Weekend update
The weekend saw plenty of road running activity with impressive performances in many towns and cities at home and abroad. Road performances and PBs were widespread from Andy Butchart, Jess Judd, Sean Chalmers and emerging juniors, Luke Duffy, Izzy Fry, Matthew Stonier, Rory Leonard and Joe Wigfield.
At the 10km du Circuit Automobile d’Albi, Andrew Butchart (handicap -6.4) ran his first road race of the year in challenging conditions with a respectable 28:52 for fifth place.
Inverness duo Sean Chalmers (handicap -4.8) and Jenny Bannerman (handicap 0.4 ) came up with fast times at the Covid-compliant Back To Basics 10K on the Ben Romach course in Forres. Chalmers posted a PB and a course record of 29:55. Bannerman, with 35:08, just missed the women’s record by six seconds after chasing the men throughout in the first wave of events.
From the start, Chalmers and Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist, Robbie Simpson (handicap -4.6), set a brisk pace and it was only with a mile to go that the Aberdeen based PE teacher eased ahead, with Simpson closing in with 30:07. Kenny Wilson (handicap -4.3) was third in 31:22.
Bannerman, the only woman in the fastest Wave 1, hung on at the back of a quality men’s field, finishing strongly but just outside the 24-year-old course record. The next two fastest women took top five places in Wave 2 and both set personal best times. Catriona Fraser (handicap 3.9) ran 37:22 with Kirstie Rogan (handicap 8.9) finishing in 37:36.
On the roads at the Mallory Park 10k, Luke Duffy (handicap -4.8) led the charge of the youth, clocking a 30:15 for the win just one second ahead of Matthew Stonier (handicap -4.4) with 30:16 who kept Rory Leonard (handicap -4.4) in third in an impressive 30:18.
Jessica Judd (handicap -2.3) showed her racing experience finishing in 32:30 well ahead of tri-athlete Sophie Coldwell (handicap 1.5) with 33:25. Hannah Nuttall (handicap 0.2) was third in 35:09.
At The PB5k, both the courses and conditions were challenging but racing was very much top drawer! Izzy Fry (handicap -0.5), was a popular winner after a dive for the line that saw her first in 16:24 with Beth Kidger (handicap -0.6) credited with the same time in second place. Hannah Irwin (handicap -0.2) was third in 16:39.
Ian Crowe-Wright (handicap -5.6) won the men’s race in 14:23, two seconds ahead of junior, Joe Wigfield (handicap -5.1). Robbie Fitzgibbon (handicap -2.6) was third for in 14:29. The in-depth quality was reflected with over 15 men faster than 14:50.
At the Run Aintree 10k race, Rob Samuel (handicap -2.4), stormed through the 30 minute barrier for a PB in 29:45 well ahead Chris Williams (handicap 3.8), who finished in 31:07. Harry Blackburn (handicap 0.9), was third in 32:44. Leanne Jones (handicap 17.8) was top woman with 36:31, ahead of Sarah Mackness (handicap 3.8) in 37:13 with third place going to Katie Pritchard (handicap 31.8) in 38:27.
Photo credit scottishathletics/Bobby Galvin (Jenny Bannerman and Sean Chalmers)
UK runbritain rankings for endurance events and age groups
Other results from the weekend are on the following links: