27th December 2017
CHRISTMAS WEEKEND UPDATE
Ronnie Walker Saltwell 10k, Gateshead, December 23
Olympic marathon runner Sonia Samuels picked up her second win of December with victory in the Ronnie Walker Saltwell 10k in Gateshead.
Samuels, who represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the marathon at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games last year, clocked 35:41 minutes to come home first.
The Sale Harrier, winner over cross country at the North Eastern County Championships at the start of the month, was a full 28 seconds ahead of Danielle Hodgkinson (coach: Lee Morgan) in second.
There was a home victory in the men’s race as Abraham Tewelde of Saltwell Harriers ran 32:40 to win by four seconds ahead of Gateshead Harrier Conrad Franks (John Stephenson).
Hastings parkrun #140, East Sussex, December 23
Down on the south coast Adam Clarke (Geoff Watkin) showed he’s in fine shape as he romped to victory in an impressive 14.14 just two days before Christmas, the fastest parkrun of the festive period.
Barking parkrun #287, London, December 25
The biggest winner at a number of now traditional Christmas Day parkruns was Paul Martelletti (Nick Anderson), the marathon man crossing the line in 14.52 in Barking to take the spoils.
Round the Lakes 10k, Poole, December 26
Luke Prior (Mick Woods), who made his World Cross Country Championships debut this year, enjoyed some Christmas cheer as he won the Round the Lakes 10k in Poole on Boxing Day.
Fresh from a fifth at the Cross Internacional de Venta de Banos in Spain less than a week ago, Prior ran 32:14 for victory as he returned to Round the Lakes for the first time since 2013.
Prior’s Wells City Harriers teammate Matthew Dickinson placed third as James Phillips took second while Ruth Barnes of Avon Valley Runners won the women’s race in 35:11.
Guernsey Boxing Day Open, L’Ancresse, December 26
Lee Merrien won the Guernsey Boxing Day Open for the third time of his career as he slowly begins warming up for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April.
Merrien, winner of the Open in 2015 and 2011 and selected to represent Guernsey in Australia next year, was a clear victor by over two minutes in a time of 24:40 for the 4.75 mile full course in L’Ancresse.
Dan Galpin (Alan Rowe) was the closest to Merrien, clocking 26.42, and Peter Amy (Merrien) was third another 25 seconds back. Louise Perrio (Rowe) was ninth overall and good enough for the win in the women’s race in 28.14.
Share this:
