13th November 2017

Weekend Update

Scottish Short Course Cross Country Championships, Kirkcaldy, 11 November

Laura Muir (coach: Andy Young) returned to action for the first time since the London 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships and showed no sign of cobwebs as she retained her Scottish 4km Cross Country title in fine style. Finishing almost a minute clear of her nearest rival Muir stopped the clock in 12.53, with Steph Pennycook (John Lees) just edging out Morag MacLarty for bronze.

In the men’s race former GB U23 international Cameron Boyek (David Lowes) showed a welcome return to form bagging a Scottish title in the process. In a close run race, he kicked away for gold, leaving Lachlan Oates (John Montgomery) and Sol Sweeney (Catriona Tavendale) to fight for the minor medals just four seconds behind. The men’s race also saw a record 411 finishers, showing cross country is booming north of the border.

Results

Cross Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain, 12 November

Steph Twell (Mick Woods) opened her cross country season with an impressive run in Spain, finishing sixth in quality field. Ireland’s former European XC Champion Fionnuala McCormack was the first European home in fifth, with Twell just eight seconds and one place behind. Lily Partridge was also in good form two places further back. In the men’s race Alex Teuten (Roderick Lock) ran well, 26th in a world class field.

Results: Link to follow

European Halloween Cross, Middelfart, Denmark, 11 November

Tom Lancashire (Steve Cram) kick-started his cross country season with a strong third place finish at this European Athletics permit meeting in Denmark. After an injury disrupted track season, the Bolton Harrier has returned to form well, stepping onto the podium in a largely Danish field. Further back Ieuan Thomas (James Thie) was 11th and Charlie Hulson (Steve Vernon) 17th.

In the women’s race Caryl Jones was back in action after a fine 2.34 marathon debut in Amsterdam last month. The Welsh international finished fifth, just 30 seconds down on the winner.

Results

Alton Sports Hampshire League, Petersfield, 11 November

Triathlete turned road runner Matt Sharp took the win in a strongly contested Hampshire League, edging out Dane Blomquist (Mick Woods) by a mere second. The pair finished almost a minute ahead of Jonny Hay (Woods) and will head to the Liverpool leg of the Cross Challenge series full of confidence. It was a Woods coached one-two-three in the ladies race, Phoebe Law a comfortable winner from Katie Bingle and Emily Hosker-Thornhill.

Results

NCAA Division I West Region Championships, Seattle, USA, 10 November

Charlotte Taylor was the big British winner on regional cross country weekend in America, the Nene Valley athlete producing a brilliant winning run in the West Regional Championship, guiding her San Francisco team to team victory, getting the better of powerhouses Stanford and Oregon. In a closely fought race Taylor got the better of Alaskan Allie Ostrander by just two seconds, with Brit Amy-Eloise Neale producing the best cross country performance of her life in third. Another GB age-group international Bethan Knights continued her strong cross country season with a tenth place finish, with all three women qualifying for the NCAA Championships.

Elsewhere in the other regions Liam Dee (Ricardo Santos) and Alex George (Paul de-Camps) were both seventh in their respective races, whilst Jodie Judd (Mick Judd) was tenth in the women’s race at the South Regional Championships.

Results

Saitama Marathon, Japan, 11 November

Running for what she described ‘as fun’ following her 13th place finish in the marathon at the IAAF World Championships back in August, Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau) placed a fine fourth at the Saitama Marathon in Japan, clocking 2:30.34 as she continues to show well over 26.2 miles.

Results