Area wins for Morpeth and Aldershots men, Birchfields men and women and Thames Valleys women

NORTHERN COUNTIES MEN 12 & WOMEN 6-STAGE ROAD RELAYS, Redcar, April 1

Jess Warner-Judd starred, as her Blackburn club took the womens race after Leeds had led for four laps before falling out of contention, Martin Duff reports.

Morpeth made the most of a relatively short trip down the coast to Redcar to take the mens title after hitting the front mid-race.

On the out-and-back course, the north, north-easterly wind blew the runners down to the turn on each stage but was in their faces on the way back to the hand-overs.

Women

Last year Warner-Judd also posted the fastest lap when running the fourth stage, with her Blackburn squad down in ninth spot at Birkenhead. But this time around the 28-year-old, led her club to a narrow team victory, with another fastest lap.

It was again on leg four where Warner-Judd moved Blackburn up from seventh to second before Abigail Stratton gave them a lead that then saw Ellen Sagar-Hesketh finish the job.

39 teams of six started the womens race and Jenny Walsh gave Leeds a solid lead after a 32:50 split that remained as second best of the day. This was over City of Hulls Della Hatfields 32:53 which stayed as third best.

Eventual winners, Blackburn, were 97 seconds down in seventh spot before dropping even further back on stage two when Rachel Friend opened out some 98 seconds, for Leeds, over Ty Brockley-Lanfords Salford.

Alice Leake kept Leeds ahead at the mid-race point as Becky Briggs 17:16, for City of Hull, closed with the stage fastest, but Blackburn were still in seventh spot and still more than four minutes down on the lead.

Not much slower was Vale Royals 18-year-old Holly Weedall with a 17:19 split for Vale Royal. Then it was Judds turn and a five-place gain to second after 30:51 for the 9.5km out and back run brought Blackburn into contention. However, they were still over 100 seconds down on Eleanor Currans lead for Leeds.

Stratton then all but reversed that margin to take Blackburn ahead for the first time as Leeds slipped badly but Charlotte Ward, who took City of Hull up to second, was the penultimate laps quickest with 17:23.

Blackburn went into the glory leg with a 93 second lead and that was enough for Sagar-Hesketh to hold on, albeit with just 15 seconds to spare over Salford. The reds had Sinead Bent slicing into the Blackburn advantage and the 26-year-old duly posted the fastest 5km stage lap with a 16:49, the afternoons best. Next was Sales Isabelle Burke also on stage six but her 17:14 was deep in the field and only gained three slots for her club.

Women (5.38M, 23.165M, 5.38M, 2x 3.165M): 1 Blackburn 2:20:52 (E Charnley (6) 34:27, K Buckingham (10) 20:16, A Davies (7) 18:13, J Warner-Judd (2) 30:51, A Stratton (1) 17:42, E Sagar-Hesketh (1) 19:23); 2 Salford 2:21:07 (H Smith (7) 34:29, T Brockley-Langford (2) 17:57, N Mason (5) 19:18, A Bracegirdle (4) 33:31, L Lombard (5) 19:03, S Bent (2) 16:49); 3 Leeds 2:21:15 (J Walsh (1) 32:50, R Friend (1) 18:02, A Leake (1) 17:30, E Curran (1) 33:42, C Demaria (3) 21:23, S Luker-Edwards (3) 17:48); 4 City Of Hull 2:21:44 (D Hatfield (2) 32:53, N Wileman (3) 19:35, B Briggs (2) 17:16, A Hammersley (5) 35:45, C Ward (2) 17:23, K Pearson (4) 18:52); 5 Vale Royal 2:22:00 (A Howarth (4) 34:17, H Carrington (7) 19:01, H Weedall (4) 17:19, L Gray (3) 34:15, A Begbie (4) 19:09, S Dufour-Jackson (5) 17:59); 6 Rotherham 2:24:46 (M Taylor (9) 34:49, S Cowper (5) 18:07, E McLeod (3) 17:33, S Hughes (6) 35:24, N Clegg (6) 20:34, J Blizard (6) 18:19); 7 North Shields Poly 2:26:00 (J Penn (12) 35:34, M Pace (8) 18:23, H Williams (8) 19:11, C Penfold (7) 35:03, V Houghton (7) 20:09, H Waugh (7) 17:40); 8 Holmfirth 2:27:59 (L Byram (8) 34:37, K Walshaw (6) 18:27, I Richardson (6) 18:45, E Byram (8) 36:32, C Leaver-Hewitt (9) 20:30, H Croft (8) 19:08); 9 York Knavesmire 2:28:24 (B Penty (3) 33:11, H Hall (4) 19:43, M Ellwood (10) 21:03, E Baines (10) 36:00, C Jones (10) 19:05, N Tarrega (9) 19:22); 10 Bury 2:28:29 (S Whittaker (11) 35:26, R Marshall (9) 18:47, S Taylor (9) 18:58, H Lucas (9) 35:31, N Ryan (8) 19:57, C Cole (10) 19:50); 11 Liverpool 2:29:38 (J Morgan (10) 35:12, H Short (13) 20:41, A Preece (11) 19:45, N Donnelly (11) 37:08, S Ryan (11) 19:27, F OHare (11) 17:25); 12 Steel City 2:32:32 (A Pearse (5) 34:18, Y Chaffer (11) 20:32, K Gill (13) 20:57, C Brock (13) 37:41, G Allen (12) 19:35, H Mainprize (12) 19:29); 13 Sale 2:36:24 (L Cooke (22) 38:23, A Edgson (15) 18:45, S Goulden (16) 21:07, A Brooks (16) 38:59, E Finney (16) 21:56, I Burke (13) 17:14); 14 Wakefield 2:37:55 (J Briscoe (14) 36:27, H Beck (12) 19:15, N Steel (12) 20:03, C Knowles (12) 37:20, A Dales (13) 21:31, N Harris (14) 23:19); 15 Birtley 2:39:09 (L Graham (24) 39:42, K Francis (21) 19:10, T Graham (19) 20:21, C Price (14) 37:00, A Leigh (14) 19:43, E Southern (15) 23:13); 16 N Marske 2:29:37; 17 Rothwell 2:39:35; 18 Morpeth 2:40:53; 19 Elswick 2:42;21; 20 Gateshead 2:42;29; 21 Elvet 2:43;46; 22 Bury B 2:46:19; 23 Roundhay 2:47:38; 24 Sunderland 2:48:13; 25 York Knaves B 2:50:49
Fastest (9.5km): 1 Warner-Judd 30:51; Walsh 32;50; Hatfield 32:53; B Penty (York Knaves) 33:11; Bracegirdle 33:51; Curran 33:42
Fastest (5km): Bent 16:49; Burke 17:14; Briggs 17:16; Weedall 17:19; Ward 17:23; OHare 17:25
(nn) = position at end of each stage

Men

Behind Morpeth, second place Hallamshire threatened by leading from stage two through to stage four while holders Leeds never really recovered from a modest start, despite a bold attempt by their Linton Taylor mid-race which moved them up to second after posting the fastest long stage.

Although he was not to know that his club would take the womens championship, as he was running, northern junior cross-country champion Matthew Ramsden took the first 9.5km stage, for Blackburn, after a tight battle with Hallamshires Tommy Power.

Ramsden, 19, just got the nod by a tick in 29:43 and the pair were third and fourth best overall, on the long stage. Morpeths Finn Brodie just lost out to Rotherhams Joe Massingham in the battle for third on the opening leg as Holders, City of Leeds were down in eighth spot, albeit less than a minute off of the lead.

James McCrae hit the front for Hallamshire on the 5km leg two but there were nine clubs separated by less than a minute at the front and, among them.

Joe Armstrong gained 11 places for Sunderland, to fourth, with the fastest 5km leg of the afternoon at 14:42.
Hallamshire kept control at the front, through Cameron Bell, on the long third stage as Robert Warner-Judd kept Blackburn honest in second.

After a quiet fourth stage, it was long-time Morpeth servant Carl Avery who gained three slots for the eventual winners to lead by 26 seconds over Phil Robertsons Sale. The 36-year-old posted 28:41, a time that was to stand as the second best of the race.

Thereafter, Morpeth kept the race lead through Lawrence McCourt and Alexander Brown, who had more than enough in hand to see off the challenge of Leeds Lindon Taylor. The 32-year-old English National 2020 third placer has again had an up and down winter but his 28:28 for the 9.5km leg compared well with his 10km best of 29:37.

James Young and Will Cork increased the Morpeth lead on the next two short stages as Leeds lost ground before pulling back some time on the tenth through Cal Mills but Hallamshire were closing on the holders on the penultimate outing.

Then it was all over as Phil Winkler took the tape for Morpeth and Euan Brown moved up to second for Hallamshire.

Men (9.5km & 5km alternately, then 5x5km): 1 Morpeth 4:00:48 (F Brodie (4) 29:06, G Lowry (3) 15:32, S Hancox (5) 29:42, A Douglass (4) 16:06, C Avery (1) 28:41, L McCourt (1) 15:17, A Brown (1) 29:20, J Young (1) 14:55, W Cork (1) 15:26, C Marshall (1) 15:39, M Briggs (1) 15:54, P Winkler (1) 15:10); 2 Hallamshire 4:02:11 (T Power (2) 28:44, J McCrae (1) 15:21, C Bell (1) 29:24, D Lewis (1) 16:00, J Bartlett (3) 30:25, J Birch (2) 15:25, E Demello (3) 30:03, J Hall (3) 15:23, C Milnes (3) 15:40, M Fuller (4) 15:39, B Houghton (3) 15:05, E Brown (2) 15:02); 3 Leeds 4:02:32 (J Hall (10) 29:39, G Chalmers (5) 15:05, J Woodcock-Shaw (6) 30:02, A Bellew (5) 15:54, J Beattie (5) 29:32, J Stewart (4) 16:21, L Taylor (2) 28:28, J Ashcroft (2) 15:29, M Abshir (2) 15:52, C Mills (2) 15:04, N Hooker (2) 15:33, M Salter (3) 15:33); 4 Salford 4:04:08 (T Cornthwaite (7) 29:22, J Dutton (8) 15:35, C Richards (4) 29:22, A Birkett (3) 15:33, J Moores (4) 30:14, S Hopkins (3) 15:54, H Wakefield (4) 29:40, M Brown (4) 15:38, K Darcy (4) 15:23, E Wheelwright (3) 15:11, R Smyk (4) 16:38, M Walsh (4) 15:38); 5 Blackburn 4:07:01 (M Ramsden (1) 28:43, D Holman (2) 15:34, R Warner-Judd (2) 29:31, C Davies (6) 16:58, B Fish (6) 30:02, L Betts (6) 16:01, C Davidson (5) 29:10, B Walmsley (5) 16:48, B Makin (5) 15:45, N Gaskell (5) 16:52, J Birmingham (5) 15:55, T Raynes (5) 15:42); 6 Sale 4:13:21 (M Wharton (5) 29:11, W Onek (7) 15:37, T Moran (3) 29:18, E Savage (2) 15:37, P Robertson (2) 29:50, T Stephenson (5) 17:02, A Bradford (6) 31:55, R Rigby (6) 17:16, M Kidd-Rossiter (6) 17:08, A Curvis (6) 17:14, K Hunt (6) 16:33, N Tynan (6) 16:40); 7 Liverpool 4:13:51 (M McCarthy (18) 30:36, M Ryan (15) 16:16, A Ferris (12) 30:38, L Towers (13) 16:33, D Naylor (10) 31:15, E Dunn (9) 16:16, T Rogerson (8) 29:32, J Stafford (8) 17:25, S Campbell (8) 16:15, R Whiston (8) 16:46, M Skaife (8) 15:45, H Care (7) 16:34); 8 Sunderland 4:14:04 (S Jackson (15) 30:00, J Armstrong (4) 14:42, C Gunn (8) 31:31, S Armstrong (7) 15:36, S Rankin (7) 31:42, A Hughes (7) 16:07, J Ridding (7) 31:26, N Reed (7) 17:01, M Barker (7) 16:30, J Pomfret (7) 15:58, A Seed (7) 16:29, S Thurlbeck (8) 17:02); 9 Border 4:16:34 (J Douglas (16) 30:11, J Hatcher (16) 16:41, A Holliday (13) 30:41, T Humphries (9) 15:49, N Postill (9) 31:55, A Todd (12) 17:34, B Rooney (11) 31:14, M Emmerson (10) 16:19, J Salt (9) 15:55, H Butler (10) 16:20, R Landon (9) 16:44, G Millican (9) 17:11); 10 Rotherham 4:18:39 (J Massingham (3) 29:05, J Wragg (9) 15:55, S Gilson (7) 30:14, R Hastey (10) 18:10, B Burton (13) 32:54, S Oak (14) 18:45, E Smales (12) 29:38, E Morton (12) 16:23, C Griffiths (12) 17:03, G Sampson (11) 16:50, A Johnson (11) 16:46, S Clegg (10) 16:56); 11 Vale Royal 4:19:20 (A Miles (27) 31:45, J Wilson (20) 15:53, C Perry (11) 29:46, S Stephens (11) 16:26, A Doyle (11) 32:06, M McCormack (11) 16:13, A Dight (10) 31:39, R Moore (11) 16:38, C Standidge (10) 15:54, J Griffiths (9) 15:27, S Doyle (10) 17:42, S Lumsden (11) 19:51); 12 Richmond & Zetland 4:22:25 (R Scott (13) 29:58, T OMahoney (12) 16:03, C Stephenson (9) 30:47, C Gibson (8) 16:02, J Stephenson (8) 30:48, S Wardman (8) 17:03, C Jones (9) 32:06, S Middleton (9) 17:21, I Christon (11) 16:57, D Spencer (12) 18:09, A Jefford (12) 18:28, P Ellis (12) ); 13 Gateshead 4:22:35 (C Franks (14) 30:00, J Douglas (14) 16:28, D Alexander (16) 31:50, J Cripwell (14) 16:12, D Richardson (12) 31:32, J Wales (10) 15:43, R Jefferson (13) 34:52, D Dawson (13) 17:12, S Hansen (13) 17:03, P Jamieson (13) 16:55, P Grimoldby (13) 17:54, S Medd ); 14 Salford B 4:25:33 (J Bailey (31) 32:33, M Latham (28) 16:29, K Waterhouse (23) 31:59, C Rowlinson (18) 16:06, P Henderson (17) 31:54, E Williams (16) 16:48, D Rigby (14) 31:20, B McCartney (14) 17:22, C Tully (16) 19:49, M Collier (15) 17:05, S Warburton (14) 16:50, P Banni); 15 Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton 4:28:28 (R Harrison (8) 29:30, M Wynne (11) 16:19, S Loughlin (10) 31:17, A Jones (12) 16:51, T Fair (15) 33:34, D Brookfield (15) 18:11, O Sutcliffe (16) 33:16, J Bride (15) 17:15, D Jones (15) 17:27, T Mattack (16) 17:52, A Procter (16) 18:39, K Usher (15) 18:17);
16 Valley Striders 4:29:25; 17 Leeds B 4:29:49; 18 Doncaster 4:31:38; 19 Tyne Br 4:32:11; 20 York Knaves 4:34:28; 21 Bury 4:34:59; 22 Wakefield 4:35:09; 23 E Cheshire & Thameside 4:35:11; 24 Elvet 4:37:52; 25 Leigh 4:41:59
(nn) = position at end of each stage

Fastest (9.5km): Taylor 28:28; Avery 28:41; Ramsden 28:43; Power 28:44; Massingham 29:05; Brodie 29:06

Fastest (5km): Armstrong 14:42; Young 14:55; Willis 14:58; Brown 15:02; Mills 15:04; Chalmers 15:05

DERBY RUNNER MIDLAND 12 and WOMENS 6 STAGE ROAD RELAY, Sutton Park, April 1

Birchfield moved up from third last year to take the mens race as their Omar Ahmed was again fastest overall on the long stages while Lily Partridges fastest lap helped the Stags make it a double, as they won by a street, Martin Duff reports.

Men

Notts AC made a valiant attempt to retain their title and led for all of the four successive long stages and well into the eight short ones, but ran out of steam on the final four, as they even slipped out of the medals.

Conversely Birchfield had a slow start before closing through their two Ethiopians, Kadar Omar and Ahmed, then finally hitting the front on the eighth stage.

It was a steady first lap before Milan Campion brought Notts home ahead on the first of four consecutive 5.38-mile stages and they then maintained the lead on the second thanks to George Phillips.

Tipton had Luke Vine blast through 13 places on that second stage with a 26:24 split that was to stand as the second best of the afternoon.

Notts stayed in front on leg three thanks to Cameron Smith but finally Birchfield stirred as Omar gained five places with 26:51, which was eventually the equal third best of the race.

Top veteran Alastair Watson matched that time on the fourth and final long stage but Ahmed slashed into the Notts Lead with that fastest split of 25:53, as Dom James 26:58 gained three places for Western Tempo to third.

The next three stages saw Stuart Spencer, Anthony Woodward and Matthew Williams inch out a few more seconds for Notts before they ran out of steam to let Birchfield take the lead on stage eight after a modest run by Jonathan Bradford.

Then it was Birchfields turn to eke out a bigger margin as Dominic Smith and Shaun Evans took their lead out to two minutes as the end of stage 10.

The Birmingham Running & Triathlon club then came into the picture as their Adam Peacock ate into the Birchfield lead on the penultimate leg with a 15:23 split, the second best of the day. Behind, Western Tempo edged Notts out of the podium places.

James Vaughan then brought Birchfield home for victory over the BRAT outfit by more than two minutes.  Further back, Bristol & West were having an up and down day and their Kurt Taylor popped in a last leg 15:19, for sixth and the fastest short lap medal was his.

Men (45.38M, 8x 3.165M): 1 Birchfield 3:58:10 (E Banks (11) 28:10, M Scarsbrook (7) 28:07, K Omar (2) 26:51, O Ahmed (2) 25:53, D Swain (2) 16:08, J Heathcock (2) 16:23, O Corea (2) 16:35, J Bradford (1) 16:11, D Smith (1) 15:53, S Evans (1) 15:54, J Bennett (1) 16:16, J Vaughan (1) 15:49); 2 Birmingham Running AT 4:00:17 (J Tuffin (5) 27:32, G Anderson (5) 28:16, P Townsend (5) 28:23, C Davis (4) 27:30, D Robinson (4) 16:13, H Brocklehurst (4) 16:19, S Turner (4) 16:57, W McKemey (4) 16:15, J McGraw (4) 15:38, A Hill (4) 16:10, A Peacock (2) 15:23, J Stolberg (2) 15:41); 3 Western Tempo 4:01:10 (L Davis (13) 28:28, P Wylie (6) 27:32, M England (6) 28:38, D James (3) 26:58, C Jones (3) 15:54, M Brunnock (3) 16:23, B Price (3) 15:46, A Lee (3) 15:53, J Denne (3) 16:03, D Aubrey (3) 16:41, E Taylor (3) 16:29, W Douglas (3) 16:25); 4 Notts 4:01:17 (M Campion (1) 26:57, G Phillips (1) 27:48, C Smith (1) 27:06, A Watson (1) 26:51, S Spencer (1) 16:00, A Woodward (1) 16:10, M Williams (1) 16:10, T Dejong (2) 17:41, J Holland (2) 16:03, J Muddeman (2) 17:21, T Hartley (4) 16:41, J Perkins (4) 16:29); 5 Tipton 4:07:36 (I Williams (15) 28:48, L Vine (2) 26:24, B Gamble (4) 28:32, J Read (6) 30:09, T Quiney (6) 16:48, M Banks (5) 16:37, R Carpenter (5) 16:07, R Meredith (5) 17:04, E Compton (5) 17:15, N Hardy (5) 16:32, J Carter (5) 16:09, G Whitehouse (5) 17:11); 6 Bristol & West 4:12:13 (F McGrath (7) 27:47, L Burgess (4) 27:54, J Thewlis (8) 29:11, J Bancroft (5) 28:05, A Stokes (5) 16:06, A Stewart (16) 25:45, W Christofi (16) 17:09, D Studley (14) 15:42, A Wilson (13) 16:22, O Jones (10) 16:08, G Breen (8) 16:45, K Taylor (6) 15:19); 7 Rugby & Northampton 4:12:29 (M Almond (4) 27:28, F Ward (8) 29:00, P Melling (10) 29:49, D Green (8) 28:07, L Cherry (9) 17:35, A Wright (6) 15:58, N Gilford (6) 17:24, J Cooper (8) 18:25, M Hill (6) 16:28, A Siggers (7) 17:53, D Birtwistle (6) 17:34, F Scott (7) 16:48); 8 Swindon 4:13:06 (B Lines (8) 28:02, L Byrne (11) 29:13, S Byrne (7) 27:28, M Harrison-Tosatto (9) 30:04, M Woodward (8) 16:53, S Dill (8) 17:21, B McIntyre (8) 17:52, H Woods (6) 16:17, O Homer (7) 18:04, C Chessell (6) 16:40, C Reade (7) 18:19, I McAdam (8) 16:53); 9 Mansfield 4:15:22 (A Hampson (3) 27:14, P Wright (3) 28:20, K Watson (3) 28:07, J Boam (7) 30:19, D Nugent (7) 16:44, C Dale (7) 17:59, A Wright (7) 17:51, B Caress (7) 16:57, G Berzins (8) 18:33, D Hurst (8) 17:41, J Mee (9) 17:48, R Talbot (9) 17:49); 10 Team Bath 4:16:28 (A Carter (6) 27:35, T Davies (12) 29:52, D Jones (12) 29:54, E Avis (11) 29:06, S Rawes (12) 17:41, A Tanner (12) 17:51, A Fooks (13) 16:59, P Grist (12) 17:02, A Pritchard (9) 16:10, E Malloch (9) 17:57, O Copping (10) 19:07, A Daniel (10) 17:14); 11 North Somerset 4:19:27 (J Gentry (14) 28:38, W Cheek (14) 29:16, A Baker (14) 29:57, S Leaney (16) 30:23, S Hemmings (15) 16:40, O Lock (11) 16:25, J Wilkinson (11) 16:48, N Saillard (11) 17:29, C Day (12) 18:06, M Davies (12) 19:01, R Forsbrook (12) 18:40, J Emery (11) 18:04); 12 Worcester 4:19:38 (B Duncan (19) 28:54, S Lea (13) 28:42, J Watson (9) 28:08, D Geisler (10) 29:37, J Hurst (14) 19:29, M Fritchley (14) 17:18, A Jeavons (12) 16:45, W Morris (13) 17:13, R Campbell (14) 18:14, L Sheppard (13) 18:32, D Kirby (13) 18:40, A Pollock (12) 18:06); 13 Shrewsbury 4:20:13 (M Costello (12) 28:23, D Husbands (9) 28:11, J Hickinbottom (11) 30:26, R McKenna (14) 30:13, E Garamszegi (11) 16:03, J Carroll (10) 17:57, C Middleton (10) 16:46, L Butler (10) 17:20, S Hall (10) 17:38, J Jones (14) 20:42, M Wooden (14) 18:30, M McKibbi); 14 Telford 4:20:50 (J Egleston (17) 28:52, O Rose (19) 29:32, J Cole (16) 30:14, D Gillett (13) 28:29, A Burrows (10) 15:45, J Tindall (9) 17:03, J Mensah (9) 17:51, P OBrien (9) 17:22, D Gapper (11) 18:18, D Hands (11) 19:05, B Watkinson (11) 18:17, S Bennett (14) 20:02); 15 BRAT B 4:24:01 (M McCullagh (31) 29:37, A Tsolakis (31) 32:06, D Dalmedo (26) 30:00, J Williamson (19) 29:38, R Vaughan (18) 17:24, C Bailey (18) 17:23, P Coughlan (18) 18:13, O Fleming (17) 17:28, A Adedimeji (17) 18:11, M Ince (16) 17:30, L Neal (16) 19:24, M Pollard (15) 17:07; 16 R Sutton Coldfield 4:24:45; 17 Newark 4:24:49; 18 W Tempo B 4:26:22; 19 Clevedon 4:28:13; 20 B&W B 4:29:51; 21 Halesowen 4:30:33; 22 Cannock & Stafford 4:31:50; 23 Bromsgrove & R 4:32:07; 24 Coventry G 4:33:16; 25 Gloucester 4:33:26; 26 W&B 4:33:36; 27 Aldridge 4:33:58; 28 Knowle &D 4:36:36; 29 Tipton B 4:38:33; 30 Westbury 4:40:55
56 teams finished
(nn) = position at end of each stage

Fastest (5.38M): Ahmed 25:53; Vine 26:24; Omar/Watson 26:51; Campion 26:57; James 26:58

Fastest (3.165M): Taylor 15:19; Peacock 15:23; Stabler 15:27; McGraw 15:28; Stolberg 15:41; Studley 15:42

 Women

After finishing a close second on the opening 5.38-mile stage, Birchfield soon hit the front before opening out a near six-minute margin by the tape.

It was Bristol & Wests Chelsea Baker who led on that first leg with a 31:31 clocking, narrowly ahead of the eventual winners Hannah Robinson, with Western Tempos Abbie Milnes next.

Then it was all Birchfield after Sarah McDonalds 17:30 gave them a lead of more than a minute on stage two. Lily Partridge was next up over the long third leg and her 30:03 was comfortably the quickest on offer in the race, as their lead was suddenly nearly five minutes over what proved to be the minor medallists Western Tempo and Bristol.

Hayley Carruthers popped in another fastest stage time of 18:16 to give Birchfield a more than comfortable six-minute margin that Carli Baldwin maintained on the penultimate leg.

Naomi Collier lost a few seconds of that lead by the line as Jordan Matthews brought Western Tempo home second, but Bristol were another five minutes down in third.

Women (5.38M, 3.165M, 5.38M, 3x 3.165M): 1 Birchfield 2:15:37 (H Robinson (2) 31:43, S McDonald (1) 17:30, L Partridge (1) 30:03, H Carruthers (1) 18:16, C Baldwin (1) 19:24, N Collier (1) 18:41); 2 W Tempo 2:21:30 (A Milnes (3) 32:03, N Eaton (3) 19:17, R Brown (2) 32:42, H Havelock-Allan (2) 19:44, J Rockliffe (2) 19:21, J Matthews (2) 18:23); 3 Bristol & West 2:26:38 (C Baker (1) 31:31, H Pollak (2) 19:10, E Gard (3) 35:39, J Sanzo (3) 19:41, H Dyer (3) 20:07, S Everitt (3) 20:30); 4 Stroud 2:28:21 (E Chandler (13) 35:14, K Newcombe (7) 19:05, R Felton (4) 32:18, C Pinto-Pearson (4) 20:03, G Greenwood (4) 21:04, T Bird (4) 20:37); 5 City of Stoke 2:28:31 (D Sherwin (5) 32:31, L Matthews (5) 20:09, K Butler (5) 35:59, N Nokes (5) 19:32, S MacKness (5) 20:18, M Vernon (5) 20:02); 6 Cheltenham  2:31:35 (K Dee (12) 35:12, E Balfe (14) 20:42, G Palmer (6) 33:57, R See (6) 19:49, J Fairbairn (6) 20:35, P Vymetalova (6) 21:20); 7 Charnwood 2:34:05 (E Smith (4) 32:07, O Bonshor (6) 21:34, L Smith (12) 37:47, A McCann (9) 20:05, E Damant (9) 21:27, C McKittrick (7) 21:05); 8 R Sutton Coldfield 2:35:03 (G Delaney (18) 36:00, S Duval (11) 19:19, O Harris (7) 34:46, G Sidaway (8) 21:26, E Jones (7) 20:56, E Martin (8) 22:36); 9 W Tempo B 2:36:27 (F Maycock (14) 35:20, E Powell (9) 19:46, H Peters (9) 35:25, B Teague (7) 20:19, I Axford (8) 22:07, D Machackova (9) 23:30); 10 Birchfield B 2:37:10 (E Watters (8) 34:12, V Bradbury (8) 20:42, A McAree (11) 36:15, G Rogers (10) 20:27, G Bahimhouari (11) 23:41, R Jansen-van (10) 21:53); 11 Tipton 2:38:00 (A Hadley (20) 36:23, C Holden (17) 20:13, L Kendrick (21) 39:11, J Walker (17) 20:09, H Graham (13) 20:58, S Street-Hall (11) 21:06); 12 Bitton 2:38:18 (R Stowell (16) 35:22, L Newing (10) 19:46, L Wallace (10) 35:35, C Parsons (13) 23:58, H Clark (12) 21:32, L Sanigar (12) 22:05); 13 Newcastle Staffs 2:40:39 (R Twardochleb (9) 34:14, O Cunningham (15) 21:47, J Watson (14) 36:14, M Cunningham (15) 23:13, C Capper (14) 23:07, M Davis (13) 22:04); 14 Bromsgrove & Redditch 2:41:52 (N Newton (19) 36:16, R Woolley (23) 22:22, S Fox (26) 39:43, L Vaughan (23) 21:15, S Groom (20) 21:50, E Ranger (14) 20:26); 15 Bournville 2:41:56 (I Peck (11) 35:00, S Hewison (16) 21:19, L Alani (20) 38:45, F Lucas (18) 21:05, F Barker (16) 23:45, J Goodman (15) 22:02); 16 Trentham 2:42:20; 17 BRAT 2:43:12; 18 B&W B 2:43:20; 19 Rugby &N 2:43:36; 20 Mansfield 2:44:51; 21 W&B 2:45:11; 22 CLC 2:45:19; 23 Nuneaton 2:45:36; 24 Clevedon 2:48:53; 25 Stroud B 2:50:13

61 teams finished

(nn) = position at end of each stage

Fastest (5.38M): Partridge 30:03; Baker 31:31; Robinson 31:43; Milnes 32:03; E Smith 32:07; R Felton (Stroud) 32:18

Fastest (3.165M): McDonald 17:30; Carruthers 18:16; Matthews 18:23; Collier 18:41; L Stevens (R&N) 18:52; Newcombe 19:05

SOUTH OF ENGLAND 12 & WOMENS-6 STAGE ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, East London, April 2

It was all change for the winners in the southern relays as Aldershots men and Thames Valleys women prevailed over a multi-lap course, Martin Duff reports.

At the Olympic Park venue, a loop of 2.4km was used for both long and short legs, which meant that the long stages were run over three laps, totalling just 7.2km, compared to the more usual 8km plus and the short over two, for their 4.8km.

The chip timing, with the start and hand overs off of the main loop but on the grass, managed to cope well with the 32-lap total for the mens race.

 Men

Winners Aldershot were in fifth at the end of the first 7.2km stage as their Josh Grace was timed at 21:35 well down on Readings Jonny Davies, who was well clear of the rest with a 20:41 split that was to stand as the second-best long stage of the day.

18-year-old Joe OConnell then moved Aldershot up to fourth on the short stage two and then Alex Pointon and Joe Morwood edged the eventual winners up to third before the long fifth stage saw Steve Scullion pop in a 20:56 to take the Hampshire outfit ahead.

They then lost the lead before Ellis Cross took them back ahead on the long stage nine with the fastest race split of 20:32 before handing over at the front to Callum Charlston who maintained the lead.

It was then Jack Rowes turn with a front run 20:44 for the third best overall time as Ricky Harvie then finished the job, with the fastest short stage time of 14;14 and victory over Highgate by nearly three minutes.

Last years winners Tonbridge were third more than four minutes behind the winners.

Aldershot team manage Mike Boucher said of Scullions appearance: On leg 5 it must have been a shock to some other teams to see someone who hadnt worn the red, white and green in over 10 years, since the National Six Stage at Clumber Park in 2012, but step forward Stephen Scullion.

Stephen Blake wasnt expecting to go out in the lead but he maintained it to hand over still first. Sam Eglen kept us in touch, before sending Thomas Renshaw out 17 seconds behind Highgate.

Boucher continued: from here we ran faster than Highgate on every leg with Thomas running the second fastest short leg of the day, of 14:21, before handing over to Ellis Cross just 13 seconds behind Highgate.

Ellis quickly took us back into the lead running 20:30, the fastest long leg of the day and stretching our lead to over a minute. Callum Charleston ran a solid leg and added another 5 seconds to our lead, before handing over to Jack Rowe, who closed off a heavy weeks training before his trip to the USA next week with the third fastest time of the day at 20:43.

By now Highgate were two and a half minutes behind us, and Tonbridge another minute back, so it was left to Ricky Harvie to run the fastest short leg of the day, at 14:13 and secure our victory.

Men (67.2km & 6 x 4.8km alternately): 1 Aldershot Farnham & DAC A 3:34:50 (J Grace 21:35, J OConnell 14:52, A Pointon 21:53, J Morwood 14:31, S Scullion 20:56, S Blake 14:43, S Eglen 21:52, T Renshaw 14:22, E Cross 20:33, C Charleston 14:41, J Rowe 20:44, R Harvie 14:14)
2 Highgate Harriers A 3:37:45 (C Haywood 21:54, R Bahelbi 14:43, A Leprêtre 20:56, F Grierson 14:40, T Fawden 21:41, H Allan 14:55, J Allen 21:16, P Chambers 14:24, R Poolman 21:43, D Lewis 14:57, A Bampton 22:01, R Wilson 14:40)
3 Tonbridge AC A 3:39:04 (M Ellis 22:16, S Molloy 14:50, J West 21:27, C Chambers 14:44, A Howard 22:09, S Brown 14:32, C Death 22:20, D Bradley 14:54, B Cole 21:43, M Weatherseed 14:36, J Kingston 20:57, B Murphy 14:41)
4 Hercules Wimbledon A 3:42:56 (G Mallett 22:12, S McCallum 14:59, J Cornish 21:21, E Mallett 14:43, F Slemeck 22:10, A Robinson 14:41, A Walton 22:36, C Wyllie 14:41, C Eastaugh 22:47, F Johnson 15:06, D Cliffe 22:43, O Carrington 15:04)
5 Kent AC A 3:44:25 (C Greenwood 22:31, J Tipper 14:59, J Simmonds 22:24, C Busaileh 15:30, R Sesemann 22:12, S Fitzpatrick 14:55, O Hind 22:22, M Speed 15:07, M Nicholls 21:36, J Boustead 15:24, C Dockerill 22:16, B Clarke 15:13)
6 Highgate Harriers B 3:48:00 (S Jinks 22:06, M Watson 14:49, J Johnson 22:21, A Crossland 14:40, L Greaves 23:31, J Bailey 15:37, S Renfer 22:51, A Chau 15:34, J Gilfedder 23:30, S Brashaw 15:07, J Barber 23:12, N Jones 14:46)
7 Bedford & County AC A 3:48:34 (B Davies 21:52, S Winters 14:47, H Brodie 22:18, A Yabsley 15:01, N Campion 22:30, T Powell 16:26, J Eves 23:03, P Mizon 15:24, A Headley 23:38, J Webster 15:23, C Emmerson 22:41, J Strange 15:35)
8 Herne Hill Harriers A 3:49:35 (L Laylee 21:55, D Shaw 14:58, B Dewar 23:29, M Cartwright 15:16, M Roberts 22:50, O Mills 15:14, S Bramwell 22:30, B Paviour 15:39, J Fenwick 23:14, J Elliott 15:22, J Cunningham 23:51, D Moyse 15:22)
9 Newham & Essex Beagles 3:49:40 (N Potter 21:05, E Pierce 14:31, C Brisley 21:33, V Nutakor 15:06, J Gordon 22:59, N Armstrong 15:38, F OBrien 22:57, J El-Houssami 16:06, L Tharme 24:09, W Bell 16:40, T Wallis 22:42, O Kent-Egan 16:20)
10 Belgrave Harriers A 3:51:19 (S Gebreselassie 21:53, S Sommerville 15:07, O Prior 22:36, F Dyer 15:18, M Merrick 21:42, L Kempson 18:09, J Trigwell 23:18, O Smith 15:16, M Holman 23:37, R Kelly 15:57, J Fox 23:20, C McNally 15:11)
11 Tonbridge AC B 3:52:20 (T Emm 23:12, J MacDonald 14:49, W Beeston 22:55, J Chambers 15:28, J Smith 24:23, E Coutts 14:59, H Paton 24:20, B Pearce 15:10, S Strange 22:24, C Laing 15:37, M Dubery 23:50, C Crick 15:17)
12 Guildford & Godalming AC 3:53:00 (J Sanderson 21:13, C Kershaw 15:29, T Foster 22:39, D Wallis 15:12, J Harvey 25:20, K Davies 15:22, M McDaniel 22:56, M Brimicombe 16:11, E Dixon 22:45, A Crooks 16:27, C Job 23:26, O Gosden 16:06)
13 Dulwich Runners AC A 3:53:48 (J Dazeley 22:41, A Russell 15:52, A Wilson 23:21, F Bungay 15:55, N Impey 23:06, E Gibson 15:37, R Armstrong 23:44, T South 16:01, J Hallsworth 23:33, T Bowen 16:07, J Ramm 22:20, A Bond 15:36)
14 London Heathside AC A 3:54:23 (T Archer 22:23, R Metcalfe 15:14, G Gurney 22:22, H Kleiman 15:29, C Coleman 23:51, C Brown 16:07, J Wooldridge 24:13, S Lewis 15:36, J OFlaherty 23:57, S Keenan 16:17, M Rallison 23:03, Y Sevestre 15:57)
15 Woodford Green w Essex L 3:54:24 (A Kirk-Smith 22:08, J Doye 15:01, A Holford 23:52, V Weerakkody 15:46, J Donnelly 22:58, D Steel 15:33, E Shepherd 22:11, S Beedell 16:00, T Rehal 22:44, J Everitt 18:24, T Beedell 22:36, P Caton 17:16)
16 Brighton & Hove AC 3:54:37 (J Turner 22:10, S Wilkinson 15:17, J Hobbs 22:50, R Clayton 15:36, C Halsey 23:26, M Grindrod 15:16, Z Hale 24:23, O Callum 16:36, D James 23:50, H Bristow 16:01, T Niner 22:51, L Taub 16:26)
17 Reading AC 3:55:21 (J Davies 20:41, H Razzaq 15:18, G Suthon 23:17, T Ryan 17:45, J Rennie 22:25, M Turton 15:26, R Price 23:09, M Booth 15:19, L Jolly 22:48, C Madelaine 16:17, I Farnworth 24:51, D Lewis 18:10)
18 Victoria Park H & Tower H AC 3:55:42 (J Hotham 22:29, J Dale 15:30, C Palfreeman 23:45, J Walker 15:16, E Cameron 23:00, T MacIntyre 15:41, D Howarth 23:46, M Boulton 16:13, S Yule 24:04, N Sharp 15:34, C Selya-Hammer 24:49, J Lepetre 15:41)
19 City of Norwich AC 3:56:14 (L Smith 21:50, H Jonas 14:35, Z Houghton 23:21, G Crush 15:35, D Adam 23:10, P Thomas 15:53, S Coyne 24:38, S Cornforth 16:25, J Senior 23:30, R Hopkins 18:02, M Jeffries 23:32, L Alden 15:49)
20 Aldershot Farnham & DAC B 3:56:31 (A Matthews 23:21, L Vilimanovic 17:08, S Nesbitt 23:32, F Cross 15:23, S Connor 23:21, H Hyde 15:59, T Chandler 22:38, J Boswell 16:10, L Stone 22:28, S Cooper 16:01, G Morris 24:06, T Mount 16:29); 21 Cambridge & Doleridge 3:57:10; 22 S London 3:57:13; 23 TVH 3:58:04; 24 Hercules W B 4:00:46; 25 Kent B 4:00:47; 26 THH 4:01:07; 27 Harrow 4:01:59; 28 Abingdon 4:03:27; 29 ESM 4:05:00; 30 Herne H B 4:05:25
47 teams finished
Fastest 7.2km: Cross 20:33; J Davies (Read) 20:41; Rowe 20:44; Lepretre/Scullion 20:56; Kingston 20:57
Fastest 4.8km: Harvie 14:14; Renshaw 14:22; Chambers 14:24; Morwood/Pierce 14:31; Brown 14:32

Women (4.8km, 7.2km, 4.8km, 7.2km, 24.8km):

In contrast to the men, the women set off with a short 4.8km stage and Thames Valley took an early lead through Yvette Locks 15:55, which then stood up as the best of the afternoon by some 42 seconds.

The Valley then stayed ahead for the rest of the six-lap race as Katie Olding took their first 7.2km stage with a 25:14 second stage split, but Aldershots Emily Moyes had the stage best at 24:58. This took her club up to third behind Herne Hills Gabriel Reynolds after a steady first leg by Laura Gent, the Aldershot opener.

Charlotte Buckley then kept the winners ahead on the shorter stage three. before Thames Valley threw in their ace card of Tracy Barlow. The 37-year-old long-term Valley stalwart put in a 24:44 split that wound up as the second-best of the day.

Behind, the honour of fastest long stage went to Georgie Grgec, the Herne Hill New Zealander, who moved her club up to second, from fourth, with a 24:13 split. Despite a nippy 25:05 from Kate Estlea, Aldershot slipped a notch to third and these two clubs then diced for the minor places. The silver medals then went to Herne Hill by just 10 seconds, as Sarah Grover got the better of Katie Hughes whose Aldershot club took third for the second year in a row.

The importance of having stronger distance runners was emphasised by Thames Valley who had the second and third best of the day.

1 Thames Valley Harriers A 1:57:12 (Y Lock 15:55, K Olding 25:15, C Buckley 17:13, T Barlow 24:44, E Carroll 17:02, A Mundell 17:05)
2 Herne Hill Harriers A 1:59:57 (A Hobday 16:38, G Reynolds 25:33, K Hewitt 18:29, G Grgec 24:13, J Nandi 17:47, S Grover 17:20)
3 Aldershot Farnham & DAC A 2:00:07 (L Gent 17:14, E Moyes 24:58, N McLoughlin 17:46, K Estlea 25:05, H Angell 17:32, K Hughes 17:34)
4 Belgrave Harriers A 2:00:09 (S Hewitt 17:13, O Papaioannou 27:10, L Adamson 16:46, K Popadich 25:00, A Sharp 17:42, G Curry 16:19)
5 Kent AC A 2:02:06 (B Proctor 17:28, A Birch 25:46, G Wiley 17:47, C Nic Fhogartaigh 26:09, E Freeden 17:56, A Parker 17:03)
6 Thames Hare & Hounds A 2:02:28 (B Murray 16:57, S Carter 26:02, K Hedgethorne 18:38, C Hammett 26:26, E Fennelly 17:17, E Apsley 17:11)
7 London Heathside AC A 2:05:17 (R Male 18:22, R Piggott 26:36, O Lukasewich 18:59, K Brown 26:49, S Swinhoe 17:56, B Hawling 16:37)
8 Belgrave Harriers B 2:06:19 (L Goodson 17:51, L Goldie-Scot 26:43, Z MacDonald 17:25, S Amend 27:07, N Beadle 17:57, E Hards 19:18)
9 Highgate Harriers A 2:06:28 (E Donald 17:09, H Viner 25:13, J Renfer 17:50, K Thornton 27:19, L Faherty 19:08, R Littlewood 19:51)
10 Tonbridge AC A 2:06:34 (P Pitcairn-Knowles 18:37, I Amos 25:39, J Murphy 18:22, N Evans 27:34, A Hales 18:25, M Heslop 17:59)
11 Herne Hill Harriers B 2:09:12 (J Clancy 18:05, S Swaine 28:21, C Davies 17:48, L Donnelly 28:04, E Cottington 18:55, S Gunning 18:01)
12 Victoria Park H & Tower H AC A 2:09:45 (L Thompson 17:56, S Allen 28:10, L Zechmann 18:41, E Seager 27:26, K Clark 18:54, J Dos Santos 18:41)
13 South London Harriers 2:10:59 (A Rollason 18:35, M Kenny 27:09, K Mooney 18:35, S Kelleher 27:50, T Billups 20:07, A Billups 18:46)
14 City of Norwich AC A 2:11:05 (I Morris 18:29, I Lake 27:39, M Symonds 19:45, M Beckett 26:18, E Phillips 18:05, M Bacon 20:51)
15 Belgrave Harriers C 2:12:14 (S Riceman 18:27, D Maggs 28:05, P Davies 18:32, E Bradley 28:01, S Dewhirst 19:48, M Corden-Lloyd 19:23)
16 Kent AC B 2:12:33 (S Crichton 17:35, J Berg 28:52, A White 18:25, N Sabanci 29:04, P Williams 19:25, E Day 19:15)
17 Serpentine RC 2:12:44 (V Crawford 18:01, N Sheel 26:18, H Woodhead 18:14, K Casterton 27:37, S Flanagan 19:03, V Brown 23:33)
18 Thames Valley Harriers B 2:14:02 (I Franco 17:21, C Baker 26:40, J Dring-Morris 26:18, L da Silva 27:01, S Sa 18:13, L Blythe 18:33)
19 Wycombe Phoenix Harriers & AC 2:14:23 (A Cook 17:47, C Newman 31:16, M Wilkins 19:08, M Phair 27:56, J Roberts 18:23, Y Gutteridge 19:54)
20 Bedford & County AC C 2:15:02 (E Garraway 18:21, A Burgin 27:09, J Smith 20:46, C Kent 28:07, E Coombes 23:47, R Murray 16:54)
21 Dulw R B 2:15:43; 22 Hercules W 2:26:20; 23 THH 2:17:00; 24 VP&TH B 2;17:48; 25 Harrow 2:17:54
31 teams finished
Fastest 7.2km: Grgec 24:13; Barlow 24;44; Moyes 24:58; Popadich 25:00; Estlea 25:05; Viner 25:13

Fastest 4.8km: Lock 15:55; Curry 16:19; Hawling 16:37; Hobday 16:58; Adamson 16:46; Murray 16:57

SOUTH OF ENGLAND YOUNG ATHLETES 5km, CHAMPIONSHIPS, QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK, Stratford, April 2

Participation in these events remains low but the biggest field in the four races was the under-17 men where Windsors Henry Johnston, only 10th in the area Cross-country championships, won in 15:45.

Abigail Reid, who was fourth in the 2022 South of England cross-country championships, moved up to win the under-17 womens race in 17:56.

Under-17 men
1 H Johnston (WSEH 15:45; 2 B Andrews-Callec (Jersey) 15:46; 3 O Sumba (Havant) 15:49; 4 M Cattini (Harrow) 15:51; 5 E Carney (Jersey) 16:01; 6 H Richards (Abingdon) 16:09; 7 G Carney (Jersey) 16:13; 8 A Lydon (Huntingdonshire) 16:15; 9 L English (Waveney) 16:25; 10 N Davis (Luton) 16:32

U15 boys:
1 J McAllen (Waveney) 16:20; 2 C Copeman (Waveney) 16:27; 3 B Eccles (Bure) 16:34; 4 B Barber (Framlingham) 16:36; 5 L Norden (WGEL) 16:54; 6 H Stockill (WG&EL) 17:02; 7 R Baines (Jersey) 17:32; 8 R Depledge (Jersey) 17:41; 9 S Crane (Ilford) 17:49; 10 W Muffett (Orion) 18:03

U17 women:
1 A Reid (WG&EL) 17:56; 2 M Freeland (Mil K) 18:07; 3 K Atkinson (Chelmsford 18:30; 4 M Pearce (Mil K) 18:38; 5 E Bartlett (WSEH) 18:41; 6 A Saha (WSEH) 19:13

U15:
1 L Wilkinson (Chiltern) 18:07; 2 I Hall (Jersey) 18:11; 3 B Davies (WG&EL) 18:34; 4 P Worthy (Havant 19:04; 5 A Suffield (Harrow) 19:06; 6 S Massie (WSEH) 19:29

NORTHERN ATHLETICS YOUNG ATHLETES 5km Championships, Redcar, April 1

William De Vere Owen led a near Morpeth domination in the under-17 event as his 15:29 winning time was enough to see off the only interloper to his clubs five in the first six.

It was just Rotherhams Johnson Hughes who upset the Morpeth party with a second spot in 15:38. De Vere Owen, the top under-17 in the North East Harrier League, was outside his best of 15:11 set in Sunderland last year.

Leading the under-17 women home was Charlotte Dillon, the Great North Run 5km age group winner. There, the Houghton Harrier had run 17:06, but the damp, seven degree celsius temperature and a breeze here kept her winning time down to 17:29.

Evan Grime was the class athlete of the under-15 event and the Salford Harrier duly won with a 15:42 clocking some 150 metres ahead of Owen Ashdown. It was the first outing over the distance for the English Schools 800m and England Athletics 1500m champion, who led his club to team golds too.

Darcy Slattery made it a Salford individual and team double as team mate Jasmine Wright was left well down on the winning 17:57. A year ago Slattery was fifth in a time more than a minute slower.

Conditions on the out and back course were subject to a North, Northeast wind that did seem to slow times on the way back.

Before the races began hosts New Marske Harriers officially unveiled the installation of the illumination of the Pink-Path training area along the promenade where the runners were invited to warm up.

U17 men:
1 W de Vere Owen (Morp) 15:29; 2 J Hughes (Roth) 15:38; 3 L Roche (Morp) 15:42; 4 E Kelson (Morp) 15:48; 5 E Phillips (Morp) 15:53; 6 T Bowman (L&M) 15:55
TEAM: 1 Morpeth 8; 2 Durham 546; 3 E Hull 82

U17 women:
1 C Dillon (Hought) 17:29; 2 I Bungay (Elsw) 17:51; 3 P Old (Elsw) 17:57; 4 L Langan (York) 18:00; 5 N Dinnie (NSP) 19:34; 6 M Byrnes (Salf) 20:07
TEAM: 1 Elswick 14; 2 Salford 21

U15 boys:
1 E Grime Salford 15:42; 2 O Ashdown (K&C) 16:06; 3 J Sanderson (Settle) 16:17; 4 O Gill (Bburn) 16:26; 5 J Barber (Salf) 16:31; 6 D Asmelash (TS H) 16:52
TEAM: 1 Salford 16; 2 Blackburn 29; 3 NSP 67

U15 girls:
1 D Slattery (Salf) 17:57; 2 J Wright (Salf) 18:26; 3 G Carter (Durh) 19:01; 4 S Nation (Salf) 19:21; 5 G Derry (Allerton J) 19:57; 6 A Nicholson (L&M) 20;11
TEAM: 1 Salford 7; 2 Durham 36

MIDLAND COUNTIES YOUNG ATHLETES 5km CHAMPIONSHIPS, Sutton Park, April 1

The Midland Counties Spring senior relays were preceded by their young athletes 5km road championships and entries, apart from the under-17 women, were significantly higher than hitherto.

The under-17 mens race in contrast saw a tight battle between George Astbury and Jake Greenhalgh that was only resolved on the last run to the line in favour of Astbury, who moved up from seventh last year.

Also improving this time was under-17 womens winner Isabella Wrightam who moved from second to take her race in 18:30.
Ella Spencer, who was 12th in the CAU Inter-counties, took the under-15 girls race from Swindon team mate Eloise Foster in 18:06.

U17 men:
1 G Astbury (BRAT) 16:15; 2 J Greenhalgh (Mansf) 16:16; 3 E Sankey (Mansf) 16:32; 4 L Starr (R&N) 16:41; 5 T Brinkley (R&N) 16:42; 6 J Burns (Sin) 16:43
TEAM: 1 R&N 22; 2 Mansfield 25; 3 BRAT 26

U15 boys:
1 N Lamb (R&N) 16:40; 2 J Price (BRAT) 16:46; 3 S Collins (Notts) 16:48; 4 J Orchard (Dav) 17:16; 5 A Taylor (Hales) 17:24; 6 A Molina-Zekri (Swin) 17:30
TEAM: 1 Notts 36; 2 Tipton 39; 3 Halesowen 42

U13:
1 L Howard (Telf) 17:49; 2 W Reddish (Notts) 17:51; 3 O McClemens (Mansf) 18:38; 4 J Taylor (BRAT) 18:53; 5 S Edwards (Heanor) 18:59; 6 E MacIntyre (Mansf) 19:10
TEAM: 1 Mansfield 20; 2 Notts 23; 3 Telford 30

U17 women:
1 I Wrightam (Wreake) 18:30; 2 L Mico (Worc) 18:53; 3 S Banks (Tip) 19:31
TEAM: 1 RSC 18

U15 girls:
1 E Sencer (Swin) 18:06; 2 E Foster (Swin ) 18:26; 3 E Collins (Hales) 18:46; 4 L Hellingsworth (Hales) 19:48; 5 K Welbourn (B&R) 19:56; 6 J Wright (RSC) 20:27
TEAM: 1 Swindon 11; 2 Halesowen 19; 3 RSC 31

U13:
1 C Whysall (Mansf) 19:00; 2 L Mason (Mansf) 19:06; 3 T Alfrink (Worc) 19:29; 4 M Slack (Mansf) 19:57; 5 O Thomas (Hales) 20:05; 6 S Purves (Worc) 21:16
TEAM: 1 Mansfield 7; 2 Tipton 29

Dean Richardson and John Wright break world records while Paul Forbes and Dave Clarke claim UK marks as Britain enjoy a strong end to championships

British athletes had a great final two days to take the gold count up to 49 and only two nations gained more medals hosts Poland and neighbours Germany over the championships (March 26-31).

Britain didnt just win golds, many of the athletes also set record times.

World masters records are not always clear. While the BMAF are quick to ratify, the world body (WMA) are often slow and ponderous in dealing with complicated forms and often the marks in the race programme or announced in the stadium are not always up to date.

The 1500m proved particularly successful for British and Irish athletes.

Dean Richardson had not competed internationally since winning the M45 world 1500m title here in 2019 and had suffered from injury and a bad bout of Covid. He therefore didnt compete on the track at all in 2021 and 2022 but was now back in shape and out to win his first international M50 title.

Britains Dean Richardson breaks the listed world masters M50 1500m record with a 4:06.02 run entirely from the front building pace throughout the last 400m and 3000m winner Anthony OBrien finishes third pic.twitter.com/oqHXf7k7GK

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) April 1, 2023

He led all the way passing 200m in 31.98, 400m in 65.55 and 800m in 2:13.61 but he still had company in 800m champion Robert Celinski and 3000m champion Anthony OBrien.

After passing 1000m in in 2:47.00 he accelerated from the front with laps of 32.82 to drop OBrien and then a 30.73 lap got rid of the Pole he carried on at a fast pace and a perfect dip at the finish saw him clock 4:06.02.

That last 300m, which he ran in 46.21, produced a final mark of 4:06.02, taking a second off Sean Wades world record of 4:07.01 in the process. It was three seconds off of Mark Symes UK mark set when winning the European title last winter.

There were also two British records.

Paul Forbes had won the earlier 800m at a canter at his M65 world record distance. However, he did get beaten over 1500m at the European Indoors in Braga last winter.

Here he was up against 3000m and 5km world record-holder Alastair Walker who had set a world 10km record of 34:18 but had clearly been working at his speed.

In a classic 1500m duel between World Masters 800m champion Paul Forbes and 10km champion Alastair Walker Forbes sprints by in last 50 metres to set British M65 record of 4:43.43 to just miss world record while Walker runs 4:43.94 pic.twitter.com/WHBqgV6KRz

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) April 1, 2023

Walker set off fast with a 35.90 opening 200m which if hed carried on at that pace would have taken 15 seconds off of Cees Stolwiks world mark.

At this stage Forbes was a few seconds back as Walker passed 400m in 75.18 and 800m in 2:32.63 as Forbes gradually closed.

Walker gradually picked up again with laps of 38.78, 37.87 and then 36.55 but Forbes followed and then kicked past in the last 50 metres to win in a UK record 4:43.43 less than half a second from the Dutchmans record time.

Walker who finished third in the standings was close by and inside 4:44 but was harshly disqualified due to the fact he he had clipped a bollard during the race, even though he never went inside the line.

However, there is no doubt that he could easily break the 1500m record in a open race where he would get more assistance and a more cautious opening lap.

David Clarke carries on GB 1500m success as he sprints ahead down the straight to run a World Masters Championship and British M60 record of 4:33.59 pic.twitter.com/9RrwSOP8LX

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) April 1, 2023

Northern Irelander Dave Clarke, who had been third in the earlier 800m and 3000m sat back with the first lap a pedestrian 39.22.

Then Swedens 3000m silver medallist Hakan Eriksson picked the pace up with a string of 36 second laps to pass 800m in 2:29.25 and 1200m in 3:40.31 but Clarke held on as they got away from Frances 800m winner Xavier Lefay.

Clarke then shot down the straight to claim a championships and UK record of 4:33.59 from Erikkson, Lefay and Canadian Mark Pinckard, who had beaten him in the other races.

There was a world record in the womens events but curiously by the athlete who was fourth across the line, who was eventually given the bronze.

Susan McDonald of America had turned 60 during the championships and took four seconds off of Virginia Mitchells newly set W55 800m mark. Here, she bettered the 1500m time of Lidia Zentner by just over a second with 5:08.88. The actually W60 title was won by Soains Esther Pedrosa in 5:32.29.

That W60 record looked in doubt as the W55 field jogged the first 200m in 45.46 and 400m in 42.78.
Then 3000m champion Michelle Rohl, reeled off the next few laps at around world record pace with 37.98, 37.67, 37.06 and 36.12 which dropped McDonald but German 800m winner Eva Trost stayed close.

On the final straight, Trost, who won the W50 double in 2019, kicked but ultimately gold went to Rohl as Trost had stumbled earlier and put her foot momentarily in the line, meaning she received a harsh disqualification. That allowed Richardson to move up one place to fourth.

The only British womens win came from Alison Bourgeois who sauntered to a very easy 16-second W65 victory in 6:02.59.

Former multi-world and European champion Ros Tabor, in her first track race for three years years following two replacement hips took second in the W70 race, while Iris Hornsey who had also not raced internationally since Torun 2019  followed up her 800m gold and 400m bronze with a silver to give her a full set here.

Laura Haggarty (W35 bronze), Elke Hausler (W60 bronze) and Stephen Allen (M55 bronze), also medalled but M35 Mike Cummings, M40 Gareth Price and W40 Zoe Doyle just missed out in fourth.

Pick of the other winners were Irelands Joe Gough. The M70 ran the last 200m in 30 seconds including a wave to the crowd as he completed the double in 5:13.84 while M85 Angel Cano Alcolea and M90 David Carr also completed their doubles in impressive style.

Ireland also won a W45 gold.

Joe Gough of Ireland produces a 30 second last 200 including wave to win the M70 1500m world masters title pic.twitter.com/VyPyMiemED

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) April 1, 2023

Jane Horder, the world 300m hurdles outdoor champion, had won the W65 60m on the flat earlier in the championships against the legendary Karla Del Grande and it was no surprise she won the 60m hurdles.

In fact it was more than a win as her 10.00 left the opposition almost two seconds in arrears. That time is faster than her listed world mark of 10.29 set last winter though the BMAF have ratified her 9.98 from Loughborough earlier this winter as a British best.

The other British winner was former AW Master of the Year Joe Appiah. Two months ago the reigning world outdoor and European indoor hurdles champion ran a time of 8.23 to better American Derek Pyes world M50 mark of 8.24. That mark was ratified as a British best by the BMAF though the WMA still list Pyes time as first on the list.

In the final, Appiah clearly won in 8.39 with UK team-mate Gary Smith second in 8.64.

Pye destroyed the M55 world record of 8.56 with 8.41 in his heat and was on his way to another fast time and clear victory when he fell at the last hurdle and got up to finish sixth in 10.48 as Canadian Yannick Le Mouel won in 8.86.

M65 Tennyson James and W50 Paula Williams both came within a metre of victory in silver while other UK hurdle medallists were Gaye Clarke (W60 silver), Jean fail (W70 silver), Liam Collins (M40 bronze), Des Wilkinson (M60 bronze), Cat Pennet (W35 bronze) and Caroline Marler (W70 bronze).

The latter, who competed in the 1976 Olympic Trials 800m where she set her 800m PB of 2:06.9, was one of the busiest competitors here as she was also second in the pentathlon and 400m and fifth in the 60m and eighth in the shot put.

Golds in the 200m were also unusually hard to come by. John Wright had just missed the M60 world record in the 400m as he blasted the first 200m in 24.70 but slowed to 30.95 for his second lap but still set a British and European best.

Winning by almost a second John Wright wins World Masters M60 gold on a world record 24.28 pic.twitter.com/oMxNd8vWVy

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 31, 2023

In the 200m final, drawn on the outside lane, ran his fastest electrical time for 12 years indoors or out as he sped to a 24.28 clocking to shade American Bill Collins 12 year-old record of 24.31 and he won by almost a second. According to Power of 10, the 63 year-old Wright has never run faster indoors.

Wright also led off the British 4x200m relay to an easy team gold in 1:43.66 along with fellow finalists Pat Logan and Mike Vassiliou plus Peter Ilo.

Wright to me was the sprint performance of the weekend but the run that got all the attention was the remarkable 92 year-old Hiroo Tanaka. The Japanese showed incredible leg speed to run a world M90 record of 38.79.

Hiroo Tanaka smashes the M90 200m world record with an incredible 38.79 in Torun pic.twitter.com/RDcCvff1y8

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 31, 2023

The resulting tweet of his run has currently been viewed around 40,000 times.

Allan Long, in his first year of indoor competition in the M80 age group, followed up his 60m gold here with a near two second win in 32.51 though he did not approach his UK record set at the British Masters.

Long also won a third gold as he competed in the inaugural mixed 4x200m relay and together with Barry Ferguson one of Britains greatest ever masters hurdlers but sitting out here plus two other champions here Iris Hornsey and Kathleen Stewart, they won in 2:46.69.

The hugely supported relay (14 nations contested the V50 event alone) only saw one other UK medal for the V60 team which came second.

Britains Allan Long wins World Masters M80 200m gold in 32.51 pic.twitter.com/CfPIDkxaAz

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 31, 2023

It took a world record to beat Caroline Powell in the 200m. In her final year in the W65s, the British sprinting all-time great was up against the Canadian Del Grande whom she had beaten in a classic battle in the 400m.

The slightly older Canadian had become a W70 out in Torun and set a W70 world mark in the 400m heats and she did so again in the 200m heats with 31.65.

In the final, Powell was drawn in lane six and seemed to have the narrow advantage most of the finishing straight but while in the 400m final the Canadian had wilted and stumbled, this time she finished strongest and edged by to win in 31.18 to 31.20 to improve the W70 world mark though next year .

Winning W65 World masters gold in 31.18 Karla De Grande of Canada sets a world W70 200m record in a fantastic battle with 400m champion Caroline Powell of Britain (31.20) pic.twitter.com/NN0ikrKaRz

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 31, 2023

Powell, who also won a 4x200m gold along with Horder, will also have that time as a W70 target in 2024. Del Grande still holds the W65 record at 29.73 and did hold the W60 world record at 28.23. That W60 mark though was easily eclipsed in Torun.

Eight years after she set the W55 record of 26.13 on the same track, another sprinting legend Nicole Alexis of France ran 27.70 in her heat and then a superb 27.34 in the final as she won by over a second.

Nicole Alexis of France improves her world W60 200m record to 27.34 in winning world masters gold in Torun pic.twitter.com/8QUnVXpaXC

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 31, 2023

Stacey Downie (W35 silver), Lisa Boland (W40 bronze from tight lane two after only being fifth fastest in qualifying), Anne Nelson (W70 bronze), Kathleen Stewart W80 silver), Dot Fraser (W80 silver) and Liz Finlay (W85 bronze) were the other UK women 200m medallists.

The W60 4x200m joined the W65s of Nicola Buckwell, Jeanette Ashton, Horder and Powell as champions.

A strong lead off leg from Virginia Mitchell, who had earlier in Torun set world 400m and 800m records, gave them a good lead and Angela Kelly, Sandra Mitusch and Melanie Garland combined to give them a 12 second win in 2:08:47. The W65 team ran 2:12.16 which was quicker than all bar the Brits in the W60s.

The W80 team of Stewart, Hornsey, Betty Stracey and W85 Dot Fraser won the W80 title unopposed in 3:36.96.

Britain picked up further womens relay medals with silver for the W40s and W70s and bronzes for the W35.

Britain provided four of the six finalists in the M45 race but were not surprisingly unable to challenge Lion Martinez who after an earlier 60m world record bettered the 22.30 world mark with 22.23 in his semi-final.

Almost everyone ran slower in the final as the Swede ran 22.42 with Dominic Bradley (23.16) and Gavin Stephens (23.36) following him home and Tam Ossai and Ian Horsburgh all ran faster in their heats.

Lion Martinez of Sweden, who set a world M45 60m record a few days ago goes close to 200m record with 22.42 as Brits Dominic Bradley and Gavin Stephens are second and third as GB have 4 of 6 World Masters finalists pic.twitter.com/aIZigQTkqu

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 31, 2023

Most of the quartet combined though with Ciaran Harvey coming in to replace the injured Horsburgh, to dominate the 4x200m relay where they won gold in 1:34.06 compared to USAs 1:35:45.

Simon Barrett won M70 silver but went one better in the relay where the British team beat the USA 1:54.14 to 1:54.95.

Mike Coogan (M50 bronze) also medalled individually.

Antony Daffun pulled off a great M35 triple jump victory as his final round 14.75m moved him from fourth to first and he won gold by 13 centimetres.

A more predictable winner was former Commonwealth Games representative Irie Hill.

Since a fifth place finish in the 2008 World Indoors, the now 54-year-old has claimed an astonishing 20 successive world or European indoor or outdoor titles and won here with a 3.10m leap.

Sue Yeomans has almost been as dominant in recent years and the W65 world outdoor champion was making her W70 debut but had to settle for second with a below-par 2.20m jump.

Other UK pole vault medallists on the last two days were Dash Newington (W35 silver), Stacey Gonzalez Betancourt (W45 silver) and Rosalind Zeffert (W60 bronze).

Jodie Albrow won W40 gold four years after winning W35 gold in Torun. Second after a 9.26 hurdles, she won the high jump with a 1.45m leap, threw 9.10m for third best in the shot, won the long jump with a 5.11m leap and was second best at 800m with 2:32.59 which gave her gold by 178 points.

Niabari Rutter won the W35 silver and Jeanette Ashton the W65 bronze.

The half-marathon yielded some additional success.

UK W55 marathon record-holder Sue McDonald was the only individual champion as she followed up her 10km success with a 83:49 clocking, confusingly coming on the same day as an American also named Sue McDonald had won a W55 bronze in the 1500m, setting a world W60 mark.

As in the 10km following her home was team-mate Clare Elms. The reigning European champion, who won multi-gold here in 2019, was sitting out the track this year as she is in her last year in the W55 age group, felt better after illness in the 10km and though not at her very best, her time of 1:24:40 will be a three minute British W60 record if repeated at the end of the year.

Elms finished alongside Irelands W50 champion Cathy McCourt who has coached Alastair Walker to his recent successes and together with W60 Susan Payne, McDonald and Elms won team gold by over half an hour and beat the times of W35 and W55 winners Poland. McDonald had also won a cross-country team gold which gave her four golds and an individual cross-country bronze from her weekend.

Lisa Finlay won the W50 silver in 1:25:49 and won a silver W45 team medal.

Other UK medallists were M80 Phil Brennan and W45 Sibel Recber Latchman and the M75 team of Geoff Newton, Ken Black and Brennan also won a team gold.

M65 Paul Hughes missed out on a medal by a second while British and Ireland M60 International cross-country champion Steve Watmough matched his fourth place in last summers World 10km and half-marathon Championships.

The Belgian M35 Justin Mahieu was the overall winner in 66:44 while the womens race was headed by the hosts W45 Agnieszka Gortel-Maciuks 75:30. The Pole has a 2:30:28 marathon PB.

With a rush of team golds in the walks and cross-country, Poland easily topped the medal table with 83 golds to Germanys 74 but the latter had the most medals at 234 to Polands 202.

USA were third on 56 golds with Britain enjoying a strong last few days to get 49 golds but outscore the USA in medal terms 156 to 151. Ireland were an excellent seventh with 28 golds and 75 medals as altogether 58 teams medalled. 45 nations won a gold including San Marino.

The event is generally a logistical nightmare with 25 age groups, and as well as indoor events (including 20 plus pentathons), outdoor throws, walks and road races and cross-country and you could argue only the latter is a true winter event but the other events attract extra entries and income to the organisers and local hotels, shops and restaurants.

Curiously though over 80 half-marathon entries did not start. For those who think Masters athletic events should start at 40 and not 35, were given credence by a lack of real quality over most of these age group events and many world titles were won by athletes outside the top 50 in their age group worldwide.

Some of the older events are not necessarily the very best in their age group but the best who can afford to travel to Poland for close on a week.

However, there is no denying though that some are the very best in the world such as Gough, Wright, Forbes, del Grande, Alexis, Richardson, Horder, Hill and Mitchell are competing and it is a very much a true world championships and deserves more coverage.

M35:
200: 1 A Couffe FRA 21.90 (21.70 SF); 6 CRAIG COX GBR 23.51 (23.11 SF, 22.99 ht). SFs: MICHAEL DICKENS 23.70 (23.32 ht)
1500: 1 M Husted USA 4:02.00; 4 MIKE CUMMINGS GBR 4:05.97 (4:12.29 ht)
60H: 1 D Siegel GER 8.18; 6 MICHAEL LOUISE 8.50 (8.59 ht). Hts: MAXIM HALL GBR 8.74
TJ: 1 ANTONY DAFFURN GBR 14.75; 2 O Bulak UKR 14.64
4200: 1 POL 1:31.32; 3 GBR 1:32.92
10kmW: 1 R Sikora POL 43:25
TEAM: 1 GER 2:40:23
HM: 1 J Mahieu BEL 66:44
TEAM: 1 ESP 3:36:48

M40:
200: 1 A Echols USA 22.33. SFs: RICHARD BEARDSALL GBR 23.05 (23.23 ht)
1500: 1 A Tayebli IRN 4:04.53; 4 GARETH PRICE GBR 4:06.96 (4:09.90 ht). in hts: GURMIT SINGH GBR 4:29.53
60H: 1 J Hinton CAN 8.15; 3 LIAM COLLINS GBR 8.90 (8.93 ht) 7 CLINT NICHOLLS 9.49 (9.69 ht)
TJ: 1 L Sobora POL 14.63; 7 JOHN BOWDEN GBR 10.48

4200: 1 USA 1:33.31; 5 GBR 1:42.11
10kmW: 1 J Morales Del Castillo ESP 43:38
TEAM: 1 ESP 2:27:51
HM: 1 M Akaouch FRA 66:50
TEAM: 1 POL 3:35:04

M45:
200: 1 L Martinez ESP 22.42 (22.23 SF); 2 DOMINIC BRADLEY GBR 23.16 (22.84 SF, 22.92 ht); 3 GAVIN STEPHENS GBR 23.36 (23.10 SF, 23.09 ht)); 5 TAM OSSAI GBR 23.85 (23.21 SF, 23.39 ht)); IAN HORSBURGH GBR DNF (23.06 SF, 23.12 ht). SFs: CIARAN HARVEY GBR 24.65 (24.52 ht). hts: DARREN TOWART GBR 24.59
1500: 1 A Canton Gomez ESP 4:14.63. hts: ANDY BROWN 4:24.91
60H: 1 F Ruiz Gonzalez ESP 8.52 (8.50 ht); 7 TOWART GBR 9.74 (9.69 ht)
TJ: 1 S Okantey USA 13.60; 6 GRANT STIRLING GBR 12.52
4200: 1 GBR (BRADLEY, STEPHENS, HARVEY, OSSAI) 1:34.06; 2 USA 1:35.45
10kmW: 1 E Sikuku KEN 44:11
TEAM: 1 POL 2:41:00
HM: 1 J Diaz Carretero ESP 68:02
TEAM: 1 POL 3:35:37; 5 GBR 5:13.06

M50:
200: 1 J Mack USA 23.48; 3 MIKE COOGAN GBR 23.94 (23.83 SF, 23.99 ht)). Semis: GUISEPPI MINETTI GBR 24.31 (24.31 ht). Hts: DARREN SCOTT 23.98; CRAIG BEECHAM 25.89
1500: 1 DEAN RICHARDSON GBR 4:06.02 (4:20.45 ht); 2 R Celinski POL 4:09.76; 3 TONY OBRIEN GBR 4:11.21 (4:19.67 ht)

60H: 1 JOE APPIAH GBR 8.39 (8.41 ht); 2 GARY SMITH GBR 8.64 (8.89 ht); 3 G Allen GER 8.76
4200: 1 POR 1:38.02; 2 SWE 1:39.39; 3 GBR (MINETTI, BEECHAM, BELTRAMO, COOGAN) 1:39.74
10kmW: 1 T Lipiec POL 46.41
TEAM: 1 AUT 2:46:45
HM: 1 J Nsimirimana ITA 70:09
TEAM: 1 POL 3:48:15; 4 GBR 4:55:17

M55:

200: 1 C Fausti ITA 24.10 (24.10 sf). Hts: IAN ALLEN 26.42; WOLE ODEJE GBR 26.49
1500: 1 C Novak USA 4:22.67; 3 STEPHEN ALLEN GBR 4:24.55 (4:28.89 ht); 7 DAVE COWLISHAW GBR 4:27.20 (4:30.51 ht); 8 ANDREW RIDLEY GBR 4:27.48 (4:36.30 ht); 11 ADRIAN HAINES GBR 4:31.59 (4:28.93 ht). Hts: ROB McHARG 4:37.42; COLIN WILLIAMS 4:40.28

60H: 1 Y Le Mouel CAN 8.86. Hts: D Pye USA 8.41 (WR); BARRIE MARSDEN GBR 9.16
4200: 1 POL 1:40.39; 4 GBR 1:44:44
10kmW: 1 M Carvajal Ortega ESP 47:58; 2 DAVID ANNETTS GBR 48:22
TEAM: 1 ESP 2:43:12
HM: 1 P Poblocki POL 75:31
TEAM: 1 POL 3:55:27

M60:

200: 1 JOHN WRIGHT GBR 24.28 (WR) (24.93 SF, 26.00 ht); 2 P Carnier FRA 25.22; 4 MIKE VASSILOU GBR 26.20 (25.66 SF, 26.01 ht); 5 PAT LOGAN GBR 26.21 (25.55 SF, 25.95 ht). Semis: STUART LYNN GBR 26.94 (26.79 ht); PETER ILO GBR 26.99 (26.75 ht). Hts: PAUL GUEST GBR 26.88
1500: 1 DAVID CLARKE GBR 4:33.59 (UK rec, CBP) (4:50.11 ht); 2 H Eriksson SWE 4:34.31; 8 JOHN THOMSON GBR 4:49.50 (4:51.49 ht). Hts: JED TURNER GBR 5:02.42; ANDY GANNAWAY 5:10.29

60H: 1 V Zaniauskas LTU 9.34; 3 DES WILKINSON GBR 9.62 (9.46 ht); 4 NEIL TUNSTALL GBR 9.71 (9.72 ht); 6 GLEN REDDINGTON GBR 10.00 (9.96 ht); 8 IAN CRAWLEY GBR 10.67 (11.03 ht)
4200: 1 GBR (WRIGHT, LOGAN, VASSILIOU, ILO) 1:43.66; 2 USA 1:45.08
10kmW: 1 M Perianez Garcia ESP 49:56
TEAM: 1 ESP 2:41:56
HM: 1 I Kasprzak POL 75:57; 4 STEVE WATMOUGH GBR 80:56

TEAM: 1 POL 4:04:47; 5 GBR 4:30:31

M65:
200: 1 G Zorn GER 26.00 (25.87 SF). Semis: TENNYSON JAMES GBR 26.77 (27.07 SF)
1500: 1 PAUL FORBES GBR 4:43.43 (5:11.57 ht); 2 O Bernes NOR 4:55.94; 7 BRIAN GREEN GBR 5:03.62; 10 PETER MOUNTAIN GBR 5:23.46 (5:19.73 ht); ALASTAIR WALKER DQ (4:43.94) (5:22.43 ht)

60H: 1 W Musial POL 9.68; 2 TENNYSON JAMES 9.78 (10.07 ht). hts: BRIAN SLAUGHTER 10.38
4200: 1 POL 1:49.61; 4 GBR 2:01.95
10KmW: 1 E Alfieri ITA 54:18; 12 IAN TORODE GBR 68:22
TEAM: 1 ITA 2:59:24
HM: 1 J Kauppila FIN 81:37; 4 PAUL HUGHES GBR 85:38; 8 GAVIN BAYNE 87:57
TEAM: 1 UKR 4:19:31; 4 GBR 5:02:00

M70:

200: 1 M Kish USA 26.91 (26.72 ht); 2 SIMON BARRETT GBR 27.79 (27.63 SF); WALWYN FRANKLYN DNF (29.16 SF, 29.13 ht). Semis: ADRIAN ESSEX 29.87 (29.10 ht). Heats: DAVID HINDS GBR 29.53
1500: 1 J Gough IRL 5:13.84

60H: 1 T Wilson USA 9.73
TJ: 1 A Aartola FIN 10.05
4200: 1 GBR (FRANKLYN, HINDS, ESSEX, BARRETT) 1:54.14; 2 USA 1:54.95

10kmW: 1 J Camarena Lopez MEX 57:31; IAN RICHARDS GBR DQ
TEAM: 1 GER 3:15:18
HM: 1 C Stolwijk NED 1:29:51
TEAM: 1 ESP 4:59:36

M75:
200: 1 C Allie USA 28.43 (29.07 SF, 29.07 ht)
1500: 1 H Smeets NED 5:44.20; 2 G Patton USA 5:44.71

60H: 1 M Beliansky SVK 11.39 (10.92 ht)
PV: 1 V Cela LAT 3.02
TJ: 1 O Borg SWE 9.79
4200: 1 GER 2:10.99
10kmW: 1 E Formentin ITA 63:51
TEAM: 1 GER 3:45:59
HM: 1 L Lubenskiy EST 1:46:27; 4 GEOFF NEWTON GBR 1:51:38; 8 KEN BLACK GBR 2:10:52
TEAM: 1 GBR (NEWTON, BLACK, BRENNAN) 6:03:27; 2 POL 6:29:04

M80:
200: 1 ALLAN LONG GBR 32.51 (33.31 ht); 2 L Karlsson SWE 34.33; 4 ANTHONY TREACHER GBR 35.28 (34.39 ht)
1500: 1 J Esnault FRA 6:31.58; 9 BARRIE ROBERTS GBR 8:37.16
60H: 1 N Back SWE 13.86
4200: GER dq
PV: 1 E Korlko POL 2.20
TJ: 1 J Tennasilm EST 8.27; 2 LONG GBR 8.06
10kmW: 1 W Giese GER 71:03
HM: 1 K Trumper GER 1:56:50; 3 PHIL BRENNAN GBR 2:01:00
TEAM: 1 GER 6:02:19

M85:

200: 1 K Mey CAN 38.60
1500: 1 A Cano Alcolea ESP 8:19.50
60H: 1 P Makkonen FIN 14.10
PV: 1 Makkonen FIN 1.90
TJ: 1 J Johansen NOR 6.42
10kmW: 1 D Parrish 92:43
HM: 1 K Wittig GER 2:04:45
4200: 1 GER 3:01.92

M90:

200: 1 H Tanaka JPN 38.79
1500: 1 D Carr AUS 9:10.13

W35:

200: 1 S Wiss SWE 25.15 (25.15 ht); 2 STACEY DOWNIE 25.31 (25.34 ht); 4 JOANNE RYAN GBR 27.00 (26.71 ht)
1500: 1 S Michalak POL 4:31.95; 3 LAURA HAGGERTY GBR 4:45.22; 4 ALEXIS DODD GBR 4:49.08
60H: 1 N Chroudi TUN 8.84; 3 CATRIONA PENNET GBR 9.17
4200: 1 USA 1:49.78; 3 GBR (RYAN, HAGGERTY, DODD, RUTTER) 1:54.38
PV: 1 E Rossi SMR 3.20; 2 DASH NEWINGTON GBR 3.00
PEN: 1 N Chroudi TUN 3942; 2 NIABARI RUTTER 3261
3kmW: 1 E Varoquier FRA 58.26; 3 NEWINGTON GBR 65:10
TEAM: 1 POL 3:20:30
HM: 1 M Brzozowska POL 1:16:43
TEAM: 1 POL 4:47:49

W40:

200: 1 S Caravelli ITA 25.48; 3 LISA BOLAND GBR 25.85 (26.04 SF, 25.85 ht). in ht: CLAIRE SPURWAY GBR 27.60
1500: 1 B Bieganowska-Zajac POL 4:45.66; 4 ZOE DOYLE GBR 4:49.34
60H: 1 S Caravelli ITA 8.91
4200: 1 USA 1:48.40; 2 GBR (BOLAND, DOYLE, ALBROW, SPURWAY) 1:49.94
PV: 1 P Hidalgo-Fortes ESP 3.10; 4 GILLIAN COOKE GBR 2.90
PEN: 1 JODIE ALBROW GBR 3675; 2 M Figueroa CHI 3497
10kmW: 1 G Njue KEN 51:37
TEAM: 1 ESP 2:54:10
HM: 1 A Lund USA 77:54
TEAM: 1 USA 4:22:00

W45:
200: 1 A Gheorghiu ROM 25.89; SUE McLOUGHLIN GBR DNF (26.50 SF, 26.60 ht). Semi: YVETTE HENRY GBR 27.26 (27.67 ht). Ht: KAREN BURLES 26.48
1500: 1 M Leech IRL 5:02.79
60H: 1 M Hristova BUL 8.96
4200: 1 POL 1:50.37
PV: 1 B Capellini ITA 3.00; 2 STACEY GONZALEZ BETANCOURT GBR 3.00
PEN: 1 J Gartmann 4028
10kmW: 1 V Molnar-Birone HUN 52:29; 9 CAROLYN DERBYSHIRE 63:18
TEAM: 1 POL 3:06:09
HM: 1 A Gortel-Maciuk POL 75:30; 3 SIBEL RECBER LATCHMAN GBR 84:34
TEAM: 1 IRL 4:12:41; 2 GBR 4:18:36

W50:
200: 1 C Sanulli ITA 26.40
1500: 1 M Camps ESP 4:50.79
60H: 1 T Schilling GER 9.66; 2 PAULA WILLIAMS GBR 9.71 (9.79 ht)
4200: 1 AUS 1:54.21; 5 GBR 1:57.33
PV: 1 IRIE HILL GBR 3.10; 2 M Eskelinen FIN 3.00

PEN: 1 T Schilling GER 4528
10kmW: 1 A Savarese ITA 55:25
TEAM: 1 FRA 2:52:58
HM: 1 C McCourt IRL 1:24:40; 2 LISA FINLAY GBR 1:25:49; 4 JEANNIE BRADY GBR 1:28:16
TEAM: 1 POL 4:55:39

W55:
200: 1 J Brims AUS 26.92 (26.60 SF). Semis: JULIET SIDNEY 29.17 (29.20 ht); FIONA STEELE 30.03 (30.08 ht)
1500: 1 M Rohl USA 4:53.07; 3 S McDonald USA 5:08.88 (W60 WR); 5 ANNA CRITCHLOW GBR 5:20.82; E Trost GER DQ
60H: 1 P Bajeat FRA 9.75
4200: 1 USA 1:56:37
PV: 1 M Prat Grau ESP 2.80
PEN: 1 B Gahling GER 4219
10kmW: 1 K Bodorkos-Horvath HUN 55:44
TEAM: 1 POL 3:11:59
HM: 1 SUE McDONALD GBR 1:23:49; 2 CLARE ELMS GBR 1:24:40; 3 L Pushkina UKR 1:32:51
TEAM: 1 GBR (McDONALD, ELMS, PAYNE) 4:29:25; 2 GER 5:02:52

W60:
200: 1 N Alexis FRA 27.34 (WR) (27.70 SF WR)

1500: 1 E Pedroso ESP 5:32:29; 3 ELKE HAUSLER GBR 5:40.44; 5 CHRISTINE ANTHONY 5:45.60; 9 SHARYN RAMAGE GBR 6:06.85
60H: 1 M Escribano Checa ESP 10.46; 2 GAYE CLARKE GBR 10.85
4200: 1 GBR (MITCHELL, KELLY, MITUSCH, GARLAND) 2:08:47; 2 GER 2:19:58
PV: 1 B Van de Kamp NED 2.70; 3 ROSALIND ZEFFERTT GBR 2.10
PEN: 1 M Escribano Checa ESP 3910; 2 B Van de Kamp NED 3465
10kmW: 1 J Luniewska POL 62:26
TEAM: 1 ESP 3:19:54
HM: 1 M Slocum IRL 89:39; 2 I Clements IRL 90:13; 6 SUSAN PAYNE GBR 1:40:59
TEAM: 1 POL 5:02:29

W65:

200: 1 K Del Grande CAN 31.18 (World W70 rec); 2 CAROLINE POWELL GBR 31.20
1500: 1 ALISON BOURGEOIS GBR 6:02.59; 2 T Bernett USA 6:19.27
60H: 1 JANE HORDER GBR 10.00; 2 U Karneback SWE 11.97

4200: 1 GBR (BUCKWELL, ASHTON, HORDER, POWELL) 2:12.16; 2 USA 2:19.15
PV: 1 R Hanscom USA 2.20
PEN: 1 A Akkerman-Smits NED 3377; 3 JEANETTE ASHTON GBR 2984; 6 NICOLA BUCKWELL GBR 2699
10kmW: 1 J Flipsen CAN 61:54
TEAM: 1 CAN 3:16:53
HM: 1 C Kennedy USA 91:38; 2 P Moran IRL 93:51
TEAM: 1 USA 5:09:06

W70:
200: 1 A Micheletti ITA 33.68; 3 ANNE NELSON GBR 35.69 (35.95 ht)
1500: 1 E Westphal GER 6:47.15; 2 ROS TABOR GBR 7:08.97

60H: 1 E Piret FRA 12.07; 2 JEAN FAIL GBR 12.89; 3 CAROLINE MARLER GBR 12.96
4200: 1 GER 2:34.19; 2 GBR (McMAHON, AHMET, NELSON, MARLER) 2:34.35

PV: 1 U Ritte GER 2.30; 2 SUE YEOMANS GBR 2.20
PEN: 1 1 E Piret FRA 3537; 2 CAROLINE MARLER GBR 3421
10kmW: 1 M Orlete Mendes POR 62:38
TEAM: 1 USA 3:26:55
HM: 1 M Goettnauer GER 1:44:05; 6 JANE GEORGHIOU GBR 1:55:34

W75:
200: 1 I Meier GER 35.54
1500: 1 E Widelund SWE 7:41.13
60H: 1 G Rivenes NOR 14.53
4200: 1 USA 3:54.96
PEN: 1 C Joannes BEL 2653
10kmW: 1 A Tyshko UKR 69:26
HM: 1 M Nittel GER 2:03:44
TEAM: 1 GER 7:12:22

W80:

200: 1 1 R Dijkman NED 38.91; 2 KATHLEEN STEWART GBR 40.60
1500: 1 J Flores POR 8:35.14; 2 IRIS HORNSEY GBR 8:58.03
4200: 1 GBR (STEWART, HORNSEY, STRACEY, FRASER) 3:36.96
PV: 1 K Viitanen FIN 1.50
PEN: 1 V Holmberg FIN 1897
10kmW: 1 L Schickert AUS 89:53

W85:
200: 1 J Rosinska POL 54.87; 2 DOT FRASER GBR 57.14; 3 ELIZABETH FINLAY GBR 91.91

Mixed 4200 Relays
V35: 1 POL 1:36.99; 8 GBR 2:00.14
V40: 1 GER 1:37.68; 4 GBR 1:43.66
V50: 1 GER 1:45.25; 12 GBR 1:59.32
V55: 1 USA 1:47.15; 7 GBR 1:58.57
V60: 1 USA 1:53.30; 2 GBR 2:00.62
V65: 1 SWE 2:03.75
V70: 1 JPN 2:20.09; 4 GBR 2:34.38
V75: 1 USA 2:53.00
V80: 1 GBR (FERGUSON, HORNSEY, STEWART, LONG) 2:46.69; 2 FIN 3:01.28

MEDAL TABLE
1 POL 83 67 52
2 GER 74 73 87
3 USA 56 57 38
4 GBR 49 49 58
5 ESP 37 40 38
6 ITA 33 23 19
7 IRL 28 23 24
8 FIN 27 18 14
9 FRA 26 24 34
10 SWE 22 22 14
11 AUS 12 7 11
12 NED 11 9 11

Read about GB successes at 800m here

for details of Alastair Walkers world M65 10km record click here

Successful return for Brighton Marathon and impressive runs in Reading and Wales in our UK road race results round-up

BRIGHTON MARATHON & BM 10km, East Sussex

While marathon debutante Marshall Smith won the marathon comfortably enough for Ashford, there was an almighty dash for the line for the minor placings, Martin Duff reports.

For that, Will Langdons 2:36:15 just got it over Jack Pugh and Barney Reed as just a tick separated the three of them.

Smith said: When I started thinking about doing my first marathon, I decided it had to be in Brighton and Im glad I made that decision. The crowd was absolutely electric all the way around the course and they really got me through. In fact, it seemed the further into the race I got, the louder the cheers got. It was everything I thought the Brighton Marathon would be and more.

The womens section saw Helen Reid first home in 2:55:11 in a race that bills itself as Britains second biggest marathon. It had over 12,500 entries and over 7000 finished.

She said: It was a total surprise. I had a little injury coming into today so I was not expecting this. It was a great event with fantastic support.

The 10km held on a new course starting and finishing on Hove Lawns and a total of 2,744 people finished as Jack Kavanagh won in 31:04 from Kurtis Gibson but, in third, 48-year-old Kojo Kyereme ran 31:12, a performance that came after a couple of sub-15-minute road 5km races in Battersea under the lights.

I would have taken a top 10 finish today, said Kavanagh. My PB before today was 33:42 and I didnt know that time was in me. But its a course thats definitely suited for running personal bests. Its a great event with great views and great organisation.

Joelle Cortis, who hails from Malta, won the womens race in 35:45.

She said: It was definitely a bit colder here today than it is in Malta and my toes were freezing when I stood on the start line but I came here to the BM10K because it is a fast, flat course with good conditions to run. I also love coming to the UK so to win makes me very happy.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Brighton Marathon Weekend, said: When London Marathon Events took on the Brighton Marathon Weekend, we knew it was a special set of events but today has surpassed our expectations. The Brighton Marathon and BM10K are a true celebration of activity and this incredible city of Brighton.

To see so many people on the streets and at our new finish area at Hove Lawns, cheering on thousands of participants throughout the day, many of them raising crucial funds for charities, has been a special experience. We are already looking forward to how we can build on this and make the Brighton Marathon Weekend even more spectacular in future years.

Overall (26.2M):
1 M Smith (Ashf) 2:24:07; 2 W Langdon (L Goat) 2:36:15; 3 J Pugh 2:36:15; 4 B Reid 2:36:16; 5 A Finke (C&C) 2:36:44; 6 B Harrison (BMH) 2:36:55; 7 K Matsumoto 2:37:18; 8 K Seyed 2:37:36; 9 R Fryer (Ports) 2:37:39; 10 T Blunt 2:40:31

Women:
1 H Reid 2:55:11; 2 L Barnes (Harl) 2:56:10; 3 F Hughes (UTS, W35) 2;56:42

Overall (10km):
1 J Kavanagh (Holl Sp) 31:04; 2 K Gibson (THH) 31:10; 3 K Kyereme (SB, M45) 31;12; 4 C Rogers (FoT) 31:25; 5 U Altan (Belg) 31:25; 6 J Burgess (Lewes) 31:46

M50: 1 l Sida (Lewes) 35:56

M60: 1 S Mills (Uck) 35:50

Women:
1 J Cortis (MLT, W35) 35:45; 2 l Schofield (B&H, W50) 36:56; 3 L Lavender (Lewes) 37:08; 4 L Keep (Lewes) 37:10; 5 R Searle (Phoe) 37:15; 6 C Peers (Bmth) 37:40
W40: 1 L Rooney (Coll) 38:03

2wish Great Welsh Marathon Events Marathon and Half-Marathon, April 2

It was a glorious day with perfect race conditions at Wales first marathon road race of the year! Athletes gathered at Pembrey Country Park to take on both the half and full marathon distances. Hailed a great success, with both male and female records smashed in the marathon by Swansea Harriers, Blair McWhirter and Kelly Dicks. McWhirter set a new course record, shaving over 10 minutes off the quickest elite runner to date while Dicks became the first female to run the distance on the course in under three hours.

The half marathon results were also extraordinary, with previous record-holder Dewi Griffiths, beating his own time by almost five minutes, setting a new course record of 63:48. First female, Hannah Munday managed to beat last years half marathon record by over two minutes with a 86:36 time.

Men: Mar:
1 Blair Mcwhirter Swansea Harriers 2:28:48
2 Jack Pickett Wolverhampton & Bilston 2:30:12
3 Steffan Walker Sarn Helen 2:36:57

Women: Mar:
1 Kelly Dicks Great Western Runners 2:58:28
2 Joanna Callan 3:04:13
3 Rhiannon Baxter Stilton Striders 3:11:35

Men: HM:
1 Dewi Griffiths Swansea Harriers 63:48
2 Will Munday Swansea Harriers 71:26
3 Mark Thomas Crofty Ambrey RC 73:00

Women: HM:
1 Hannah Munday 86:36
2 Emma Baxter Swansea Harriers 87:08
3 Becky Nicholas 3M Gorseinon Road Runners 89:13

READING HALF-MARATHON, Berkshire, April 2

Ollie Lockley, who dominated his native Isle of Man Easter festival before the pandemic was somewhat outside his 63:02 best from 2019, a year when he was sixth here in 64:46, found 64:35 enough to win comfortably this time, Martin Duff reports.

Standards in the event are not as high as they were, but womens winner Naomi Mitchell showed that the local Reading club can still give the event a boost. The European Championship marathon runner ran 72:12 here to head Rebecca Murrays 72:39. It was her first outing since a 2:38:47 clocking in the Seville Marathon in mid-February.

Mitchell qualified for the 2022 European Championships with a second-place finish in the Manchester event when she ran her 2:30:54 best.

Further back, some veterans came good as James Baker, who is now up to 1056 lifetime race wins thanks to a dozen more parkrun outings, took the M45 class in 72:00 and Andrew Leach, who is second on the M55 all time list with 71:10 ran 73:44 here.

Overall:
1 O Lockley (Leeds) 64:35; 2 A Lawrence (VP&TH) 64:53; 3 B Alcock (Bed C) 65:08; 4 S Jamaal (Lon H) 66:25; 5 J Bromley (Buckley) 67:39; 6 A Miell-Ingram (Radley) 67:44; 7 A Gladley (WSEH) 68:15; 8 S Fox (Exe) 68:42; 9 A other 68:53; 10 N Kevern (Brack) 69:09

M40: 1 N Besson (Serp) 71:06; 2 J Cracknell (L Goat) 71:11

M45: 1 J Baker (Chich R) 72:00; 2 J Hunter (Leam) 72:42

M55: 1 A Leach 73:44

M60: 1 N Walker (Read) 88:40

M65: 1 S Butler 90:27

Women:
1 N Mitchell (Read) 72:12; 2 R Murray (Bed C) 72:39; 3 E Styles (Nun, W35) 75:31; 4 R Hughes (Leeds) 76:32; 5 I Pickett (Oxf C) 78:42; 6 V Wallace (Clap) 79:36; 7 M Gibson (Ealing E, W35) 79:59; 8 J Bjil (Candy) 81:01

W45: 1 K Sung (Mstone) 84:31

W50: 1 L Tait-Harris (BRAT) 86:47; 2 D Godwin (Mhead) 88:29; 3 E McDowell (Head RR) 89:37

PORT OF BLYTH 10km, April 2

Jordan Bell was  a narrow winner of the mens race in 32:18 while Sophie Marr won the womens event and was followed in by three W45 athletes led by Diane Foster.

Men:
1 Jordan Bell Blackhill Bounders 32:18
2 Alistair Douglass Morpeth H 32:32
3 Lewis Liddle Morpeth 32:33

Women:
1 Sophie Marr Tyne Bridge H 38:22
2 Diane Foster Tynedale H W45 38:49
3 Alison Dargie Tyne Bridge H W45 39:09
4 Stephanie Maclean-Dann North Shields P W45 39:34

LONDON LANDMARKS HALF-MARATHON, Westminster, April 2

David Smale came out on top of this race which attracted more than 15,000 entrants and claimed to be the only half to take in both the Cities of London and Westminster, Martin Duff reports.

The Southend 31-year-old was credited with a 73:33 gun to tape time, the same as second placed Ben Leaman but was given the nod over his quicker chip time, of 68:03.

This is a PB for Smale and also meant that womens winner Alice Neil also had a new best of 81:33.

Overall (chip times):
1 D Smale (Send) 68:03; 2 B Leaman (C&C) 68:06; 3 S Gardiner 72:09; 4 P Williams 72:29; 5 M Ginsberg 73:09; 6 J Esteban (M40) 74:14

M50: 1 D Easter 81:18

M55: 1 D Stevens 80:27

M60: 1 M Weintraub 88:30

M65: 1 I Thorn 96:18

M70: 1 A Alori 94:37

Women:
1 A Neil 81:33; 2 A Cleary 81:57; 3 B Shepherd 83:13

W40: 1 C Arroye 86:40

W50: 1 N Audlam-Gardiner (High) 94:30

W55: 1 S Harris (St Alb) 92:14

W60: 1 L Mead 96:02

BAILDON BOUNDARY WAY MT, Baildon, April 2

Overall (13.3M):
1 J Cummings (Ilkley) 81:03; 2 N Hardy (Staire) 86:43; 3 P Boynton (Horsf) 87:59; 4 C Walker (P&B, M50) 90:10; 5 R Herrington (St Ther) 90:51; 6 P Johnson (Barns H) 92:04; 7 N Edmondson (Horsf) 92:30; 8 P Weir (Staire) 92:47

M60: S Dunbar (Stire) 99:01

M65: K Brewster (Vall) 2:12:10

M70: D Leslie (Abbey) 2:14:11

Women:
1 H Hardaker (K&C, W45) 1:43:35; 2 J Roberts (Ilkley) 1:46:09; 3 S Harris (Vall, W40) 1:46:09; 4 N Jones (Bing, W40) 1:48:28; 5 N Walmsley (Rhay, W40) 1:53:54

W50: L Watson (Bing) 1:55:23

W55: T Watson (Ilkley) 2:07:50

W60: S Sunderland (Vall) 2:13:55

W65: H Love (Staire) 2:25:06

RAT RACE ULTRA TOUR OF ARRAN, Brodick, April 1-2

Overall (60M, age not declared):

1 T Jessop 10:24:41; 2 R Robinson 10:53:13; 3 P Avery 10:55:48; 4 D Silvester 11:40:42; 5 C Rhodes 11:46:46; 6 G Rawson 11:48:09

Women: 

1 J Szczepaniak 12:39:26; 2 S Attwood 13:33:02; 3 N Peckett 13:48:24; 4 C Hanson 14:26:56

SERPENTINE LAST FRIDAY 5km, MARCH 31

Men:
1 J Poole Serp M40 15:40; 2 A Greenleaf Win M40 15:44; 3 T Aldred Lon H M40 15:46

M55: 1 R Tomlinson M&M 17:52

M60: 1 S Corfield SoC 18:25

Women:
1 L Hall AFD 17:33; 2 R Vallance TVH 19:40; 3 A Cross THH 19:53

W55: 1 P Major S Lon 22:07; 2 L Thomas HW 22:57

CHICHESTER CORPORATE CHALLENGE, race 3, West Sussex, March 29

In a repeat of the opening race of the triple-header, Paul Navesey and Cassie Thorpe were back to winning ways.

Overall (4.5km):
1 P Navesey (Solent End) 13;41; 2 O Sumber (T Purser) 13:52; 3 C Walker-Powell 13:5olent) 13;59; 5 31; 4 M Roustael 13:57; 5 J White (Solent) 13:59; 6 W Campbell 14:00
Final standings (34.5km): 1 L Banner T Purser) 42:42

Women: 1 C Thorp (Solent) 15:06; 2 A Chaplin (Ports GS) 16:34; 3 A Brooks (T Purser) 16:39; 4 M Billins (T Purser) 16:48; 5 A Pirie (T Purser) 16:53; 6 E Muelas (Ports GS) 16:57
Final standings (34.5km): 1 Billins 50:02

INTER-SCHOOLS ROAD RUNNING CHALLENGE, race 3, Chichester, West Sussex, March 29

Oscar Reynolds notched up his third win in the senior boys competition.

Boys Year 9 & 10 (2.8km):
1 O Reynolds (Bfield) 8:35; B Ward (Ditcham) 9:03; 3 M Hill (B Luffa) 9:26

Year 7&8 (2.1km):
1 B Stewart (B Luffa) 6:37; 2 O Knipe (Cams H) 6:48; 3 L De Giovani (Churchers) 6:55

Boys Year 6 (1.6km):
1 J Tildersley (St Swithuns) 4:26; 2 O Cameron (Horndean) 4:27; 3 H Johnson (Kingsham) 4:57

Girls Year 9/10 (2.1km): 1 Smart (Oaklands) 6:47; 2 L Hellyer (Chich Free) 6:54; 3 C Jones (Meon) 6:58

Year 7/8: 1 C Oakley (Bohunt) 7:02; 2 A Klidjian (Royal) 7:10 3 E Hill (B Luffa) 7:31

Year 6 (1.6km): 1 t Shaw (St Johns) 5:01; 2 R Baker (St Judes) 5:02; 3 3 F Klepatz (Pfield) 5:13

HAVERING AC SPRING WARM UP OPEN, Hornchurch, April 2

U17 mixed events: HJ: B: 4 E Bailey (Bas, U17W) 1.65

Mixed events: 100: r9 (3.6): 1 J Ajayi (Have, U17) 10.90. 200: r10 (2.3): 1 J Ajayi (Have, U17) 22.49. 800: r5: 1 F McLaren (Have, U15) 2:04.75. 1500: r2: 1 F Rowe (Have, U15) 4:16.30; 9 J Barker (Have, M55) 4:48.42. PV: 1 L Williams (Have, M35) 3.50

Men: JT: 1 P Brinton-Quinn (Have) 66.06

U20: DT: 1 P McLean-Tattan (Have) 39.97

Women: 300H: 2 C Williams (Have, W35) 46.86

W35: 100H (2.1): 1 C Williams (Have) 14.51

LIVERPOOL HARRIERS & AC OPEN MEETING, Liverpool, April 2

U13 mixed events: HJ: 1 G Taylor (Liv PS, U13W) 1.40

Men: 400H: 1 R Yates (Traff, M35) 54.61

Mixed events: 3000: 6 H Cross (Liv H, U15W) 10:01.14; 7 V Teare (Liv H, U15W) 10:51.48

U20: 2000SC: 1 T Manton (Stock H) 6:23.68

U17: 100 (1.2): 1 V Analogbei (Liv H) 11.15

U13: 75H (0.9): 1 R Horton (Moorf) 12.58; 2 J Husain (Wirr) 12.78

Women: 200 (2.0): 2 N McGhee (Liv H, U20) 24.90

U20: 400H: 1 K Dacosta (Bburn, U17) 65.09

U17: 300H: 1 M Pugsley (Shrews) 47.32

U15: 300: r1: 1 R Phillips (Wirr) 42.35

U13: 75: r1 (1.7): 1 G Taylor (Liv PS) 10.29. JT: 1 K Badrock (Liv H) 25.59

PLYMOUTH SPRING WARM UP, Plymouth, April 2

U13 mixed events: 600: 1 I Bater (N Dev, U13W) 1:47.61

Mixed events: 100: r12 (-2.7): 3 N Cookson (Vegan, M55) 12.01. 3000: 3 P Quinn (Torb, U15W) 10:02.86. LJ: 1 T Wright (Taun, U17) 6.49. SP: 1 C Edwards (Ply, W35) 10.88. JT: 1 B Prout (Ply, M60) 35.55

Men: SP: 1 F Zamparelli (Corn) 13.31

U17: 100H (-2.5): 1 J Taylor (Torb) 13.73

Women: 400H: 1 H Ulvede (N Abb, U20) 64.67. DT: 1 N Evans-Shields (Ply, U17) 41.86. HT: 1 H Gellatly (Ply) 47.78

U17: 300H: 1 P Northcott (Ply) 45.99. HT: 1 P Milburn (Tav) 49.16

TRAFFORD MEDAL MEETINGS, Stretford, April 2

U13 mixed events: 75: r1: 1 E Anwyl (Sale, U13W) 10.15. 150: r1: 1 E Anwyl (Sale, U13W) 20.14

U17: 300: r1: 1 N LeGall (Wirr, U17W) 40.61; 2 E Bibby (Wirr, U15W) 42.31

Mixed events: 100: r7 (0.1): 5 Q Nguta (Prest, U17W) 12.21. r8 (1.5): 3 N LeGall (Wirr, U17W) 12.20

Men: 400: 1 G Kelly (Jag) 48.61

U15 girls: 75H: r1: 1 G Aimiuwu (Traff) 11.67. HT: 1 M Casey (Liv PS) 37.34

U13: 70H: 1 J Seddon (Traff) 11.36. SP: 1 R Kingston (Leeds C) 9.42

WINCHESTER & DISTRICT AC SEASON OPENER, Winchester, April 2

Mixed events: 100: r1 (3.3): 4 M West (Win, W70) 15.73; 5 M Applegate (Salis, M70) 15.76. r8 (1.7): 1 I Walkey (Yate, U17W) 12.14. 200: r1 (1.7): 4 M West (Win, W70) 33.05. r7 (1.1): 1 I Lowe (Guern, U17W) 25.27. r8 (1.3): 4 I Walkey (Yate, U17W) 25.09. 300: r1: 1 C Poore (Win, U15W) 41.89; 2 C Johnson (New FJ, U15W) 42.75. r2: 3 L Bertacchini (Win, U15W) 41.07. 800: r5: 2 D Hodgson (Guern, U17W) 2:15.79. r6: 2 A Mann (Win, U20W) 2:11.89. r7: 3 T Smales (Win, M40) 2:05.80. 1500: r2: 2 S Lewis (Win, W35) 4:59.19. r3: 3 A Mann (Win, U20W) 4:26.94. 3000: 4 L Brenton (Soton, W35) 10:28.44; 6 D Williams (G&G, M60) 10:40.15; 8 V Gill (Win, W40) 10:54.64. LJ: A: 1 S Deol (Read, U13W) 4.82. C: 4 G Osman (Win, U15W) 5.37. HT: 1 F Brennand (B&H, U20W) 42.85. JT: B: 1 J Larsen (Soton, U20W) 41.76; 2 O Boon (Yate, U15) 41.07

Men: HT: 1 S Clifton (Win) 51.20

M50: DT: 1 P Evans (Woking) 37.82; 2 J Clifton (Win) 35.36

Women: DT: 1 E McBriar (Win, U17) 34.01; 2 M Hewitt (Chelm, U15) 30.13. JT: B: 1 J Howells (Win, U17) 37.31

U20: 100H (2.5): 1 G Colmer (Win) 15.05

U17: SP: B: 1 M Hewitt (Chelm, U15) 12.44

U15: 75H (3.0): 1 G Osman (Win) 11.74; 2 L Bertacchini (Win) 11.77

BASINGSTOKE & MID HANTS OPEN, Basingstoke, April 1

U17 men: HT: 1 S Simpson (Team K) 40.43

U17 women: 100: r2 (2.0): 1 I Marshall (B&B) 12.46. 200: r2 (1.8): 1 S Kidd (B&B) 25.45. 80H (0.9): 1 S Kidd (B&B) 11.82. LJ: 1 S Kidd (B&B) 5.53

U15: 300: 1 G Sikora (Brack) 41.54; 2 L Metcalfe (Read) 41.65

U13: LJ: 1 M Mosko (Woking) 4.37; 2 L Gray (And) 4.35

BURY AC SPRING THROWS EVENT, Bury, April 1

Men: SP: C: 1 G Pell (Scunt, M50) 12.65. DT: C: 1 N Wedderman (Liv H) 44.98; 2 R Bate (Traff, M40) 35.71. HT: C: 1 R Bate (Traff, M40) 45.93

U15: DT: A: 1 B Roberts (Prest) 36.11. HT: A: 1 A Dodds (Bolt) 37.89

M50: DT: D: 1 G Pell (Scunt) 37.91

Women: SP: D: 1 J Bate (Traff, W40) 10.71. DT: E: 1 J Bate (Traff, W40) 35.61. HT: D: 1 A Leigh (Bburn) 48.19; 2 J Richardson (Sale, U20) 44.75; 3 J Bate (Traff, W40) 39.84; 4 C Bird (Macc, W35) 38.52

U17: DT: B: 1 B Pendlebury (Traff, U15) 32.37. HT: B: 1 J Wilkins (Traff, U15) 39.79; 2 M Casey (Liv PS, U15) 35.17. JT: B: 1 L Oldale (Sale) 36.95

HARROW SPRING THROWS & JUMPS, Harrow, April 1

Mixed events: PV: 1 T Splain (WSEH, U20) 4.20; 2 E Cowan (Unatt) 4.20; 2 G Hopkins (Woking) 4.20; 5 I Turner (Dac, U17W) 3.30; 7 L Jervis-Allan (WSEH, U17W) 3.10

Men: SP: 1 H Lord (Sale) 13.31. DT: A: 2 M Plowman (Yeov O, M35) 48.78; 3 B Acton (Burt) 41.72. DT: B: 3 D Burrell (Lut, M55) 30.75. HT: 1 D Burrell (Lut, M55) 36.28. JT: A: 1 D Sketchley (Harrow, M45) 52.64. JT: A: 1 T Ratcliffe (Dac, M55) 47.14. JT: B: 1 H Smith (Dac, U13) 36.12

Women: DT: A: 1 E Beardmore (Harrow, W35) 43.86; 2 Z Acton (Burt) 35.92. HT: 1 A Merritt (NEB) 55.39; 2 E Beardmore (Harrow, W35) 47.27. JT: A: 1 E Dibble (Harrow) 48.06; 2 R Chivers (Mil K) 37.28. JT: A: 1 P Radford (Dac, U17) 36.33

SOUTH LONDON ATHLETICS NETWORK EARLY SEASON OPEN, Carshalton, April 1

Mixed events: 300: r1: 1 P Phillips (Herne H, M35) 36.61. r3: 3 E Rennie (Herne H, U15W) 42.37. 400: r2: 7 V Radcliffe (Herne H, W45) 64.13. 3000: 9 D Ogden (S Lon, M60) 11:04.72. HJ: 1 S Thompson Moodley (Herne H, U15) 1.75; 4 D Norman (E&E, W45) 1.45

W40 women: 80H (-0.3): 1 D Norman (E&E, W45) 12.87; 2 A Ulewicz (Sutt, W45) 15.72

North Isle of Man AC athlete takes down mark from 1993 as Jarlath McKenna claims the mens title

Eilish McColgan wasnt the only runner breaking British records on the road this weekend (April 2), as Adrian Stott reports.

Sarah Webster, North Isle of Man AC, in her debut at the distance, recorded 7:03:40 at the Anglo Celtic Plate 100km event, that incorporated the annual Home countries International, held at Craigavon in Northern Ireland. This was an astonishing 23 minute improvement on the time of 7:27:19 set by Carolyn Hunter-Rowe, when winning the World Championship 100km in Torhout, Belgium in 1993.

The event also included the British Athletics 100km Championship and the national championships of Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland and Ulster.

BRITISH RECORD ALERT Sarah Webster In winning @BritishAthletics 100km champs in a time of 7:03:40, broke Carolyn Hunter-Rowes time of 7:27:19 from 1993. Also 5th best world All time. TBC pic.twitter.com/jkfoPqY70u

Adrian Stott (@TaritTweets) April 2, 2023

In a strong mens field, Northern Irelands Jarlath McKenna of Bristol and West AC, was a popular home winner of the mens championship. Pre-race favourites, Northern Irelands Gareth King and Englands Ollie Garrod, were prominent in a small group that included McKenna in the early stages.

Approaching half-way, GB international King upped the pace and only fellow British teammate, Garrod stayed with him.

King looked strong and was drawing away from Garrod and looking on course for a sub-six hour 30 minute time.

Those familiar with 100km racing know full well that after 40 miles, the real racing starts and things can, and often do, change quickly.

Approaching 75 km, King pulled up with a knee issue that forced him to drop out .

This left Garrod in the lead with five laps of the approximate 5km course to cover and also looking good for a sub 6:30 time. The Belgrave athlete then experienced his own issues and started slowing very quickly.

Possibly still feeling the effects of his phenomenal world 40 mile record the previous month, he was overtaken by a few of the runners chasing him. McKenna, from being four minutes behind Garrod at 80km, found himself in the lead by a minute at 85km.

Behind him, Swanseas Daniel Rothwell and Cambridge and Coleridges Jo Turner were in a battle for the silver and bronze medals.

It was Turner that eventually prevailed, taking second place in 6:41:06, over two minutes ahead of Swanseas Rothwell who ran 6:43:25.

Rothwell had the satisfaction of setting a new Welsh record. He cut it fine, beating the time of 6:43:55 set by fellow Swansea Harrier Trevor Hawes, set at Nottingham in 1989, by a mere 20 seconds. Garrod despite continuing to slow, hung on to finish in 8th in 6:58:10.

In a continued sign of the resurgence of the quality over 100km, nine men dipped under seven hours, improving on the seven men in last years championships in Perth.

MENS PODIUM @BritAthletics 100km champs Craigavon NI.
1Jarlath McKenna @Bristolwestac 6.37.19
2. Jo Turner Cambridge & Coleridge 6:41:06
3.Daniel Rothwell Swansea 6:43:25
McKenna moves to 6th on GB AT 100k list Rothwell to 9th TBC
Rothwell new @WelshAthletics recordTBC pic.twitter.com/Qqk4UZjF6o

Adrian Stott (@TaritTweets) April 2, 2023

McKenna now sits sixth on the GB all-time list with Turner in ninth and Rothwell in 13th.

In the womens championship, the margin of record setting was nothing short of phenomenal.

In a stunning display of committed running, Sarah Webster bravely committed from the start.

While some experienced observers, on appreciating the speed of her early laps splits, were voicing concerns that she just would not be able to sustain this pace, others were content to see her continue lap after lap.

Between three and four laps to go, it was obvious barring a disaster, that the British womens record would go. People were even wandering if Northern Ireland was about to see only the third woman in history to run under seven hours for 100km.

A noticeable slowing in the last two laps though took Websters finishing time out to 7:03:40.

In addition to shattering the British record, it is the second fastest time ever by a European, behind Dominika Stellmachs 6:53:20, and the fifth fastest all-time ever by a female athlete.

Over an hour behind her there was a race going on for the other womens podium placings.

WOM PODIUM @scotathletics 100k champs 2023
1 Emma Murray. JSKintore centre
2 Amanda Woodrow L
@EdinburghAC
3.Catherine. Cowie R Portobello RC pic.twitter.com/UBLk6Fr7y1

Adrian Stott (@TaritTweets) April 2, 2023

Scotlands Emma Murray had worked her way steadily up to second place ahead of Irelands Pat McLaughlin, while Northern Irelands Karla Borland was also involved in the mix.

Over the closing laps, McLaughlin stayed strong to comfortably take second place in 8:19:25.

Murray and Borland ended up almost in a sprint finish, Borland winning by 10 seconds with 8:26:26 to 8:26:36. With McLaughlin ineligible for the GB championships, this left Borland and Murray in silver and bronze medal positions.

McLaughin took the Irish womens title, Borland the Northern Ireland and Ulster title and Murray the Scottish title.

For the men, Ciaran McGoniagle finished seventh and claimed the Irish title. Dougie Selman, in fifth, got the Scottish crown with McKenna taking the Northern Ireland and Ulster title.

In the Anglo Celtic Plate home countries team competition, England comfortably beat Scotland and Ireland taking silver and bronze respectively. In the womens team, Scotland had a close tussle with Northern Ireland, eventually winning out by a small seven minute interval.

Anglo Celtic Plate Home Countries team Competition

Mens Competition

England  21:00:54

Scotland  21:19:57

Ireland    22:01:57

Womens Competition

Scotland  25:58:39

Northern Ireland  26:06:51

*Only two full womens team finished

Womens Individual Competition

Sarah Webster  Isle of Man    7:03:40

Karla Borland   Springwell AC 8:26:26

Emma Murray   JSKintore       8:26:36

Mens Individual Competition

Jarlath McKenna Bristol & West    6:37:19

Joseph Turner    Cambridge & Coleridge  6:41:06

Daniel  Rothwell    Swansea Harriers 6:43:25