Full points for Ryan McLeod and Emma Stepto in 5th Grand Prix race

Ryan McLeod (handicap MINUS 4.8) took full points (250) for first place plus and an extra 100 bonus points for breaking 65 minutes in the fifth race of the runbritain Grand Prix  at the Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon whilst Emma Stepto (handicap MINUS 0.8) took full points in the women's competition.

The race was also the British Half Marathon Championship and the newly crowned champions who come from opposite ends of England (Ryan from the North East and Emma from Cornwall) both recorded new lifetime bests of 64:57 and 72:28 respectively. Ryan finished fourth overall behind the winner, Boniface Kongin of Kenya and Emma was third in the women's race that was won by Joan Chelimo, also of Kenya. Rebecca Robinson (handicap MINUS 0.7) also produced her best run over the distance to date in a time of 72:38 and will claim 249 points. Jenny Jagger (handicap 0.2) was third British finisher and will claim 248 points.

Emma, who won the British Half Marathon in 2013, went past Kenya’s Gladys Yator over the final mile.

She said: “I have run the race about four or five times but not for a couple of years and this was the best one yet.

“It’s flat but it’s got a few inclines in it which is good to break things up.

“Running behind someone gives you a good target, the Kenyan girls are really inspiring and if they can do it why can’t I?

“There were three Kenyan girls in front of me during the race and I passed one in the last mile. I didn’t see the finish line coming I thought I had another mile to go.

“I love coming to Cardiff, it’s such a great atmosphere and it really is such a beautiful city.

“It’s a great course, and the organisers do an amazing job. I would recommend everyone to come and do it.”

Ryan, 29, who is now being coached by his legendary father Mike, said: “It’s a very, very fast course and I can see some really quick times being run here when the World Half Marathon Championships are held in Cardiff in 2016.

“I was really happy with my time for what was only my third half marathon.

“I’ve still got a lot to learn at this distance but I have beaten my previous best time and I’ve picked up my first UK title.

“I’m not sure if my father ever won this title but I am delighted to get my first one in my locker. I had a disappointing summer and I still don’t know what went wrong but my dad is coaching me now and I am approaching things with a different ethos.”

Paul Martelleti (handicap MINUS 4.9) was second British finisher in 65:30 and will claim 249 points, ahead of Cardiff’s Ieuan Thomas, (handicap MINUS 4.4) pictured below, who clocked 65:40 on his half marathon debut and collects 248. Ieuan has an impressive track background but, after this impressive debut, he must surely have his eyes on the World Half Marathon Championships that are to be held in his home city of Cardiff in 2016.

Super veteran Martin Rees (handicap MINUS 1.2) also picked up yet another age-group world record, the 61-year-old posting 72:27 to lower his own record by almost a minute.

Grand Prix points are awarded for the first 250 finishing positions in the six races that are in the series. 250 points are awarded to the first British finisher, down to 1 point for the 250th British finisher and there are extra points available for fast times. Up to the best four scores from the six available races count at the end of the series. If the athlete scores points in less than four Grand Prix events, their best two, three or single score will count towards the final standings. Prize money totals £18,000 and is shared by the top 10 male and female British runners at the end of the series.

This was only Ryan's second race in the Grand Prix and although there is only one more race to go, at the Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash 10k on 16 November, he may still finish in the top ten. For Emma, this was her fourth race in the series and this win will now take her into the lead but the women's race is close and, with this only Rebecca's and Jenny's third race in the series, they could still challenge for top honours if they run in Leeds.

We hope to bring you a full update of the Grand Prix standings soon.