30th October 2017

Weekend Update

Frankfurt Marathon, Frankfurt, Germany, 29 October

Dewi Griffiths (coach: Kevin Evans) capitalised on his outstanding autumn form as he ran a sensational marathon debut of 2:09.49 to go top of the Power of 10 rankings. Aggressive from the get go, the Welshman went through 10km in 30.35 and the halfway mark in 63.49 to set himself up for a special debut. First European across the line, just ahead of local favourite Arne Gabius, Griffiths goes second on the Welsh all-time list, only behind his mentor Steve Jones. In British terms he is the 15th fastest in history, with only Sir Mo Farah going faster in the last 10 years. Add in Callum Hawkins (Robert Hawkins), who was fourth at the London 2017 World Championships in 2:10.17, and the future of British marathon running is looking very bright.

Also in action in Frankfurt were V40 Nic Torry and Lee Merrien (Gavin Smith), the duo clocking 2.17.37 and 2.20.25 respectively. Northern Ireland’s Fionnuala Ross was the leading female with a 2.48.44 debut over the 26.2 mile distance.

Results

Scottish National Cross Country Relay Championships, Cumbernauld, October 28

The Scottish National Cross Country Relays have become one of the highlights of the winter season north of the border and they didn’t fail to disappoint in 2017 with Inverclyde stopping Central’s winning streak in the men’s race, whilst Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds took the spoils in the women’s.

GB international mountain runner Andrew Douglas (Sophie Dunnett) got Inverclyde off to the perfect start, leading them home on the first leg, the third fastest time of the day, just one second behind Logan Rees (Ron Morrison) and Lachlan Oates (John Montgomery) 12.09 efforts on the anchor leg. None-the-less Inverclyde lead throughout, whilst Aberdeen AC passed Central on the final leg to decide the minor medals.

In the women’s race Edinburgh University H&H retained their title, with Mhairi MacLennan (John Lees), Anna MacFadyen and Steph Pennycook (John Lees) all going quickest on their respective legs. It was Morag MacLarty (Derek Easton) who went quickest overall though with an impressive 13.51 on leg two, which helped Central AC take silver, with Edinburgh AC bagging bronze.

Results

ACC Cross Country Championships, Louisville, USA, 27 October

1500m man Neil Gourley (Ben Thomas) finished 12th in a strong ACC Championships, posting a quick 23.55 time, whilst Beth Hawling was ninth in the women’s race.

Results

Mountain West Championships, Albuquerque, USA, 27 October

GB internationals Alice Wright and Josh Kerr (both Joe Franklin) were the leading Brits at the Mountain West Championships, Wright cruising to a fifth place finish, whilst Kerr ran well, his 24.02 time good for seventh.

Results

Ohio Valley Conference Championship, Charleston, USA, 28 October

Jamaine Coleman (Andy Bibby) was the star of the show in Illinois with a second place finish behind Kenyan Edwin Kurgat.

Results

Pac-12 Championships, Springfield, USA, 27 October

Up North in Oregon, Amy-Eloise Neale was on the podium with a fine third place finish at the Pac-12 Championships, whilst her fellow GB age-group international Bethan Knights (Shayla Houlihan) was tenth. Ryan Forsyth was seventh in the men’s race, just inside 24 minutes for the 8km distance.

Results

SEC Championships, Athens, USA, 27 October

Alex George (Paul de-Camps) was the leading Brit at the SEC Championships, fourth in 23.35, showing good form ahead of the NCAA Championships.

Results

West Coast Conference, Oakland, USA, 27 October

Charlotte Taylor was the standout British winner on Conference weekend, taking victory in California with a 19.11 time, 20 seconds clear of her San Francisco teammate in second.

Results