5th July 2017

Super sixth for British women at IAU World 24 Hour Championships

Briton Jess Baker was seventh at the IAU 24 hour World Championships which took place in Belfast last weekend. Her 237.061 km, or 147 miles, set a new personal best for the F35 in the dramatic race in Victoria Park. The British women’s team finished an impressive sixth overall in an event won by the USA.

Other British women included Ali Young in 26th for her 214,760 km, Debbie Martin-Consani in 39th and, in her fifth Championships, Sharon Law finished 67th and Beth Pascal in her first 24-hour run was 76th. A total of 131 women completed the race that was won by Poland’s Patrycja Bereznowska in a new world 24-hr record of 258.3 km (161 miles). This was the first time a woman had been beyond 160 miles for the 24 hour distance.

In the men’s event, showing that age is no barrier in this endurance event, Steve Holyoak, M50, was first Briton in 24th place achieving 242,844 km with M45, Pat Robbins just behind in 28th having run 239,540 km.

Dan Lawson was 38th, Marco Gonsani 60th, James Stewart 118th and Robbie Britton 125th with a total of 159 male finishers.

The men’s title was won by Japan’s Yoshihiko Ishikawa after a titanic battle with Sweden’s Johan Steele. They could not be separated on laps completed and it came down to the added distance on the final lap before the hooter went.

Ishikawa won in 267.6km (166.3 miles) helping Japan to lift the team title with Steele beating a Nordic record which had stood since 1986 with 266.5km (165.6 miles). The British men finished eighth.

Full results are available here.