Weekend update of Olympic qualifiers and fast times
There were some fantastic performances in the Valencia marathon over the weekend, as well as quality times on the roads. Olympic marathon qualifying times and national record times were the flavour of the day for Surrey based Paul Pollock in particular.
The Valencia Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label event, was the venue for Paul Pollock's Olympic qualifier and Northern Irish Record of 2:10:25. Like Pollock, another London based athlete, Steph Davis had the race of her life. Davis smashed the Olympic qualifying time by nearly two minutes, putting herself in contention for the Tokyo Olympics with 2:27:40.
This outstanding run from Paul Pollock (handicap -4.7) with an impressive Olympic qualifying time of 2:10:25 was the run of the weekend. Paul finished 32nd in the Rio Olympics and this has put him in a strong position for selection for Tokyo. Liverpool athlete, Charlie Hulson (handicap -5.4) had a strong debut performance crossing the line in a time of 2:14:23. Just behind Hulson was Andy Davies (handicap -4.8) with a lifetime best and UK M40 record of 2:14:46 to surpass the times previously set by Steve Way and Ron Hill. .
Behind Steph Davis (handicap -1.2) and her ground breaking 2:27:40 were Hayley Carruthers (handicap -1.8) who secured a marathon personal best of 2:32:42, Eleanor Davis (handicap 0.2) in 2:33:24 and Elinor Kirk (handicap 0.0) in 2:34:35. Emma Mitchell (handicap 0.0) ran 2:36:45 for her debut performance.
The men’s world best on the road fell in the Valencia 10km with Joshua Cheptegei running a stunning 26:38. Adam Clarke (handicap -5.5) ran a big PB of 28:38 in 5th place as did Josh Grace (handicap -5.2) who secured 8th place in 28:59. Tracy Barlow (handicap -0.2) was impressive with a 33:43 clocking.
At the Percy Pud 10k in Sheffield, Eilish McColgan (handicap -3.4) was on fire with 31:48. Omar Ahmed (handicap -6.4) was similarly impressive with a 29:00 win. Husband and wife team Andy Heyes (handicap -5.2) and Lauren Heyes (handicap -0.2) were both second with 29:19 and 34:30 respectively.
In Lancashire at the Podium 5k Ciara Mageean (handicap -0.7) did the women proud with a 15:48 finishing time. The second female finisher with a time of 16:52 from Manchester Harriers was Rachael Franklin (handicap 0.8). Completing the top three women was Leeds City’s Orienteering ace, Alice Leake (handicap 2.6) in 17:25.
Andy Smith (handicap -4.5) was first male across the line in a rapid 14:52 in a close finish with Matthew Crehan (handicap -5.1) who clocked14:54.
Other results from the weekend are on the following links: