Aly Dixon is World Champion and World Record Holder as GB&NI take gold in Romania

Aly Dixon peaked to perfection over the weekend in Romania. Dixon broke Frith Van de Merwe’s 30-year long record by 79 seconds to win the 50km World Championships in Brasov, Romania with 3:07:20. The GB&NI runners also picked up individual silver as Helen Davies went inside the previous British record with 3:09:16. Dan Nash was delighted with a bronze in the men's event as he broke Jeff Norman's long standing British record with 2:49:01. 

The British women walked away with a gold medal ahead of USA and Austria. The British men’s team also made the podium with a bronze medal.

Aly Dixon's perfect peak performance was commitment personified having returned from a recent altitude training camp. Taking the lead from the start, the 2:29 marathoner ran a World Record 3:07:20 and was followed home by her compatriot Helen Davies (handicap -1.0) in 3:09:16. It was an impressive display of front running from Alyson Dixon (handicap -1.0), who entered the event in fine form.

Beating Frith Van de Merwe’s 3:08:39 previous record from 1989 by over one minute, it’s a perfect start to an ultra-marathon career for the Sunderland Stroller. The British record of 3:15:43, set by Sue Harrison in 2010, was also smashed by both Dixon and Davies. Julie Briscoe (handicap 1.1), was the third counter in 3:22:57.

Another new face on the ultra scene, Dan Nash (handicap -3.8), took a surprise bronze in the men’s race in 2:49:01, which was a new British record beating the old mark of 2:53.21 from Jeff Norman. Nash led the men’s team to a bronze medal behind the South African and German teams, with Paul Martelletti (handicap -5.3) and Alex Milne (handicap -4.3) in 14th and 15th respectively.