Scott Overall confirmed for BMC Track 10k festival
Scott Overall (handicap MINUS 5.3) is the current leader of the runbritain Grand Prix and has confirmed that he will be on the start line of the fourth race in the series at the BMC Track 10k festival.
The first race of the Grand Prix was the Mizuno Reading Half Marathon where Scott claimed 250 points for winning the race and an additional 100 for running faster than 65 minutes. Nicholas Torry (handicap MINUS 4.8) finished 2nd in that race and also broke the 65 minute barrier and claimed 349 points. Scott then went on to win the Bristol 10k and finish 3rd at the Bupa London 10000, where he also claimed an extra 100 points and so he has a current total of 948. Meanwhile Nicholas missed the race in Bristol and claimed 244 in London for finishing 7th. He has 727 points but this is off just two races. Both have signed up for this fourth race in the series where they will battle it out over 10000m on the track at the inaugural BMC Track Festival.
The festival aims to attract a mix of serious and not-so-serious runners to have a go at the distance that Jo Pavey (handicap MINUS 2.6), Mo Farah (handicap MINUS 7.5) and Andy Vernon (handicap MINUS 6.9) entertained us with during the recent Commonwealth Games and European Championships. Race Organiser, Steve Green is anticipating an exciting day of great racing and vibrant atmosphere at Longford Park in Trafford on 6 September. "I’m really excited by the response shown. We have over 120 entries so far and a really satisfying part of that is around 50% might not have done a track 10k before. So we’re hoping the whole day might encourage more of your less-experienced runners to try track in the future,” said Steve.
“I think we’ve got the right balance between quality and quantity in the entries; there’s a perfect balance between the more elite-end, club runners and then the more recreational-end. We’re clashing with the Great North Run, which is on the same weekend and might have had an impact on entries, but we’re happy with the response for the event’s first year.”
It is anticipated that there will be around five or six races and each will be accompanied by music and special guests to provide a great atmosphere, while spectators will also be able to get up close to the action and cheer on the runners from lane four.
Grand Prix points are awarded for the first 250 finishing positions. 250 points will be awarded for the first British finisher, down to 1 point for the 250th British finisher. There are extra points available for men who run faster than 30 minutes and women who run faster than 33 minutes. 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.
If you haven't yet put in your entry you only have until Sunday to do it! What position will you claim on the Grand Prix score board? visit www.race-results.co.uk