The British pair struck NCAA indoor gold in March and are making the most of the land of opportunity

Making the decision to travel to the US and spend years honing your craft, away from family and friends, is not an easy one to make. Imagine being that apprehensive teenager who finishes school, lands in a new city and has to get to know new people in another country not to mention perform well in their chosen sport.

On the surface, its a daunting prospect but its a path which has been trodden by a number of British athletes over the years, who go there to sample the high levels of competition and experience facilities which far exceed whats on offer in the UK. Its not a recipe which works for everyone, of course, but Yusuf Bizimana and Amber Anning look right at home.

The British duo were gold medallists at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico (March 10-11).

The 22-year-old Bizimana finished second to Navasky Anderson in the mens 800m final, but was promoted to first place after the Jamaican was disqualified. That meant he became the first Briton since Josh Kerr in 2018 to win an NCAA individual indoor title, having also run a personal best of 1:46.02.

Anning, also 22, was part of the Arkansas 4x400m foursome alongside Joanne Reid, Rosey Effiong and Britton Wilson which obliterated the NCAA record with 3:21.75 and set the fastest indoor 4x400m time in history, bettering the world record of 3:23.37 set by Russia in 2006.

In the process, Anning recorded the fifth-quickest indoor anchor leg ever, with 51.47.

It was the title I always dreamed about winning before I set foot in the US, says Bizimana, who is going to study for a major in advertising at the University of Texas alongside his track career. I set my goals really high and I know, deep down, if I give everything I have to achieve those things and surround myself with the right people, why not me?

The reason why I left home was to become an NCAA champion. I completed the mission and it felt so good. It wasnt the way that I wanted to win as I wanted to go crazy across the line. In that race, Id gone to a place that Id never been to before.

Inspired by Kerr, who won an Olympic 1500m bronze medal in Tokyo just three years after his NCAA title victory, Bizimana is grateful for the high-level competition the US college scene provides.

He [Kerr] was killing it in the NCAAs and coming back and making the [British] team, Bizimana adds. I liked that kind of route. The times set here are winning championships. I want to be a part of that. I could have stayed in London but I knew what I wanted and I had to move to the USA to compete with the best every week.

Such high-level competition across the NCAA circuit means that athletes are recording times that would be enough to win a BUCS title in the UK but wouldnt make a podium in a US university/college level event.

For example, Annings personal best of 50.68 was the quickest by a British athlete in 22 years but her Arkansas team-mates Wilson and Effiong, plus Talitha Diggs and Irish star Rhasidat Adeleke, have all gone faster over 400m on the NCAA circuit just this year.

It didnt even feel that fast, Anning tells AW, reflecting on Arkansas record-breaking relay. That [the strength in depth in talent] is one of the reasons why I came to America and why my mum pushed me to come here.

Its tough but it just raises your mentality. I think sometimes you can get too comfortable with who you are so its nice that Im not always the fastest and Ive got to go out and improve myself all the time. It just builds a different confidence in you.

Training with people like Britt [Wilson] is inspiring because Im running with someone who ran the second-fastest time ever indoors [49.48] and a couple of months ago it would have been the world record. To see how she trains on a regular basis pushes all of us. To have that kind of group at our age is incredible.

Anning, who is studying operations management and is aiming to do a major in public relations and advertising, understands the significance of academia alongside athletic pursuits.

There is also an awareness that the US set-up provides an opportunity to grow a wider profile via social media. In an age where sponsorship deals and potential income are related to your digital presence, on top of performance, the duo have realised they have to capitalise.

Given NCAA track and field athletes can now use NIL deals Name, Image and Likeness agreements which essentially means students can profit from their image those who compete on the circuit are able to build large followings.

So many people who arent even track fans have commented on my clothing, Bizimana says, when asked about posting images of himself turning up to track meetings in suits. That includes brands who have reached out about partnerships in fashion. So I was like cool, just me wearing suits gets exposure?

In the UK, its very hard to do that. In the US, that system is already in place and you just have to perform to get that. If I was to do this in the UK they might even think I was going too far and theres stigma attached to self-promotion.

Imagine turning up in a suit at Lee Valley? I would do that. I dont care because this is what people want to see and its what makes our sport more interesting. Its what creates the hype.

Anning agrees with that assessment and regrets not starting up a vlog when she first arrived on a scholarship at LSU [Louisiana State University] in 2020, before moving to Arkansas last year.

I tell my friends back at home, youve got to start posting more, she adds. It might be cringeworthy or cheesy but to be honest you have to cater towards your fans. Theyre not following you because theyre concerned about what you look like, they care about track and wonder how you train and what you eat.

Building your image is critical and starting off doing this stuff is super important. Youve got to take advantage of everything that is out there and social media is something I need to be aware of more as you can maximise your image doing so.

It hasnt all been easy for the pair who left south London to pursue their dreams. Both Bizimana and Anning state they have come off a tough couple of years which included homesickness, self-doubt and questioning their decisions. There is a desire, however, to repay those who helped them to make the leap.

The long-term goal for both is the Paris 2024 Olympics but a more immediate focus is the chance to win titles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Texas in early June.

My family and quite a few people are coming out to it, Bizimana says. Ive got to focus on whats in front of me and right now its not about making teams or Diamond Leagues just yet.

Anning, meanwhile, is targeting a place on the British 400m and 4x400m team at the World Championships in Budapest and wants to nail down the qualifying mark of 51.00 her outdoor best is 51.78 in the US.

Her ultimate aim is to break Christine Ohuruogus British 400m record of 49.41, which would be fitting as both were coached by the late Lloyd Cowan.

Next year is a big one, says Anning. I just think track hasnt been exciting for me over the past couple of years and now Im around people who have those similar goals to me, it pushes you on to want greatness.

Watch world-class pole vault and long jump action in Austria on Wednesday June 7

Innsbruck is not only hosting the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships this week but it also plays host to the Golden Roof Challenge on Wednesday (June 7).

This street athletics event features pole vaulters like Austin Miller and Matt Ludwig from the United States, with Yana Hladiyuck of Ukraine in the womens vault.

Paralympic world record-holder Markus Rehm of Germany is in the mens long jump with Cheswill Johnson of South Africa among others, while Agate de Sousa of São Toméan and Quanesha Burks of the United States are in the womens long jump.

LIVE: 06:30 pm (CET) till approx. 10:00 pm (CET) 

Austrian mountain runner wins gold on home turf in the uphill-only womens race at this weeks World Champs as Patrick Kipngeno claims mens title

Roared on by her home crowd, Andrea Mayr of Austria claimed her seventh world mountain running title in the uphill-only race in Innsbruck-Stubai.

The 43-year-old overcame the challenge of Philaries Jeruto Kisang of Kenya to triumph in 48:14 over a picturesque but gruelling course where athletes were flanked at times by Alpe dHuez-style crowds of supporters on the first day (June 7) of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.

Kisang led Kenya to team gold as she finished just over half a minute behind Mayr. Grayson Murphy, a former world mountain running champion from the United States won individual bronze, while Scout Atkin, in eighth, led Britain to team bronze medals.

Defending champion Allie McLaughlin of the United States pushed the pace to begin with in the village of Neustift in Stubai and the lead then changed a few times in the early stages of a 7.1km race that featured 1020m of ascent. But with McLaughlin dropping back to eventually finish 13^th, Mayr made her move on a narrow section through forest and the Austrian athlete built a half-minute advantage.

Kisang fought back on a flatter, faster section and re-took the lead just before the final climb but Mayr kept in touch and as they hit the final steep few hundred metres she reeled her in and passed her, with the exhausted Kisang reduced to a walk as they approached the finish at the Elferhütte a brutal climb that involved 220m of climbing in the final 700 metres.

Mayrs varied background includes winning the Vienna Marathon in 2009 in 2:30:43, whereas she has also competed internationally in the steeplechase on the track, mountain biking and has even won the Empire State Run-Up event in the past.

I knew that the race would start for me as soon as we hit the steep section, said Mayr. I felt great and took the lead early on. Knowing that I was being chased pushed me.

The flatter passages are not my forte, which is why I was overtaken by the Kenyan. The atmosphere along the finishing straight was amazing with so many people, my family among them, were there to cheer me on. The final steep passage was extremely tough but I am overjoyed to have won.

While Adkin was top Brit home, Emma Pooley, the British-born and Cambridge University-educated endurance athlete, was 11^th representing Switzerland.

The mens race was clearcut with Patrick Kipngeno, the defending champion from Kenya, winning by a minute and a half from Ugandan Levi Kiprotich as Josphat Kiprotich of Kenya was third.

Kiriago Philemon of Kenya was the early leader but Kipngeno stamped his authority on the race at around the halfway mark as he cruised away from his rivals.

Joe Steward was the top Brit home in eighth place as the team placed seventh.

Women: 1 Andrea Mayr (AUT) 48:14; 2 Philaries Jeruto Kisang (KEN) 48:51; 3 Grayson Murphy (USA) 49:22; 4 Laura Hottenrott (GER) 49:56; 5 Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (KEN) 49:59; 8 Scout Adkin (GBR) 51:39; 20 Sara Willhoit (GBR) 52:58; 23 Phillipa Williams (GBR) 53:19; 24 Kate Avery (GBR) 53:39

Team: 1 Kenya (17 points); 2 Germany (33); 3 Great Britain (51 points)

READ MORE: Innsbruck-Stubai preview

Men: 1 Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) 40:18; 2 Levi Kiprotich (UGA) 41:50; 3 Josphat Kiprotich (KEN) 42:04; 4 Eliud Cherop (UGA) 42:16; 5 Joseph Gray (USA)  42:32; 8 Joe Steward (GBR) 43:02; 22 Jacob Adkin (GBR) 44:35; 32 Chris Richards (GBR) 45:50; 50 Andrew Douglas (GBR) 47:57

Team: 1 Kenya (11 points); 2 Uganda (21); 3 Switzerland (45)

Controversy in Edinburgh with disappointed masters losing out on record chances plus news of Assembly league and Yorkshire Masters event in our latest UK road and multi-terrain round-up

BLAST SCOTTISH MILE (INC BMAF Championships, Edinburgh, June 4

World masters 1500m champion David Proctor, a 1:50.35 800m performer last year, was clearly the fastest male master with 4:16 though relative youngster Finlay Murray was quicker with 4:12 in the open race.

The open race also provided the fastest woman with German Margot Wyrwoll quickest with 5:07.

The fastest master woman was W35 Laura Haggarty with 5:10.

The event controversially switched directions to make the most of the following wind and being point to point was ineligible for record purposes although the BMAF incorrectly listing Fiona Mathesons time from the event last year, which was publicised by the organisers, led some to believe that records could be set.

W60 Matheson went faster this year with 5:24 to finish almost 200 metres clear of Lucy Woolhouse but the UK masters record remains just 6:06.

Also missing out on a record were M55 Andrew Ridley, who ran 4:35 compared to John Thomsons 4:48. Thomson won the M60 race here in 5:13, well inside Nigel Gates 5:20 record.

Also missing out on a record was W75 Angela Copson who ran 6:57 compared to Anne Martins 7:39.

M70 Ed Norton (5:34) was another to miss out and like many of the other gold medallists would have bettered the previous record (5:47) even if the course had been out and back.

M35-40
1 David PROCTOR 4:16 V35
2 Darrell HASTIE 4:18 V40
3 Grant BAILLIE 4:24 V40
4 Iain WHITAKER 4:28 V40
5 Scott MACLEOD 4:28 V35
6 William EWENS 4:29 V35
7 John LENEHAN 4:31 V35
8 Colin WELSH 4:37 V40
9 David SCOTT 4:44 V35
10 Richard OGRADY 5:03 V40

M45-50
1 Neil LAFFERTY 4:32 V45
2 Philip HOLDEN 4:36 V45
3 Malcolm LANG 4:39 V45
4 Allan CAMERON 4:40 V50
5 Gordon BARRIE 4:43 V50
6 John COYLE 4:47 V50
7 Alan CUNNINGHAM 4:48 V50
8 Tim HELY 4:49 V50
9 Justin DURHAM 4:57 V45
10 Brent BRODIE 4:58 V50

M55-60
1 Andrew RIDLEY 4:35 V55-1
2 Stephen ALLEN 4:38 V55-2
3 Adrian HAINES 4:55 V55-3
4 David CLARKE 4:59 V60-1
5 Rob ANDREW 5:01 V60-2
6 Graeme GEMMELL 5:06 V55
7 Greg PENN 5:07 V60-3
8 Russell PARKIN 5:10 V60
9 Walter HENDERSON 5:12 V55
10 David THOM 5:14 V60

M65 plus
1 John THOMSON 5:13 V65-1
2 Ed NORTON 5:34 V70-1
3 Dave WATSON 5:35 V65-2
4 Nick HOLLIDAY 5:37 V65-3
5 Gavin BAYNE 5:46 V65
6 David NICHOLSON 5:48 V65
7 Peter KENNEDY 5:53 V70-2
11 Brian HOWIE 6:52 V70-3
14 Ian BARNES 8:47 V85-1

W35-45
1 Laura HAGGARTY 5:10 V35-1
2 Jacqueline ETHERINGTON 5:31 V40-1
3 Sarah LITTLE 5:37 V45-1
4 Katie MITCHELL 5:39 V45-2
5 Louise TORR 5:39 V35-2
6 Jennifer BEATTIE 5:41 V40-2
7 Jennifer MACLEAN 5:45 V45-3
8 Leanne CALDER 5:49 V40-3
9 Sue ELLEN 6:02 V35-3

W50-55
1 Sharon DIXON 5:28 V50-1
2 Mary SENIOR 5:32 V50-2
3 Julie MENZIES 5:36 V50-3
4 Julia JOHNSTONE 5:43 V50
5 Hilary CARSWELL 5:47 V50
6 Julie WILSON 5:50 V55-1
7 Jane HALLORAN 05:53 V50
8 Karen DOBBIE 5:59 V55-2
9 Catherine FERRY 6:15 V50
10 Carol CLARKE 6:24 V55-3

W60 +
1 Fiona MATHESON 5:24 V60-1
2 Lucy WOOLHOUSE 6:08 V60-2
3 Sarah GILL 6:19 V60-3
4 Sharyn RAMAGE 6:24 V60
5 Kathryn MORTON 6:25 V65-1
6 Karen MCALLISTER 6:40 V60
7 Dorothy KESTERTON 6:48 V70-1
8 Frances WOOD 6:49 V60
9 Angela COPSON 6:57 V75-1
10 Linden NICHOLSON 7:00 V70-2
11 Erica CHRISTIE 7:06 V65-2

Open Mixed:
1 Finlay MURRAY 4:12 SNR
2 Lewis RODDIS 4:26 YTH
3 Sparrow John MORLEY 4:29 SNR
4 Fraser KELLY 4:31 SNR
5 Jack FULLERTON 4:34 SNR
6 Patryk KASPEREK 4:47 SNR
7 Jonah CUMINGS 4:52 SNR
8 Blair GEDDES 4:54 SNR
9 Francisco CAMACHO 4:55 SNR
10 Luke SMITHSON 4:59 SNR
13 Margot WYRWOLL 5:07 SNR-1W
15 Merce SANCHEZ OLLER 5:09 SNR-2W
22 Blake BURCHILL 5:28 Under11
25 Morag MCCLELLAND 5:34 SNR-3W

CREWKERNE 10km, Somerset, June 4

Overall: 1 W Loveridge (Chard) 34:53; 2 S Dixon (High, M40) 35:29; 3 G Davies (SWRR) 36:16

M70: 1 J Shapland (Bide) 44:14

Women:
1 S Trim (R Time, W40) 43:19; 2 J Carritt (High, W45) 43:55; 3 G Wood 44:40

W65: 1 E Wood (Axe V)

JUBILEE BRIDGE 10km, Runcorn, Cheshire, June 4

Overall:
1 C Hannon (St Hel) 34:16; 2 R Fowles (Bury, M40) 34:34; 3 T Fair (Liv PS) 35:00

M50: 1 I Low (Osw) 36:33

M55: 1 A SAtorey 38:36

M70: 1 M Walker (Sport W) 45:20

Women:
1 L Fisher (W35) 36:41; 2 L Young (Marsh L) 38:42; 3 K Butler (W35) 41:14

W55: 1 J Hickman (W Chesh) 46:09

MARHAM FLYERS DAMBUSTERS COMMEMORATION 10km, Norfolk, June 4

Overall:
1 H Tawell 35:31; 2 M Sladden (Wym) 36:18; 3 M Stockdale (Ryst) 36:33

Women:
1 L Finch (Norw) 37:41; 2 L McDonnell (Wym, W40) 39:07; 3 M Brown (3 Counties) 42:45

W55: 1 L Benstead (Ely) 44:03

WEYBRIDGE RACES, SURREY, June 4

Ollie Garrod, the world 40-mile record holder, collected the leading prize in both the 5km and half-marathon categories.

Overall (13.1M): 1 O Garrod (Belg) 71:34; 2 B Devlin 75:24; 3 B Pickford (Clap) 79:20

Women: 1 H Hawken 87:24; 2 L Turnbull (On Run Ayles, W35) 90:14; 3 A Edwards (Shepperton, W35) 95:59

Overall (10km): 1 M Cryer (M40) 34:43; 2 B White 35:34; 3 D Barnicoat (M45) 35:36

Women: 1 M Pepin 38:59; 2 C Baxter 39:44; 3 E Morton (Shepp, W40) 45:59

Overall (5km): 1 O Garrod (Belg) 16:04; 2 W Cullen 16:38; 3 K McQueen 16:44

Women: 1 F Leach 19:26; 2 C Britain (W40) 23:10; 3 G James 25:10

YORKSHIRE VETERANS ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS, Holmfirth, North Yorkshire, June 4

A new course at Cartworth Moor proved popular as 83 teams completed the three-stage event, split across nine age groups, Martin Duff reports.

There was a five-year M35 age group which attracted 12 teams and Barnsley, who had their middle runner Scott Hinchcliffe, the county vets cross-country champion for the past two years, post the fastest leg of the day at 14:46, in their victory.

City of Leeds were champions of the traditional M40-49 age group, with their Mike Burrett, the England Masters cross-country international, quickest with 15:33, albeit sharing the time with Simon Courtney of Stadium Runners.

St Theresas led from the start of the M50-59 age group event but the fastest lap went elsewhere, to Knavesmeres D Smithers, with a 16:03 clocking.

Harrogates Darren West, the county vets cross-country champion, was quickest of the over-60 runners with 16:57, whilst Bryan Parkinson was fastest of the M70 runners ahead of his two Bingley team mates, with 21:39.

Knavesmere won a keenly contested womens W35-44 contest, from Stadium runners and it was equally tight for the fastest lap as Holmfirths Helena Croft, with 17:43, just got the medal from Rotherhams Sarah Lowery by a tick.

It was her team mate Adele Marsden who was comfortably fastest of the over-45 women but her final stage 19:20 split was not enough to prevent a Penistone victory.

Sue Cordingley, the 2019 British & Irish Masters cross-country international champion, gave Bingley a first ratestart in the W55 event and her 18:39 was easily the fastest as her club won the section by more than two minutes.

The oldest womens age group saw new member Diane Baldwin d0 the same for Holmfirths W65s after moving north from Milton Keynes.

Men M35 (3x3M): 1 Barnsley 46:11 (G Briscoe 15:33, S Hinchcliffe 14:46, J Bird 15:52); 2 Stadium R 47:54; 3 Barnsley H 50:00

Fastest: Hinchcliffe 14:46; N Pearson (Stadium) 14:59; Briscoe 15:33

M40 (3x3M): 1 Leeds 47:04 (J Walton 15:43, M Burrett 15:33, A Buckley 15:48); 2 Stadium R 48:06 (L Timmins 16:14, S Courtney 15:33, S Carson 16:19); 3 Rotherham 48:43 (G Sampson 15:41, P Hoole 16:48, A Johnson 16:14); 4 St Theresas 48:46; 5 Sheffield RC 49:44
Fastest: Burrett/Courtney 15:33; S Grace (St Ther) 15:37

M50 (3x3M): 1 St Theresas 52:05 (D Parker 16:36, A Clarke 18:48, A Grinnell 16:41); 2 Steel C 53:54; 3 Wakefield 53:56

Fastest: D Smithers (Knaves) 16:02; Parker 16:36; G Felton (Barns)/Grinnell 16:41

M60 (3x3M): 1 Steel C 54:53 (J Turner 18:46, D Wilson 18:32; C Ireland 17:35); 2 Harrogate 55:30; 3 Knavesmere 62:48

Fastest: D West (Hgate) 16:47; Ireland 17:35; J Rose (Holmf) 18:30

M70 (3x3M): 1 Bingley 66:07 (D Johnson 22:31, B Parkinson 21:39, S Jordan 21:57); 2 Steel C 69:25; 3 Holmfirth 74:41

Fastest: Parkinson 21;39

Women W35 (3x3M): 1 Knavesmere 56:44 (H Hall 18:36, B Kalarikova 20:00, H Wilcock 18:08); 2 Wakefield 57:06 (H Beck 18:49, N Steel 18:22, A Dales 19:55); 3 Rotherham 59:54 (N Clegg 20:09, S Lowery 17:44, A Lally 22:01); 4 St Theresas 60:24; 5 Steel C 60:28; 6 Holmfirth 67:05

Fastest: H Croft (Holmf) 17:43; Lowery 17:44; Wilcock 18:08

W45 (3x3M): 1 Penistone 61:16 (D Broom 20:20, R Mayston 20:01, J Johnson 20:55); 2 Rotherham 62:45; 3 Holmfirth 62:45

Fastest: A Marsden (Roth) 19:20; J Jones (Holmf) 19:43; Mayston/H Standing (Holmf) 20:01

W55 (3x3M): 1 Bingley 62:19 (S Cordingley 18:39, M Green 22:05, T Gavins 21:35); 2 Steel C 64:52; 3 Barnsley 68:31

Fastest: Cordingley 18:39; G Colville (Barns) 19:49; F Jeffries (Steel) 21:04

W65 (3x3M): 1 Holmfirth 70:43 (D Baldwin 22:22, N Edery 23:08, E Stewart 25:13); 2 Steel C 72:53

Fastest: Baldwin 22:22; Edery 23:08; L Rowley (Steel) 23:09

SRI CHINMOY MIDSUMMER 10km, Battersea Park, London, June 3

Neil Wilson won overall in 31:57 but it was seventh-placed Rose Harvey who performed best.

The Clapham Chasers runner, who set a PB 32:59 in Manchester two weeks earlier, clocked 33:14 to take the womens section by more than three minutes.

Overall: 1 N Wilson (Belg) 31:57; 2 J Laing (Hill) 32:03; 3 T Squires (Hill) 32:23; 4 A Wilson (Dulw R) 32:41; 5 J Fox (Belg) 32:49; 6 V Lio (Serp) 33:02; 7 R Harvey (Clap, W) 33:14; 8 S Lewis (Lon H, M40) 33:21; 9 J Lepretre (VP&TH) 33:23; 10 M Poser (Serp) 33:36

M45: 1 P Young (AFD) 34:59; 2 J Casal-Perez 34:58

M50: 1 J Ratcliffe (Herne H) 36:55; 2 M Carmack (Serp) 37:37; 3 Z Bredemear (Dulw Pk) 37:43

Women: 1 R Harvey (Clap) 33:14; 2 H Pullen (AFD) 36:52; 3 A Ferguson (Best A) 38:28

W45: 1 A Smith (L City) 40:46

W55: 1 M Lennon (Dulw R) 42:25

DK MILE, Blythe, June 2

Overall: 1 M Diment (M35) 5:15; 2 G Bracken (NSP, M60) 5:28; 3 M Fletcher (NSP, M40) 5:34

Women: 1 E Clark (Heat) 5:54; 2 K Watson (Blyth, W35) 6:01; 3 L Percy (Heat) 6:14

EALING MILE, Ealing, June 2

Overall: 1 O Forrest (B Beagles, U15W) 5:10; 2 D Nichols (SB, M40) 5:12; 3 W Walker (Unatt, M40) 5:15

Women: 1 Forrest 5:10; 2 C Morris (Eal E, W40) 6:36; 3 A Shierson (Eal E) 6:38

ASSEMBLY LEAGUE, Crystal Palace, London, June 1

The 2022 British Masters champion Ed Chuck fought off a challenge from Jake Simmons to win over a hilly two-lap course similar to the parkrun circuit but Simmonds Kent AC came out comfortably on top but they were even more dominant in the womens race as they took six of the top seven places.

International 50km runner and former Kent cross-country champion Amy Clements, fighting her way back to fitness after maternity leave, led most of the way but ended up third as she was caught by clubmate Katie Rowland who finished five seconds ahead of another ex county champion Bryony Proctor. A third former Kent senior winner Clare Elms was fifth and first over-50.

Overall: 1 E Chuck (Dulw R) 15:39; 2 J Simmonds (Kent) 15:41; 3 N Torry (Kent, M45) 16:16; 4 B Hope (Kent) 16:30; 5 R Donohue (Kent) 16:32; 6 J Brotchie (Dulw R) 16:33; 7 R Armstrong (Dulw R) 16:34; 8 B Clarke (Kent) 16:38; 9 J Halsworth (Dulw R) 16:31; 10 A Bond (Dulw R, M45) 16:42; 11 F Bungay (Dulw R) 16:46; 12 C Compton (Kent, M45) 16:48; 13 C Fraser (Kent) 16:50; 14 S Cottle (Eton M, M40) 16:53; 15 R Brown (Stock Ex) 16:54

M50: 1 K Howard (Petts W) 18:06

M55: 1 K Klidzia (Lon U) 18:19

M60: 1 R Beardsworth (Kent) 20:27

M65: 1 J Barron (Kent) 22:38

M70: 1 D Butler (Lloyds) 20:35; 2 M Mann (Dulw R) 23:47

TEAM: 1 Kent 14; 2 Dulw 23; 3 Stock Exchange 99

Women:
1 K Rowland (Kent) 18:17; 2 B Proctor (Kent, W35) 18:22; 3 A Clements (Kent, W40) 18:23; 4 L Foreman (Camb H) 19:07; 5 C Elms (Kent, W55) 19:11; 6 T Murphy (Kent, W45) 19:45; 7 E Freeden (Kent) 19:48

W45: 2 C Norris (Dulw R) 21:19

W50: 1 V Carter (Stock Ex) 21:01

W55: 2 M Lennon (Dulw R) 21:26; 3 O Balme (Dulw R) 22:08

W65: 1 J Quantrill (Dulw R) 24:23

TEAM: 1 Kent 11; 2 Dulwich 66; 3 Greenwich Tri 88

RUNTHROUGH BATTERSEA PARK CHASE THE SUN 5km / 10km, Battersea Park, May 31

Overall (5km): 1 H Hart (Belg) 14:45; 2 B Crowley (IRL) 15:30; 3 K Bowling (AFD) 15:34

Women: 1 R Bunting (Lon Hth, W40) 17:53; 2 L Thompson (Ton) 17:53; 3 E Sharrock (Norw) 18:16

Overall (10km): 1 J Collier (Harrow) 30:13; 2 J Tranvag (Rindal Il) 32:48; 3 F OReilly (AFD) 33:21

Women: 1 M Alvarez (Peru, W45) 35:06; 2 S Holt (Strag, W40) 36:58; 3 B Port (Clap C) 38:39

SCOTTS TRAVEL MIDWEEK LEAGUE Div 1, Race 2, St Albans May 31

Cameron Dockerill led St Albans Striders to a team victory in the second race of the series, Martin Duff reports.

A time of 31:16 was comfortable enough to see off a challenge from Michael Waddington who moved up from third in the opening match as the then race winner Ben Hadman was relegated to third.

Katie Harbon again came out top of the womens section with an improvement to 35:46

Overall: 1 C Dockerill (St Alb) 31:16; 2 M Waddington (Ware) 31:59; 3 B Hadman NHRR) 32:22; 4 J Pennell (St Alb) 33:02; 5 B Birch (Gard CR) 33:08; 6 P Adams (St Alb) 33:09; 7 T Webb (NHRR) 33:13; 8 M Smith (Orion) 33:21; 9 S Federici (St Alb) 33:47; 10 M Roberts (NHRR) 33:54

M40: 2 M Cooper (St Alb) 33:55; 3 P Evans (St Alb) 34:04; 4 A Hardy (Ware) 34:06; 5 S Buckle (St Alb) 34:09; 6 W Bell (NHRR) 34:11

M45: 1 K Francis (Ware) 34:07; 2 J Scott (St Alb) 34:08; 3 E Price (Gade V) 34:33

M50: 1 K Sambridge (Ware) 35:05; 2 S Aiken (Trent P) 35:38; 3 B Judge (Gard CR) 36:44

M55: 1 A Leach (NHRR) 34:03; 2 N Malpelli (NHRR) 37:03; 3 R Brown (Orion) 36:24; 4 P Harvey (Gard CR) 36:32

M60: 1 M Russell (Gard CR) 40:10

U20: 1 M Kercher (Trent P) 34:59

TEAM: 1 St Albans 196; 2 NHRR 294; 3 Ware 400
M40 TEAM: 1 St Albans 47; 2 NHRR 74; 3Ware 106

Women: 1 K Harbon (NHRR) 35:46; 2 K Woodward (Wat J, W40) 36:17; 3 J Vine (Gard CR, W35) 37:19; 4 L Parry (Gard CR) 37:30; 5 K Alpe (Trent P) 37:52; 6 Z Oldfield (Orion, W45) 38:09

W40: 1 J Baird (Trent P) 38:39

W45: 1 P Habbick (St Alb) 40:05; 2 A Greenwood (Trent P) 41:08

W50: 1 A McKeown (NHRR) 41:29

W55: 1 L Bentham (St Alb) 43:51; 2 V Shadbolt (Gard CR) 46:11

W65: 1 D Heydecker (St Alb) 47:34

TEAM: 1 St Albans 117; 2 Trent P 156; 3 NHRR 181

W35 TEAM: 1 Trent P 22; 2 NHRR 48; 3 Sat Albans 52

Overall
Senior TEAM: 1 St Albans 313; 2 NHRR 475; 3 Trent P 783
Vets TEAM: 1 St Albans 99; 2 NHRR 122; 3 Trent P 145

SCOTTS MIDWEEK LEAGUE Div 2, Race 2, Watford May 31

The rapidly improving Watford Joggers club made the most of home advantage to win both mens and womens team and individual plaudits.

The overall male standard and times were reduced compared to the opening match but the race provided a win for Jude Bell, who moved up from second last time out. 46-year-old Helen Mussen scored a repeat victory and did so in a much faster time of 39:48.

Overall:
1 J Bell (Wat J) 33:46; 2 O Hill (Wat J) 34:14; A Patterson (FVS, M40) 34:53

M50: 1 R Lowe (Harl) 36:14; 2 F Ryan (Wat J) 37:42

Div 2 TEAM: 1 Wat J 160; 2 Royston 322; 3 FVS 471
M40 TEAM: 1 Wat J 43; 2 Royston 90; 3 Watford J B 145

Women:
1 H Mussen (Wat J, W45) 39:48; 2 J Edmonds (Royst) 40:58; 3 C Lathwell (FVS) 42:24

W55: 1 K Murphy (Barn) 43:08

Div 2 TEAM: 1 Watford J 115; 2 Royston 140; 3 Barnet 217
W35 TEAM: 1 Watford J 39; 2eq Barnet/FVS 42

Overall
Div 2 Senior: 1 Wat J 275; 2 Royston 462; 3 FVS 737
Vet TEAM: 1 Watford J 82; 2 FVS 200; 3 Barnet 206

LINCOLN WELLINGTON MILE / 3km / 5km SERIES, Lincoln, May 30

Former world masters M75 1500m champion Victor Shirley ran one of the fastest 5kms ever by a M80 with 23:27.

Overall (1M): 1 S Wilkinson (U20) 5:08; 2 K Shimada (Fetcheveryone, M40) 5:09; 3 R Clayton (Linc W, M40) 5:10

Women: 1 N McBride (U17) 5:39; 2 A Newbold (Newk, U17) 6:05; 3 A Laycock (Unatt) 6:21

Overall (3km): 1 E Whitworth (Linc W, U15W) 10:35; 2 I Porter (Linc W, U15W) 10:40; 3 F Phillipson (Linc W, U13) 10:51

Women: 1 Whitworth 10:35; 2 Porter 10:40; 3 F Lilly (Linc W, U13) 11:23

Overall (5km): 1 T Straw (Linc W) 14:58; 2 R Page (Linc W) 15:35; 3 J Swindale (Linc W, U20) 16:20

M60: 1 P Duncan (Linc W) 19:13.

M80: 1 V Shirley (N Masters) 23:27.

U15: 1 T Morris (Linc W) 16:23; 2 O Cooney (Linc W) 17:23

Women: 1 I Barwell (Linc W, U20) 17:23; 2 C Hanson (Linc W) 17:32; 3 L Skinner (OTCF, W40) 17:39

W40: 2 N Curtis (OTCF) 17:42; 3 C Cooney (Linc W) 18:29. W55: 1 C Payne (GRC) 21:40. W60: 1 F Usher (Linc & D) 21:07; 2 J Davidson (GRC) 23:34. U17: 1 S Barrett (Norw) 17:49

FELL RACES

PEN-Y-GHENT, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, June 3

Overall (5.9M/1650ft):
1 J Cox (Eden) 48:51; 2 M McGoldrick (Sett, M40) 50:19; 3 C Lowther (Eden, M40) 51:23; 4 S Lungu (P&B) 53:14; 5 S Bell (Ilkley) 53:28; 6 J Eyre (Eden) 54:05

M60: S Webb (Calder V) 61:36

M70: G Howard (Ilkley) 80:25

Women: 1 E Clayton (Bing) 56:50; 2 S Gibbs 61:39; 3 N Jackson (N Leeds FR, W40) 62:42; 4 H Cowley (Ches Drag) 63:36

W50: L OBrien (Felland) 77:17

DUDDON VALLEY LONG (English championships counter), Cumbria, June 3

Overall (29km/1830m):
1 Billy Cartwright (Mat) 2:46:28; 2 B Townshend (Kesw) 2:47:11; 3 B Rothery (Ilkley) 2:49:30; 4 F Grant (Dark Pk) 2:52:46; 5 S Hebblethwaite (Kesw, M40) 2:56:14; 6 R Jebb (Helm H, M45) 2:56:25; 7 G Dale (Amble) 2:58:35; 8 H Bolton (Kesw) 2:59:57; 9 M Lamb (Kesw) 3:00:21; 10 T Simpson (Amble) 3:04:25; 11 T Watt (Amble) 3:04:34; 12 O Johnson (Dark Pk, M40) 3:05:13; 13 B Sharrock (Amble) 3:05:53; 14 E Hyland (Calder V) 3:07:13; 15 S Halsall (Kesw) 3:08:40; 16 D Haworth (Mat) 3:09:17; 17 H Stainton (B Combe) 3:09:25; 18 G Roberts (Calder V) 3:09:39; 19 B Abdelnoor (Amble, M40) 3:09:59; 20 B Nikolich (Penn) 3:10:28

M50: G Mulholland (Calder V) 3:17:17

M55: J Hunt (Dark Pk) 3:32:23

M60: T Bolton (N Fells) 3:53:04

M65: S Entwistle (Penn) 4:27:49

TEAM: 1 Kesw 39; 2 Amble 60; 3 Helm, H 115; 4 Dark Pk 130; 5 Calder V 159

M40: Helm H 33

M50: Calder V 30

Women: 1 V Wilkinson (Bing, W40) 3:17:58; 2 N Jackson (Kesw) 3:21:34; 3 E Cowper-Coles (Denb D) 3:31:54; 4 A Fan (Amble) 3:32:30; 5 R Mather (Knave) 3:33:08; 6 E Pannone (Eden) 3:37:58; 7 L Watson (Dark Pk) 3:38:55; 8 N Beadle (Amble) 3:42:00; 9 D Berdeni (Dark Pk) 3:43:16; 10 A Lupton (B Combe, W40) 3:43:18; 11 B Hanson (Amble) 3:46:47; 12 A Whitaker (Harr) 3:48:07

W50: M Price (Mercia) 3:53:32

W55: S Hodgson (Kesw) 4:05:11

W60: R Browne (Bowl) 4:25:13

W70: W Dodds (Dallam) 5:29:08

TEAM: 1 Amble 23; 2 Dark Pk 34; 3 Kesw 46; 4 Mercia 80; 5 Calder V 11

MILLSTONE, Donard, June 1

Overall (4M/1500ft):
1 J Mcatee (Mourne) 37:49; 2 A Crutchley 38:29; 3 J Scott (Mourne) 39:08; 4 E OKane (U20) 39:36; 5 J Millar (Mourne) 39:46; 6 L Valley (Armagh, M40) 39:51; 7 M Jennings (Jog Lisb) 40:14; 8 M Harte (Newry, M45) 40:59

M50: W Cartmill (Newry) 43:52

M60: Deon McNeilly (Newc) 47:55

M65: D McGreevy (Newc) 48:36

M70: P McGuckin 56:02

M75: J Adgey (N Down) 67:36

Women: 1 E Dickson (Newry) 44:00; 2 M Hell (N Belf) 44:35; 3 S OKane (Lagan V, W55) 47:51; 4 T Cumming (Willow, W40) 48:56; 5 S Mcintyre 49:16

W60: P Shields (Murl) 56:56

W65: M Mackin (Drom) 57:57

BAMFORD SHEEPDOG TRIALS, Bamford, May 29

Overall (4.2km/305m): 1 D Haworth (Mat) 30:50; 2 H Holmes (Mat) 30:52; 3 C Williams (Dark Pk) 31:04; 4 E Brown (Hallam) 32:59; 5 J Wills 33:22; 6 J Brearley-Ratcliffe 33:39; 7 L Clayburn (Dark Pk) 33:57; 8 L Baxter (Dark Pk) 34:02

M55: P Critchlow (Beaum) 34:35

M60: I Shaw (Fat B) 37:47

M70: M Moorhouse (Mat) 44:10

U21: E Clowes (Newc TC) 34:12

Women:1 K Walshaw (Holm) 34:38; 2 A Pearse (Steel) 35:49; 3 B Bergstrand (Mbro, U21) 36:43; 4 K Sloane (Summ) 37:56; 5 E Venn (Long E) 40:28

W50: S Curtis (Penn) 40:49

W65: A-M Jones (Macc) 45:00

ISLE OF JURA, Craighouse Distillery, May 27

Overall (28km/2370ft): 1 F Wild (Lber) 3:07:07; 2 P Rutter (Helm H) 3:23:33; 3 T Saville (Dark Pk) 3:23:36; 4 T Simpson (Amble) 3:26:42; 5 S Halsall (Shett) 3:28:04; 6 S Alexander (Wlands CC) 3:33:52; 7 S Crutchfield (Wlands CC, M40) 3:37:18; 8 E Thorburn (Lber, M40) 3:47:29

M50: I Holmes (Bing) 3:47:45

M60: S Whitlie (Cthy) 4:21:26

TEAM: 1 Westerlands 11:08:09; 2 Lber 11:19:06; 3 Dark Pk 11:30:52

Women: 1 E Johnstone (Penn) 4:18:43; 2 V Thompson (Helm H) 4:19:45; 3 E Downs (Wlands CC) 4:21:31; 4 B Halcrow (Amble) 4:23:34; 5 E Foreman (Wlands CC) 4:26:02

W40: S Richmond (Penn) 4:31:07

W50: A Mudge (Cthy) 4:33:33

W60: H Dean (Ochil) 5:35:06

TEAM: 1 Wlands CC 13:37:03; 2 Dark Pk 14:21:12; 3 Cthy 14:31:36

LUKES MOUNTAIN, Meelmore, May 25

Overall (5M/2000ft): 1 J Mcatee (Mourne) 38:15; 2 A Tees (BARF, M40) 38:35; 3 A Crutchley 39:10; 4 J Millar (Mourne) 40:23; 5 E OKane (U20) 40:42; 6 L Vallely (Armagh, M40) 40:44

M45: M Harte (Newry) 41:09

M50: W Cartmill (Newry) 44:42

M60: Deon McNeilly (Newc) 46:54

M70: P McGuckin 56:24

M75: J Adgey (N Down) 69:46

Women: 1 E Dickson (Newry) 45:29; 2 M Hell (N Belf) 46:47; 3 C Abraham 47:01; 4 S Mcintyre 48:40

W40: T Cumming (Willow) 48:42

W55: S OKane (Lagan) 51:00

W65: P Shields (Murl) 56:09

TOTLEY MOOR, Totley, May 23

Overall (5.5M/1100ft): 1 B Houghton (Dark Pk) 40:50; 2 D Haworth (Mat) 42:36; 3 C Williams (Dark Pk) 43:53; 4 J Wills 46:34; 5 S Birch-Machin (Dark Pk) 46:58; 6 P Critchlow (Beaum, M50) 47:08

M60: A Maplethorpe (Long E) 61:26

M70: M Moorhouse (Mat) 61:37

Women: 1 E Pannone (Eden) 48:36; 2 A Pearse (Steel) 51:00; 3 S Thorne (Steel) 54:45; 4 S Evans (Steel) 55:41

W40: N Neville (H&R) 57:36

W50: E Sanders (Ashb) 66:53

W60: J Matthews (Swell) 70:41

W70: J Forrester (Belpr) 78:21