Claim your handicap and check your weekend result

Did you race this weekend on the road, trails or cross country?  Most of the results are in and, now that all surfaces add to your profile, it's time to check your handicap score and your ladder position.

From results already in of road and cross country races, the biggest races this weekend were:

Bath Half Marathon - 11,318

adidas Silverstone Half Marathon- 6,800 (estimate) *Awaiting usable results

Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon- 4,788

Surrey Half Marathon- 3,352

Inter Counties XC - 2,559

Colchester Half Marathon- 2,405 * Awaiting usable results

With mild, sprint weather dominating the country, there were many personal best times and reduced handicap scores.

The Bath Half Marathon attracted runners of all levels and had a celebrity appearance from comedian, Russell Howard (handicap 27.1). The race was won by Robert Mbithi of Kenya in a course record of 61:45. Next year, a course record will once again be set as the course will change for the first time in 10 years due to the development of the Green Park area. Lenah Jerotich was the first woman to finish in 72:24, making it a Kenyan double.

In the men’s wheelchair race David Weir took the win in 46:53, while in the mass race Michael Aldridge (handicap -1.3) and Nicki Nealon (handicap 4.1)  were the winners in the men’s and women’s events, finishing in 73:07 and 83:00 respectively.

The runners were set on their way by Becky Doyle, founder of the charity Liam’s Smiles. Doyle set up the charity with her husband Colin – former Birmingham City FC goalkeeper – to raise awareness after their son Liam was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis aged just seven weeks old in July 2010.

After dropping the chequered flag, Doyle joined the masses of runners crossing the Start Line for the 13.1-mile challenge. Like many of the runners who took part in the race, Doyle was completing the run as part of her training for this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 24 April, when she’ll be running and fundraising for Liam’s Smiles.

Making the most of the bright, sunny conditions at the world-famous race track was Michael Aldridge of Wootton Road Runners who was first across the Finish Line in a time of 73:07. The 42-year-old was running in memory of his friend Graham Mutton.

“I haven’t done a half marathon for two or three years, but I came back to the distance to do this race for a good friend of mine who passed away, so this is in memory of Graham Mutton. This is an emotional win today; I was doing it for him, so I’m very happy.”

The first woman to finish was Nicki Nealon of Huncote Harriers in 83:00. “It was surprisingly windy – the last mile was really hard work – but apart from that I absolutely loved it. There was loads of support from the crowds all the way round and it was great to hear all the bands around the course.”

The Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon was the first in a series of BTR Liverpool events and treated 4,788 runners to a  course that went from the waterfront to Sefton Park and back. There was also a ten mile event that ran alongside.

The race was won by Dejene Gezimu (handicap -3.1) in 66:59 and the first woman was Michelle Nolan (handicap 3.2) who finished in 80:21.

Fancy dress was a big feature at the Surrey Half Marathon, in Woking, with many raising money for charity, dressed in loud costumes and colours. Another Kenyan double was scored at this race with Barnaba Kipkeoch winning the men's in 66:05 and Damaris Areba finishing 2nd overall and winning the women's in 70:57.

Kate Avery (handicap -1.8) and Dewi Griffiths (handicap -5.8) both earned their first senior Inter-Counties titles at Cofton Park, and additionally captured the 2015/2016 Cross Challenge senior crowns as the cross country season drew to a close.

Avery, who won in Antrim earlier in the series alongside her magnificent victory at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in January, showed her class to finish 14 seconds clear of Elle Vernon (handicap -0.9) with Louise Small (handicap -0.5) claiming third place in the senior women’s race.

Double European Cross Country Championships silver medallist Avery said: “It is my first win (in the Inter-Counties) here – last time I won here was in 2005 in the U13 Nationals. I just went out there to run how I felt and if I got away, then so be it and I felt comfortable. It was a really hilly course, the hilliest for a long time.

“My cross country season has been very unexpected, I didn’t think I would race as much after the Euro Cross, however I didn’t want to do indoors but wanted to keep racing. It has really worked out well this season and given me great confidence which I can only see as a good thing going ahead. The 10,000m Olympic trials (Highgate Harriers Night of 10,000m PBs) are in May so I will now look towards that.”

Five-time Welsh cross country champion Griffiths ran out the winner in the senior men’s race after a battle with Adam Hickey (handicap -5.7). After Jonny Taylor (handicap -5.4) made the initial move on the first lap, the top three made a breakaway move which split up the field. Taylor faded on the second lap but Griffiths showed his strength on the final hill to pull away from Hickey.

Griffiths commented: “I’ve finished third and second here for the last two years to it is nice to be on top of that podium at last. I had nothing left at the end, I gave everything but I wanted it that little bit more. It was a very hard race – I thought it was Jonny’s (Taylor) race to lose on the first lap and then half way through Adam (Hickey) did the same.”

He added: “Ten year ago I won the U15 (Inter-Counties) title in Nottingham so I think it is pretty cool to win the seniors as well.”

Gus Cockle (handicap -4.0) was a dominant winner as he captured his first junior men’s Inter-Counties title. The Surrey athlete opened up a 30m lead after the first lap and the gap continued to widen over the next 5km. In the end it was comfortable for the Aldershot Farnham & District athlete ahead of  William Fuller (handicap -3.6) and Paulos Asgodom.

Cockle commented: “I’m over the moon, I thought I had gone too early but I knew I had committed so I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to look behind but the crowd kept telling me how far ahead I was. The plan was to sit in because I did the same thing last year (made a move early) and blacked out. But I’m glad I had the strength in me to keep it going. It was such a stellar field so I am honoured to win.”

Mahamed Mahamed (handicap -4.2), winner in Milton Keynes in the opening fixture, confirmed his first place in the junior men’s overall Cross Challenge standings after a winter season which saw him earn his first British vest at the European Cross Country Championships.

After victories in Milton Keynes and Liverpool in 2015, Bobby Clay (handicap -0.5) was a dominant winner in the junior women’s race, finishing almost a minute ahead of her closest rival. The European Junior 3000m champion was ahead of Gemma Holloway (handicap 1.8) and Phoebe Law (handicap 1.6), to seize the Cross Challenge series title.

Clay spoke afterwards: “I love coming here (to Cofton Park), it is my favourite course. I love doing the Cross Challenge events. The spectators are so close to you here and it is always a great atmosphere at the last race of the (cross country) season. Everyone gives it a good go here.”

Cari Hughes (handicap 2.3) was triumphant in the U17 women’s category ahead of GB junior international Sabrina Sinha (handicap 2.0) after making a decisive move on the final lap. The two athletes were locked in battle heading but Hughes was the stronger over the undulating course and additionally won the U17 Cross Challenge series crown.

Isaac Akers (handicap -2.3) and Scott Beattie (handicap -2.7) were involved in the most thrilling finish of the day after an engrossing contest across the 6000m course. Akers won and also contributed to Leicestershire’s team victory. Sol Sweeney (handicap -2.2) finished third on the day but did succeed in winning the Cross Challenge title.

Zakariya Mahamed (handicap -1.3), brother of Mahamed, triumphant in the U17 series, also enjoyed success on the Cofton Park fields winning the Inter-Counties title and doubled the joy with victory in the U15 boys Cross Challenge overall standings.

Kathleen Faes (handicap 2.8) regained her U15 women’s Inter-Counties crown after pipping Alex Brown (handicap 3.9) who was closing her opponent down in the final stages of the 4000m course.

There was a surprise in the U13 boy’s race as Tommy Dawson (handicap 1.4), winner of two Cross Challenge fixtures this year was beaten by Harley Norman (handicap 1.4). However, the Yorkshire athlete did capture the overall Cross Challenge title after showing great consistency across the season.

In the U13 girl’s race, Lily-Jayne Evans-Haggerty (handicap 4.5) made the long trip down from Glasgow very worthwhile as she won the Inter-Counties to add to her victory from Liverpool’s Sefton Park last November. Another Scottish athlete, Kate Richardson (handicap 3.8) won the Cross Challenge title.

The Colchester Half Marathon started at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, the home of Colchester United, and had the biggest turnout ever. The race was won by Adrian Mussett (handicap -3.0)  in 69:53 with Helen Davies (handicap 1.8) first female in 78:17.

Did you race in one of these or any other event this weekend? By training and racing regularly your runbritain profile will maintain a healthy score and if you plan to peak for a target race, we hope you will improve it by a significant amount. Don't forget #clickyourclock starts tomorrow. At 12 noon each Wednesday, from next week. a random draw will be made from all those runners on the #clickyourclock leaderboard whose scores have improved by any amount in the preceding seven days and the prize is a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor. Click here for more.

 

 

 

 

Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon- 4,788

Surrey Half Marathon- 3,352

Inter Counties XC - 2,559

Colchester Half Marathon- 2,405 * Awaiting usable results

With mild, sprint weather dominating the country, there were many personal best times run and reducted handicap scores.

The Bath Half Marathon attracted runners of all levels and had a celebrity appearance from comedian, Russell Howard (handicap 27.1). The race was won by Robert Mbithi of Kenya in a course record of 61:45. Next year, a course record will once again be run as the course will change for the first time in 10 years due to the development of the Green Park area. Lenah Jerotich was the first woman to finish in 72:24, making it a Kenyan double.

In the men’s wheelchair race David Weir took the win in 46:53, while in the mass race Michael Aldridge (handicap -1.3) and Nicki Nealon (handicap 4.1)  were the winners in the men’s and women’s events, finishing in 73:07 and 83:00 respectively.

The runners were set on their way by Becky Doyle, founder of the charity Liam’s Smiles. Doyle set up the charity with her husband Colin – former Birmingham City FC goalkeeper – to raise awareness after their son Liam was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis aged just seven weeks old in July 2010.

After dropping the chequered flag, Doyle joined the masses of runners crossing the Start Line for the 13.1-mile challenge. Like many of the runners who took part in the race, Doyle was completing the run as part of her training for this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 24 April, when she’ll be running and fundraising for Liam’s Smiles.

Making the most of the bright, sunny conditions at the world-famous race track was Michael Aldridge of Wootton Road Runners who was first across the Finish Line in a time of 73:07. The 42-year-old was running in memory of his friend Graham Mutton.

“I haven’t done a half marathon for two or three years, but I came back to the distance to do this race for a good friend of mine who passed away, so this is in memory of Graham Mutton. This is an emotional win today; I was doing it for him, so I’m very happy.”

The first woman to finish was Nicki Nealon of Huncote Harriers in 83:00. “It was surprisingly windy – the last mile was really hard work – but apart from that I absolutely loved it. There was loads of support from the crowds all the way round and it was great to hear all the bands around the course.”

The Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon was the first in a series of BTR Liverpool events and treated 4,788 runners to a  course that went from the waterfront to Sefton Park and back. There was also a ten mile event that ran alongside.

The race was won by Dejene Gezimu (handicap -3.1) in 66:59 and the first woman was Michelle Nolan (handicap 3.2) who finished in 80:21.

Fancy dress was a big feature at the Surrey Half Marathon, in Woking, with many raising money for charity, dressed in loud costumes and colours. Another Kenyan double was scored at this race with Barnaba Kipkeoch winning the men's in 66:05 and Damaris Areba finishing 2nd overall and winning the women's in 70:57.

Kate Avery (handicap -1.8) and Dewi Griffiths (handicap -5.8) both earned their first senior Inter-Counties titles at Cofton Park, and additionally captured the 2015/2016 Cross Challenge senior crowns as the cross country season drew to a close.

Avery, who won in Antrim earlier in the series alongside her magnificent victory at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in January, showed her class to finish 14 seconds clear of Elle Vernon (handicap -0.9) with Louise Small (handicap -0.5) claiming third place in the senior women’s race.

Double European Cross Country Championships silver medallist Avery said: “It is my first win (in the Inter-Counties) here – last time I won here was in 2005 in the U13 Nationals. I just went out there to run how I felt and if I got away, then so be it and I felt comfortable. It was a really hilly course, the hilliest for a long time.

“My cross country season has been very unexpected, I didn’t think I would race as much after the Euro Cross, however I didn’t want to do indoors but wanted to keep racing. It has really worked out well this season and given me great confidence which I can only see as a good thing going ahead. The 10,000m Olympic trials (Highgate Harriers Night of 10,000m PBs) are in May so I will now look towards that.”

Five-time Welsh cross country champion Griffiths ran out the winner in the senior men’s race after a battle with Adam Hickey (handicap -5.7). After Jonny Taylor (handicap -5.4) made the initial move on the first lap, the top three made a breakaway move which split up the field. Taylor faded on the second lap but Griffiths showed his strength on the final hill to pull away from Hickey.

Griffiths commented: “I’ve finished third and second here for the last two years to it is nice to be on top of that podium at last. I had nothing left at the end, I gave everything but I wanted it that little bit more. It was a very hard race – I thought it was Jonny’s (Taylor) race to lose on the first lap and then half way through Adam (Hickey) did the same.”

He added: “Ten year ago I won the U15 (Inter-Counties) title in Nottingham so I think it is pretty cool to win the seniors as well.”

Gus Cockle (handicap -4.0) was a dominant winner as he captured his first junior men’s Inter-Counties title. The Surrey athlete opened up a 30m lead after the first lap and the gap continued to widen over the next 5km. In the end it was comfortable for the Aldershot Farnham & District athlete ahead of  William Fuller (handicap -3.6) and Paulos Asgodom.

Cockle commented: “I’m over the moon, I thought I had gone too early but I knew I had committed so I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to look behind but the crowd kept telling me how far ahead I was. The plan was to sit in because I did the same thing last year (made a move early) and blacked out. But I’m glad I had the strength in me to keep it going. It was such a stellar field so I am honoured to win.”

Mahamed Mahamed (handicap -4.2), winner in Milton Keynes in the opening fixture, confirmed his first place in the junior men’s overall Cross Challenge standings after a winter season which saw him earn his first British vest at the European Cross Country Championships.

After victories in Milton Keynes and Liverpool in 2015, Bobby Clay (handicap -0.5) was a dominant winner in the junior women’s race, finishing almost a minute ahead of her closest rival. The European Junior 3000m champion was ahead of Gemma Holloway (handicap 1.8) and Phoebe Law (handicap 1.6), to seize the Cross Challenge series title.

Clay spoke afterwards: “I love coming here (to Cofton Park), it is my favourite course. I love doing the Cross Challenge events. The spectators are so close to you here and it is always a great atmosphere at the last race of the (cross country) season. Everyone gives it a good go here.”

Cari Hughes (handicap 2.3) was triumphant in the U17 women’s category ahead of GB junior international Sabrina Sinha (handicap 2.0) after making a decisive move on the final lap. The two athletes were locked in battle heading but Hughes was the stronger over the undulating course and additionally won the U17 Cross Challenge series crown.

Isaac Akers (handicap -2.3) and Scott Beattie (handicap -2.7) were involved in the most thrilling finish of the day after an engrossing contest across the 6000m course. Akers won and also contributed to Leicestershire’s team victory. Sol Sweeney (handicap -2.2) finished third on the day but did succeed in winning the Cross Challenge title.

Zakariya Mahamed (handicap -1.3), brother of Mahamed, triumphant in the U17 series, also enjoyed success on the Cofton Park fields winning the Inter-Counties title and doubled the joy with victory in the U15 boys Cross Challenge overall standings.

Kathleen Faes (handicap 2.8) regained her U15 women’s Inter-Counties crown after pipping Alex Brown (handicap 3.9) who was closing her opponent down in the final stages of the 4000m course.

There was a surprise in the U13 boy’s race as Tommy Dawson (handicap 1.4), winner of two Cross Challenge fixtures this year was beaten by Harley Norman (handicap 1.4). However, the Yorkshire athlete did capture the overall Cross Challenge title after showing great consistency across the season.

In the U13 girl’s race, Lily-Jayne Evans-Haggerty (handicap 4.5) made the long trip down from Glasgow very worthwhile as she won the Inter-Counties to add to her victory from Liverpool’s Sefton Park last November. Another Scottish athlete, Kate Richardson (handicap 3.8) won the Cross Challenge title.

The Colchester Half Marathon started at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, the home of Colchester United, and had the biggest turnout ever. The race was won by Adrian Mussett (handicap -3.0)  in 69:53 with Helen Davies (handicap 1.8) first female in 78:17.

Did you race in one of these or any other event this weekend? By training and racing regularly your runbritain profile will maintain a healthy score and if you plan to peak for a target race, we hope you will improve it by a significant amount. Don't forget #clickyourclock starts tomorrow. At 12 noon each Wednesday, from next week. a random draw will be made from all those runners on the #clickyourclock leaderboard whose scores have improved by any amount in the preceding seven days and the prize is a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor. Click here for more.