Final round of runbritain Grand Prix at Leeds Abbey Dash
The Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash 10k takes place this Sunday and hosts the sixth and final race of the 2013 runbritain Grand Prix. It is due to be the biggest and best edition of this race yet.
The Leeds Abbey Dash has been promoted by Abbey Runners for the past 27 years. This year's 12,000 entries is a new record as runners of all levels have signed up from all parts of the UK. The elite field includes Ryan McLeod (handicap MINUS 5.3), Frank Tickner (handicap MINUS 2.8), Derek Hawkins handicap MINUS 4.4) , James Walsh (handicap MINUS 3.6) , Dave Norman (handicap MINUS 3.1) , Ben Livesey (handicap MINUS 4.6), Richard Weir (handicap MINUS 5.7), Josh Lilley (handicap MINUS 4.3) and Callum Hawkins (handicap MINUS 4.6) . The women’s entry includes Susan Partridge (handicap MINUS 1.5), Beth Potter (handicap 0.1) , Laura Whittle (handicap MINUS 0.8), Tish Jones (handicapMINUS 0.3), Alyson Dixon (handicap MINUS 0.8) , Emma Pallant (handicap 0.7), Emma Stepto (handicap MINUS 0.6) and Fiona Thompson (handicap 0.5) .
Even before this final race, the 2013 runbritain Grand Prix has already proved an enormous success in achieving the goal of raising the standard of British endurance running. The top four scores out of six races count for each runner. This year, all men in the top ten and nine of the top ten women have already competed in four races. We have awarded time bonuses five times already this year (we awarded three last year). Mo Farah (handicap MINUS 6.6) competed at the third race in the series (BUPA London 10000) last year and this year and earned himself 450 points on both occasions for winning the race and breaking 32:30. This placed him 19th overall in 2012 but this year he is way down in 44th place due to the high number of runners taking part.
The overall runbritain Grand Prix leaders going into the final race are Nick Torry (handicap MINUS 5.2) who has 1288 points from his best four races and Katrina Wootton (handicap MINUS 0.8) who has 1047 from just three races but, with time bonuses and ‘best four scores’ points format, the final places are still open. Tish Jones has won the last two Grand Prix events in Swansea and Cardiff but is only 11th on the standings. A late charge from her could move her into second spot. There is £18,000 of British-only prize money for the top 12 men and women and the top 250 British finishers at each race score points. Current standings can be viewed at www.runbritainrankings.com/grandprix/standings
Good luck to all those running who already have points on the leader-board and thanks for your support for the 2013 runbritain Grand Prix. Final prize money will be distributed in December.