Distance Running News, 1-2 February 2020

02 February 2020

Charlie Jones produced an excellent performance to break the 32 minute barrier for the time at the Chichester 10k where Kathryn Morton and Nick Holliday both earned England Masters vests. With it’s reputation for being one of the highest quality 10k events in the South of England, Jones travelled to Sussex looking to break his 32:05 personal best from last year’s Telford 10k. Despite the windy conditions, the depth of the field meant that he was able to work with others in a pack as they finished the race with a 4km lap of the Goodwood motor racing circuit. Crossing the line in 37th place from a field of over 1500 runners, Jones was delighted to finish with a new PB of 31:48.

Morton and Holliday had chosen to target Chichester as it included the third of three trial races for the England Masters team, with the top three athletes from each race in each age group earning a place in the England team. Morton comfortably made the team as she was a clear winner of the LV60 category in a time of 46:26 whilst Holliday claimed the final qualifying spot in his MV60 age group as he impressively stopped the clock at 38:30. LV45 runner Caroline Cotterell crossed the line in 44:44.

Gareth Edwards headed west for the Hereford Winter 10k and found himself clear of the field with unattached runner Edward Davies by the end of the opening mile. With the pair still locked together at the turnround point, Edwards upped the pace at around 6km in a bid to open up a race winning gap. However, Davies held on and was still on Edwards’ shoulder at 8km before the Cheltenham athlete found another gear in the final 2km as he went on to take the win by 25 seconds in a time of 37:57.

Phil and Marie Brush made the trip to Cheshire for the Alsager 5 which was hosting the England 5 mile championship. Marie ran particularly well to record a time of 31:47 to finish as 21st lady whilst Phil placed 140th overall in 31:24. Two Harriers were in action in the highly competitive at the British Universities Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh with Ella Burfitt finishing 72nd for Bath University in the ladies race and Chris Booth placing 106th for Swansea University in the men’s race

Saturday’s parkruns saw Phil Wylie (15:09) run the fourth fastest time in the UK last weekend as he stormed to first place at Exmouth whilst also setting a new V40 course record. Georgia Palmer (19:36) was first lady home in Cheltenham, Marc Fallows (19:19) whilst Dan King (18:16) was first home in Hereford where Chris Cleary (19:29) finished fourth. Marc Fallows (19:19) and Matt Lambourne (20:49) also claimed first places in Cirencester and Newent respectively whilst Dave Tomlin (17:33) claimed second place at the Mallard’s Pike event. Further afield Kayla Garland (22:28) was the fifth lady home at Highbury Fields in London whilst Dave Farancis (19:16) took eighth position at the Southwick Country Park parkrun in Trowbridge.