Manchester Marathon: Temperatures soar as record number complete 26.2 mile course
Record numbers battled the heat as 90,000 people took to the streets in the largest day of marathon running in UK history on Sunday. The adidas Manchester Marathon saw 36,000 participants take on the flat and fast course in the North West with its new-look finish line, while in the capital, 54,000 pounded the roads in unseasonably warm conditions.
The hot weather did prove a hit with spectators, as more than 140,000 people soaked up the Manchester sun to cheer on those brave enough to take on the 26.2 mile challenge. Of the elite runners, Josh Griffiths was first home in a staggering time of 02:16:56, while Tessa McCormick clocked a standout time of 02:34:53 to win the women's race. Second place was claimed by Olivia Tsim, just seven months after having a baby.
One of those to cross the impressive new-look finish line on Oxford Road, was Kelsey Sheridan, 28, who overcame being wheelchair-bound due to CFS/ME, to take part alongside her assistance dog, Hamble.
Heroic Harry Newton, 87, holds the title of being the event's oldest participant this year which saw more than £4million raised for hundreds of worthy causes, with The Alzheimer's Society, The British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and The Christie Charity the official charity partners.
I was among the thousands of runners in the mass event, finishing in a more modest time of 02:59:24, taking two seconds off my personal best set in London 12 months ago.
The pancake flat course with minimal elevation proved perfect for PB chasers, despite the soaring temperature, as the lively Mancunian crowd lined the streets to roar words of encouragement.
After starting outside the iconic Old Trafford football stadium, the route made its way out of town towards Stretford and Altrincham before participants returned through Sale towards the finish.
As well as those who turned out, another 110,000 people watched from afar via the marathon's live stream to get a glimpse of their loved ones crossing the line.
More than 50 per cent of the participants were taking on their first-ever marathon, showing the growing popularity of the event.
Andrew Smith, CEO of adidas Manchester Marathon organisers, A.S.O. UK, said: 'It has been nothing short of spectacular. Manchester has shown once again why it's one of the best cities to take on a marathon – welcoming, passionate and full of heart.
"To see 36,000 people cross the finish line, many for the very first time, on the UK's biggest-ever day of marathon running, is incredibly special.
"We're proud to celebrate this moment with the whole community – participants, volunteers, charities and supporters – who made this event so successful".
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Throat cancer survivor ends Aussie Outback challenge early
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Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
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North Wales Road Runners excel at weekend events across UK
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Sam Gunning's club colleague Emma Alofs was the first female finisher in 31.15, with Bethan Jones (Black Cloak Runners), second in 32.58, and Margot Saher (Eryri Harriers), third in 33.57. After the race, Llyr, who also ran well, and finished in 18th place, spoke about his son winning this prestigious event and confirmed: 'I am dead proud of Samuel. This was his second race in two days. He also won a silver in the English Athletics track 5k champs on Friday. 'He didn't get a NW medal as he wouldn't be eligible, as he doesn't run for a NW club and was neither born there, unless parentage counts!' *The mixed clubs' team awards went to: (1): Cybi Striders in 2.01.09; (2): NWRRC in 2.11.45; and (3): Eryri Harriers in 2.11.57. The event attracted a high standard of athletes and the first 17 runners al dipped under 30 mins, and there were 187 finishers. 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Helen Hannam was 130th in 43.15, and veteran Kevin Higgins finished 143rd in 44.39, whilst Rob Fryer was 146th in 44.36, and Mike Hayton finished 168th in 49.00. *Jonathan Kettle, Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts, Carla Green, and Kay Hatton were the four counting runners, who claimed 2nd place in the mixed club team awards. *Paul Brooks from the NW Regional Athletics Council, was delighted with the overall results and later said: 'Congratulations to our new 5 miles champions: Josh Griffiths (Swansea) and Emma Kathleen Alofs (Cybi Striders). Josh smashed the previous Championship best performance (set in 2016 by Rob Samuel, 24:41 at Abergele), with his 24:19, while Emma - the current regional half marathon champion - set a new PB in 31:14.' *The full list of NW Regional medal winners is now available via this link: *This is a link to all the provisional results from the main race at Holyhead: Quick dash to 'Race the Highland' train For many people, it's just a quick dash to catch the train, but last Wednesday night nearly 300 runners opted to 'Race the Highland Train,' in this very popular annual 5k event, with everyone first enjoying a ride out to the start at Dinas station, after departing from the initial assembly point at Caernarfon. The conditions were good on this fast downward course, with a generous number of club and mixed ability runners taking part, which naturally led to some excellent and very good times. 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North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales Road Runners excel at weekend events across UK
Visting track star won the Holyhead Breakwater 5-mile race There was a good mix of club and social runners at the annual Holyhead Breakwater 5-mile race last Sunday with nearly 200 entrants enjoying a well organised event, which also formed part of the NW Regional Championships. Visiting track star Samuel Roberts (Retford AC), who is the 23-year-old eldest son of Welsh International triathlete Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts (NWRRC), was the first man home on this undulating course in just 24 minutes and 7 seconds. His time would have smashed the NW record - but as he is based in the East Midlands, and not born in Wales, or registered with a NW club - it didn't count. Josh Griffiths (Swansea Harriers), finished second and he was in close pursuit of Samuel, finishing in 24.19, whilst local athlete Sam Gunning (Cybi Striders), claimed third place in 27.05. Sam Gunning's club colleague Emma Alofs was the first female finisher in 31.15, with Bethan Jones (Black Cloak Runners), second in 32.58, and Margot Saher (Eryri Harriers), third in 33.57. After the race, Llyr, who also ran well, and finished in 18th place, spoke about his son winning this prestigious event and confirmed: 'I am dead proud of Samuel. This was his second race in two days. He also won a silver in the English Athletics track 5k champs on Friday. 'He didn't get a NW medal as he wouldn't be eligible, as he doesn't run for a NW club and was neither born there, unless parentage counts!' *The mixed clubs' team awards went to: (1): Cybi Striders in 2.01.09; (2): NWRRC in 2.11.45; and (3): Eryri Harriers in 2.11.57. The event attracted a high standard of athletes and the first 17 runners al dipped under 30 mins, and there were 187 finishers. Many local clubs were well represented including North Wales Road Runners who had 15 members involved: Their first man back was Jonathan Kettle 9th in 28.24, and he was 2nd in his F50 age cat, with Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts fresh from his recent international duty taking 18th place in 30.14, and Will Evans finished 26th in 32.12: Other NWRRC results included: Adam Lemalle 33.51, 44th Carla Green, who was the fourth female finisher, and she also won her F50 age cat in 34.33. Daniel Hennell 48th in 34.56, Steve Roberts 61st in 35.57, Kay Hatton 88th, and she won her F60 age cat in 38.26, Cheryl Frost was 95th, and 2nd in her F50 cat in 38.56. Nia Lister finished well in 112th place in 41.13, and Hannah Griffith also had a good run, and she was 110th in 40.53. Helen Hannam was 130th in 43.15, and veteran Kevin Higgins finished 143rd in 44.39, whilst Rob Fryer was 146th in 44.36, and Mike Hayton finished 168th in 49.00. *Jonathan Kettle, Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts, Carla Green, and Kay Hatton were the four counting runners, who claimed 2nd place in the mixed club team awards. *Paul Brooks from the NW Regional Athletics Council, was delighted with the overall results and later said: 'Congratulations to our new 5 miles champions: Josh Griffiths (Swansea) and Emma Kathleen Alofs (Cybi Striders). Josh smashed the previous Championship best performance (set in 2016 by Rob Samuel, 24:41 at Abergele), with his 24:19, while Emma - the current regional half marathon champion - set a new PB in 31:14.' *The full list of NW Regional medal winners is now available via this link: *This is a link to all the provisional results from the main race at Holyhead: Quick dash to 'Race the Highland' train For many people, it's just a quick dash to catch the train, but last Wednesday night nearly 300 runners opted to 'Race the Highland Train,' in this very popular annual 5k event, with everyone first enjoying a ride out to the start at Dinas station, after departing from the initial assembly point at Caernarfon. The conditions were good on this fast downward course, with a generous number of club and mixed ability runners taking part, which naturally led to some excellent and very good times. Meirionnydd RC took many of the plaudits with four club members in the first five places, including the top three, and the overall winner was Owen Roberts, in just 13 minutes and 59 seconds, with Ifan Dafydd second in 14.41, and Tomos Roberts third, yet he shared the exact same finishing time as Ifan. Sam Gunning (Cybi Striders) managed to split the Meirionnydd RC lads after claiming the fourth spot in 15.04, with Cai Dafydd fifth in 15.47. The first female finisher was Samia Jones (Liverpool Harriers) in 17.27, with Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) second in 18.04, and Ellin Haf Roberts (Eryri Harriers) third in 18.10. Prestatyn RC were very well represented and after the event they confirmed: 'A large number of club members turned out for to Race the Train at Caernarfon. This race is always popular with our club members as is there is chip shop supper after the race. 'We had some great results with Danny winning the V40 category and Dave coming 3rd in the same category. Marc also came 1st in the V60 category, with Darrell 2nd in that category. Well done to all four.' North Wales Road Runners entered three members with Daniel Hennell 58th with a good time of 20.39, followed by Hannah Griffith 130th in 23.56, and Gwennan Charlton 177th in 26.07. *TEAM AWARDS: Meirionnydd RC won the male club award, with Cybi Striders second, and Prestatyn RC third. Cybi Striders however, won the mixed clubs prize with a combined time total of 1.07.13, and Eryri Harriers were second in 1.11.22, with Prestatyn RC third in 1.12.36; and Cybi Striders also won the female team award with Menai Track & Field RC second and Eryri Harriers third. *This is a link to the provisional results for the Race the Highland Train. Ben and Sarah's 14-mile Coastal Challenge North Wales ultra-distance couple Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the challenging 14-mile Northumberland Coast Trail Run last Sunday, which closely followed the coastal path from Beadnell Harbour to the Alnmouth Estuary through an area of outstanding natural beauty. The route started on sand, then onto road, sand, trail, road, and finished on sand again at Alnmouth. This dynamic duo ran the race whilst on holiday and after the event Sarah explained: 'We are away with Ben's family in Northumberland and did a 14-mile trail race along the coast. 'It was tough going but stunning, with lots of delightful sandy miles. Ben snuck under two hours, and I did around 2.24. It was certainly a challenge that's for sure. A good turn out and it was really well organised!' *The final results confirmed that Ben finished well in 97th place out of 370 entrants, in a time of 1.58.18, and Sarah was 258th in 2.24.19.
