2019 world cross-country and two-time world 5000m champion from Kenya was not planning to run another marathon so soon after her slightly painful sixth place at New York City in November but after winning the NYC Half in style last month she has recently decided to run Boston.

Also in the line-up are former Boston winners Des Linden of the United States, who overcame dreadful weather conditions to win the 2018 event, together with 2017 winner Edna Kiplagat of Kenya and 2016 champion Atsede Baysa of Ethiopia.

Adding to the quality are last years second and third place finishers in Boston, Ababel Yeshaneh of Ethiopia and Mary Ngugi of Kenya. Yeshaneh came within four seconds of victory in 2022, while Ngugi has placed second and third in Boston. Also returning is Joyciline Jepkosgei, a past winner of the New York City and London marathons, while Ethiopias Hiwot Gebremaryam, runner-up in Berlin in 2021, is another Boston debutante.

Leading the US challenge in the womens race are Sara Hall, Aliphine Tuliamuk, Emma Bates and Nell Rojas.

In the wheelchair races American Daniel Romanchuk defends his mens title but faces, among others, Swiss silver bullet Marcel Hug. The womens race sees four-time Boston champion Manuela Schär of Switzerland. Schär taking on World Marathon Majors Series champion Susannah Scaroni of the United States, Paralympic gold medallist Madison de Rozario of Australia and five-time Boston winner Tatyana McFadden of the United States.

For viewers in the UK the event is due to be broadcast on Eurosport 2 from 3.30pm on April 17.

The best of the Easter action including news of another Guernsey win for Steph Twell and a UK best for Yuko Gordon

GOOD FRIDAY RELAYS, Newcastle, April 7

North eastern clubs love their relays and Good Friday was the ideal chance to have another and, in what ended up as a close mens race, Morpeth led the whole way, Martin Duff reports.

James Young, whose recent outings have been on the World Athletics indoor tour, gave them a good start, with what proved to be the fastest lap of 10:44. Sam Hancox increased the lead by halfway, but Sunderland began to claw back Morpeths lead. Finally, Joe Armstrong, with the second-best effort of 10:51, just failed to overhaul the winners Lawrence McCourt.

North Shields Poly took the womens race but Sunderlands Elisha Tait, in her first outing of the year after a 34:11 10km at Telford in December, had led on the opener with a 12:41 effort. This was ahead of NSPs Holly Waugh.

Katie Joslyn then took the lead mid-race before UK age-17 800m record holder and 2002 Commonwealth finalist Charlotte Penfold finished things off with the fastest womens time of 12:40.

The veteran womens race saw Olympic marathoner Alyson Dixon quickest with a 13:07 clocking but Tyne Bridge won comfortably.

Men (4x2M approx): 1 Morpeth 45:06 (J Young 10:44, S Hancox 11:19, A Doherty 11:48, L McCourt 11:05); 2 Sunderland 45:11 (S Armstrong 11:12, L Taylor 11:37, S Jackson 11:22, Joe Armstrong 10:51); 3 Morpeth B 45:39 (C Parr 11:44, F Brodie 11:10, C Marshall 11:17, W Cork 11:19); 4 Houghton 46:02; 5 Morpeth C 47:24; 6 Tyne Bridge 47:40

Fastest: Young 10:44; J Armstrong 10:51; B Pye (Hought) 10:58

M40 (4x2M approx): 1 Tyne Bridge 50:41 (T Scott 12:15, P Turnbull 12:47, D Wright 12:57, C Stockdale 12:32); 2 Sunderland 50:43; 3 Gateshead 51:50

Fastest: M Barker (Sund) 12:02; Scott 12:15; Stockdale 12:32

M50 (4x2M approx): 1 Sunderland 61:00 (R Gerry 14:54, D Horn 15:56, M Hobson 15:10, P Dunlop 14:49)

Fastest: Dunlop 14:49
83 mens teams finished

Women (3x2M approx): 1 NSP 40:01 (H Waugh 12:52, K Joslyn 14:23, C Penfold 12:40); 2 Tyne Bridge 41:40 (A Fuller 13:29, R Blain 14:04, S Marr 14:01); 3 Gateshead 42:09 (E Tait 12:41, A Milburn 15:12, I Johnstone 14:09); 4 Gosforth 42:34; 5 Morpeth 42:37; 6 Elswick 42:40

Fastest: Penfold 12;40; Tait 12:41; S Pikett (Elsw) 12:44

W35 (3x2M approx): 1 Tyne Bridge 43:46 (A Dargie 14:11, Z Thompson 15:08, K Stevenson 14:20); 2 Elswick 45:01; 3 Sunderland 45:38

Fastest: A Dixon (Sund St) 13:07; Dargie 14:11; Stevenson 14:20
77 womens teams finished

EY EASTER RUNNING FESTIVAL, Guernsey, April 7-10

The Aldershot pairing of Joe Morwood and Steph Twell came out on top overall in the four-race programme but each lost out in one of the events to a rival, Martin Duff reports.

RACE 1, EY EASTER 5km, April 7

Ten years after she last competed in the Islands Easter Festival, former world junior 1500m champion and 2021 Olympic marathoner Steph Twell returned and began the four-day programme with a course record in the 5km, despite it being her first outing over the distance on the roads for six years.

Making the trip to the island with husband Joe Morwood, the 33-year-old, 2016 European 5000m bronze medallist raced to 16:05, to head 2022 overall winner Elle Twentyman.

Twell also won a bronze over 1500m at the 2010 Europeans but her record as a member of Great Britain teams in the Euro cross is exceptional with a number of junior Euro team titles at cross country and four individual under-20 wins at World and Euro championships.

In bright clear weather the pace, in the 5km race, was good as Morwood broke clear but, despite having a 20-metre advantage going into the final 200m, was unable to make it a family double, as a frantic battle behind saw the 31-year-old just lose out.

The race for the minor places between improving Jerseyman George Rice and local middle distance man Richard Bartram carried them within touching distance of the leader.

Their increased pace then carried Bartram to the front within the final few metres, to snatch the race in a 15:08 PB.

In his first race of the year, Morwood, the 2019 South of the Thames champion, was only just outside his best with 15:09, as Rice was a close third.

Twentyman was slower than her best of 15:46 and also a little down on her 16:08 here last year, whilst Roe (nee Mercier) was in her first 5km since 2019, with 17:09.

Overall (5km):
1 R Bartram (Guern) 15:08; 2 J Morwood (AFD) 15:09; 3 G Rice (Jers) 15:11; 4 D Galpin (Guern) 15:44; 5 L Holmes (U17) 15:46; 6 A Roe (Guern) 15:50

M45: 1 D Holmes 16:20; 2 M Jamieson 16:30

M60: 1 G Merfield (Guern) 18:11

U20: 1 J Le Tissier (Guern) 16:31

Women: 1 S Twell (AFD) 16:05; 2 E Twentyman (Taunt) 16:35; 3 S Roe (Guern) 17:09; 4 M Chapple (Guern) 17:34; 5 U Maisch (Guer/GER,W45) 18:22; 6 N Petit (Guern) 18:43; 7 K King (St Ed) 18:46; 8 R Williams (Guern) 19:01

W40: 1 A Critchlow (Guern) 19:53; 2 M Nicole (Guern) 19:54

W50: 1 C Forbes (Norw) 21:39

W55: 1 M Gallienne (Guern) 22:02; 2 A Gavey (Guern) 23:41

W60: 1 S Curnow (Bitt) 23:44

W65: 1 J Morgan (St Ed) 22:10

Race 2 KEITH FALLA FULL COURSE CROSS-COUNTRY, LAncresse, April 8

The Aldershot pair of Joe Morwood and Steph Twell made no mistakes in the cross-country on Saturday, as the conditions were good for the event held over the traditional 4.75-Mile LAncresse course.

There was an easterly wind behind the runners in the middle section of the route, which allowed a fast mid-race rhythm, as Morwood moved clear soon after the mile point. By mid-race, he had already built up a substantial lead. As Guernsey runners Dan Galpin and Alex Rowe trailed.

Galpins strong running over the second half of the race kept Morwood in sight but, by the finish, was 20 seconds adrift, with Rowe the same amount down.

Twell made it an Aldershot double but, at the line her margin over Elle Twentyman was just 10 seconds after keeping the 5km winner in her sights. Nix Petit narrowly took third from Katie King and was top local, albeit three minutes down.

Overall:
1 J Morwood (AFD) 24:48; 2 D Galpin (Guern) 25:08; 3 A Rowe (Guern) 25:28; 4 S Galpin (Guern) 25:47; 6 S Twell (AFD, W) 26:34; 7 E Twentyman (Taunt, W) 26:44; 8 D Holmes (M40) 27:04; 9 M Batiste (Guern) 27:15; 10 M Jamieson (M45) 27:27

M65: J Kirk (Bmth) 35:27

U20: 1 J Le Tissier (Guer) 27:57

Women: 1 Twell 26:34; 2 Twentyman 26:44; 3 N Petit (Guern) 29:50; 3 K King (St Ed) 29:53; 4 U Maisch (Guer/GER,W45) 30:07; 5 R Williams (Guern) 32:02; 6 V King 34:20

W50: 1 C Forbes (Norw) 34:25

W55: 1 M Gallienne (Guern) 36:10

W65: 1 J Morgan (St Ed) 37:20

Race 3: EY EASTER 4x1M relay, Delancey Park, April 9,

Guernseys junior team Listers Lads consisting of middle-distance runners Gian-Luca Robilliard, Nic Ackerman, Henry Lister and Jack Le Tissier, overhauled early leaders We havent got a name yet on the final leg to claim relay victory.

The tight twisting nature of the mile long Delancey course made for interesting running as the beaten quartet had Aldershots series leaders Joe Morwood and Steph Twell in their line-up.

They were led off by Alex Rowe, whose 5:02 was the fastest run of the day, then extended by Morwoods 5:07.

Ulrike Maisch was next up for the leaders as Lister cut into their lead before Le Tissier swept past Twell, whose time of 5:50 was quickest amongst the women and whose team were a comfortable second and leading mixed quartet.

Deep in the field on the last leg, the second-best time among the women was given to local 15-year-old Eleanor Jamieson, as the course was said to have proved popular with runners and spectators alike.

Overall (4x1M): 1 Listers Lads 21:27 (G Robilliard 5:11, N Ackerman 5:42, H Lister 5:27, J Le Tissier 5:07); 2 We dont have a team name yet 22:05 (A Rowe 5:02, J Morwood 5:07, U Maisch (W) 6:06, S Twell (W) 5:50; 3 Twenty galloping Galpin men 23:16 (Sean Galpin 6:23, Sammy Galpin 5:25, D Galpin 5:19, E Twentyman (W) 6:08)
Fastest
Men: Rowe 5:02; Morwood/Le Tissier 5:07; G Robilliard (Guern) 5:11; C Bain (Guern) 5:16; D Galpin 5:19
Women: Twell 5:50; E Jamieson (Guer, U15) 5:58; M Chapple (Guern) 6:04; Maisch/N Petit (Guern) 6:06; Twentyman 6:08
35 teams completed

Race 4 EY 10km ROAD RACE, Grandes-Rocques, April 10

Joe Morwood sealed the overall Easter title with a commanding run in the final race but Elle Twentyman upset the form book to edge Twell for the first time over the weekend but Twell took the womens overall title.

With the opening 8km run with mainly a decent tailwind, the pace was solid as the lead group whittled down to Morwood and local runners Steve Dawes and Dan Galpin by 5km.

First Dawes, then Galpin faded leaving Morwood on his own for the last 2km.

Turning into the wind for the final kilometre and a half, the Aldershot man stopped the clock at 31:20, 12 seconds clear of Galpin, as Dawes took third.

Twentyman had the cleaner start of the leading women contenders with Twell initially struggling to get on terms but was leading past Bordeaux with less than 2km remaining. However, the Taunton athlete overhauled her rival and finished the stronger to beat her 2022 course record with 33:05 as Twell followed in 33:12, well clear of Sarah Roes 35:35.

Overall: 1 J Morwood (AFD) 31:20; 2 D Galpin (Guern) 31:32; 3 S Dawes (Guern, M40) 31:56; 4 A Rowe (Guern) 32:11; 5 E Twentyman (Taunt, W) 33:05; 6 S Galpin (Guern) 33:06; 7 A Dart (Brack) 33:07; 8 S Twell (AFD, W) 33:12; 9 L Holmes (U17) 33:48; 10 L Richards (Guern) 33:49

M40: 2 D Holmes (Guern) 34:13

M45: 1 M Jamieson (Guern) 35:25

Women: 1 Twentyman 33:05; 2 Twell 33:12; 3 S Roe (Guern) 35:35; 4 M Chapple (Guer) 37:41; 5 N Petit (Guern) 37:48; 6 U Maisch (Guern/GER, W45) 38:36

W60: 1 S Curnow (Bitt) 47:41

W65: 1 J Morgan (St Ed) 47:42

Final standings
Men: 1 Morwood; 2 D Galpin; 3 Rowe
Women: 1 Twell; 2 Twentyman; 3 Petit

MANX RUNNING FESTIVAL, April 7-9

Overall Men:
1 L Taylor (Leeds U) 4; 2 E De Melo (Sheff U) 10; 3 M Knowles (Edin U, U20) 17; 4 R Gardiner (Leeds U B, U20) 17; 5 P Aste (Camb U) 17; 6 C Leeming (U20) 67:20; 7 D Bradford (Manc U, M35) 25; 8 J Dunn (HBT B) 30; 9 E Wheelwright (Leeds U, U20) 32; 10 N Marsh (Leeds U0 36

M40: A Norman (Manc U) 143

M55: S Chambers (Salf) 352

M65: R Maw (Mine) 671

U17: D Dunwell (Northern) 240

TEAM: 1 Leeds U 3; 2 Camb U 6; 3 Edin U 11; 4 Leeds U 11; 5 Manc U 17

Women: 1 A Goodall (Edin U) 3; 2 R Franklin (Manx H B) 8; 3 K Lowery (Leeds U) 8; 4 L Crookes (Leeds U) 17; 5 L Mitchell (Dur U) 19; 6 E Barlow (Sheff U) 23; 7 H Cox (Lees U) 24; 8 B Bergestrand (Leeds U, U20) 33; 9 Z MacDonald (Sheff U) 39; 10 F Davies (Dur U) 41

W35: B Watterson (Manx H B 48)

W40: C Quayle (Kenil) 121

TEAM: 1 Leeds U 3; 2 Dur U 9; 3 Edin U 10; 4 Manx H B 13; 5 Sheff U 14

EASTER BUNNY 10km, Yeovil, Somerset, April 10

In her first outing for nearly four years, Olympian Kate Reed took the womens race in 36:16. The now 40-year-olds 32:07 PB dates back to 2007.

Overall: 1 B Smith (Ealing E) 33:51; 2 D Cahill (DC Perf) 33;56; 3 W Loveridge (hard) 34:09

M60: 1 S Simcock (Oke) 40:03

M70: 1 M Sparkes (Yeo) 44:30

Women: 1 K Reed (B&W, W40) 36:16; 2 V Ingham (Poole R, W35) 36:45; 3 G Pearson (R Time, W45) 38:41

W55: 1 N Morgan (Chep) 41:18

GUISELEY GALLOP 10km, April 9

Under-20 Rebecca Flaherty, who has been on the podium this winter at the World Mountain Championships under-20 race, English National, UK Inter-Counties and English Schools Championships, was a comfortable womens winner.

Dominic Coy was the mens winner by over two minutes.

Men: 1 Dominic Coy Ilkley 34:22; 2 Andrew Humphries Airecentre Pacers 36:37; 3 Craig Shearer Barlick Fell Runners 36:57

M45: 1 Julian Hood Skipton AC 38:00

Women: 1 Rebecca Flaherty Bingley H 40:58; 2 Sarah Shanks W40 Valley Striders 43:56; 3 Ruth Kitchen Ilkley H 44:08

TROWSE 10km, Norfolk, April 9

Overall:
1 R Andrews (Norw, U20) 31:33; 2 D Adams (Norw, U20) 32;39; 3 J Ocal (Norw) 32;49; 4 S Todd (Norw) 33:17; 5 N Adams (NNBR, M45) 33:25; 6 L Woods (Bure, U20) 34:33

M50: 1 M Collier (Norf G) 37:07

M65: 1 B Smith (Bungay) 40:30

Women:
1 J Andrews (Bungay, W45) 37:06; 2 A Ely (Wym, W45) 40:28; 3 S Osborn (New J) 40:57

W50: 1 M Lewis (Wym) 41:11

W55: 1 L Hurr (Norf G) 45:04

W60: 1 C Brown (Wym) 44:34

MAIDENHEAD GOOD FRIDAY EASTER 10, Berkshire, April 7

Now in its 68th year, the event has moved around the town and is now held from an office park to the west of the town before venturing out on to the country lanes, Martin Duff reports.

In cool early morning conditions, it was won this year by High Wycombes Liam Busby in 52:30, as Sophie Delderfield gave herself an early birthday present as she won the womens section by over 150 metres in 60:15 the day before her 40th birthday.

Further back Yuko Gordon improved the W70 British age group best of Angela Copson by 23 seconds to 74:20. The Hong Kong marathon Olympians chip time of 74:08 will also be listed, as British Masters are now displaying both gun and chip times on their web pages.

Talking about her run and career, Gordon said: The race went well but my usual even pacing didnt work over the rural country lanes and my pace varied between seven and eight minutes each mile over the 10. I could hurtle down the fifth and sixth miles but struggled a little over the pavements water puddles. The last mile was the fastest at 6:58, in a desperate dash for sub-74, but missed it.

This was my pre-London Marathon sharpener, where I hope to improve my London time from 2021 when I missed the W70 world record by 43 seconds.

My running career is long, only because time flies so fast. I started late at age 27 and stopped for 15 years and then returned properly not long before my 65th. I am a better runner now than ever because I have time and less distraction: no more work and my kids have left home and, for the first the time in my running career, I am a full-time athlete.

The World Masters Association still list 3:35:29 by German Helga Miketta from Essen in 2013 as the world W70 best.

On these times, Gordon said: World masters road records are in a mess. Just a British record is fine by me. Jeanne Rice ran 3:24:47 (chip time) in Berlin 2019, which is what I regard as the world best. I ran 3:19 at the same race that year but I was nearly 69 after which I had a long Covid break.

The British record is Gordons 3:30:33 (3:25:30 chip) from London last year and she pleads that chip times only should be used for older athletes.

Overall: 1 L Busby (Wyc P) 52:30; 2 F Dyer (Belg) 52:56; 3 L Delderfield (Tring, M40) 53:05; 4 B Fowler (Brack) 53:11; 5 R Price (Read, M40) 53:33; 6 J Tuttle (Mil K) 53:47; 7 I Farnworth (Read) 54:04; 8 M Waddington (Ware) 54:22; 9 M Lock (Wit) 54:29; 10 S Buckle (St Alb, M40) 54:57

M40: 4 A Whitwam (Morp) 55:19; 5 G McKiven 55:57

M50: 1 S Male (Folk) 55:59; 2 J Bolton (Wstock) 56:05; 3 K Spielman 57:26

M60: 1 K Murray (Serp) 61:24; 2 M Turney (Chilt) 61:48; 3 P Reddaway (Ware) 62:48

M70: 1 M Sheridan (Newb) 66:58; 2 G Ruffle (Hart) 68:16

TEAM: 1 Ware; 2 Wycombe P

Women: 1 S Delderfield (VoA, W35) 60:40; 2 M Gibson (Ealing E) 60:54; 3 C Ragan (BMH) 62:29; 4 J Dear (L Buzz) 63:49; 5 K Streams (Read RR, W50) 64:03; 6 K Towerton (BMH) 64:39

W40: 1 S James 66:31

W50: 2 D Godwin (Mhead) 65:29; 3 S Pearson (Burn J) 66:26

W60: 1 P Flynn (Strag) 72:10; 2 M Dowling (Brack F) 75:33; 3 C Findlay (Dac) 75:08

W70: 1 Y Gordon (FVS) 74:20 (UK rec)

TEAM: 1 Reading RR; 2 Wycombe P

ST ALBANS 10km, Hertfordshire, April 7

Overall:
1 J McMurray (St Alb) 31:30; 2 C Fawcett (Hart) 33:26; 3 P Blackwell (Harl, M40) 35:00

W50: 1 C Westcott (S&NH) 36:20

M60: 1 B Whitehead (Wboro) 38:55

Women:
1 R Gallop Newark) 36:44; 2 S Swinhoe (Lon H, W50) 38:08; 3 T Gray (Dac, U17) 39:08

W40: 1 J Gray (Dac) 39:42

W60: 1 V Shadbolt (Herts P) 46:30

W65: 1 L Hembury (S&NH) 43:18

CALDERVALE 10, Caldervale, April 7

Overall:
1 R Grantham (Wirr, M50) 59:28; 2 E Fletcher (Howg) 63:27; 3 A Kelly (Unatt) 64:36

M65: 1 P Muller (N Masters) 67:49

Women:
1 J Robinson (Prest, W35) 67:23; 2 A Bernstein (Ramsbottom RC, W35) 68:58; 3 H Jarvis (Barlick, W35) 69:43

METRO ABERDEEN PROMS 3km, Aberdeen, April 7

Overall: 1 M Mueller (Metro) 9:18; 2 C McGuire (Adeen, U17) 9:32; 3 P Knight (Metro, M40) 9:56

Women: 1 J Elvin 10:13; 2 K Simpson (Thistle Fitness, W40) 11:29; 3 A Tawse (JSKRC, U20) 11:54

NEWTOWN CHOCOHOLICS 5km, Newtown, April 7

Overall: 1 A Breeze (Maldwyn, U17) 16:38; 2 B Fanshawe (Aldr) 16:56; 3 M Benson (Unatt) 17:22

M80: 1 R Sharrat (Rhay) 28:10

Women: 1 M Hughes (Maldwyn) 18:44; 2 M McCourt (Maldwyn, U15) 19:08; 3 E Atkinson (Haddington) 19:59

VETERANS AC 5km, Battersea Park, April 4

England Masters M45 international Andy Bond, who hits 50 later this summer, was a clear winner in 15:51.

Melissah Gibson was first woman just six seconds up on W45 Nicky Sturzaker who set a PB 18:16.

M55 Neil Danby (16:29)and M60 David Ogden (17:53) were among the more impressive age-group winners.

Overall: 1 A Bond (Dulw, M45) 15:51; 2 T Jenns (Strag, M45) 16:10; 3 G McKivett (Phoe, M40) 16:13

M50: 1 S Shaw (ESM) 16:23; 2 J Gonzalez-Armas (Vets) 16:52; 3 R Jones (Vets) 17:17

M55: 1 N Danby (Holl S) 16:29; 2 R Tomlinson (M&M) 17:13; 3 M Tennyson (G&G) 17:26; 4 T Booth (G&G) 17:37; 5 J Ratcliffe (Herne H) 17:43; 6 N Reissland (S Lon) 17:56

M60: 1 D Ogden (S Lon) 17:53; 2 T Tuohy (Dulw) 18:40

M70: 1 G Ruffle (Hart RR) 19:51; 2 M Forder (Vets) 20:39; 3 A Roberts (Vets) 21:24

Women: 1 M Gibson (Eal E, W35) 18:10; 2 N Sturzaker (Herne H, W45) 18:16; 3 G Stoneley (Reig, W45) 18:27

W45: 3 A James-Welsh (Vets) 18:31; 4 Z Oldfield (EMAC) 18:35

W50: 1 C Constantine (Vets) 20:12; 2 H Davies (HW) 20:41

W55: 1 V Filsell (THH) 21:01; 2 P Major (S Lon) 21:36

W60: 1 S Gill (Hgate) 20:50; 2 L Woolhouse (Vets) 20:56; 3 C Helder (Wimb W) 23:13

W65: 1 A Riddell (Serp) 24:39; 2 C Jones (ESM) 25:14; 3 A Morris (Reig) 25:41

VETERANS AC 5km WALK, Battersea, April 4

Dave Annetts followed up his two silver medals in the World Masters with a seven-minute victory here in 22:58 which was easily his fastest ever walk over 5km on road or track.

5kmW:
1 D Annetts (N Herts, M55) 22:58; 2 S Zennaro (Belg, M50) 30:04; 3 D Walsh (Red, M60) 30:12

Women:
1 M Noel (Belg, W55) 31:12; 2 F Bishop (Woking, W60) 33:20; 3 L Morris (Ilf, W60) 37:04

WATFORD HARRIERS OPEN GRADED MEETINGS, Watford, April 5

Former British steeplechase champion Jermaine Mays, who ran for Britain in the 2006 European Championships and is now an M40, ran his first 1500m for years with 4:19.51. His 1500m PB of 3:39.84 was set in Oslo in 2010.

Mixed events: 1500: r5: 2 L Wilkinson (Chilt, U17W) 4:44.10; 3 J March (Barn, U15W) 4:45.44; 7 K Gorman (Chilt, U13W) 4:52.79; 11 N Walmsley (AFD, U13W) 5:00.50. r6: 2 H Cross (Liv H, U15W) 4:42.28. r7: 4 F East (Ports, U17W) 4:35.77; 6 J Elvin (Thurr, U20W) 4:36.34; 9 V Rudkin (W&SV, U15W) 4:40.33; 10 H Cantell (C&C, U13) 4:40.54; 11 G Igoe (Roth, U15W) 4:42.31. r8: 3 L Hale (Swan, U15W) 4:30.24; 5 S Shaw (Craw, U17W) 4:33.61; 7 L Quinn (AFD, U17W) 4:37.96. r9: 4 O Loveday (Hunts, U15) 4:19.13; 8 A Brown (Herne H, W) 4:23.36. r10: 11 N Shasha (Orion, M45) 4:28.09. r11: 3 G Christmas (C&C, U17) 4:02.05; 12 J Mays (Kent, M40) 4:19.51. 3000: r1: 5 A Phillips (SB, U15) 9:49.94; 6 H Reynolds (Norw, U20W) 9:55.21; 11 A Jubb (St Alb, U20W) 10:05.92; 12 H Clark (B&B, U20W) 10:06.55; 13 O Forrest (B Beagles, U15W) 10:07.11; 16 E Smart (Ports, U17W) 10:19.03; 17 L Jones (C&C, U20W) 10:19.80. r2: 1 J Morrow (Oxf U) 8:29.34; 2 O Murray (IRL) 8:30.10; 4 N Campion (Bed C, U20) 8:33.22; 5 T Shaw (York, U20) 8:36.70; 6 L Conway (C&C, U17) 8:37.95; 9 G Stubbs (SB, U17) 8:42.44

BILL WHISTLECROFT SPRING OPEN YEOVIL INC SOUTH WEST SAPPHIRE LEAGUE, Yeovil, April 8

Men: SP: 1 J Tyler (Tav) 15.19; 2 F Zamparelli (Corn) 13.16. DT: r3: 1 N Evans-Shields (Ply, U17W) 42.86; 2 L Harris (Swan, U20W) 35.19

Men: HJ: 1 P Krunity-Salako (Bath, U20) 1.90. DT: r2: 1 J Schrijver (B&W, U20) 39.50. DT: r2: 2 E John (Card, U17) 43.42; 3 L Tutcher (Yate, U17) 43.33. HT: r1: 1 C Richardson (Adare, U20) 46.03. HT: r2: 1 L Tutcher (Yate, U17) 46.98; 2 A Merrett (Yate, U17) 46.65

Mixed events: LJ: B: 2 W Launder (Bmth, U15) 6.13/0.2; 3 S Rodgers (Taun, U20W) 5.92/1.8; 7 E Bowell (B&W, U20W) 5.53/2.4

U23: 2000SC: 1 O James (Bmth) 6:08.33; 2 H Yelling (B&H, U20) 6:19.82; 3 T Cumberland (Brec, U20) 6:30.28

U20: 110H (-1.9): 1 P Kyle (B&W) 14.89

U17: 100H (-1.6): 1 A Dingley (Ply) 13.98; 2 T Wright (Taun) 13.99. 400H: 1 N Maczugowski (Ply) 56.49; 2 H Bradley (Newp) 58.12. SP: 1 G Leite (N Som) 16.46; 2 L Tutcher (Yate) 13.51

Women: 800: r1: 2 E Bonnett (Yeov O, W35) 2:19.90. 100H: r1 (-0.4): 1 S Rodgers (Taun, U20) 14.42. 300H: 1 P Northcott (Ply, U17) 44.41; 2 J Collinson (Poole, U17) 46.04. 400H: 1 K Mackintosh (Newk) 62.78; 2 H Ulvede (N Abb, U20) 64.30; 4 C Hunt (Yeov O, W40) 68.66. 2000SC: 1 A Murray-Gourlay (Taun) 6:41.17; 2 L Cooper (Parc BB) 6:58.23; 3 K Booth (Taun, W45) 7:13.12; 4 A Brooks (Havant) 7:34.84. HT: r2: 1 E Cooper (Neath, U15) 45.27; 2 H Scott (Swin, U15) 42.25

U20: 1500SC: 1 O Brown (Wyc P) 5:09.88; 2 L Bickerton (Yeov O, U17) 5:12.65; 3 E Yelling (B&H) 5:17.38; 4 A Cox (Craw) 5:22.38; 5 D Yelling (B&H, U17) 5:23.46; 6 A Cox (Craw, U17) 5:29.13; 7 D Davies (Yeov O, U17) 5:34.01; 8 R Herdman (Brec, U17) 5:36.52; 9 A Brady (Newp, U17) 5:39.19

U17: SP: 1 H Bagnowiec (N Som, U15) 11.06

DAY OF THE 5000m & 3000m PBs, Par, Cornwall, April 8

Mixed events: 3000: A: 6 B Hutchings (Ply, U15) 9:36.0. 5000: 1 S Wallis (Linc W, W) 16:13.2; 3 M Davis (Newq RR, W) 17:10.9; 4 P Whear (Corn, M55) 17:15.6

BE FIT TODAY TRACK ACADEMY OUTDOOR SERIES 1, Lee Valley, April 8

Men: 100: A1 (2.7): 4 G Edwards (Lon Hth, U13) 12.79. A2 (1.7): 2 E Nwokeji (SB, U17) 10.81; 3 D Williams (BFTTA, U17) 11.01. A5 (-0.1): 1 T Panton (Woking) 10.71. B4 (1.7): 1 D Williams (BFTTA, U17) 11.04. B5 (0.5): 1 T Panton (Woking) 10.59. 200: r3 (-0.9): 1 E Nwokeji (SB, U17) 22.05; 3 E Imatitikua-Davidson (BFTTA, U17) 22.19; 4 D Ellington (E&H, U17) 22.47. r4 (2.0): 4 K Kazemaks (Woking, M35) 23.82. r5 (2.1): 1 T Panton (Woking) 21.31; 2 J Kalala (NEB) 21.33

Mixed events: 400: r3: 1 J Hanson (Woking) 48.18; 2 C Kelly (HW, U17) 49.05; 3 T Owler (Folk, U20) 49.34. 600: r2: 2 K Bryan (B&B, U13W) 1:40.40. 800: r3: 2 H McLean (SB, W) 2:07.94. r4: 1 S Stapley (Reig, U17) 1:57.76

U15: 80H (0.1): 1 H Webb (SB) 11.94

U13: 75H (1.6): 1 G Edwards (Lon Hth) 11.89

Women: 100: A4 (3.1): 1 M McIntosh (Harrow, U20) 11.89; 2 C Downey (BFTTA, U17) 11.97; 3 P King (Have, U20) 12.25; 4 E Cadman (Camb H, U15) 12.30. B5 (3.4): 1 M McIntosh (Harrow, U20) 11.87; 2 C Downey (BFTTA, U17) 11.99; 3 J Sanyaolu (BFTTA, U20) 12.14; 5 E Cadman (Camb H, U15) 12.45. 200: r4 (0.7): 1 S Wright-Taipow (Harrow, U20) 24.35; 2 M McIntosh (Harrow, U20) 24.63; 3 E Quaye (Harrow, U20) 24.82

COLCHESTER HARRIERS THROWS DEVELOPMENT MEET, Colchester, April 9

Men: WT: 1 R Earle (Col H, M60) 19.56. HT: 1 B Praim-Singh (Send) 55.05; 2 Y Bobash (Chelm, M35) 49.06; 3 J Earle (Col H, M35) 44.97. HT: 1 R Earle (Col H, M60) 51.13; 2 W Larkins (Col H, U17) 50.32

Mixed events: DT: 1 R Earle (Col H, M60) 49.47; 2 S Quinn (Chelm, W65) 26.14

Women: HT: 3 S Quinn (Chelm, W65) 30.28

Kenyan-born Kazakhstan athlete has been found to have biological passport irregularities

Norah Jeruto, the Kenyan who switched allegiance to Kazakhstan and won the world 3000m steeplechase title last year, has been provisionally suspended for breaking anti-doping rules.

The 27-year-old won the world title in Eugene in a championship record of 8:53.02 the third fastest time in history but has now been suspended for the use of a Prohibited Substance/Method (ABP).

ABP refers to the Athlete Biological Passport, which shows discrepancies that can reveal the effects of doping.

Jeruto won the African Championships in the steeplechase in 2016 and the Diamond League title in 2021, both while representing Kenya but then she missed the Tokyo Olympics due to switching nations. She also won the world under-18 title at 2000m steeplechase in 2011.

In Eugene, the runner-up was Werkuha Getachew of Ethiopia with her team-mate Mekides Abebe third as Winfred Mutile Yavi of Bahrain was fourth.

Britains Aimee Pratt was seventh in the race with a UK record of 9:15.64.