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 OCTOBER 2022

PHOTO BY NN RUNNING
T
here is a calm to be found in running. Particularly on those sweet but
all too rare days when nothing niggles, the going is easy and you feel
like you could carry on forever, the metronomic sound of trainer on
ground can be a reassuring and satisfying thing.
Even the occasions when the struggle is a little more real provide a
hugely welcoming distraction – and a particularly important one, too.
Just as we thought the world might be heading back to some kind of post-pandemic
stability, the curve balls have continued to come from all angles. Simply turning on the news
can represent an act of bravery right now.
Yet amidst the apocalyptic headlines, you can still find reasons to be cheerful – and running
has provided a few examples in recent weeks.
Euan Crumley Few people look happier in their work than Eliud Kipchoge. The Kenyan’s record-breaking
AW Editorial Director superpowers show no sign of waning and his stunning run in Berlin meant he arrived in
London to watch this year’s marathon as a man in demand – an athlete who is managing to
shine a sizeable spotlight on the art of covering 26.2 miles. We look at his performance in
Germany and speak to the man himself about the effect he is having on his sport (p26).
I know his feats have started me thinking about trying to tackle a marathon again and I also
know I’m not alone. I have spoken to a number of people in recent days, mostly keen runners
suffering from a lack of motivation, who watched what he did and their minds began to whir
again – about getting more structure to training or getting that event entry filled out.
The annual outpouring of athletic endeavour and goodwill that is the London Marathon
was also a much-needed tonic as we head into autumn. Whether it was the eye-popping
closing surges that decided the elite races, the athletes who finished as best of British or
simply those fighting their own personal battles, there was so much to enjoy (p32).
In the performance section this month, we also look at how to address your weaknesses and
start laying the foundations for the year ahead (p80). It could help you keep your head, while
all around us others are losing theirs.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 5
 CONTENTS

MARATHON ELIUD KIPCHOGE

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EDITORIAL
Editorial director Euan Crumley Eliud Kipchoge is the undisputed king of marathon running
and able to bring a level of attention to athletics unlike anyone
euan.crumley@athleticsweekly.com else right now. Fresh from yet another record-breaking
feat, he tells Euan Crumley that there’s more to come
Head of digital Jason Henderson

PHOTO BY NN RUNNING TEAM

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results@athleticsweekly.com 26 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM ATHLETICSWEEKLY 27

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Strength and conditioning coach Andy Kay tells Euan Crumley
newspaper why now is the perfect time to identify your weaknesses and use
them as the winter foundation for improving your performance

T
his can be a crucial time
While AW takes every care to help readers with of year for many track
athletes. With the summer
season recently complete
HAVE A GOOD REASON
TO DO SOMETHING AND
training, diet and injuries, neither they, nor their but quickly becoming a
distant memory, it’s now
when the important foundations are laid for what
THAT ONLY COMES FROM
WORKING BACKWARDS
FROM THE SPORT
contributors, can accept responsibility for illness
lies ahead next summer.
With training intensity a little lower to begin
with, there is an opportunity to work on the extra AND FROM YOUR OWN
elements which can prove invaluable further ISSUES AND INJURIES
or injury caused as a result of advice given. We down the line. It’s where some backwards thinking
away from the heat of competition can help you
get ahead.
not only becomes the first port of call but also
provides the purpose and direction to the off-track

also cannot take responsibility for loss or damage Andy Kay, founder of Pure Performance, is a
leading strength and conditioning coach who has
worked with Jake Wightman since 2016 and was
training programme he will put together.
With a background spanning multiple sports,
the Royal Marines and now making a big impact
part of the backroom team which helped lead the in athletics, he believes that “running and strength

to supplied material. Jumping exercises can

be incredibly useful in
Briton to world 1500m gold earlier this year.
At the start of every season, Kay will profile
the athletes he works with to identify their
and conditioning are now working more hand in
hand” than they perhaps did in the past.
Here, he outlines why and how making it a part
assessing weaknesses
biomechanical weaknesses. Working on those of your programme can help pay real dividends. Z

80 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM ATHLETICSWEEKLY 81

AW takes no responsibility for the content of

advertisements placed in the magazine.
80 Why you should work on your weaknesses this winter

6 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 OCTOBER 2022

IN THIS ISSUE
DIGEST STATTO STEVE
8 Picture this – London's sprint start 46 As Kipchoge creates more history, Steve
10 Latest news from the world of athletics Smythe looks at the other athletes who have
12 All in a day's work for Sorokin dominated the clock
14 Diamond days in Zurich
EMBRACING THE PAIN
ASK THE ATHLETE 50 Ciara Mageean on finding success and
16 Olympic 400m silver medallist Roger Black being challenged like never before
answers your questions
THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING
MY GREATEST RACE 54 Preview to the inaugural World Mountain
18 Eamonn Martin looks back on a and Trail Running Championships
record-breaking 10,000m run
CHANGE OF DIRECTION
SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE 58 Kate Avery explains why she left the track
20 Katharine Merry on how athletes deal with behind and headed for the hills
the dreaded prospect of retirement
THE HARSH REALITY
RISING STAR 58 John Shepherd outlines the challenges of
22 400m and 800m athlete Samuel Reardon trying be a professional coach
talks us through his landmark year
COACHING LESSONS
KEEPING CALM AND CARRYING ON 65 Top tips from Alan Rowling of Cornwall AC
24 Verity Ockenden explains why going for a run
felt like an appropriate tribute to The Queen CLUB FOCUS
66 Booth Track Club's collaborative approach

THE MARATHON PERFORMANCE

68 The latest news and research
ELIUD KIPCHOGE EXCLUSIVE 70 How They Train with Lizzie Bird
26 Examining how the prolfiic Kenyan created 72 The effects of periods on performance
more history, how he is putting running in the 76 When to bring weights into your training
spotlight and what comes next 80 Andy Kay on how you can build upon
your weaknesses this winter
TELLING TALES 84 Ask The Physio with Paul Hobrough
32 10-page London Marathon special as we look 86 Paul Freary reviews the latest road shoes
back on an edition of the annual showpiece
which still delivered despite the withdrawals RESULTS
90 Round-up of the last month's action
THE FASCINATING STRUGGLE
42 Roger Robinson writes about the 1908 CLOSING STRETCH
COVER Olympic race in London which turned the 94 A Lap With ... Mia McIntosh
IMAGE: marathon into a global phenomenon 95 Test your knowledge with our 10 teasers
GETTY
IMAGES 96 Have Your Say: readers' letters
98 Dip Finish

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 7
 DIGEST

PICTURE THIS
LEE-WRIGHT
OUT IN FRONT

T
he start of a
marathon is
when runners are
supposed to begin
gradually easing
into a steady pace,
rather than flying off the line.
One man opted to defy convention,
however, and set off at a sprint at this
year’s London Marathon. Richard Lee-
Wright, from Devon, said he had fulfilled
a dream when he shot out into a short-
lived lead, punching the air as he did so.
"It all started about six years ago,” said
the 38-year-old, who secured his place
on the start line among the elites by
running 2:37:34 at Newport last year.
“A friend and me were watching the
London Marathon and I told him I could
lead it. He said there was no chance.
"I'd told people for years that I was
going to do this and they laughed at me
and didn't believe I could do it."
Lee-Wright ultimately completed the
London course in 3:23:08.

8 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 PHOTO BY LONDON MARATHON EVENTS
PICTURE THIS

9
ATHLETICSWEEKLY
 THE MAIN EVENTS

RECORDS RATIFIED
he world records set by Tobi Amusan, Mondo

T Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin at the

World Athletics Championships in Eugene
were ratified last month.
Amusan ran 12.12 in the women’s 100m hurdles semi-
finals on her way to winning gold, while Duplantis leapt
6.21m in the men’s pole vault final and McLaughlin blew the
competition away with 50.68 in the women’s 400m hurdles
final. Letsile Tebogo’s under-20 mark of 9.94 set in the men’s
100m heats was also ratified.
PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES

NON-BINARY
MARATHON RUNNERS
on-binary athletes will be able to compete

N in next year’s Boston and London

Marathons without having to register in
either the men’s or the women’s divisions.

FAREWELL
The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) said runners
will be able to select non-binary with regard to gender
when they apply for next year’s race.
The director of the London Marathon, Hugh Brasher,

TO HEWSON
said the decision was a “significant step” in improving the
race’s diversity.

SPOTAKOVA
B
rian Hewson (above right), who
represented Great Britain at the 1956
and 1960 Olympics and won European
1500m gold, died last month aged 89.
The middle-distance runner also claimed
STEPS AWAY arbora Spotakova, one of the greatest javelin
two Commonwealth silver medals over 880
yards in 1954 and 1958. His best place at the Olympics was fifth
in the 1500m final at Melbourne 1956, after he had led into the
B throwers in history, has announced her
retirement from the sport. The Czech won 10
major medals between 2006 and 2022, including
final straight. Olympic titles in 2008 and 2012, as well as world golds in 2007,
Hewson was also one of the first men to run a sub-four minute 2011 and 2017. She was also European champion in 2014.
mile, clocking 3:59.8 at the White City Stadium in 1955.
Finishing third to László Tábori and Chris Chataway, he became
the first person in history to run a mile in less than four minutes
and not finish in the top two. Before that race, only Roger
Bannister and John Landy had broken the famous barrier.
Hewson’s best season came in
1958, when he won a gold medal at
the European Championships. He
was the fastest-ever Englishman
over 880 yards, running a personal
best in 1958 of 1:47.0.
He retired from athletics after
the 1960 Olympics and worked at
Simpson’s of Piccadilly, as a tailor,
before setting up his own tailoring
company in the East End of
London.

10 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
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DISTANCE
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ROAD RACE AROUND WALES’ CAPITAL CITY

SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER 2023

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#RunTheDiff
 DIGEST

Aleksandr Sorokin edges closer to

the impossible 200-mile barrier as
he breaks his own world 24-hour
record, writes Adrian Stott

I
t wasn’t just Eliud Kipchoge who was THE RECORD
managing to produce history-making
Distance covered: 319.614km/198.598 miles
feats of running endurance last month.
Just as the Kenyan is edging closer to Ave pace: 4:30min per km, 7:15min per mile
the fabled two-hour barrier at a big city
marathon, Aleksandr Sorokin is also New York and improving the 24-hour record by 10km to
homing in on reaching a mark which many previously felt was 284.853km/176.999 miles.
out of reach. He would go on to record 14 of the best 24-hour times ever and
The Lithuanian is enjoying something of a purple patch right break the world record on four further occasions, pushing it up
now and, in the last 18 months, he has been rewriting the to the first 300km effort when recording that distance of 303.506
ultra-distance record books. During that time he has set men’s km/188.589 miles 25 years ago. Kouros achieved a level of
marks at 100km once and at 100 miles, 12 hours and 24 hours consistency that many people thought would last for a generation.
on two separate occasions. In fact, it was only 20 years before Sorokin started to make
But it is his recent improvement on his already phenomenal waves in the ultra scene. He came late to the sport aged 31,
24-hour record that has certainly got people talking. reportedly taking up running simply to lose weight and get in
Set at the IAU European 24-hour Championships in Verona, shape, and his rise had been relatively gradual.
he travelled an astonishing 319.614km, which represented From his first 24-hour effort of 242km in 2015 he improved
an improvement of over 10km on his previous mark of by 30km in the four years to 2019, the pinnacle being winning
309.399km, set in Poland just over a year go. the world title three years ago with a distance of 278.972km
The record now equates to 198.598 miles, tantalisingly close /173.345 miles.
to the magical 200-mile mark, and involved travelling at an Through the pandemic he was furloughed from his job in a
average speed of 7:15min per mile or 4:30min per kilometre casino in Riga so, like many, became a full-time runner with
for the whole 24 hours. more of that all-important recovery time. Post-pandemic in
Until Sorokin came on the scene, the ultra-running community 2021 his purple patch began.
and statisticians felt that the mark of 303km for 24 hours, set by Apart from the dramatic increase in his 24-hour distance
Yiannis Kouros in 1997, would last for many more years. by a further 40km in three years, what sets him apart from
The Greek had established himself at the forefront of the previous ultra greats is his range of distances? Don Ritchie was
discipline, taking it to a whole new level on November 9, a pioneer at 100km and 100 miles but struggled with the longer
1984 when running in the Sri Chinmoy 24-hour race in distances, while Kouros was competent at 100km and 100 miles

12 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 ALEKSANDR SOROKIN

RECORD-
BREAKING BRITS
While Aleksandr Sorokin
was breaking new ground
at the IAU 24-hour
Championships in Verona,
the British contingent were
busy breaking records and
rewriting the rankings as well.
Jo Zakrzewski broke Lizzy
Hawker’s long-standing
British 24-hour record by
908m when running 247.984
km/154.090 miles, finishing
fifth overall in a high quality
women’s field as the British
team came fourth.
The leading finishers in
the men’s team rewrote
the British ranking lists. Dan
Lawson, European champion
himself in 2016, led the
charge. He improved his PB
to 273.003km/169.636 miles
for fifth overall and moved to
second in the British
24-hour rankings behind Dave
but excelled at 24 hours. Sorokin is setting new boundaries from ABOVE: Aleksandr Dowdle’s long-standing mark
100km right through to 24 hours. Sorokin savours of 274.480km/170.553miles.
And who would dare to say that he has reached his max? He yet another Behind him, Dan Hawkins
record-breaking
has brought the 200-mile barrier within touching distance. and Paul Maskell tied on
moment
In all likelihood he will rest up, come up with a pacing 265.302km/164.851 miles
strategy and choose a course and conditions that allow him to to put them fourth equal in
run at that optimal effort to find what are wafer thin margins of the all-time standings. For
a few seconds per kilometre to enable him to achieve this. the first time Great Britain
The 2023 World 24-hour Championships are in Taiwan in early had five runners surpass 160
December. Sorokin is on record as saying he finds championship miles in an event as the team
races fun, but a little busy, indicating he struggles to find the absolute finished fourth.
shortest line on a short loop course in a crowded field – one of those
small margins crucial to maximising the distance you run.
Travelling to the Far East may not be to his liking, either. The
smart money could be on him finding a race closer to home in
Europe. Wherever he decides to race next, though, these are
clearly exciting times for ultra running.

SOROKIN’S RACES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS

April 2021 Ashford, GB 100-mile record of 11:14:56
April 2021 Ashford, GB 12-hour record of 170.309km
August 2021 Pabience, Poland 24-hour record of 309.999km
January 2022 Spartanian, Israel 100-mile record of 10:51:39
January 2022 Spartanian, Israel 12-hour record of 177.410km
April 2022 Bedford, GB 100km record of 6:05:41
Sept. 2022 Verona, Italy 24-hour record 319.614km

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 13
 DIGEST

DIAMOND DAYS
IN ZURICH
Weltklasse brings curtain down on a packed season as winners are crowned

14 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 DIAMOND LEAGUE

T
he 32 Diamond League The two-time world champion reached out to a
champions for 2022 were remarkable 23.23m with his second-round effort to
crowned as the top-level track defeat the current Olympic and world gold medallist
and field season came to a close Ryan Crouser.
last month with the final at the two- On the track in at the Letzigrund Stadium the
day Weltklasse meeting in Zurich. following evening, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce stood out
Seven world champions were among the athletes as she equalled the 100m meeting record after running
who had to qualify for the final by accumulating points a time of 10.65 (-0.8).
at the 12 previous meetings. Winning the Diamond It has been an astonishing year for the athlete who
League title also brings with it a wild card entry to next won her first Olympic title 14 years ago and she has
year’s World Championships in Budapest. easily produced the best series of marks by a woman
Six winners were decided on the opening day of sprinter in a calendar year.
action at the city centre Sechselautenplatz, with This year she has run 10.62, 10.65, 10.66 and
American Joe Kovacs produced the throw of his life – 10.67 four times for a record seven sub 10.70s. It
and the third-biggest of all-time – to win a spectacular wasn’t surprising she gained her fifth Diamond
shot put contest. League title.

2022 DIAMOND
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Men
100m: Trayvon Brommel USA
200m: Noah Lyles USA
400m: Kirani James GRN
800m: Emmanuel Korir KEN
1500m: Jakob Ingebrigtsen NOR
5000m: Nicholas Kipkorir KEN
110m hurdles: Grant Holloway USA
400m hurdles: Alison dos Santos BRA
3000m steeplechase: Soufiane EL Bakkali MAR
High jump: Gianmarco Tamberi ITA
Pole vault: Armand Duplantis SWE
Long jump: Miltiadis Tentoglou GRE
Triple jump: Andy Diaz Hernandez CUB
Shot Put: Joe Kovacs USA
Discus: Kristjan Čeh SLO
Javelin: Neeraj Chopra IND

Women
100m: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce JAM
200m: Shericka Jackson JAM
400m: Marileidy Paulino DOM
800m: Mary Moraa KEN
1500m: Faith Kipyegon KEN
5000m: Beatrice Chebet KEN
100m hurdles: Tobi Amusan NGR
400m hurdles: Femke Bol NED
3000m steeplechase: Werkuha Getachew ETH
High jump: Yaroslava Mahuchikh UKR
Pole vault: Nina Kennedy AUS
Long jump: Ivana Vuleta SRB
Triple jump: Yulimar Rojas VEN
Shot Put: Chase Ealey USA
Discus: Valarie Allman USA
Javelin: Kara Winger USA

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 15
 INTERVIEW

ASK THE
ATHLETE

PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES

WITH SPECIAL GUEST
ROGER BLACK
You ask the questions, the athletics star provides the answers. This month
we hear from an Olympic 400m silver medallist about tough training,
coming up against Michael Johnson and learning lessons from the best
You came very close to breaking the sand dunes and beaches, under the guidance of ABOVE: Roger Black
European 400m record. Why do you think it is Mike Smith, in all sorts of weather. You’d get in the competing at the
still standing after so long? car, drive back and hope for a Sunday roast at home. 1996 Olympics
The European 400m record of 44.33 was set in 1987 That’s where we put the real hard work in.
by a great rival of mine called Thomas Schönlebe My preferred sessions were the ones that I knew
from East Germany. He never beat me and I only mattered. You can train loads and loads but there
ran against him three or four times. In 1987 he were some key sessions we did for the 400m and you RIGHT: celebrating
became world champion. I’m surprised the record knew when they were coming up. You were always world 4x400m relay
has stood so long. A few people have had a nibble at nervous in the morning lead-up to it. They would gold with Derek
Redmond, John
it, including myself, Iwan Thomas, Derek Redmond be two or three runs over 500m and I never enjoyed Regis and Kriss
and most recently Matthew Hudson-Smith. that, for example, but I knew it was important. Akabusi in 1991
I thought Matthew would break it this year and The big one that Kriss and I used to mark where
I think he eventually will if he stays fit. I guess it’s we were [in terms of fitness] would be when
stood so long because it’s a good record but I think we did 4x300m runs. Invariably, we’d be out in
it’s time for Europeans to go under 44 seconds. California for warm weather training and getting
With just the evolution of spikes technology it’s ready for the season.
time that the record went. I would predict that it You had 10 minutes recovery but it was honest
will go within the next year. running and we would lead each other on every
other run. The first one felt great, the second one
What were your longest and preferred was pretty good and you’re running at 95 per cent.
training sessions? That 10-minute recovery suddenly feels shorter.
The longest sessions were in the winter. We were The third one was key and you had a choice,
quite old school back in the day. Myself, Kriss knowing if you went to the line and were honest
Akabusi, Todd Bennett and a whole host of athletes you’d be in trouble. We’d always go to the line and
were down in Southampton in the early days. We try not to collapse. This was the session that made
would have long two-hour Sunday sessions across us as 400m runners.

16 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 ROGER BLACK

I knew that Michael was better than me but he

could make a mistake. All I could control was how I To see the full video
MY PREFERRED SESSIONS ran. I didn’t think I’d come second but that was the interview with Roger
right mentality. If I had raced Michael I would never Black, as well as more
WERE THE ONES THAT I have won an Olympic medal and regretted it for the episodes of Ask The
KNEW MATTERED. YOU CAN rest of my life. Success for me was walking off the Athlete, scan the QR

TRAIN LOADS AND LOADS track knowing that I’d performed to the best of my
ability. That was reflected by a silver medal.
code below.

BUT THERE WERE SOME KEY Ask The Athlete is

SESSIONS WE DID FOR THE Do you feel enough has been done in Britain also available as a
to utilise the experience of former athletes to podcast, via iTunes
400M AND YOU KNEW WHEN help the next generation? and Spotify.
THEY WERE COMING UP. YOU I don’t think so. It baffles me, Kriss and Daley
Find out how to submit
WERE ALWAYS NERVOUS IN [Thompson] for example. Success leaves clues in
all walks of life and when I was going through my your questions via
THE MORNING LEAD-UP TO IT journey I sat alongside Seb Coe and Edwin Moses our social media
to name a few and we would pick their brains. channels or by visiting
Did you ever think you had a chance against Any former athlete will always be happy to tell athleticsweekly.com
Michael Johnson? If not, what kept you the young and up-and-coming athletes what they
motivated and how did the measure of experienced and just to sit and listen to people, even
success change for you? knowing that we’re all different, you might pick up
It underpins everything for me. Michael Johnson something from somebody that is really important.
came on the scene in 1991 as a 200m runner and I’ve never really understood why British Athletics
then eventually progressed to the 400m. From don’t structure that into the journey of a young athlete’s
1993 onwards he was so dominant. I’d raced progression. I know so many people who would talk.
Michael a lot by the time it came to Atlanta 1996 Steve Backley has talked to the next generation, for
and we were definitely friends and had great example, but not as much as he should have done.
respect for each other. We’re not talking about athletes becoming coaches
I had the choice at those Olympics of trying – I’m not a coach and I never would be one – or
to race Michael or to run my own lane. I quite even a specific mentor but just to share experiences.
famously said that going into the Olympics we were You can absorb so much from others and even if it’s
running for second place but what I never said was just one thing that resonates then you can apply that
that I couldn’t win the gold medal. to your training and get an improvement.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 17
 MY GREATEST RACE

EAMONN MARTIN
ABOVE: Eamonn
Martin on his way
to victory in Oslo

Bislett Games, Oslo, July 2, 1988 – 10,000m, first place, 27:23.06

The former Commonwealth champion recounts a 25-lap debut
where belief in his plan drove him to surpass Brendan Foster’s
British record in what was then the sixth-fastest time in history
AS TOLD TO MARK WOODS

I
was still working for Ford the best balance had been working
at that point – officially as part-time and having a purpose each
a testing and development day so that he wasn't just hanging
engineer, testing all of the around waiting to train.
various components around the So, when Ford came to me, I said I could do
car. When I came back from the with working shorter hours per day – from 10am
1984 Olympic Games, the powers that be there met until 3.15pm – and they sanctioned it. From 1984
me and asked: “Is there anything we can do to help?” onwards, that's exactly what happened.
I’d gone to Europe after those Olympics and raced I just absolutely grabbed it and made the best use
in Cologne and Koblenz, as did Dave Moorcroft, of it, thinking I was incredibly fortunate to have
and I spent quite a bit of time with him. He told me been given this opportunity. I had plenty of time in
that he'd tried full-time working, part-time working the morning: to train, to stretch, to shower, to do
and being a full-time athlete. He found that by far breakfast properly and go to work.

18 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 EAMONN MARTIN

FACTFILE had a very good season, coming off a there to the finish and that's what I
comeback year in 1987. After 1984, I did. I think I ran 26 seconds for the
Date of birth: October 9, 1958
kept suffering Achilles problems, having last 200m, which is why it was seven
Events: 5000m, 10,000m,
Marathon
good winters but tough summers. But, seconds inside Brendan's record.
that year, I’d raced quite a bit. People say about the tactics. You
PBs: 5000m: 13:17.84;
10,000m: 27:23.06; Everything was pointing towards have to be aware that there were some
Marathon: 2:10:50 27:30 and the British record in Oslo if seasoned runners in there and I thought I
it all went incredibly well. That was my might be hanging on for dear life towards
ACHIEVEMENTS
opinion. That was Mel’s opinion. the end of the race and just using my
Everything suggested it, so I thought I sprint. But I was feeling good and that
1995: Chicago Marathon
first place would work my way to the front group, was probably the really pleasant surprise.
1993: London Marathon
hang on and then really start to think Two months later, I didn’t finish in the
first place tactically from maybe four laps out, Olympic 10,000m final. It was two races.
1990: Commonwealth Games depending how it was going. And that's I always felt that it was almost ridiculous:
10,000m gold exactly what happened. running qualifying heats in the 10,000m.
It was a 13:43 first 5km. I was pretty Runners are all different and different
pleased with that, because I felt really, physical sizes. As a runner, I was probably
really good and really comfortable. more on the heavy side so I didn't think
I hadn't really changed my winter, I Gradually, it got whittled down to that naturally lent itself to recovery.
think I'd added just a couple of miles four of us: Hansjörg Kunze of East Also, I was in great shape for 5000m.
to the Sunday run, and I just got better Germany, Arturo Barrios the Mexican I got almost morally pressurised
and better and stronger and stronger. and Salvatore Antibo of Italy. into the 10,000m because I was the
Then, in the transition from winter
into spring, I was doing some bigger
sessions on the track and they were
going fantastically well.
That's when Mel Batty, my coach, said: I THOUGHT I WOULD WORK MY WAY
“You should really dip your toe in the
water at 10,000m this season.” I thought
TO THE FRONT GROUP, HANG ON
that sounded like a really good idea. AND THEN REALLY START TO THINK
I was doing big sessions at Basildon TACTICALLY FROM MAYBE FOUR LAPS
and, one time, [1980 Olympian] Barry
Smith came over.
OUT, DEPENDING HOW IT WAS GOING.
I told him: “I'm looking at running the THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED
Bislett 10,000m on Saturday.” He joined
in, did half a session, then watched the With two laps to go, I felt the pace was British record-holder but I wasn't an
second half. dropping. I heard the time and I just experienced runner. I was a much
He said to me: “That was absolutely quickly did the calculation. I thought: better 5000m runner then.
amazing. On Saturday, you're either “I don't want this pace to drop because When I went to the World
going to run a blinder or you're going to I'm well inside the British record. If we Championships in Tokyo in 1991, they
go too fast and the wheels are going to do a 65 lap, I can probably run a 55 at actually had the heat of the 10,000m on
come off.” least, if not faster.” Two minutes for the the Friday and the final on the Sunday.
I still had to get my head around the last 800m was just in my head. At least at the Olympics, it had been
10,000m. Nevertheless, if you are a track I went to the front, just to keep the Friday and then Monday. I ran 28:23.42
runner at 5000m, and physically doing pace going, but I felt really comfortable. in the heat on the Friday on a really
great sessions – and mentally they're I had to make sure I was inside the hard track. My legs were not in good
tough as well – you kind of feel ready for British record. I've never really thought shape. When I tried to get massage out
it. And that's what I was doing. like that, because I'd always thought there, I struggled. The masseurs had
It had rained a little before the race. The about winning the race and that was gone to bed when I finished the race.
air was slightly oxygenated. It was dead still my priority. Now it’s one-off races at major
still and cool inside. They scheduled the We got to the bell. Barrios and Antibo championships, which is much better.
10,000m for late evening – just before were there and I let them overtake That doesn't make it easy, but it makes
the Dream Mile, which Steve Cram won. me, because I quite like attacking from it much better because you're not
It made it a long old day. behind. With 300m to go, I thought: “I recovering from a 10,000m just before
In 1988, I won the 5000m in Zurich feel brilliant. What am I doing?” you race the final. I'm glad that changed
and came second in Edinburgh – I’d Off I went. I thought I’d sprint from for the better of the sport.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 19
 PICTURE BY RICHARD HEATHCOTE

Most athletes don’t choose when they get to retire, writes Katharine Merry,
and it can be an incredibly difficult transition to make for many reasons

R
etirement has felt like a Former British Lion Brian O’Driscoll made a TV ABOVE: Mo Farah
recurring theme across documentary recently, speaking to a number of withdrew from the
London Marathon
the sporting world in former sports stars about how difficult it is to move
with a hip injury
recent weeks. on from that purpose which defined your identity. I
Roger Federer and Serena can completely relate to that. It really isn’t easy.
Williams saying farewell to In my experience, I’ve found that most track and
tennis have of course been the most high-profile field athletes don’t choose to retire on their own
examples but, even a little closer to home, Tom terms. Jessica Ennis-Hill is probably the last one I
Bosworth and now James Dasaolu have stepped off can remember who was able to decide her retirement
the track for good, while Mo Farah’s late withdrawal plan and not be forced out through injury.
from the London Marathon heightened the discussion For most it’s a really, really hard adaptation. Your
around how much longer he can keep going for. mind’s willing to keep going but your body’s not

20 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 KATHARINE MERRY

YOU COMPLETELY LOSE YOUR IDENTITY

FOR A WHILE BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE ‘IF
I’M NOT AN ATHLETE, THEN WHAT AM I?’
Katharine
able to and I think a lot of people, myself media is actually playing a very positive role. Merry
included, find that a very difficult period. Athletes seem much proactive, whether it’s
Athletes have spoken to me over the years Lina Nielsen with her yoga or Harry Aikines- Olympic
and said: “What do I do? How do I approach Aryeety with his fitness stuff, in terms of medallist and
it?”. Jason Gardener was one. He was on the thinking about what they are going to do after broadcaster
verge of retiring and he said: “I'm worried their sporting careers are over.
about how I'm going to replace the highs of Most people are not like Usain Bolt, Linford
track and field. How do I replace it?” Christie or Roger Federer, they will have to make a
I said to him the key was not to try. You have to transition to a different line of work. The majority @KatharineMerry
take it for what it was, take it for what it is, box it of athletes have to do something else with their
up, be proud of what you've done and do not try lives because they can't afford not to. They haven't
and replace it with something that you know is made enough in the sport to do nothing. @katharine.merry
not going to come close in terms of highs. I’m not sure there is enough support out
I know I will never have anything in my there for people going through that – but that’s
lifetime that will replace the whole experience sport in general, isn’t it? It can be ruthless when
and complex emotions of my Sydney Olympic you can’t do that job any more.
final. Life moments have been amazing All this talk of retirement brings me back
but they are different. Utilise the skills and to Mo. He’s been in that transition, coming
disciplines sport has taught you and channel towards the end of his career, for a couple of
them into a new area as those skills and years now. If Mo had announced he was retiring
disciplines cross over from sport to real life after pulling out of London with injury then
very well! Find something else that you enjoy nobody would have been surprised, but it says a
and potentially that you're good at. lot about him that he hasn’t stepped away yet.
I would still stand by that advice now. Let’s face it, he does not need to run again but
I was really lucky because, towards the end of he wants to, and that’s a big thing to me.
my career, I started doing broadcasting work You can have all the money, but there are
while I was still trying to compete so I had that those who want to keep going purely because
transition. I had a path but most athletes don't of their love of the sport. That is why we all
and that is a horrible situation to be in. started in the first place.
That’s why the sport has to encourage Sadly, age catches up with everybody and
people to think about what they're going to he has had a wonderful career. The window of
do and how they're going to do it in terms of opportunity when he was at his peak was open
retirement because it’s a massive transition, for quite a long time, allowing him to become
absolutely huge. You completely lose your one of the best ever.
identity for a while because it feels like “If I’m I am hoping he will run London in April and
not an athlete, then what am I?” maybe that will be his last hurrah. We will see.
We do have brilliant role models who are There is always a danger that the longer an
showing that it is possible to do more than athlete goes on, people might start to forget
one thing. Laura Muir qualifying as a vet while just how good an athlete was, but actually I feel
competing at the top level is an outstanding with Mo this isn’t the case, such was his career.
example. But you have to work out what you’re I feel though that whichever version of Mo
like and what works for you. hopefully turns up on the start line in April,
I do think you always have at the back of your we all know it will still be a decent one. He
mind what might be next and I think athletes deserves a fitting send-off, from the public and
nowadays are better at that. This is where social for himself too.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 21
 YOUNG ATHLETE

SAMUEL REARDON
Paul Halford talks to a 400m and 800m runner
who made an international breakthrough this year

I
t’s a rare breed
of athlete that
can succeed
at the top level
at both 400m
I PREFER THE 800M BECAUSE I LIKE
and 800m, but THE TACTICAL SENSE BEHIND IT. WITH
Samuel Reardon has done just that this
year. At the World Athletics Indoor
THE 400M YOU’RE RACING IN LANES
Championships in Belgrade, he was the AND YOU’RE BY YOURSELF WHEREAS,
youngest member of the Great Britain IN THE 800M, IT’S MORE PHYSICAL
team when, aged 18, he ran as part of
the 4x400m relay side. He then finished
fifth over 800m at the World Under-20 I won it a few times and it was there Will the amazing level of 800m
Championships in Cali, Colombia, I found my love for running. It was running in Britain be a factor in your
during the summer. also there that the “Bees”, which is the choice of event?
A prolific racer, with 34 competitions junior athletics section of Blackheath, Obviously 800m running in Britain
under his belt this year, he credits the got in touch, so I went down to the is very, very good at the moment,
National Athletics League for a lot of track and that’s where I fell in love but I think 400m running is also
his development. with it. getting there, with the likes of Alex
“It’s been a great opportunity to do Haydock-Wilson, Charlie Dobson,
multiple events on the same day – for Why the 400m and 800m? Ed Faulds and obviously Matthew
example the 800m, 400m and 4x400m I just naturally progressed to the four Hudson-Smith. I think both events are
relay – which I think has helped me and eight. As cross-country distances progressing very well. Both doors will
massively trying to go through rounds. got longer and longer, I just found still be open.
Having that experience of running myself going to shorter and shorter
multiple races in a day gave me that distances [on the track]. Out of the Did you expect to make the World
edge over some people who didn’t have two, I do prefer the 800m because I like Indoors team?
that opportunity,” he says. the tactical sense behind it. With the I wasn’t planning on doing an indoor
400m you’re racing in lanes and you’re season at all but my winter season
by yourself whereas, in the 800m, it’s didn’t go too well with a few injuries.
GETTING TO more physical, so I think that will be my Mentally I found it quite exhausting,
KNOW SAMUEL main focus. so my coach and me decided to do
I also think, though, that they both an indoor season because it gave me
How did you get into athletics? go hand in hand really well and the something to aim for. We were only
When I was younger I ran in the training really works. With the 400m really aiming for the UK indoor champs
school cross country with all the there’s the opportunity of running in a as the main goal. It was only when I
primary schools in Bromley at Crystal relay team as well, which I love. I’ll keep won my heat that I thought I could
Palace – the same event that Dina both doors open but the 800m is my potentially run my way into the relay
Asher-Smith did when she got into it. favourite event. squad for the World Indoors.

22 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 SAMUEL REARDON

FACTFILE
Name: Samuel Reardon
Events: 400m/800m
Age: 18
Club: Blackheath & Bromley
Coach: Nigel Stickings
PBs: 46.69/1:46.80

Do you prefer time trial-type

competition or classic racing?
I found that, in the 400m at the Kingston
National Athletics League [NAL], I wasn’t
feeling my best but, in a race format, trying
to get points for my team, I ran a PB. I
definitely value racing more than time
trials. Obviously time trials are important
as well and that’s how I got my World U20
standard [for 800m] but I think racing at
NALs also gives you experience of tactics,
which is so important in 800m running.

Who have been your biggest

supporters?
My family and my coach, Nigel [Stickings].
He’s always believed in me. Even when I
question it, he has always said everything
is possible. My family have never stopped
believing in me, either.

What has been your greatest achievement?

I would probably say making the GB
senior team at 18. The experience I gained
from that and the knowledge of how
people conduct themselves at these senior
championships, it was great.

What did you learn from your World

U20 Champs experience?
It was more the fact that nothing is smooth
sailing in international competition. It’s
about adapting. I feel, for the most part,
that I did adapt well. I maybe got a few
tactics wrong in the final. That’s just a
learning curve.

And, finally, what is the ultimate dream?

I want to make an Olympics, I want to medal
at all the major championships. It’s every
athlete’s dream, but that’s the goal.

Samuel Reardon was interviewed while

promoting the National Athletics League
nationalathleticsleague.org.uk

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 23
 PHOTO BY NOIRTH NEWS SPOTLIGHT

Verity Ockenden writes about her experiences of paying tribute to Her

Majesty Queen Elizabeth by doing what she does best…and going for a run

W
ABOVE: the Great hen I made my first busy imprinting myself on my new home, that I
North Run sets off tentative footholds as didn't miss my birthplace at all.
and running after a resident in Italy, my And yet, as the months went by spent on the
paying tribute to foundations felt rocky. I'd road between altitude camps in Font Romeu
the late Queen
waited so long and worked so and St Moritz, and I returned sporadically to my
Elizabeth II
hard to make my emigration trusty Tuscany to find everything just as I had left
possible that, once ensconced, I clung to my small it, my confidence grew. Little by little, with every
house like my life depended on it. national championship that beckoned me, I began
I felt a sense of trepidation with every to enjoy all the small elements of quintessential
repatriation that had to be made in order to race Britishness that I had taken for granted previously.
in the UK, as if everything I had gained might This time, as I touched down in Edinburgh
disappear again by the time I returned. I was so through gold-rimmed grey clouds illuminating

24 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 VERITY OCKENDEN

the surrounding hills, I dreamt of proper tea, our anthem… but rather a sense of lost
golden syrup on my porridge, small dogs, hedges, opportunity to pay respects as athletes striving
marmalade on toast, rhubarb and shortbread. to do their country proud by means of giving
The first person I saw at the baggage carousel was their best performance.
wearing a kilt. My aunt's familiar voice greeted me As we waited a suspenseful 24 hours for an
as she waved from the right-hand side of her car, official announcement on the status of the Great
as did the lowing cows that lined mossy dry-stone North Run itself, a far larger event hosting not
walls as we sped through the glens of southern only elites but a total of 60,000 runners all raising
Scotland toward her cottage. She had been money for charities, all pre-race preparations were
gathering spring onions from the garden when the to be re-organised.
Queen's death was announced on the radio, and Though many lamented the potential loss of an
when she came in I couldn't think of anything to opportunity to pursue a personal endeavour, the
say, except "It's happened." general consensus was that it would be a greatly
I had been planning on racing the inaugural wasted opportunity to gather as a community
British 5km Road Championships in Newcastle and do something good en masse. We all felt
on the Friday prior to the Great North Run, capable of doing so respectfully. Thankfully, the
before lining up for the famous half marathon with event did go ahead as originally planned and
whatever I had left in the tank afterwards. black ribbons were offered to all elites on arrival
We had considered the 5km a far more at the event hotel. There was to be the national
competitive distance for me at this stage of the anthem and a moment's silence and prayer
season, considering my modest mileage. The Great before the start of the race before all would
North Run was to be raced conservatively, as it proceed as usual.
would effectively be the first long run I would have Personally, once I had rearranged all of my
completed since February. training and travel plans, I came to the stark

THE RIGID LANES OF THE TRACK ONLY ALLOW FOR SO MANY,

WHILE THE ROADS NEVER DIVIDE BUT BRING TOGETHER
Instead, when the news dropped that the realisation that I also needed to tend to my race
championships were to be cancelled as a mark plan. I now had no excuse not to race the half
of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II marathon with all guns blazing, despite not having
following her death, plans had to be modified on put any of the appropriate training in. I would be
the spot. lucky not to hit a wall, let alone run fast.
I called my coach, squeezed a few extra miles Thankfully, despite the sombre mood pervading
and some hill reps into my easy run and decided the country, the ever-reliable crowds of the North
not to abstain from a toast raised in the Queen's turned out and they cheered like hell. That's the
honour that evening. Messages flew back and beauty of road racing; it's for everyone. The rigid
forth between organisers and competitors, some lanes of the track only allow for so many, while the
of whom were already en route to the race or roads never divide but bring together.
even in Newcastle, having paid for train fares and While a nation in mourning felt alien to all
hotel rooms. who had never known life without the Queen on
For many, the lure of the championship prize the throne, the history interwoven into the very
pot was what made the expedition a worthwhile fabric of the streets, in our architecture and in our
investment. Most of the athletes from whom I landscapes, older than the hills and outliving us
heard personally and who didn't have Sunday's all, remained present as we ran through it, being it
Great North Run as a backstop strongly objected and breathing it. For me that day, it felt right to be
to the cancellation, regardless of their general in my home country, continuing to do what I do
stance on the monarchy. best alongside my compatriots, keeping calm and
There was by no means an absence of carrying on.
sentiment and patriotism from those who
took pride in representing Great Britain in Verity Ockenden is a British international athlete and
competition, in wearing the flag and singing European Indoor 3000m bronze medallist

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 25
 MARATHON

Eliud Kipchoge is the undisputed king of marathon running

and able to bring a level of attention to athletics unlike anyone
else right now. Fresh from yet another record-breaking
feat, he tells Euan Crumley that there’s more to come

26 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 ELIUD KIPCHOGE

PHOTO BY NN RUNNING TEAM

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 27
 MARATHON

M
arketing professionals would
call it “cut-through”. The rest
of us would probably call it just
being famous. Whatever term
you choose, for such a slight
man, Eliud Kipchoge is beginning
to possess an extraordinary amount of power.
The Kenyan, who has become king of all he
surveys in the marathon running world, is bringing
levels of attention to his sport in ways not really
seen since the days when Usain Bolt bestrode the
sprinting scene.
He wasn’t even running at this year’s London
Marathon, yet still Kipchoge’s presence was the
dominant one. Even if he hadn’t been on hand to
offer advice to runners at the pre-event expo, give
out medals at the mini marathon and then the full
showpiece event the following day, it was still his
recent achievements which dominated the majority
of the chatter…certainly around the elite races.
If you’d asked the average sports fan who they
thought likely to be charging down The Mall in
first place it’s virtually certain that few could have
named a single one of the main contenders. But,
even if they might not know Kipchoge’s name
either, they are certainly aware of “that guy who
broke the two-hour barrier”. TO RUN A HALF-MARATHON IN UNDER
Whatever the purists might say about the pre-
conditioned time trial where Kipchoge clocked
AN HOUR AND STILL FEELING WELL
1:59:41 in Vienna three years ago, it has changed IS A GOOD SIGN THAT RUNNING
attitudes around marathon running. “No human is
limited”, was the oft-repeated phrase around that A NORMAL MAJOR MARATHON IN
project. It remains, Kipchoge says, his proudest
achievement to date because it has caused a
UNDER TWO HOURS IS POSSIBLE
collective mindset shift, not least in himself.
It captured the imagination and set the clock There were bold noises emerging from the ABOVE: Eliud
ticking on when (not if) that barrier will be broken Kipchoge camp this time, something which doesn’t Kipchoge breaks
in a conventional big city marathon in the future. tend to happen without good reason. Some doubted the tape in Berlin
“Absolutely, it is possible,” he tells AW without what he might be able to do – he isn’t getting any
hesitation. “I can confirm that.” younger, after all – but the world wanted to know.
The quirk of the rejigged post-pandemic calendar “I didn't delay my long run [to watch that
which meant London remained an autumn race for day],” said British international marathon runner
one more year resulted in this edition falling in the Charlotte Purdue. “But one of my training partners,
immediate aftermath of Kipchoge adding another Stewart McSweyn, ran with his phone so he could
chapter to his growing legend. tell us what was happening. I think he had about
No-one has run around the British capital route one per cent battery left, though, so we had to rush
faster than he has, but Berlin’s even speedier route back to see the finish.”
is fertile ground for him. The 37-year-old had won It was worth the effort. In Germany, Kipchoge
there three times previously and broke the world went flying through the halfway mark in a
record there in 2018 by running 2:01:39. His first breathtaking 59:51. It was around one minute faster
taste of the race, back in 2013, had been when he than he had planned to go and meant the second-
came second to the now disgraced Wilson Kipsang’s half pain he had to battle through was very real
2:03:23, which was then the fastest time ever. but, still, as he broke the Brandenburg Gate finish

28 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 ELIUD KIPCHOGE

line tape, the world record had been lowered by an

eye-popping 30 seconds. Even the double Olympic IT’S A NEW CHALLENGE EVERY DAY.
champion looked surprised.
The whirlwind of attention which followed is
I HAVE NEVER MASTERED IT. AFTER
in stark contrast to the spartan, almost monastic BERLIN I NEED TO RELAX AND THEN
existence he leads when training back in Kenya.
At home, he might still be in charge but he is also START AGAIN FROM ZERO. IT’S A
one of the team and will do his fair share of chores
around the Kaptagat training base in the Kenyan
NEW CHALLENGE AND I WANT TO
highlands. Everywhere else, he is running royalty. WORK ON IT TO LIFT MYSELF
Even in recovery mode, there was still lots to do and
he was whisked to London for the aforementioned
string of engagements and appointments. They will have a good teacher, should they decide
We meet in a hospitality area on The Mall just to go into the family business. Kipchoge, one of four
as some of Britain’s most promising youngsters siblings who were raised by their mother after his
are about to put themselves through their paces in father died when he was young, has been coached
the Mini Marathon. Emerging from an entrance since he was a teenager by Olympic steeplechase
at the far end of the room, it’s the presence of medallist Patrick Sang and admits he learns
accompanying publicists, management and a camera something from every race and every training cycle.
man which signals he is on his way. Even security There is nothing complicated about what he does.
guards were present at his expo appearance. Hard work, plenty of rest and writing everything down
Kipchoge is known as a man of few words, which are the foundations upon which his career is built.
has only added to the intrigue around him and “Simplicity is a recipe for success,” he adds. “That
makes his growing fame all the more remarkable. is what keeps you on the course.
Whereas Bolt’s athletic talents were perfectly “I get a real plan – one plan only – and work on it
allied to his gifts as a showman, Kipchoge’s serene, to make sure I achieve it. If I don’t achieve it then I
understated approach instead tends to let his deeds go back and set the plan again.”
do most of the talking. Rarely, however, does he fall short. Kipchoge has
When he does speak, it is usually to impart a only been defeated twice in his marathon career.
carefully considered nugget of wisdom. A wide, There was that loss to Kipsang nine years ago, while
flashing grin is not usually too far away, either – the 2020 London Marathon, at which he had an
even early on a Saturday morning in autumnal ear problem, saw him finish eighth. These are the
England as he greets me with a warm handshake. exceptions to his utterly dominant rule. Eliud Kipchoge
The smile is very much evident when I ask how he What does he think sets him apart? has run four of
celebrated his Berlin brilliance. “I think it’s the professionalism that I’m the five fastest
“I had a long call with my family at home,” showing in the sport. I am really treating marathon times
he says of speaking to his wife Grace and running as a profession and as a career.” in history
their three children. “They sent me some Many of his rivals would argue
videos of them standing and cheering as I that they, too, are doing likewise, Eliud Kipchoge
2:01:09
crossed the finishing line.” but Kipchoge’s approach helps him (Berlin 2022)
What do his daughter Lynne and sons to develop the mental armoury he
Griffin and Jordon make of it all? has become so well known for Eliud Kipchoge
2:01:39
“My daughter is 15 now and possessing. (Berlin 2018)
understands clearly what is going “When you are doing the
on,” he adds. “The boys have a right things in the right way Kenenisa Bekele
2:01:41
little bit of an understanding then your psychological path is (Berlin 2019)
of what the win means. really strong.”
The boys are showing It means that, when things Eliud Kipchoge
2:02:37
that they love running don’t go to plan and, for (London 2019)
but I will be giving example, he goes roaring
them autonomy to through a halfway split too Eliud Kipchoge
2:02:40
choose the sport quickly, panic doesn’t set in. (Tokyo 2022)
they like.” “I was not disappointed Z

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 29
 MARATHON

PHOTO BY LONDON MARATHON EVENTS

ABOVE: Eliud when I saw the times,” he says of his opening in Berlin.
Kipchoge was a man “That was actually a huge motivation for me. I went
in demand in London through the half marathon in under an hour, which is
good. It meant I would not miss a world record. I ALWAYS RUN MY OWN
“Also, to run a half marathon in under an hour and
still feeling well is a good sign that running a normal
RACE. IF ANYBODY
major marathon in under two hours is possible.”
One thing Kipchoge has not had to contend
WANTS TO RUN MY RACE
with in many of his performances has been other AS WELL THEN HE IS
contenders. So often victory is assured miles in
advance and it usually ends up coming down to a
WELCOME AND WE WILL
battle between him and the clock.
Is that how he likes it or would he not prefer to see
JOURNEY TOGETHER
a threat emerging, someone to key off, work with
and, fundamentally, battle against? Kenenisa Bekele, whom Kipchoge acknowledged
“I always run my own race. I always treat myself as being the greatest distance runner in history, is
as the best. I always say that if anybody wants to the man who has come closest to reaching the same
Kipchoge’s run my race as well then he is welcome and we will standards over 26.2 miles. Time, unfortunately,
world record journey together. seems to be running out in terms of being able to
splits “When I am standing on the start line of a marathon, see a true clash between these titans.
I have it in my mind to run my own race and what I The Kenyan is certainly aware that he is being
5km: 14:14 am doing there is crucial for the end of the race.” lauded as the best marathon runner the world has
10km: 28:23 I can imagine few of the current crop of athletes ever seen. Asked if he views himself that way, too,
15km: 42:33 lining up to accept the invitation. While there are “a he insists that is for others to decide, alluding to the
Halfway: 59:51 lot of athletes in the pipeline who will be doing well fact that he knows he can’t do what he does without
25km: 1:11:08 [in the future]”, Kipchoge currently sits in a league the help of those around him.
30km: 1:25:40
of his own when it comes to the marathon. He lets “I appreciate the sentiments of the people,” he
35km: 1:40:10
out a hearty laugh, though, when I ask if he’s aware continues. “I am an African and my mentality is
40km: 1:54:53
Finish: 2:01:09
of just how intimidating his standards are. “We different. You cannot shave yourself. You need to go
move together,” he says when the chuckling stops. to the barber shop to be shaved. Another person can

30 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 ELIUD KIPCHOGE

see you and elevate you to the standard a new challenge and I want to work on Kipchoge’s marathon record
of the greatest of all time. I respect what it to lift myself.
people have been saying and if they “The inspiration I want to instil in 2022: Tokyo Marathon, 1st 2:02:40;
have decided that I am the GOAT then people is still my driver. When people Berlin Marathon, 1st, 2:01:09
I’m happy.” get inspired by what you are doing, 2021: Enschede Marathon, 1st 2:04:30;
That doesn’t mean he is about to then they can be inspired to push limits Tokyo Olympic Games Marathon, 1st
ease back, however. Now is the time to because they are seeing you doing the 2:08:38
recover and think but there is clearly same. That’s a positive thing. It’s what 2020: London Marathon, 8th 2:06:49
more to come. makes me get up in the morning and
“Another Olympics is on my bucket list, want to push my limits, too.” 2019: London Marathon, 1st 2:02:37;
running all six marathon majors is also No sooner has our interview ended INEOS 1:59 Challenge, 1:59:41
on my bucket list but for now I have no than a slightly startstruck mother 2018: London Marathon, 1st 2:04:17;
plan. I just want to get back to training, to hesitantly steps forward with her young Berlin Marathon, 1st 2:01:39
recover and make sure that I rest well. son for a picture. It isn’t long before 2017: Nike Breaking2, 2:00:25; Berlin
“It’s a new challenge every day. I have something of a queue begins to form. It Marathon 2:03:32
never mastered it. After Berlin I need to isn’t just the world’s best athletes who
relax and then start again from zero. It’s want to get close to Kipchoge. 2016: London Marathon, 1st 2:03:05; Rio
Olympic Games Marathon, 1st 2:08:44

2015: London Marathon, 1st 2:04:42;

Berlin Marathon, 1st 2:04:00

2014: Rotterdam Marathon 1st 2:05:00;

Chicago Marathon, 1st 2:04:11

2013: Hamburg Marathon 1st 2:05:30;

Berlin Marathon 2nd 2:04:05

Away from the marathon

2010: Commonwealth 5000m silver

2008: Olympic 5000m silver

2007: World Championships silver

2006: World Indoor 3000m bronze

2004: Olympic 5000m bronze

2003: World Championships 5000m

gold; World Cross Country U20 gold

TIGIST ASSEFA MAKES HER MARK

On the same day Eliud Kipchoge was rewriting the record books once again, the
women’s race in Berlin produced what was arguably an even more remarkable
performance. Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, a former 800m runner whose previous
best had been 2:34:01, scythed almost 19 minutes off that time by clocking
2:15:37 to win in the German capital, the third-fastest women’s time in history.
The 2016 Olympian on the track, who had to switch to the roads due to an
Achilles problem, had only returned to racing in March after not competing
for around two-and-a-half years. She became the first woman to run under two
minutes for the 800m and break 2:20 for the marathon.

Which other athletes also dominate their events? Steve Smythe takes a look on p46

31
 MARATHON

32 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 LONDON

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 33
 MARATHON

Amos Kipruto

PHOTOS BY LONDON MARATHON EVENTS

strides out while,
below right,
Yehualaw leads
the way

YEHUALAW AND KIPRUTO’S

STUNNING CHANGE OF PACE
T
here might have Picking herself up and dusting off floor and took just 4:21 to complete the
been a lengthy minor injuries to her left hip and knee, 25th. No-one could respond to the 2019
period of calm she produced a ferocious 23rd mile World Championships bronze medallist
in the men’s and of 4:43 to break clear from reigning and he clocked a winning time of 2:04:39.
women’s elite races, champion Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya It fell a little short of the PB of 2:03:13
but both ended with (though there has been some doubt now which makes him the second-fastest
mighty storms as big changes of pace in cast as to the accuracy of the split). marathon runner in the world this year,
the latter stages settled the outcome. Her compatriot Amos Kipruto, but he cared little after seeing off some
Yalemzerf Yehualaw’s first name meanwhile, kept his feet and his cool as fearsome opposition, coming home well
translates as “the edge of the world”. he played the waiting game in the men’s ahead of Ethiopia’s Leul Gebresilasie
Certainly, when it comes to marathon race to perfection. No one in the leading (2:05:12) and Belgium’s Olympic and
running, the 23-year-old from Ethiopia pack had seemed willing to make a move World Championships bronze medallist
has seamlessly joined the global elite. but, as they emerged from the darkness Bashir Abdi (2:05:19).
She became the youngest ever winner of Blackfriars Tunnel into the sunshine, Asked if he could have gone even faster,
of the women’s race when clocking the Kenyan had put clear daylight Kipruto said: “Yes, I was ready for it. I
2:17:26, her victory coming despite between himself and the rest. have been trying to get on the podium
stumbling briefly on a speed bump at He covered the 24th mile in a rapid but this is the day. This is a learning
around 20 miles and losing 20-30 metres 4:36 and, sensing his chance, the process. I know the way I am and
to the leaders in the process. London debutant put his foot to the everything went well.”

34 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 LONDON

With the exception of that painful fall, Asked if she will one day be the No.1 congratulate her at the finish. She was
the day could barely have gone better in the world in her event, she simply also wearing an INEOS 1:59 Challenge
for Yehualaw, either. Cruising across the nodded and replied confidently: “Yes.” wristband inscribed with his mantra “no
finish on The Mall, she clocked the Runner-up Jepkosgei found herself human is limited”.
third-fastest ever time by a woman in more than half a minute behind at the Perhaps she can follow in Kipchoge’s
London (behind Paula Radcliffe and finish with 2:18:07 and Alemu Megertu footsteps by breaking a world record
Mary Keitany) to follow on from her was third in 2:18:32. one day, too. The women’s best mark
quickest ever female debut marathon Yehualaw was born in a small town is held by Kosgei with 2:14:04 and the
of 2:17:23 in Hamburg in April, not to called Finote Selam, in the Gojjam area duo could meet on the roads of London
mention a 29:14 world 10km record she of the Amhara region of Ethiopia, just again in seventh months’ time.
ran in Castellon in February. north of the capital Addis Ababa. Another Kenya v Ethiopia clash the
The Ethiopian has also been a regular During her youth she was the star watching world would love to see would
at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon runner in the town alongside Genetu be Kipchoge racing against Kenenisa
lately, with a 63:44 win in 2021 that Molalign, a 63:51 half-marathon runner Bekele, the great track and cross country
was frustratingly ruled invalid as a who has gone on to be her husband. champion who is the second-fastest
world record due to the course being Now, the pair live in Addis where she marathon runner in history.
54 metres short. She returned to the trains full-time. There had been hope that the
same race last month, however, to run Explaining her background, she said via 40-year-old might be able to produce
a UK all-comers’ record of 64:22 and an interpreter: “I started running seven another moment of magic in his
now the London Marathon organisers years ago in high school and I was part of storied career and the early signs were
will hope she returns to defend her title a project where I came to Addis Ababa encouraging as he looked to be dictating
in April. and was part of the Ethiopian youth terms as part of a seven-strong leading
“I am so happy to win here,” she said. and sport academy. I stayed there for pack which also included Kipruto,
“I have worked very hard to prepare for four years and at the end of that I met Gebresilasie, Abdi, Kinde Atanaw,
this race and to take the victory is amazing. my coach, [2:08:26 marathon runner] Birhanu Legese and last year’s winner
Tessema Abshero. That was when I Sisay Lemma.
started competing and began to have Bekele led the group through 10km
success in my running in 2019.” in 29:26 and it was those seven who
Yehualaw won the Great Ethiopian remained locked together as a tactical
Run 10km three years ago and then battle began to unfold. That pattern
retained the title this year. In the run- remained through halfway, reached in
up to London she was running around 62:14, and it wasn’t until the 21st mile
180-195km or 110-120 miles each when things began to change as Bekele
week and looked full of running in the started to drop back.
final stages, despite her fall and the Try as he might, he could not get
savage pace she injected to surge away back to the leaders but there was some
from Jepkosgei. consolation as his finishing time of
In London she followed the pace 2:05:53 in fifth place was an M40 age
through halfway in 68:46 and reached 21 group world record. He is looking for
miles with Megertu, Korir and Jepgosgei far more, though, and his frustration
for company. But once she decided was evident after being hampered by
to cut loose, she was a class apart and hip issues during his preparations.
Jepkosgei later said that she ran the “I expect better, even if the preparation
best race possible but it was only good is short,” he said. “I know my talent and
enough for second place. I know my capacity, but really I couldn’t
“When I turned past Buckingham achieve what I expect.”
Palace and saw the Finish Line, my heart Breaking Kipchoge’s world record of
felt like it was clapping,” added Yehualaw. 2:01:39, he insisted, is his main focus.
“I said thank you to myself.” “Yes, I hope, one day it will happen,
Maybe she had been given some tips of course. With good preparation, I
by Eliud Kipchoge? The idea is not too don’t know when, but we will see one
far-fetched because, although they are more time.”
from different east African nations, Will he race Kipchoge soon? “I need
they are members of the same NN to show something first,” Bekele said. “I
Running group in the Netherlands and need to run a fast time. I have to check
the world record-holder was on hand to myself. This is not enough.”

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 35
 MARATHON

GHEBRESILASIE AND HARVEY

ARE THE BEST OF BRITISH
T
he top British runners in continued what has been a rapid rise through the
the men’s and women’s races running ranks.
in London both had less than Sporting the vest of his Glasgow-based club
conventional journeys to the Shettleston Harriers given that he is still
start line. without a kit sponsor, Ghebresilasie could
Weynay Ghebresilasie barely contain his pride, even in spite of
might have finished outside of the 2:09:40 World hamstring problems in the closing miles which
Championships qualifying time after running a PB thwarted his 2:09 mission.
of 2:11:57 in coming ninth, but the Eritrean-born At the 2012 Olympics, the then teenager
28-year-old, who qualified to run for Great Britain carried the national flag for Eritrea at the opening
last year, has his sights on reaching Budapest in ceremony ahead of competing in the 3000m
2023, as well as the Paris 2024 Olympics. steeplechase. A little over 10 years on he now has
Rose Harvey, meanwhile, did secure the world his sights set on making an Olympic return for his
qualifying standard when clocking 2:27:59 as she adopted homeland.

36 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 LONDON

“That’s my plan – to run at the World career only truly began in turmoil in the early
Championships and the Paris Olympics,” he said. summer of 2020 when she was made redundant
“So I will prepare for my next London Marathon.” during the pandemic-related lockdown.
Having been forced into joining the army, Losing her job in corporate finance law, she found
Ghebresilasie sought asylum in the UK following herself with time on her hands. Many people took up
those London Games and had spells living in new hobbies and pastimes during that period. Harvey
Croydon, Huddersfield, Sunderland and Birmingham began to get fit and started training for triathlon.
before, in 2015, making the move to Scotland. “I had three months of garden leave and began
Shettleston had welcomed a number of Eritrean training for a half-ironman,” she told AW.
asylum seekers into their fold in 2008 – including Soon she was encouraged to focus solely on
Tsegai Tewelde, who went on to run for Britain running, though. “I began training with a group
in the marathon at the Rio Olympics. Much of and, 11 months later, ran 2:31 in Cheshire and got
that work was spearheaded by John Mackay, a new job but kept going with training and then I
Ghebresilasie’s now long-time mentor. “John is not ran 2:27:17 in Seville in February which was a huge
just my coach, he is my Dad,” says Ghebresilasie, breakthrough for me.”
who finished ahead of last year’s top Brit, Phil She added: “It’s been an absolutely whirlwind two
Sesemann, whose marathon consistency continues. years. Lockdown was rubbish in every other respect
“He has helped me with everything.” but it was the start of my running career.”
In terms of his family back in Eritrea, The 30-year-old also ran 2:29:45 in London last
PHOTOS BY LONDON MARATHON EVENTS

Ghebresilasie has had no contact with them year but was overshadowed by the performance of
for three years and has never returned home. Charlie Purdue, who clocked 2:23:26.
His parents, brother and sister live close to the Harvey also made the GB team for the World
Ethiopian border, where civil war continues to rage. Championships in Eugene but had to pull out at
“It is not a good situation in my country. Hopefully 26km after her quads cramped badly during the race.
they are safe,” he says. “Heartbreaking,” is how she described it at the time.
It helps to concentrate on his running. After Guided by coach Phil Kissi, her improvements
running 2:16:27 for 12th in London last year and have led to sponsorship from Puma, which means
going faster still with 2:12:17 for 10th in Rotterdam she took time off work this summer to focus on
in March before this performance, his trajectory is training. It paid off in London, too.
clearly on the right path. The Clapham Chasers athlete passed halfway in
“It’s amazing to represent Great Britain,” he says. 73:59 and pushed on in the second half to finish
ABOVE: Rose Harvey hits
“I’m very happy.” 10th in the elite women’s race and first Brit by some
the London finish line
For Harvey, this is the latest stop on what has been distance as Hannah Alderson, racing off the mass
a whirlwind start to top level running. She had run start, clocked 2:35:56.
marathons previously, most notably a 2:55 in 2016 “It was the race of my life,” said Harvey.
and 3:04 two years later, but her promising athletics “Absolutely amazing. The crowds were insane.
“My pacer Calli Thackery was a metronome and
BELOW: Weynay
went to 32km but I was on my own after that and it
Ghebresilasie
celebrates was a case of ‘run to the next cheer’.
“I was just outside my PB
but I was first Brit and just got
the World Champs
qualifying time.”

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 37
 MARATHON

PHOTO BY LONDON MARATHON EVENTS

W
hile there might not have “Going through some of the crowded areas in the ABOVE: Emile Cairess
been any Brits competing streets is a bit different to what it's like running in (far left) and Andy
at the head of the fields in lane one on the track. The crowd was insane and it Butchart (centre) help
the men's elite field on
the London Marathon, home gives me a bit of a buzz to maybe try a marathon in a
their way
athletes were still playing an couple of years’ time.”
important and valuable role in Of the experience he added: “It's so different. With
proceedings this year. a 5000m on the track you're on the limit the whole
The pacemakers certainly stood out this year, with time and then, on the road, it seems like you're on
striking cerise and gold singlets (the corporate colours the limit, but the limit is at a lower point. You are
of race sponsor TCS) having replaced the familiar able to chat a little, your heart rate is a little lower…
black and white of Shaftesbury Barnet previously you are still in pain but it’s different.” OPPOSITE: Catherine
sported by those charged with leading the way. Butchart had been due to pace Mo Farah but, when Debrunner and
A strong British contingent was out in force, the four-time Olympic gold medallist withdrew Marcel Hug
including Andy Butchart and Emile Cairess at the late on through injury, he was instead charged with
head of the elite men’s group but also Marc Scott, leading the top group. Had he felt any pressure?
Ben Connor and Ellis Cross, among others, while “I was really relaxed,” he said. “I got put in with the
Calli Thackery helped pace Rose Harvey to 32km. front group and was asked to help the guys out for
“Having two Brits pace the lead group is an as long as I could.”
honour in itself,” said Butchart, who has run 13:06 One of the founding aims of the London Marathon
for 5000m and 27:36 for 10,000m. “To experience was to encourage British distance running and both
that and kind of have control of the race as a British Butchart and Cairess told AW they were grateful
athlete against people who you wouldn't necessarily that the event was giving runners like themselves the
be competing against in the marathon at this point opportunity to taste the occasion before making a
was huge. full debut themselves in future.

38 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 LONDON

RESULTS
“It was an amazing experience,” added Cairess, who has run 27:34 for 10,000m.
“To be at the front of the London Marathon, not many Brits can experience it.”
Could they have gone all the way on Sunday? “Not today but in the future, who
knows if I get the miles in the legs,” smiled Butchart. “It could be a bright future
for British distance running. Men
The last British man to win the London Marathon remains Eamonn Martin Amos Kipruto KEN 2:04:39
in 1993. With Farah close to retirement and the east African runners producing Leul Gebresilasie ETH 2:05:12
fearsome performances, it is a big ask for current British runners to aim for. Bashir Abdi BEL 2:05:19
“It’s not an easy race to win but we’ll try our best,” said Cairess. Kinde Atanaw ETH 2:05:27
Kenenisa Bekele ETH 2:05:53
Birhanu Legese ETH 2:06:11
Sisay Lemma ETH 2:07:26
Brett Robinson AUS 2:09:52
Weynay Ghebresilasie GBR 2:11:57
Phil Sesemann GBR 2:12:10

Women
Yalemzerf Yehualaw ETH 2:17:26
Joyciline Jepkosgei KEN 2:18:07
Alemu Megertu ETH 2:18:32
Judith Jeptum Korir KEN 2:18:43
Joan Chelimo Melly ROU 2:19:27
Ashete Bekere ETH 2:19:30

SWISS LOOKING SO STRONG

Mary Ngugi KEN 2:20:22
Sutume Asefa Kebede ETH 2:20:44
Ai Hosoda JPN 2:21:42
Rose Harvey GBR 2:27:59

atherine Debrunner couldn’t quite put her finger on why Switzerland

C has produced so many of the world’s top wheelchair racers but, after
she and compatriot Marcel Hug had captured the London titles and
obliterated the course records in the process, she tried her best to explain.
Wheelchair men
Marcel Hug SUI 1:24:38
Daniel Romanchuk USA 1:24:40
“I think it’s just a combination of a lot of things: we have a great training centre David Weir GBR 1:30:41
over there with the Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil,” she said. “We have a great Tomoki Suzuki JPN 1:30:41
track, a fast track with a big hall where we can do indoor training, we have sports Jetze Plat NED 1:30:44
medicine, we have the research – really everything you want as a wheelchair Aaron Pike USA 1:33:05
athlete. We’ve just inspired each other and pushed each other.” Sho Watanabe JPN 1:34:16
She and Hug had won the wheelchair races in Berlin seven days earlier and Jake Lappin AUS 1:34:16
they ruled the roads again in London. Hug, 36, clocked 1:24:38 to better the Patrick Monahan IRL 1:34:16
course mark by one minute and 49 seconds but he only won by two seconds Johnboy Smith GBR 1:34:17
from Daniel Romanchuk after the American’s attempt to overtake on the inside
on the final bend backfired as his wheel hit the kerb and he lost momentum.
Debrunner, meanwhile, capitalised on the dry conditions in the British capital Wheelchair women
as she clocked 98:24 to break the course best by one minute and 29 seconds. It Catherin Debrunner SUI 1:38:24
was only the 27-year-old’s second marathon. Susannah Scaroni USA 1:42:21
The spate of race-week drop-outs affected the wheelchair races too with Eden Rainbow-Cooper GBR 1:47:27
Madison de Rozario and Manuela Schär withdrawing on the morning of the race Merle Menje GER 1:47:28
– and Schar even travelled to the start before deciding not to race. Jenna Fesemyer USA 1:47:28
Eight-time winner David Weir finished third in the men’s race after using his Wakako Tsuchida JPN 1:47:28
famed power and experience to out-sprint Tomoki Suzuki of Japan down The Vanessa De Souza BRA 1:47:29
Mall as they both clocked 90:41. Yen Hoang USA 1:47:29
Weir is mentor to Eden Rainbow-Cooper, whose brilliant 2022 continued with Aline Rocha BRA 1:47:32
third place in the women’s race in a PB of 1:47:27 during a blanket finish. Christie Dawes AUS 1:47:33
The wheelchair races enjoyed much higher prize money than previous years too as the
prize pot has risen in 2022 to $199,500, with the winners getting $35,000 each. More results from London on p90

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 39
 MARATHON

MINI MARATHON
PREPARING TO
EXPLODE IN SIZE
WORDS: JASON HENDERSON

A
total of 40,927 runners started the
main TCS London Marathon earlier
this month. Such is the ambition of the
organisers, though, their goal is to see
50,000 youngsters in the Mini London
Marathon in eight years’ time.
This year around 7000 took part in the Mini Marathon as it
moved from its usual Sunday date to Saturday instead in an attempt
to give the children their own definitive place in the spotlight.
Imagine the sight of 50,000 young runners racing through central
London. If the organisers succeed in their mission, it will happen
in 2030 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the event.
“This is just the beginning, in more ways than one,” said event
director Hugh Brasher after watching the 2022 races. “Our
ambition is to have 50,000 children taking part by 2030 – that’s
50,000 children getting active, experiencing the mental and
physical benefits of exercise and learning healthy habits for life
every year – and potentially millions of children over time.
“There’s a long way to go, but seeing the excitement and
enthusiasm of kids of all ages and abilities on the start line this
year has made me more determined than ever to get there.”
Each participant receives £10 from sponsor Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS) to buy sports or computer equipment for their
school. The medallists this month also had the thrill being
presented with their prizes by marathon record-holder Eliud
Kipchoge. “These athletes are our future,” he said.
They included Innes Fitzgerald and Henry Dover, who won the
UK titles in the under-17 age group. Both athletes won English
Schools and SIAB Schools International titles in the summer with
Fitzgerald setting a UK under-17 3000m record of 8:59.67and Dover
going No.5 on the UK all-time under-17 men’s 3000m rankings with
8:15.26. “I knocked Mo Farah down into sixth place,” he smiled.
On his Mini Marathon experience, Dover added: “It’s a brilliant
area and a lovely finish going past Buckingham Palace. It’s one of
my favourite races.”
Farah is a former winner of the Mini London Marathon and went
on to break the British record in the full marathon with 2:05:11
in addition to winning 10 global track titles. And, who knows, the
class of 2022 could yet go on to achieve similar feats in future.

40 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 LONDON

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Isla McGowan (2223) eventually won the fierce battle for
U15 honours; one of the many Mini Marathon races sets off on the Embankment;
Innes Fitzgerald and Henry Dover win the U17 races; and the London Boroughs
Challenge passes the Houses of Parliament

2022 UK champions London Boroughs

U17: Innes Fitzgerald (SW) Challenge
and Henry Dover (East) U17: Annie Mann (Hackney)
U15: Isla McGowan (SE) and and Gianleo Stubbs (Barnet)
Owen Ulfig (W Mids) U15: Katie Pye (Kingston)
U13: Katherine Haslip (SE) and Alex Lennon (Sutton)
and Thomas Thake (Yorks & U13: Summer Smith
Humberside) (Havering) and Caspian
U17 wheelchair: Yasmine Holmes (Southwark)
Hodkinson and Illias Ambulant U17: Bebe
Zghoundi Jackson/Rosie Porter and
Arthur Milles

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 41
 SPOTLIGHT

NOW WE ALL KNOW THAT,

IF YOU GIVE ASSISTANCE,
THE RUNNER MUST BE
DISQUALIFIED. BUT WE
KNOW IT BECAUSE OF
WHAT HAPPENED IN
LONDON THAT DAY

42 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 1908 MARATHON

In this abbreviated extract from his

new book, international runner and
writer Roger Robinson looks at the
Olympic drama which unfolded in
London 114 years ago and turned the
marathon into a global phenomenon

T
he most dramatic, horrific and
important marathon in history took
place in London on July 24, 1908. That
hot day, a courageous Italian cake-maker
and a cool Irish-American construction
worker transformed the event forever.

London Olympics, 1908

The crowd of 100,000 people watched for one man. Who
would he be? Their only information had come from names
chalked on a big board which was paraded around the field. A
sudden gunshot hushed them, for a shouted announcement
through a long megaphone: “The runners are in sight!” No
names were given. The crowd watched the top of the ramp
where the first runner would appear into the stadium at White
City. South African Charles Hefferon had been four minutes
ahead in the last report from the leaderboard.
When you’re waiting for the marathon leader, nothing is certain,
especially on a hot and humid day. There was a scurry of action on
the sloping ramp. Officials and police shouted or pointed. Among
them, the crowd glimpsed a small dark man with a white kerchief
PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

knotted on his head, in a sodden white shirt and baggy red shorts.
He seemed unsure of where to go. Stumbling on to the cinder
track, he tottered jerkily, like a marionette.
He was Dorando Pietri of Italy. What happened to him in the
next few minutes has become inseparable from the story of the
marathon and of the Olympic Games. Z

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 43
 SPOTLIGHT

GETTING THE STORY RIGHT

The 1908 Olympic marathon is responsible
The crowd had hoped for Hefferon. The British
runners who led (much too fast) for the first
ten miles had all faded. The pre-race favourite,
indigenous Canadian Tom Longboat, stopped after
a surge at 16 miles. Hefferon, born in Newbury,
for a number of errors and confusions which Berkshire, and representing South Africa, the new
have gone into folklore over the years. addition to the British Empire, was almost as good
as a Briton. Far better, most of the crowd thought,
Roger Robinson sets the record straight than any of the 12 Americans, whose team had won
on a selection of them here: so many events and so few friends in those conflict-
ridden Games. That partisan context would affect
how some key people acted in the next minutes.
THE COURSE: Started within the grounds of Windsor Castle, by
special royal permission. After 700 yards it joined the course which
had been used three months earlier for the British trial, which started
outside the Castle grounds, on the Long Walk.
PIETRI, DAZED AND
THE START: The royal children did not watch with noses pressed
to the nursery windows, as is usually claimed. A photo shows four of
BEWILDERED, STAGGERED
them, outside on the sloping lawn, getting a close view as the runners FORWARD. WEAVING AND
walk to the start. Detailed research by Mike Sandford of Southern
AAA has established that the start was on the East Terrace, not under STUMBLING, HE COVERED 20
the nursery window.
YARDS, AND THEN HIS LEGS
THE DISTANCE: The Olympic Games rules said “about 40 CRUMPLED, AND HE FELL.
kilometres”, but the Polytechnic club, who organised the London
race, added two kilometres, confessing to that change only two days SOME THOUGHT HE HAD DIED
beforehand. The course measurer's report said the distance from the
East Terrace “will be about 26 miles to the edge of the stadium track”. The crowd watching Pietri were moved by
Don't mention that word “about” to Eliud Kipchoge. something deeper than partisanship. Arthur Conan
Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes) said it best,
THE TRACK: In defiance of the Olympic (French-dominated) covering the race for the Daily Mail: “He has gone
commitment to metric distances, the British added events like a to the extreme of human endurance... It is horrible,
three miles team race and built the White City as a vast arena of three and yet fascinating, this struggle between a set
laps to the mile. Half a lap to the finish line was therefore 385 yards. purpose and an utterly exhausted frame.”
Pietri, dazed and bewildered, staggered forward.
THE DIRECTION: The competitors' instructions said all track Weaving and stumbling, he covered 20 yards, and
races were left-hand inside. Pietri had run the three miles team race. then his legs crumpled, and he fell. He was directly
Without mention in the instructions, the last half-lap of the marathon in front of a huge, packed stand and the people
went the other way. No wonder he looked confused. gasped. Some thought he had died.
We are familiar now with heat-exhaustion – Jim
THE FINISH: Was the same for all track races. The royal seats were Peters in 1954, Gabriela Andersen-Schiess 1984,
accordingly there. It wasn't Queen Alexandra's fault (as is often Callum Hawkins, Jessica Judd – and it is still
claimed) that you have to do those 385 yards at the end of your heart-wrenching. In 1908, these people were seeing
next marathon. it for the first time. Potential tragedy was being
enacted right in front of them.
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE: Most accounts claim wrongly that he Helped to his feet, Pietri tottered along the rest of
was one of the officials who assisted Pietri. In fact, he was in the the long straight, “the little red legs going incoherently,
stands, working on an outstanding piece of sports reporting for The driven by a supreme will within,” wrote Doyle. As he
Daily Mail. A new literary discovery is that Doyle was also working reached the curve, legs sagging, the crowd groaned
on a Sherlock Holmes story, and paid tribute to Dorando Pietri in in pity and terror as he fell again. Again, they thought
the name of a heroic character. he was dying. But again, after much attention, he was
up. He covered only a few yards before crumpling yet
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Pietri and Hayes had an offer they again at the top of the bend.
could not refuse to race marathons for big prize money, indoors (262 Twice more he collapsed. A photograph shows
laps) in New York. Longboat and England's Alf Shrubb soon joined him lying on his back, inert, supported in the arms
them. And so began another great story, the forgotten one of the years of medical officer Dr Bulger. Pietri seems to have
when marathon mania was spectacular American showbusiness. passed out.

44 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 1908 MARATHON

ABOVE: Pietri makes his

way through the streets
of London during the
marathon

FAR LEFT: the Italian was

carried away on a stretcher

LEFT: American Johnny

Hayes ultimately landed the
Olympic gold medal

And now things became really exciting. The next right upper arm, holding a huge megaphone in the
runner appeared, with the striped shield of the other hand.
USA on his white shirt. It was Johnny Hayes, a New The place must have been bedlam. The crowd was
Yorker of Irish parentage and he was charging, with screaming. Hayes was running at six-minute-mile
a sure stride. It is a crucial part of the story of this pace. The only communication was by bellowing into
extraordinary day that Hayes ran a perfectly judged a giant megaphone. Now we all know that if you give
race when everyone else was going bananas. assistance, the runner must be disqualified. But we
Hayes ran down the ramp “gallantly” (in Doyle's know it because of what happened in London that day.
word), and began the final pursuit. Through his megaphone, Andrew promptly
How did Pietri ever reach the finish? With announced Pietri the winner. The courageous
plenty of help, for sure, even to stay upright. little Italian was the briefest champion in Olympic Running Throughout
He got there as Hayes was on the final bend, a marathon history. The American team immediately Time: the Greatest
mere 150 yards behind. The famous finish line lodged a protest, which inevitably was upheld. Johnny Running Stories
photo shows Pietri with liquid legs and glazed Hayes, who alone among the potential winners Ever Told (Meyer
expression. Race Director Jack Andrew is helping seemed to understand that a marathon is longer than & Meyer) by Roger
him through the tape, with a good grip on Pietri’s 18 miles, was the worthy winner. Robinson is out now

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 45
 STATTO STEVE

Eliud Kipchoge’s latest world record

underlined his status as the best
marathon runner in history. AW’s Steve
Smythe picks out those who have been
similarly dominant across athletics,
going by time or distance

E
ven ignoring his paced sub-two performance, it is clear that
Eliud Kipchoge is the greatest marathoner of all-time. His
latest world record simply confirmed that status.
This provided the perfect opportunity to look at which
athletes are similarly dominant in their events across the sport.
Deciding on who is the greatest remains subjective, but who is
most dominant going by time or distance?
We have used the average of top 10 performances for each athlete, some of which
include indoor performances as well as outdoors.
Currently the most dominant athlete is actually hammer thrower Anita Wlodarczyk.

MEN
100M 400M 1500M
Usain Bolt (JAM) Michael Johnson (USA) Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR)
Three of top five performances ever Three of top five Seven of top nine
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 9.723 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 43.557 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 3:27.047

The world record-holder also has three Lost his world record six years ago but The Moroccan retired
Olympic and three world 100m golds to still dominates the event, not forgetting in his 20s and only won
his name. his two Olympic and four world golds. one Olympic gold at
the event but he took
200M 800M four successive
Usain Bolt (JAM) David Rudisha (KEN) world titles and
dominates the
Four of top seven Six of top eight
clock at 1500m,
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 19.469 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 1:41.453 as well as
holding seven
The Jamaican has been even more successful The double Olympic and world of the 10 fastest
at 200m, with three Olympic and four world champion dominates the watch and mile times in
golds, as well as dominating the clock. stands out over two laps. history.

46 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 THE GREATEST

5000M 400M HURDLES SHOT

Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) Karsten Warholm (NOR) Ryan Crouser (USA)
Three of top eight Four of top 11 Eight of top 12
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 12:49.388 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 46.9 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 23.06M

The Ethiopian never won a global title at The Norwegian’s current dominance is The double Olympic champion is still
5000m, but is the only athlete with three not as clear as expected as he shares four in his twenties and likely to increase his
marks in the all-time top eight and he set sub-47 performances with Alison dos stranglehold on the all-time lists.
four world records. Santos and Rai Benjamin.
DISCUS
1 10,000M HIGH JUMP Gerd Kanter (EST)
Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) Javier Sotomayor (CUB) Three of top five
Four of top seven Four of top eight
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 71.38M
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 26:39.263 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 2.42M
The Estonian seven-time global medallist
The six-time global 10,000m champion’s Counting indoor performances, the has four of the top 11 marks and no one
top 10 average is seven seconds faster eight-time global champion stands alone else has more than one.
than five-time global champion Mo with 16 clearances of 2.40m plus.
Farah’s European record. HAMMER
POLE VAULT Yuriy Sedykh (SOV)
MARATHON Mondo Duplantis (SWE) Nine of top 13
Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) Three of top three
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 85.64M
Four of top five
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 6.15M
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 2:03:07 The two-time Olympic champion set
Current world and Olympic champion his world record 36 years ago and still
Two Olympic golds, breaking the world Duplantis has now, in terms of current dominates the lists.
record and losing just once in the last marks, surpassed 10-time global indoor
nine years of top class marathon running and outdoor champion Sergey Bubka. JAVELIN
mark him out as the best ever. Jan Zelezny (CZE)
LONG JUMP
Four of top six
3000M STEEPLECHASE Carl Lewis (USA)
Saif Saaeed Shaheen (QAT) TOP 10 AVERAGE: 94.08M
Five of top eight
Eight of top 20
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 8.75M The six-time global champion still has
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 7:56.67 the lion’s share of top marks.
He never set a world record but the
The two-time world champion still four-time Olympic champion in this DECATHLON
dominates the clock, even if he is event and champion sprinter is easily the Ashton Eaton (USA)
dwarfed in medal terms by great rival greatest and most consistent of all time.
Four of top 13
Ezekiel Kemboi’s six global titles and
three silvers. TRIPLE JUMP TOP 10 AVERAGE: 8738 POINTS
Christian Taylor (USA)
110M HURDLES The seven-time global
Four of top 10
Allen Johnson (USA) indoor and outdoor
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 17.96M champion holds the best
14 of top 100
series of marks.
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 12.955 The six-time global champion has
now overhauled world record-holder
Seven athletes have an average Jonathan Edwards, who only has one
between 12.939 and 12.99 and no mark left in the top 10 but it is the
one really stands out. Though the important one!
American five-time global champion
has no marks in the top 10, he has the
most sub-13 clockings.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 47
 STATTO STEVE

WOMEN
100M: 400M: 1500M:
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) Marita Koch (GDR) Faith Kipyegon (KEN)
Nine of top 20 Five of top eight Six of top 13
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 10.654 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 48.438 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 3:53.459

The seven-time global 100m champion’s The East German’s world record has With three sub 3:53s this season alone,
2022 season was unprecedented with lasted 37 years and her somewhat the double Olympic champion now
seven marks of 10.67 or faster. controversial domination is clearcut. has a very clear position as the world’s
greatest ever 1500m runner.
200M: 800M:
Shericka Jackson (JAM) Caster Semenya (RSA) 5000M:
Two of top four Three of top eight Almaz Ayana (ETH)
Four of top 14
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 21.776 TOP 10 AVERAGE: 1:55.036
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 14:23.17
On her 2022 times alone, the world The five-time global champion is now
champion narrowly overhauls Olympic barred from the event due to DSD Better at 10,000m, the 2015 world
champion Elaine Thompson-Herah in regulations but edges the competition. champion edges the event.
terms of marks.
10,000M:
Sifan Hassan (NED)
Three of top 13
TOP 10 AVERAGE: N/A

The Dutch Olympic champion has the

most sub-30s, though she has only run
the distance six times.

MARATHON
Paula Radcliffe (GBR)
Three of top 12
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 2:21:23

The former world record-holder is

the only athlete with three sub-2:18
clockings.

3000M STEEPLECHASE
Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN)
Three of top eight.
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 8:57.588

The world record-holder

has run seven sub-nines
and clearly dominates.

48 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 THE GREATEST

100M HURDLES
Yordanka Donkova (BUL)
Four of top 11
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 12.304

The 1988 Olympic champion still has

the best series of marks at the moment.

400M HURDLES:
Sydney McLaughlin (USA)
Eight of top 12
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 51.872

At the age of just 23, the Olympic

champion has shown unprecedented
dominance with four of the six fastest
times ever being set in 2022.

HIGH JUMP:
Stefka Kostadinova (BUL) VTRIPLE JUMP: HAMMER:
Five of top nine Yulimar Rojas (VEN) Anita Wlodarczyk (POL)
Seven of top nine 15 of top 16
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 2.068M
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 15.49M TOP 10 AVERAGE: 81.03M
The 1996 Olympic champion set her
world record 35 years ago and, with 14 She has already won seven global titles The three-time Olympic champion
jumps at 2.06m, she still dominates the indoors and out at the age of 26 and her missed much of 2022 but she dominates
all-time lists. dominance looks set to last for some her event more than anyone else in any
time yet. event and has 30 of the 40 best throws of
POLE VAULT: all-time.
Yelena Isinbayeva (RUS) SHOT:
Natalya Lisovskaya (RUS) JAVELIN:
Six of top 8
Four of top four Barbora Spotakova (CZE)
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 5.01M
Three of top six
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 22.25M
The winner of nine global indoor TOP 10 AVERAGE: 69.82M
and outdoor titles still dominates The 1988 Olympic champion has the
the rankings 13 years after her world four best marks though 1980 Olympic The five-time global champion just pips
record and she achieved eight five- champion Ilona Slupianek has the Osleidys Menendez, who has the other
metre jumps. better average. three top six marks.

LONG JUMP: DISCUS: HEPTATHLON:

Heike Drechsler (GER) Gabriele Reinsch (GDR) Jackie Joyner-Kersee (USA)
Three of top 10 Six of top six
Five of top 10.
TOP 10 AVERAGE: 7.42M TOP 10 AVERAGE: 72.45M TOP 10 AVERAGE: 7059

With 23 competitions of over 7.30m, This event is another dominated by The double Olympic champion with
the four-time global outdoor champion dubious Eastern Europeans from the six scores of 7000 plus and a seemingly
won the European gold, 15 years after eighties. The world record-holder has untouchable world record is out on her
winning her first world title. thrown two metres more than anyone else. own in the combined events.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 49
50
PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES
INTERVIEW
 CIARA MAGEEAN

With two major medals and an Irish record, Ciara

Mageean has enjoyed the season of her life. But, as she
tells Euan Crumley, finding success has involved her
being challenged like never before, on and off the track

P
ain is something Laura Muir and then following that up by
of a constant in the breaking Sonia O’Sullivan’s Irish record at
life of an athlete. the Diamond League meeting in Brussels.
There’s the physical Coming second in the Diamond League
agony which comes final in Zurich wasn’t too bad, either.
from pushing the “It hurts but you don’t feel the pain
human body to its limits in training and until the end,” she says, trying to put into
competition, but then there’s also the words what it feels like to push yourself
accompanying anguish of a race which like never before in the heat of battle,
hasn’t gone to plan, the lingering hurt enveloped by a pulsating, packed stadium.
inflicted by the dissenting voices of those “When it hits you with 150m to go and
on the outside or that nagging feeling of you’re absolutely filled with lactic it’s
potential unfulfilled. tough. If the race isn’t going your way,
Ciara Mageean has experienced all either, then it’s absolutely crushing.
of the above and knows which variety “But I'd rather have the pain of having
she prefers. She has been at the heart of gone absolutely eyeballs out, laying
some of the most memorable moments on the ground than the pain of being
of this summer, coming away with disappointed that the race didn't go well.
Commonwealth and European 1500m To put everything out there on the line to
silver medals after going toe to toe with feel that sheer pain of pushing your Z

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 51
 INTERVIEW

THERE WAS ALWAYS THIS LITTLE

VOICE AT THE BACK OF MY HEAD,
SAYING ‘I DON’T WANT TO BE
A HAS-BEEN, I WANT TO MAKE
IT AS A SENIOR ATHLETE
ABOVE: Ciara Mageean body to the max… it’s painful, but it's the most transfer it to the senior level, but I carried a big
and Laura Muir do battle exhilarating thing that I'll probably ever experience injury out of my junior career and ended up having
in the Commonwealth
in my life.” to have surgery, so I didn’t run at all as an under 23.
Games 1500m final
As Mageean reflects with AW on the summer just “There was always this little voice at the back of my
passed, she is to be found in an airport departure head, saying ‘I don’t want to be a has-been, I don't
lounge, awaiting the flight which will take her want to be that person who was just a good junior, I
back to her home town of Portaferry on the Ards want to make it as a senior athlete’. There’s always been
Peninsula in Northern Ireland. that thing of ‘she hasn’t reached her full potential’.”
Based just outside Manchester since 2017, the There were “glimpses” of it, such as European
30-year-old doesn’t get home as often as she would 1500m bronze in 2016, a first senior medal, and a
like. I ask if she’s expecting a hero’s welcome and she sizeable 1500m PB later in the season.
admits her preference would be to slide quietly off “I then had a couple of years trundling along but
the ferry and back to her parents’ house. I guess the first glimpse of how good I really could
RIGHT: Mageean She was a woman in demand, though. A string of be was my Irish 1000m record in 2020, when I ran
celebrates more TV and promotional appearances across Ireland came 2:31.06 in Monaco,” she adds.
medal-winning first and, by the time she did step off on to Portaferry The plan was to build upon that performance
success in Munich
harbour, there was a sizeable crowd to greet her. ahead of the rescheduled Olympics the following
Such things come with the territory of success. As year. Mageean’s body had other ideas.
the outside noise around Mageean has increased, “I tore my calf last summer going into the
though, her achievements in 2022 have brought Olympics and to head into those Games knowing
some internal silence. that I wouldn’t be able to do what I wanted to was
“I was a very good junior, winning a world junior heartbreaking,” she concedes.
silver medal and European junior silver, European The road to the summer of 2022 was just as rocky.
Youth Olympic gold, Commonwealth Games youth “Around Christmas I ran a five-mile race in the
silver and having that glistening underage success,” back end of nowhere in Northern Ireland,” she says.
she says. “I always knew that it would be hard to “It was a super hilly course but I ran a really good

52 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 CIARA MAGEEAN

time and people who had run it before said ‘you best by over three seconds brought out the darker
must be in shape’. side of the sport, however. It didn’t take long for
“I thought I could do something really good noises of suspicion around the legitimacy of her
during the indoor season but I tore my calf during performance to emerge on social media.
my first race.” “I have to say I'm really grateful to the team around
Two calf tears in six months was far from ideal. me because they kept me pretty sheltered [from
Neither was the spring departure of her long-time coach outside noise] throughout the whole championship
Steve Vernon, who became Endurance Performance season,” says Mageean, who has deleted Twitter
Manager at British Athletics, and was replaced by from her phone. “I wasn't aware of any of the any of
Commonwealth Games medallist Helen Clitheroe. the conversations that were happening.
A bout of Covid in early summer then meant the “It was between Brussels and Zurich when people
difficult decision was taken not to compete at the were saying ‘don’t worry about the comments
World Championships in Eugene and to throw people are making about you’ and I was like ‘what
everything at Birmingham and Munich, instead. comments?’ I didn’t have a clue.
“I knew Laura [Muir] was always going to be hard “I can be quite a sensitive person and I do find it
to beat but I felt like ‘if I’m out there trying to win a upsetting. My boyfriend [fellow athlete Thomas
medal, I might as well try and win gold and then if I Moran] said: ‘This comes with the place that you’re
miss gold I might get silver, I might get bronze,” says in, Ciara. If you run that fast, people will say things’.
Mageean, whose partnership with Clitheroe has Unfortunately, it is part of it.”
proved to be a very good fit indeed. It is one of athletics’ strengths that anyone caught
breaking the rules is made an example of, which is one
reason why Mageean thinks the outside view of her
WE HOLD THE ATHLETES sport in comparison to others can be particularly unfair.
“I do see athletics as a sport that’s very honest. We
ACCOUNTABLE. IF THE IRISH hold our sport accountable and we hold the athletes
accountable. We don't hide it,” she adds. “Any cheating
RUGBY BOYS WIN A SIX NATIONS that happens gets publicised and that comes from
within the sport, we make the world aware of it. I don't
OR BEAT THE ALL BLACKS, see other sports being criticised about it to that level.
“If the Irish rugby boys win a Six Nations or beat
THE HEADLINES AREN'T the All Blacks, the headlines aren't ‘Are they on
drugs?’ and footballers don’t get questioned when
‘ARE THEY ON DRUGS?’ they win.
“In fairness, their lives get scrutinised in many
other ways that I’m glad we don’t have to go
“Helen also said ‘you through, but it can be tough. To have people
might also get nothing’ doubting you can be hurtful but I know I’m a clean
but I felt I’d rather athlete, I toe the line.
give it a lash. I’m glad “Because I jumped from four minutes to 3:56 people
I did because, on both are like ‘what was that?’ whereas I feel like I should
occasions, going toe to have done that a long time ago. An athlete friend said
toe with Laura and trying to me ‘if you had run a 3:59 and then jumped to 3:56,
to beat her meant I was clear people probably wouldn’t have noticed’.”
of the field. I got silver and I Mageean won’t deny it did taint her dream season
really pushed myself, which gave a little but she will still head into winter training
me a lot of confidence.” walking that little bit taller and thinking that little
With medals banked, Mageean bit differently.
pitched up at the Brussels Diamond “To know that I can race the best in the world…
League in early September ready to coming second in the Diamond League final
put that confidence into practice. Having showed not only the world but also myself that I can
been compared to O’Sullivan for years, the be competitive on the world stage.
long-standing Irish 1500m mark of 3:58.85 had “Maybe now my mindset shifts from ‘my aim is
“always been a little bit of a monkey” on her back. to be a finalist’ to ‘you have the chance of being a
Victory in 3:56.63, her first time under the four- medallist’ on the world stage. I’m now somebody
minute barrier, was the kind of affirmation she had that the girls will see on the start lists and they’ll
been looking for for so long. Beating her previous take notice. They’ll maybe worry about me.”

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 53
 SPOTLIGHT

THE

ARE

Thailand is preparing to host the

inaugural World Mountain and
Trail Running Championships.
Adrian Stott looks at how the
new event has come into being

54 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 THAILAND

T
he mountain of Doi With off-road running enjoying a substantial
Suthep on the outskirts growth in popularity in recent years, these
of Chiang Mai in Northern championships represent the coming together of the
Thailand is a well-known World Mountain Running Association (WMRA),
tourist spot thanks to the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU)
stunning temple which sits and International Trail Running Association
nestled on its tree-covered slopes. (ITRA), along with World Athletics, to produce
At the beginning of next month, however, this one substantial showcase where previously there
verdant area will welcome the arrival of a group were separate events.
of visitors who come in search of athletic success Discussions around bringing this idea into reality
rather than a place of worship and peace. began a few years ago but, with the pandemic
The inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running having a put a temporary halt to those plans, only
Championships will be held over the opening now has it been able to come to life.
weekend of November and will combine mountain "As we continually look to increase participation
and trail events with classic up and down mountain at all levels of our sport, we are pleased to be
races, plus uphill only contests. There will also be collaborating closely [with the other organisations],”
longer trail races over 40km and 80km. said World Athletics president Seb Coe of an Z

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 55
 SPOTLIGHT

event which will be staged in Europe next around the time World Athletics regulations ABOVE: Jon Albon won
year. “Each of our organisations shares the grouped Mountain and Trail together as the 2019 trail title
common ambition of promoting running in all disciplines. We now have the World Mountain
its guises. We are working together to create and Trail Running championship (WMTRC)
more opportunities for distance runners across partnership, co-ordinated by World Athletics.
the globe to compete in a range of breathtaking “There was initially a lot of interest from
landscapes and take on different challenges.” federations in hosting the first global event. Covid
Hilary Walker of the IAU, a former GB of course caused delays and postponements from
international at both 100km and 24 hours 2021 but we are delighted Thailand have really got
together with top results in international trail behind this inaugural event.
events like the 245km Spartathlon race in Greece, “Going forward the championships are coming
says the current development is the latest, natural to Europe in 2023 when it will be staged in
step in a sport where collaboration has already Innsbruck, Austria in early June. After that the
contributed to growth. plan is to hold regional – such as European
“Historically the IAU has organised an Ultra champs – in alternate years to a world event.
Trail Championships since 2007,” she says. There is no shortage of global series events
“In 2015 we joined up with ITRA which really currently taking place in mountain and trail running,
expanded the event. ITRA were able to bring in a so how do these championships compare with those
lot more athletes than we had before, so that was a and will they still attract the best runners?
really good partnership. “All these events have helped grow the sport
“The mountain running championships in some ways but, rightly or wrongly, seem very
organised by WMRA have been staged for far commercially driven by various interests,” says
longer. Those championships have always Walker. “The WMTRC is driven by the various
attracted the top runners but have been smaller partner associations and ultimately member
in terms of participation compared to the trail federations of World Athletics.
championships. “The top nations see it as a great development
“There has been a definite increasing crossover opportunity, too, and many of the strong
between mountain running and trail running in emerging nations are also supporting it with
recent years. World Athletics has seen this and strong teams across all the races. There is
bringing the different strands together under nominal prize money of $5000 and downwards
one championship will be a genuine global in all events except the juniors. We do believe the
development opportunity. It will also showcase event can grow to be one of the major fixtures in
these ‘off-track’ events to a wider audience beyond the global mountain and trail calendar over the
its core element.” next few years.”
She continues: “Discussions between all the Great Britain and Northern Ireland teams have
different bodies have been ongoing since 2018, a strong tradition of bringing back medals from

56 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 THAILAND

these championships. Jon Albon is the defending

trail champion and tackles the 40km distance while
Tom Evans won the bronze medal, also in the Trail
Championships, in Spain in 2017 and arrives in
THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING
Thailand for his 80km assignment off the back
of finishing third at the renowned Ultra-Trail du
CROSSOVER BETWEEN MOUNTAIN
Mont-Blanc this year.
Charlotte Morgan in 2018, Annie Conway in
RUNNING AND TRAIL RUNNING.
2016 and Jethro Lennox in 2008 have all topped the
podium in the long mountain championships.
WORLD ATHLETICS HAS SEEN
Angela Mudge was the last Briton to win gold in
the classic up and down races in 2000. She also has
THIS AND BRINGING THE
the distinction of being the only British athlete to
have also won medals at the long course, coming
DIFFERENT STRANDS TOGETHER
second in 2008, and the Ultra Trail Championships,
again taking silver in 2009. She will be a key part
UNDER ONE CHAMPIONSHIP
of the team management in Thailand as a strong
British line-up prepares for competition.
WILL BE A GENUINE GLOBAL
When it comes to this year’s crop, aside from
the aforementioned Albon and Evans, individual
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
European Off-Road Running Championships
medallist Scout Adkin will be an athlete to watch. The junior men’s up-and-down quartet will also
She will be joined by Kate Avery and Holly Page see three members of the gold-medal winning
who were also part of the bronze medal-winning team from the Europeans involved. Individual
team at the Europeans in June, while 2019 world bronze medallist Finlay Grant, Fraser Gilmour and
bronze medallist Phillipa Williams, winner of last Edward Corden will all line up alongside debutant,
month’s trial event, also features. William Longden.

Senior women – 40km Trail race:

BRITISH TEAM Mountain Running
 Elsey Davis
 Catriona Graves Senior women – uphill only: Senior men – up and down:
 Nichola Jackson  Scout Adkin  Alexander Chepelin
 Sharon Taylor  Ruth Jones  Andrew Douglas
 Holly Page  Ross Gollan
Senior men – 40km Trail race:  Phillipa Williams  Chris Richards
 Tom Adams
 Jon Albon Senior men – uphill only: U20 women – up and down:
 Billy Cartwright  Jacob Adkin  Jess Bailey
 Kristian Jones  Dan Haworth  Emily Gibbins
 Brennan Townshend  Chris Richards  Rebecca Flaherty
 Joe Steward  Ellen Weir
Senior women – 80km Trail race:
 Meryl Cooper Senior women – up and down: U20 men – up and down:
 Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn  Scout Adkin  Edward Corden
 Kate Avery  Fraser Gilmour
Senior men – 80km Trail race:  Holly Page  Finlay Grant
 Tom Evans  Phillipa Williams  William Longden
 George Foster
 Harry Jones
 Ryan Smith

Avery’s change of direction: p58

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 57
 SPOTLIGHT

Former NCAA cross country

champion Kate Avery talks
to Katy Barden about why
she left the track behind
and headed for the hills

T
his adventure is something I
have been thinking about for
a while,” wrote Kate Avery on
Instagram in May. “Now I have
started, I am wondering why it
took me so long.”
It might have come as a surprise to some, but
the former NCAA cross-country champion had
hinted at a transition from track and cross-country
to trails with victory in the British Trail Running
Championships in March.
Her second place at the European Off-Road
Running Championships Trials in May confirmed
her intent and secured Great Britain and Northern
Ireland selection for the European Off-Road
Running Championships in Spain in July.
It was her first mountain running call-up after
previously representing her country on the track
and in cross country. She went on to finish 10th in
the uphill only event (winning team gold) and 11th
in the up and down race (winning team bronze).
Avery’s international record was already
impressive. In addition to her memorable NCAA
victory in 2014, she is a multiple medallist at the
European Cross Country Championships. On the
track, she’s a former European age-group medallist
over 3000m and 5000m and finished fourth over
10,000m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Yet throughout that time, she has also been
plagued by doubt and injury, most recently a
frustrating leg nerve pain which was aggravated by
track and road running.

58 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 KATE AVERY

“’Refreshing’ is a good word for this year,” she

reflects. “To be honest, it’s something I’d thought
about for a while. Pete [Pete Riley, Head of Global
Running at New Balance] had mentioned it to me,
he said, ‘Just think about it’. I was on the phone to
him, and I thought, ‘I don’t have to’, I feel like it was
just that push that I needed.
“Do you know what, it’s so easy to look back and
say, ‘I wish I’d done it earlier’, but I do just wish I’d
started doing this kind of running before. As good
as it is when people say, ‘You’ve taken to it’ – and I
have – I have so far to go and so much to learn.”
Physically, Avery finds the technical aspect of
downhill running the hardest to adapt to in her
new field of play. Psychologically, the move away
from pace-driven goals has required a change in
mentality, albeit a welcome one.
“I think it’s just being more confident with the
descent. The more you do it, the more you learn
where to place your foot on the different gradients,
terrain and how best to navigate them,” she explains.
“You can be hurtling down a hill and it can be
uneven tufts of grass, then you can go onto stones,
then you go into tree roots, so it’s always something I’M A BIT TAKEN ABACK BY HOW
different and it’s just about learning how to get
across that the best that you can. MUCH I’VE ENJOYED IT. I’M JUST
“Some of these races have long, steep sections,
too. Before [mountain running], I’d think, ‘I’m not LOVING THE CHANGE AND I’M
running up there because it’s going to take me half
an hour to do a mile’, because in track running, and JUST HAPPY IN WHAT I’M DOING.
even cross country, you’re very time focused, but it
goes out the window when you’re running up the a mental change, something a bit easier...’ I was ABOVE: (from l to r)
side of a mountain. like, ‘Not to burst your bubble, but you go to some Kate Avery with Phillipa
“I’m a bit taken aback by how much I’ve enjoyed pretty dark places when you’re running up the side Williams and Holly Page
at the World Up and
it. I’m just loving the change and I’m just happy in of a mountain.’ ”
Down trial
what I’m doing.” Progress, even with the pain of the trails, has given
Avery radiates positivity and there’s such joy in Avery confidence. The 31-year-old will represent BELOW: Avery in action
her voice. That, in spite of the brutality of many Great Britain in the up and down event at the World at the Commonwealth
mountain races. It certainly wasn’t the easy option. Mountain and Trail Running Championships, in Games in 2014
She might have much to learn about the sport, but Thailand. It will be her second major championship in
in a few short months she has already learned a lot her first year focused on this new, technical discipline.
about herself. She says she’s free of pressure, a benefit of being a
“I don’t even know how to word it, but I’m more relative novice with little knowledge of her fellow
stubborn than I even realised,” she says. “Because competitors. “I’m just going to run it as hard as I
these types of races, it’s not like a road race or a can and finish as high as I possibly can,” she says. “I
track race where you start and you know you’re think after this year I’ll have a much better idea of
going to feel comfortable for the first third or the level and where I kind of want to be.”
something like that. Avery has experienced her fair share of challenges
“With some of these races, when you’re starting right throughout her career to date but, at last, she’s found
at the bottom [of a mountain], generally you know it’s happiness in the mountains. Just take a look at her
not going to feel that comfortable for any of it. Instagram grid – a wonderful patchwork of hard
“Someone said to me, ‘You’re making it sound work, smiling faces, stunning views and success.
really hard’, and I was like, ‘What running isn’t “Running has not been the easiest to enjoy
hard?’ It doesn’t matter what event or what level at times, for many different reasons,” she
you’re at, it’s hard, there’s no way around it. wrote during the European Off-Road
“Before the uphill trial race, one of my friends Championships. “But I’m back in love with this
was thinking about doing it. She said, ‘I just need sport again, for so many more reasons.”
 SPOTLIGHT

Being a coach can be a hugely rewarding pursuit

but, as John Shepherd writes, in athletics it can
also be costly and undervalued. Here, he shares his
experiences and outlines what needs to change

T
his year I coached at the YouTube channel gets thousands of views every
European Championships, day. On the face of it, I appear to be pretty good at
went warm-weather training coaching, yet the reality is that financially it can be a
in Portugal with England real struggle.
Athletics, guided English I often say to myself that I shouldn’t complain –
Schools winners, national age after all I am being paid to teach people to jump
group champions and top-ranked athletes in the into sand and run faster. I’ve done what I call much
horizontal jumps and multi-events across all age harder, “proper” jobs in my life. The trouble is,
groups. I had athletes from the USA and Singapore though, I shouldn't be thinking like that. Coaching
come and train with me while, on my social media athletics is a proper job and it needs to be rewarded
channels, I have close to 60,000 followers and my and acknowledged as such. Z

60 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 COACHING

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 61
 SPOTLIGHT

Is coaching valued? that got them into the US collegiate system, as

well as UK scholarships, yet much of the work I
I’m probably one of the few “professional” coaches did went unrewarded.
in the UK who isn’t working for a governing body or
tied to a university. The majority of coaches in this
country receive little or no financial reward – in fact, Knowledge is being given away
the likelihood is that coaching actually costs them.
Those who are “hobby” coaches are expected to I’m probably relatively unique as a coach in that I
turn up to sessions come rain or shine and often go have been involved in our sport as an international
all over the country, sometimes abroad, to watch athlete before then having written about and
their athletes compete for little, if anything. We researched a range of sports for over 30 years.
value what we do, but is the coach actually valued? I have both a substantial practical and theoretical
The athlete always takes centre stage. Governing experience of sport yet, like so many other coaches
bodies support the athlete and, if they become good with so much knowledge and experience, I am not
enough, they are placed on to funding programmes. truly professional.
These programmes don’t exist for coaches, however, You can be a master builder or a master mariner
when it’s safe to say that a talented coach puts in as but there is little recognition as a master coach.
much, if not more, effort than an athlete. Try getting your plumber or electrician to fix your
It’s also worth considering that it’s unlikely for that house for no renumeration. It’s not going to happen, yet
athlete to have made it on to funding without their coaches are often expected to give their “trade” away.
coach’s intellect and experience.
“In that case, a funded athlete should support
their coach,” I hear you cry. Yet herein lies another
problem. In that scenario, if the athlete loses their
funding then so too does the coach.
However, the coach may have more athletes in his THE MAJORITY OF COACHES
or her pipeline and have a strong record of producing,
yet this is neglected. Isn’t that a better investment? IN THIS COUNTRY RECEIVE
What exists seems a soft foundation on which to
try to be a professional or even amateur coach. LITTLE OR NO FINANCIAL
REWARD – IN FACT, THE
The funding of coaches
LIKELIHOOD IS THAT COACHING
I’ve often thought that coaches could be funded, or
given bursaries, for their successes. ACTUALLY COSTS THEM
Consider that an elite coach is not someone who
just develops elite senior athletes. Our sport’s
judgment gets clouded with that. In what way? It’s Do clubs stunt coach development?
often said that the “best” coaches should work with
young athletes – as only then will those athletes be Perhaps the culture of some athletics clubs doesn’t
physically, technically and emotionally ready for help. Athletics does not have to be the charity
optimum development at senior level. sport. Clubs in swimming, gymnastics, martial arts,
Yet, it is often the pervading mentality that the best as well as football, rugby, tennis or golf, have an
coaches are the ones who coach only great senior entrenched pay-to-be-coached policy. Those clubs
athletes. Coach ego gets in the way here a bit and don’t seem to be short of members.
moreso the lack of renumeration, so it’s not surprising Where I coach there is a tumbling club which is
that coaches usually go where the money is. packed with paying children and adults. Adding an
Going by my own personal experience, to me it’s extra amount to athletics club fees could enable
of much more value – and indeed a harder job – to some coaches to be paid or, as has
develop an under-20 long jumper to reach over happened in some parts of the country,
6.20m (female) and 7.50m (male), than it is taking a suitably qualified coach development
someone already at that level to the next. officer to be appointed. That officer
Yet, due to cherry picking by certain universities can oversee the club’s coaching and
– and particularly in the States with its collegiate can also go into schools to gain greater
system – the coaches who pick up these already ripe membership (and funding).
athletes are getting the plaudits and the money. Yet many clubs seem to be living in the
I have coached around 20 athletes to a level past. Am I right to say much of the old

62 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 COACHING

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

In my opinion, what’s being offered really does not
enable coaches to become professional or, dare I say
TRY GETTING YOUR PLUMBER it, even enable them to become good coaches.
I have to say that there are many plausible
OR ELECTRICIAN TO FIX YOUR reasons for this but, because I am someone who

HOUSE FOR NO RENUMERATION. has seen the potential, more use could be made of
accessible social media to provide real information

IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, YET which will actually help coaches working at club
level and beyond.

COACHES ARE OFTEN EXPECTED It’s of little use showcasing information that will
shave milliseconds off the 100m sprint when a club
TO GIVE THEIR ‘TRADE’ AWAY coach needs to learn how to teach sprint technique
and structure training for fledgling sprinters.

ABOVE: Jahisha Thomas guard does not want change? Indeed, an AW survey
in action in Munich earlier this year indicated that 51.3% of respondents Is change coming?
disagreed when it came to whether athletics clubs
should charge more for membership and training. I In a post I wrote on my own blog earlier this
LEFT: Thomas and
wonder how those people make their living? year I explained how I had to crowdfund to get
John Shepherd to the European Championships in Munich
to support Jahisha Thomas in the long jump.
Coach education People were incredulous.
You only find out a couple of weeks before the
I see all standards of coaching on my travels and I championships that your athlete has been selected
hear from many coaches through social media who and therefore all the travel and accommodation
are in a similar position to me or are fully amateur. prices will often be at a premium.
Most want to see some change and to receive better I did not have the spare cash lying around but of
coaching education. course I wanted to go. Z

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 63
 SPOTLIGHT

“THE BRITISH ATHLETICS COACHES

ASSOCIATION CAN AND WILL MOVE
THE AGENDA FORWARD”
Mike Winch of the BACA on the
history of coach professionalism
The nature of our sport, from its extreme amateur origins until I required more than £1000 and it would have had
now, has meant that coaching has suffered from the assumption to have gone on a credit card, had it not been for the
by athletes, clubs and national governing bodies that the contributions I so gratefully received through a go-
profession should be unpaid or at best badly rewarded. fund me style campaign.
We coaches are supposed to be grateful for the honour of I even had to buy tickets to get into the stadium and
helping athletics move forward and yet many receive no real then had the worry of: “Will I be able to actually get
reward for it. out of my seat and coach Jahisha?”
It is interesting that Geoff Dyson, the UK’s first national Thankfully all worked out but it’s an instance which
coach, who was a strong advocate for a professional highlights why it all seems so difficult to be a good
coaching structure, was hounded out of his role by the coach sometimes.
amateur lobby who controlled the administration. Could there be a fund established to at least partially
The next incumbents of the national coach role met with support non-governing body coaches financially in
a similar demise and it wasn't until Ron Murray that these kinds of situations?
the possibility of an association to look after coaches’ I enjoy coaching and it is a hugely rewarding pursuit.
interests, was again mooted. I have managed to just about make a living from it yet,
However, it was again rejected by the sport and despite my achievements, there is very little stability.
subsequently has been twice more. It’s through my own efforts that I have
Now however, the fledgling British Athletics reached some level of professionalism
Coaches Association (BACA) has In next month’s issue, and I am helping others to do so.
been formed to support all the issues UKA’s Head of Coaching Change, however, really is needed.
that John has so eloquently described. Development, Jackie
The Association can and will move the Newton, will update on the
agenda forward to a proper professional organisation's coaching HAVE YOUR SAY
future for coaches and rightful place for strategy one year on from What are your experiences as a
the profession in the 21st century. its launch. The strategy coach? Get in touch and let us
recognises many of the issues know by emailing haveyoursay@
baca.uk.net outlined in this article… athleticsweekly.com

64 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 COACHING

COACHING
LESSONS
Alan Rowling of Cornwall AC recently celebrated 50
years as a coach. Here, he offers the biggest lessons he has
learned through his lengthy experiences within the sport

GET THE TRAINING ENVIRONMENT RIGHT men’s team captain. They were a great combination but no one
I began coaching in 1972, when I was teaching in Redruth and receives special attention. By also working across the full range
started a school cross country club. The school fields proved to of abilities, you will get a better understanding of the variations
be an ideal starting point for the young athletes. The perimeter between groups in terms of age, experience and ability. This
of the fields gave us a mile circuit, on four levels, with three really can be very rewarding.
banks of different gradients and lengths separating each level.
It was an ideal area to use with young athletes, WHAT’S IMPORTANT?
encouraging them all the time, with scope for developing • Plan ahead. Our senior groups at Cornwall AC follow a 12-
their ability to prepare for cross county in the winter and week cycle of tempo/speed endurance sessions
track races in the summer. • Be organised and be on time to begin the warm-up
I would recommend trying to keep adding numbers to your • Plan training sessions in conjunction with the athlete(s) and
group. All runners improve general endurance with company, link the session planning to the competition pathway
developing a competitive advantage in a more social setting. • Explain the purpose of different types of sessions. It helps
Developing club links with local schools provided a mutually enormously if an athlete understands why they are doing a
beneficial partnership back then and it still will today. specific activity or session
• Vary your sessions and, if possible, host
TALK TO OTHER COACHES them at variety of locations
In 1976 a new kid on the block emerged • Keep it simple
from the running ranks, namely Jon • Have loads of enthusiasm and plenty of
Richards, who in 1978 won the English patience
Schools and International Schools • Enjoy yourself. I still find it heartwarming
junior boys cross country titles. I to see 50 to 70 of our seniors working
was still a relatively new coach and, hard every Tuesday in five groups. The
recognising the talent Jon had, I felt I social benefits speak for themselves and
had a duty to do my best for this athlete, I am pleased to say everyone gets on so
which would also be to the benefit of well together regardless of their abilities.
the rest of the group, and took steps to
improve my coaching qualifications.
Not only did I do this but I also spoke
to more experienced coaches about ADVICE TO YOUNG ATHLETES
endurance coaching for young athletes. Progress requires patience. You
More recently, I sought out renowned will all improve, but some will
coach Bud Baldaro when it came to progress at a much faster rate
my coaching of marathon runner Emma Stepto and he was ABOVE: Jon Richards than others. Enjoy the training
incredibly helpful. So, too, was Mara Yamauchi. and Dave Buzza and racing and be prepared for
some sessions and races that will
EVERY ATHLETE IN YOUR GROUP DESERVES disappoint. It’s part of the process
EQUAL ATTENTION FROM YOU of developing as an athlete.
At one stage my group contained Jon and Dave Buzza, who cornwallac.org.uk
went on to be an international marathon runner and is now our

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 65
 CLUB FOCUS

WORKING TOGETHER
Booth Track Club is offering a hub-style opportunity for “professional,
working female athletes to access an elite training set-up” just outside London

T
hinking “We welcome those with similar of a rep. Young boys are certainly not
differently values and aspirations to join in from an appreciative audience for important
has been cited surrounding clubs, for the betterment conversations around emotions and
as something of middle distance in the London area,” monthly cycles, either!
athletics should be he says. “On experiencing this discrepancy,
embracing across Booth Track Club features the likes I made the decision that Booth Track
a number of areas of the sport. Mark of Lauren Church, Sophie Crumly, Club’s primary purpose should be to
Booth, for one, couldn’t agree more and Emma Howsham, Mia Waldmann, provide an opportunity for professional,
the Reading AC coach doing just that Victoria Hiscock, Anna Boniface and working female athletes to access an elite
has led to the creation of a training group Abi Hancock, while athletes such training set-up, based upon those found
from which the athletes are enjoying as Aldershot member and British at universities such as Loughborough
increasing levels of success. international Philippa Bowden have also and Birmingham – though we do have
He had noticed the alarming dropout benefited from joining in. a thriving U20 women and Senior male
rate of women from athletics once they “Since its inception, and based on section, too.
have finished university and, upon trying the intrinsic values of dedication, “Reading AC have been fantastic in
to find out why, the most common answer friendship and professionalism, BTC their non-tribal approach, allowing us to
he received was that athletes simply don’t has reduced 1500m track times of create an environment whereby we have
know where to go if they have changed now prominent domestic athletes by Bracknell, Aldershot, Southampton and
location to join the workplace. It’s not well over 30 seconds,” says Booth. other clubs girls able to jump in, giving a
uncommon that, when women establish “We have learned how to juggle the feel of when Crystal Palace was a hub all
a place to start their careers away from the work/running balance to progress those years ago.”
track, the search for a training squad only and continue our athletics journeys Has it worked?
uncovers groups "just full of U17 boys on to high level competition. The “Emphatically, yes,” says Booth.
who don't respect you". girls enjoy an incredible camaraderie “Four years ago when we started, my
and a shared ambition which creates fastest girl had a 4:45 1500m best and
enjoyment and success.” the rest were over five minutes. This
Booth acknowledges that providing year we have had five girls running
such a welcoming environment between 4.20-4:29, an English schools
is key and insists his group has silver medallist over 3000m gaining
been necessary to provide greater her debut England vest and athletes
options for a section of the athletics competing at the National and British
community which still, sadly, does not Championships. “Furthermore, we
have the same number of choices as have returned an England international
their male counterparts. to a level where she has set multiple
“I learned very quickly that us men track PBs and the same for a former
operate in a world where there is always SIAB champion, who was told ‘she will
an option to match your ambition and never be able to complete a session
ability with a suitable group,” says Booth. again’ due to injury problems. Not bad
“‘Too slow for you? Then hop in with the for £2.00 on a Tuesday.”
squad down the road’.
“This is unfortunately not the case for For more information contact:
Taking an inclusive approach, Booth women with elite ambition, often finding Mark.booth1991@hotmail.com
has set about trying to ease that problem themselves training alone or jumping in
with the establishment of a female- with the junior boys at their club.
dominated performance-driven squad “Having been a junior boy, I can GET IN TOUCH
which may sit as part of Reading AC appreciate it would be hard to take the Does your athletics club have a great
but aims to act as a training hub for any hit to the ego should you find yourself story to tell? Let us know by emailing
interested athletes. battling it out with a woman at the end haveyoursay@athleticsweekly.com

66 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
LAUNCH
ISSUE
 PERFORMANCE

NEWS
Peta Bee takes a look at the
latest developments in the
pursuit of improvement

EXAMINING THE POWER OF PLANTS

lant-based diets and supplements are Breen and colleagues will compare THE Plant with other

P becoming increasingly popular with athletes,

but how do they compare to dairy-based
protein when it comes to supporting muscle
protein powders, including animal-based and single-source
plant, to see how each fares in terms of how well they are
digested and absorbed into the blood stream.
health? Researchers at the University of Birmingham are The team will also work to see whether they support muscle
partnering with manufacturer Myprotein to conduct a study recovery after an intense session of strength training and
that will investigate the effectiveness of THE Plant, a new which best bolsters muscle growth in strength training over a
performance-focused plant protein product. period of several months.
“In the case of plant-based proteins, there is concern that they “We know that consumers are increasingly turning to
will not effectively reproduce the complex range of proteins found plant-based products for a variety of reasons, including
in more traditional animal-based products,” says Dr Leigh Breen personal health and environmental sustainability,” Breen
of the University’s School of Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation says. “What we don’t yet fully understand, however,
Sciences. “The product we are testing here comes from a range of is how those products perform in the area of muscle
plant sources that may overcome those challenges.” building and recovery.”

68 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 NEWS

BONE STRENGTH IN VEGAN ATHLETES SHAKESPHERE

TUMBLER ORIGINAL
shakesphereuk.com

V
egan athletes who lift or bodyweight exercises such as squats, £20.00
weights can rest assured they press-ups and lunges at least once a week
have stronger bones than had stronger bones that vegans who did not.
other vegans, according to a What’s more, the vegans and meat-eaters
new study in the Journal of Endocrinology who did resistance training had similar bone
and Metabolism. They compared data from strength. “People who adhere to a vegan
43 vegan men and women and 45 meat and lifestyle should perform resistance training
fish eaters over five years and discovered on a regular basis to preserve bone strength,”
that vegans who did resistance training advised lead author Dr Christian Muschitz
using gym weights machines, free weights of the Medical University of Vienna.

EXERCISE REHAB MATCHES SURGERY

FOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT REPAIRS
T
ears of the anterior cruciate whether this is really necessary – or whether
ligament (ACL) in and patients should just do rehabilitation with
around the knee are one exercise,” says Daniel Belavy, Professor for
of the most common and Physiotherapy at Hochschule für Gesundheit With its revolutionary
debilitating sports injuries. Guidelines in Bochum and senior author of the study. capsule design, this
often recommend surgical reconstruction “From our recently published meta- protein shaker bottle
of the ACL – a procedure that carries analysis, we show that surgery is not blends powders or
risks and is followed by a lengthy necessary for many people.” Belavy and soft fruit quickly and
healing process. However, a recent paper his colleagues examined the effects of easily without the
published in the British Journal of Sports an operation shortly after the injury need for a blade or
Medicine suggests it is often not necessary compared to a rehabilitation therapy additional elements.
to go under the knife and that an exercise approach, in which the patient received The rounded shape
rehabilitation programme is just as exercise rehab after which surgery was means it can blend
effective at getting people back to sport. provided only if still deemed necessary. contents in just five
“Surgery is often done for very common Results of the nine publications from three seconds and also
and severe knee cruciate ligament tears and different randomised controlled trials means you get to
there has been debate over the years as to in their analysis, showed that significant drink all your shake,
improvements in knee function could be with nothing left
achieved regardless of which of the two stuck in the corners.
treatment approaches was chosen. It has a leakproof lid
In addition, says Belavy, they found that and is easy to clean,
early surgical reconstruction of the ACL as well as being
had no protective effect against future knee available in a range
osteoarthritis. “Our findings challenge a of sizes and colours.
historical paradigm that knee instability
should be addressed with surgery to
provide optimal outcomes,” Belavy says.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 69
 PERFORMANCE

Katy Barden speaks to the 3000m steeplechase British record-

holder about how she laid the foundations for an impressive year

HOW THEY TRAIN

A
s the rain lashed down different [in training] this past year, although a big
on the streets of New change has been living at altitude for the first time.
York, European and I think that’s worked really well for my body, for
Commonwealth 3000m whatever reason.”
steeplechase medallist Lizzie Bird was disappointed not to make the final at the
Bird brought the curtain down World Championships in Eugene, but together with
on her exceptional season with a personal best and podium performances in Birmingham [silver] and
10th place in the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile. Munich [bronze], in addition to a lifetime best that
As most athletes contemplated end-of-season ranked her ninth fastest in the world this year, it has
getaways to exotic locations, the 28-year-old was added fuel to the fire.
already focused on her return to law school at the “If someone had said I’d have a rubbish race
University of Colorado Boulder. Having twice at Worlds but do really well at the Euros and
deferred her start date – first due to the 2019 Commonwealths, then I’d have been like, ‘okay,
World Championships and then to accommodate that’s fine’,” she admits.
the delayed 2020 Olympics – the Public and “I definitely thought going into this summer that
International Affairs graduate (Princeton), who also a medal at the Commonwealths and/or Europeans
has a Masters in International Studies (University of was possible, but I didn’t think I’d run 9:07. I
San Francisco), is now in her second year and in the think having that kind of race and just being really
form of her life. competitive against really good athletes in Monaco,
“I think having those two years to really focus not just running the time, has given me confidence
on running has pushed me forward this past year,” that I could do that again or do something similar
says the British steeplechase record-holder, who at a major championships – and we’ve got a few of
smashed her personal best with 9:07.87 in the them coming up.
Monaco Diamond League in August. “It’s really nice we’ve got another Worlds right
“The main thing is that I’ve had pretty much away [in August of next year], so I’ve got a chance
consistent training and no injuries since 2018. for redemption quite soon. I think going into the
During my last few years at Princeton and my Worlds this year it was sort of expected I would
Masters, I had quite a few injuries, so although I was make the final and pretty disappointing when I
progressing, my training kept being cut short. didn’t, but that makes me hungrier for next year.”
“With a bit of consistency, I’ve just been able to Bird has excelled in 2022 and, in parallel, her
build and build each year in terms of volume, and international profile has grown substantially.
the quality of my sessions just gets slightly better Domestically, thanks in part to her on-track rivalry
each year. I’ve had some time to just fully focus with former British record-holder Aimee Pratt, the
on running and it’s allowed me to really figure out profile of her event has also been raised. “I hope we get
what my body could and couldn’t manage, as well as more girls and women interested in the steeplechase,”
getting the recovery right. she says. “If we can get more depth then hopefully the
"I don’t think I’ve done anything particularly momentum will continue.”

70 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 HOW THEY TRAIN

A TYPICAL
TRAINING WEEK
Note, the programme will change to
accommodate races throughout the summer

Bird is based in Boulder and is coached remotely

by her former college coach in San Francisco, Pat
McCurry. “I stuck with him. It was just one of those
things, if it’s working, then why change it?” she says.
She trains mainly alone but is joined by a law
school classmate (a former triathlete) for some
of her track workouts and long runs. Her average
weekly mileage in the winter is 50-60 miles and is
typically off six days with rarely any doubles.
Bird’s barrier work throughout the winter is
minimal, but more hurdle-specific sessions will be
introduced throughout spring and into summer.

 Monday: easy run (40-50min), speed development

drills and weights. “More and better-quality
strength and conditioning sessions have
contributed to my progress over the past year,”
she says. “My strength coach [Maj Skok, based in
Leeds] writes me a really good programme which
is quite steeple-specific. He’s also added in more
plyos and box jumps this year, which I hadn’t really
done before.” Occasionally a very easy double run
or cross train (30min).
 Tuesday: session (in winter, sessions will alternate
between hills, fartleks, tempo runs, and short
track reps; in spring/summer, there will be
one longer session and a track session; and in
summer, both sessions will often be on the track,
or one pre-race track session and a race).
 Wednesday: easy run (40min), cross train or rest
day (cross train – swim, bike or elliptical).
 Thursday: medium-long run (60-80min) and
weights.
 Friday: session (as above).
 Saturday: either easy run (40min), cross train.
“This might be quite a long bike ride during the
winter which has added to my overall aerobic
capacity this year,” she says, or rest day,
depending on Wednesday.
 Sunday: long run up to 1hr 45min (during winter).

Favourite session
“Anything on the track, especially in the spring when
we do more of the faster sessions. One that we’ll do
each spring is 3 x 600m with 10min rest in between,
so I’m wearing spikes and going pretty much all
out by the end. It’s the closest to racing that I do in
training – and I like racing – so I enjoy it.”

Least favourite session

“Tempos, unless I’m really fit and they feel easy,
which is extremely rare!”

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 71
 PERFORMANCE

Dina Asher-Smith
raised important
questions in Munich

72 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 PERIOD DRAMA

Earlier this summer, the

comments of a number of
high-profile athletes sparked an
important discussion around the
impact of the menstrual cycle
on performance. It’s a complex
issue which requires careful
management, writes Peta Bee

WE’VE GOT

D
ina Asher-Smith grabbed the
RESEARCH STUDIES headlines at the European
Championships as much for her
RUNNING ALL THE comments off the track as her
TIME, BUT THERE IS performances on it. After limping
out of the women’s 100m final with
A REAL RELUCTANCE calf cramps, she later admitted it was “girls’ stuff ” that had
AMONG TOP LEVEL caused the issue and called for more research to be done
ATHLETES TO on the menstrual cycle and its impact on performance.
“We see girls that have been consistent have a random
TAKE PART dip. Behind the scenes they are really struggling, while
everyone is thinking, ‘What’s that? That’s random’. We
just need more funding,” she said. “I feel like if it was a
men’s issue there would be a million different ways to
combat things. But with women there just needs to be
more funding in that area.”
In a column for BBC Sport, Eilish McColgan praised
Asher-Smith for raising awareness of the issue and
detailed how the menstrual cycle impacts her own
running. “Some months, it’s manageable. Other months,
it’s unbearable,” McColgan wrote. “There’s no telling
which Eilish you’re going to get on the day. To try and
run, or at least perform to the best of my ability, is an
almost impossible task.”
Cue a social media storm in which a wave of female
athletes of all levels and abilities agreed that little is
being done to help them understand and overcome
the inconsistencies in performance presented by the
menstrual cycle.
But this period drama has an enduring and
complex plot. Kirsty Elliot-Sale, a professor of female
endocrinology and exercise physiology at Manchester
Metropolitan University, has been researching the effects
of athletes’ menstrual cycles for two decades and agrees
that the subject is “under-studied” but argues that there is
research being carried out.
“Academically, it is an area that is much more nuanced
than is currently being portrayed on social media,”
Elliot-Sale says. “It is true that because of the complicated
PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES interplay of endocrinology, physiology and hormonal
health, there is a mixed bag of scientific evidence with Z

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 73
 PERFORMANCE

not all of it using the best methodology, but there menstrual cycle because they don’t have one.” It
is some strong science – and we are constantly is, says Elliot-Sale, “physically impossible to have
striving to produce more of it.” period pain on the Pill” and yet when elite female
While athletes are calling for research to be done, athletes are given questionnaires they usually
researchers are calling for athletes to step forward believe the two are related.
and take part in studies. “We’ve got research studies In women who do menstruate, quite how
running all the time, but there is a real reluctance differently they respond to the hormonal cycle
among top level athletes to take part,” adds Elliot- was demonstrated in a 2020 meta-analysis Elliot-
Sale. “Elite women tell us there are too many studies Sale and colleagues from different UK institutions
using general exercisers and not enough research including Northumbria University, Nottingham
on people at their level in sport, but the only way to Trent University and Robert Gordon University in
push forward is to work together.” Aberdeen, conducted.
They reviewed 78 studies involving a total of
1193 women that looked at the impact of the
menstrual cycle on performance. Measurements
of all aspects of performance – including strength,
PERIODS ARE ESSENTIAL IF YOU endurance, times, VO2 max and power output –
WANT TO HAVE A HEALTHY AND were taken at different phases of the monthly cycle
and the findings, published in the journal Sports
LONG-TERM ATHLETICS CAREER, Medicine, did show a pattern of performance
AS WELL AS STRONG BONES decline in the follicular phase of the cycle.
IN LATER LIFE Unexpectedly they found that the drops were
not significant. Indeed, performances deteriorated
only by “a trivial amount” when compared with
No two athletes are the same other phases and their conclusion was that there is
not enough evidence to issue general guidance for
What the existing scientific evidence does tell us athletes on training or competing with their period.
is that no two women respond in the same way to A caveat with that paper was that many of the
different phases of their menstrual cycle. “When studies included were of poor quality and design.
we look at that body of research we find there is But, even when these were removed from the
just so much variability, not just between women, analysis, Elliot-Sale says the outcome remained
but within one woman’s cycle,” says Elliot-Sale. that the overall effect on performance is negligible.
“While some women do experience these negative Last year, French scientists looked more specifically
side-effects or symptoms, just as many don’t.” at the effects of a woman’s cycle on elite athletic
There exists confusion, she says, not just among performance, trying to determine whether even
male coaches, but among female athletes themselves small or “trivial” differences impacted results. Of 218
about what the menstrual cycle is and how it might, relevant studies they found only seven that precisely
or might not, affect training and performance. measured a menstrual cycle phase on physical or
In most women, the key reproductive hormones performance parameters, most using hormonal
oestrogen and progesterone rise and fall in a screening through blood, saliva or urine tests.
fairly predictable pattern over an approximately Two of the studies relied on athletes’ training
monthly cycle, although regular cycles typically diaries. Results, published in Frontiers In Physiology,
range from 21 to 35 days. found that some women experienced ligament
“In the early follicular phase both of these stiffness, lower levels of power or endurance or
hormones are at their lowest levels,” says Elliot- psychological issues such as a drop in perceived
Sale. “Oestrogen then rises rapidly around the competitiveness or decision making skills. But others
time of ovulation, menstruation occurs midway did not, and the researches said the outcomes were
through the cycle and second half of the cycle, the too variable to be considered conclusive.
luteal phase, is when both hormones are raised.”
For those who do experience a drop in
performance it is around the time of their period. Keeping track
But Elliot-Sale says that women athletes who take
the contraceptive Pill often complain of period pain Elliot-Sale says there needs to be some “ownership”
and performance dips when it simply can’t happen. of tracking cycles by women, their coaches and any
“Women on the Pill have a withdrawal bleed support team members. She found it surprising that
but they do not have a period,” she says. “Any so many elite athletes seemed to suffer unexpected
cyclic dips they experience in training might well side effects of their menstrual cycle almost
exist but they have nothing at all to do with the simultaneously this summer.

74 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 PERIOD DRAMA

of Project RED-S, says: “We need to be very

careful about positioning periods in a negative
light,” especially when such progress is being made
about the protective effects of the menstrual cycle
on skeletal and physiological health.”
Elliot-Sale agrees that it is “a potentially
dangerous message to suggest periods are
something we need to try to avoid in sport” and
that they are actually a marker of excellent health.
“It used to be a badge of honour that you were
training hard enough, meaning you were elite, when
you lost your period,” says Elliot-Sale. “But we now
know that there are so many physiological and
performance consequences associated with that and
essentially your body has had to make a sacrifice
to fuel your sport and not your reproductive axis
because there is not enough fuel to do it all.”
As a coach myself, following the social media
debate earlier this summer I was approached by
two 15-year-old runners who became visibly upset
about competing with their periods and fearful
that they would cause pain that would mean they
ABOVE: Pippa Woolven “Your ovaries don’t just kick in for the first time wouldn’t race well.
(5883) is urging caution at a major championship,” she says. “Surely athletes Shireen Higgins, who coaches some of the UK’s
would have been having periods for 10-20 years by top junior female middle-distance athletes at
the time they are at that level and would not leave it Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow AC, says that
until the month before one of the most important while periods might be considered inconvenient for
events of their lives to work out that their period all women, athletes included, they are a natural and
might fall on the day of a heat or final?” necessary part of physical development.
Elliot-Sale advises ongoing personal tracking of “They are essential if you want to have a
symptoms and timings, keeping a detailed diary healthy and long-term athletics career as well
of evidence and careful planning ahead. “It might as strong bones in later life,” Higgins says. “The
be that a massage at a certain time of the cycle is message should be that the cycle needs to be
helpful or that tweaking your nutrition at different managed and not avoided.”
times can help,” she says. “But if you have a major Once girls reach puberty, Higgins suggests
summer competition, these are things that need to blood tests and taking extra iron and seeing a
be in place as early as January.” doctor if they get heavy bleeding, pain or excessive
Best avoided, though, are trendy apps that claim mood swings. “If symptoms are severe, then it
to help women plan their training in accordance is important to work with your doctor, ideally
with the ebb and flow of their cycle. Many elite someone who understands sport, to discuss
sporting organisations have even banned these possible next stages,” she says. “For older athletes
apps because their athletes are adversely affected an option might be the Pill to control your cycle
by the advice given. and you will need to work with your doctor to
“These sorts of menstrual tracking apps are not choose a pill carefully in and may need to try
based on any scientific evidence and don’t track different types to find one that suits.”
anything you don’t tell them,” says Elliot-Sale. She believes it is risky “to tell young girls that
“They base their advice purely on the dates of they will run worse at certain points of the cycle”.
your period and no hormones or blood levels are Elliot-Sale welcomes the increase in
involved so it means nothing.” conversations about the menstrual cycle and
sport. “Publicly it has gone under the radar for so
long and it’s a good thing we are now talking about
Looking at the positives of periods it,” she says. “Yes, there are genuine cases where
races are lost because of the menstrual cycle, but
There’s concern, too, that high-profile the danger is it becomes too easy to blame periods
sportswomen commenting publicly about painful for poor performance and that will weaken
periods and problematic menstrual cycles will women’s sport. Periods are healthy and there is
send a negative message to younger athletes. Pippa always something that can be done to make them
Woolven, former international athlete and founder less problematic.”

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 75
 PERFORMANCE

Weight training is seen

as a vital tool but, as
John Shepherd asks,
does it really make for
faster, more powerful,
more enduring athletes?

76 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 77
 PERFORMANCE

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

MULTI-
N
early all the athlete’s power-to-weight ratio is
athletes use negatively affected.
weight training Secondly, weight training protocols MUSCULAR
as part of for improving athletic performance
their routines. are incredibly varied, although there is ACTION
However, an emerging consensus as to what the
the science behind how to get the desired outcome should be. WEIGHTS
most from it for direct athletic Thirdly, athletes do not weight train
improvement is neither consistent, in isolation. Their training comprises Training triphasically – using
nor even fully understood. of multiple other elements. Some of eccentric, isometric and
So many variables influence how these may compliment weight training’s concentric movements – may
successful a weight training programme physiological consequences (such as be the preferred way to train in
will be. For a start, not all athletes will plyometrics), while others may not the weights room now. It’s not all
respond to weight training in the same (such as endurance training). about pushing, but also about
way. Some may bulk up considerably For sprinters and jumpers, it could lowering with control and holding
in response to specific protocols, while be the plyometrics they are doing positions. This multi-muscular
others won’t. which is improving performance action approach will challenge
Firstly, it should be noted that rather than the weight training. For the soft tissue to adapt in potentially
an increase in lean mass, although thrower it could be the medicine ball more specific ways than one
potentially allowing for the expression or implement throwing and not the which focuses solely
of more power, can also result in more weight training. on concentric action.
weight to be carried on the athlete’s Fourthly, not all muscles are as
body. An increase in muscle mass important as others when it comes to
can slow all distance run times if improving athletic event performance.

78 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE

The glutes and the hips may be the key

muscles needed for improved sprint WEIGHT TRAINING CAN MAKE MUSCLES,
speed, for example, so these may not be
being specifically targeted.
BUT IN PARTICULAR LIGAMENTS AND
Research indicates that, compared to TENDONS, RESILIENT TO INJURY
non-athletes, sprinters and jumpers’
hip and glute muscles are larger, too, so
the weights programme needs to reflect Additionally, research indicates that physiological outcomes at the same
this. Different events require different eccentric muscular actions may – time, without compromise.
specific muscles to be optimised for everything else being equal – be more So, trying to gain weights room
optimised performance. important than concentric ones. strength while building endurance at
A weight training programme, the same time could likely result in
To lift or not to lift therefore, should include eccentric compromised gains.
I have studied and researched weight exercises. These involve lowering a
training, as well other conditioning weight under control. How can weight training
means, as a coach for decades. I want Isometric movements may also help athletes?
to find out what will really improve be as important. This is when I’ve painted a little bit of a negative
performance. muscles work against each other scenario when it comes to weight
Like many coaches I now don’t see it or an immovable resistance is training, however there are still
as being as central to directly improving used to produce no movement but multiple reasons for doing it.
athletic performance as it has been seen considerable muscular tension. Weight training is relatively unique
previously by many. in how it strengthens soft tissue. It
When you lift weights you are How much strength is enough? can make muscles, but in particular
constrained in many ways. You cannot There is a growing understanding that ligaments and tendons, resilient
move the weight as fast as you move there is a limit to the amount of weight to injury (particularly if eccentric
yourself when running, jumping and training strength required. Any gains movements are used). This is a key
throwing. It takes tenths of a second after this may be of little direct use to value I see with weights and other
to squat, yet the sprinter’s foot will be improving performance. For example, resistance training means and, when
in contact with the track surface for 200kg is seen to be sufficient for elite combined with plyometrics, you
milliseconds. male javelin throwers. The rationale for can increase power output through
Nor can you (usually) safely release this may not be exclusively related to potentiation (see AW, Sep 22).
the weight at the end of its travel. distance thrown rather than potential Research and anecdotal experience
When you high jump, you don’t stop injury protection. indicates that heavy load weight, low
producing power until you leave the rep training, with full recoveries can
ground. When you squat or bench Muscle fibre adaptation improve the athlete’s ability to recruit
you need to stop the movement as you You’ll know that there are fast and greater amounts of fast-twitch muscle
usually can’t release the bar. Thus, the slow-twitch muscle fibres. These are fibre and more specifically the motor
force production curve is different. needed across the different athletic units which control them. This can
Most weights exercises are performed disciplines in different quantities. The result in a transferable legacy in that
using both arms and legs and are very marathon runner obviously will need the athlete becomes more able to
linear, while all athletics events require more slow, oxidative, red muscle fibres recruit these for their actual athletics
unilateral movement and often across in comparison to the 100m sprinter discipline. Basically, they will develop
various planes. who wants a proliferation of anaerobic access to greater horsepower.
Additionally, the common muscular white, fast fibres. It’s because of this that one of
action used is the concentric (muscular Research indicates that, even when the key protocols for using weight
shortening) one. Virtually all muscular heavy weights are lifted as fast but as training to try to directly improve
actions in athletics require stretch- safely as possible, the resultant long- athletic performance is via this
shortening ones. When running at term fibre shift is going to be toward the maximum strength method of lifting
any speed, the muscle, tendons and slower of the fast-twitch varieties (so – that’s to say using weights in excess
ligaments will first have to stretch Type 2a fibres). Yet, sprinters ideally of 80 per cent of one repetition
and store energy before shortening to need more Type 2b fibres – the out and maximum. This is something that
return energy. out power producers. only training mature athletes should
This quick-fire stretch-reflex is key to The distance runner will have a do. Younger athletes will get more
plyometrics, hence plyometric training conundrum, too. This is known as the benefits from using lighter weights
may be superior to weight training as a “interference effect”. Human physiology and other resistance exercises to build
conditioning means. finds it difficult to train for two different greater injury resilience.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 79
 PERFORMANCE

Jumping exercises can

be incredibly useful in
assessing weaknesses

80 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 ANDY KAY

Strength and conditioning coach Andy Kay tells Euan Crumley

why now is the perfect time to identify your weaknesses and use
them as the winter foundation for improving your performance

T
his can be a crucial time
of year for many track
athletes. With the summer
HAVE A GOOD REASON
season recently complete TO DO SOMETHING AND
but quickly becoming a
distant memory, it’s now
THAT ONLY COMES FROM
when the important foundations are laid for what WORKING BACKWARDS
lies ahead next summer.
With training intensity a little lower to begin
FROM THE SPORT
with, there is an opportunity to work on the extra AND FROM YOUR OWN
elements which can prove invaluable further ISSUES AND INJURIES
down the line. It’s where some backwards thinking
away from the heat of competition can help you not only becomes the first port of call but also
get ahead. provides the purpose and direction to the off-track
Andy Kay, founder of Pure Performance, is a training programme he will put together.
leading strength and conditioning coach who has With a background spanning multiple sports,
worked with Jake Wightman since 2016 and was the Royal Marines and now making a big impact
part of the backroom team which helped lead the in athletics, he believes that “running and strength
Briton to world 1500m gold earlier this year. and conditioning are now working more hand in
At the start of every season, Kay will profile hand” than they perhaps did in the past.
the athletes he works with to identify their Here, he outlines why and how making it a part
biomechanical weaknesses. Working on those of your programme can help pay real dividends. Z

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 81
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How would you sum up strength and

conditioning and what you do?
Strength and conditioning is a term used for work
that's designed to either improve performance or
reduce injury.
My job is to give the athlete as much time and capacity
as I can for them to spend on the track because that's
ultimately where they're going to get faster.
But they're not going to do that if they're injured or
only capable of putting in a small percentage of what
they could if they had, say, greater running economy,
were more efficient or were springier.
Imagine your body's a race car and you’ve got to get
faster on the track. We're the guys in the pits that keep it
in top condition, if you like. Strength and conditioning
is very much an accessory but the better you get, the
more important it is.

Why should an aspiring athlete be doing it?

FANTASTIC ELASTIC If you look at the big picture, there are certain factors
around performance and injury that you're not going to
Giving Jake Wightman firepower get from running alone.
A big one for me is tendon stiffness and reactivity,
If you look at him early on, it stood out that Jake wasn't very which is crucial in the production of force.
reactive from a landing and jumping perspective. If you In simple terms, how springy are you? The only way
spend a lot of time on the floor, in any jump, it shows that to really improve that is through plyometrics or heavy
you're not able to produce force quickly. isometrics – basically overloading the tendons and
Why does that matter on the track? At top speed your foot is ligaments more than you will through running.
on the floor for less than 0.1 seconds, so you haven't got very From an injury prevention perspective, tendons in
long to produce force. If you and I run at the same speed and particular respond and get better through loading.
you're able to apply more force in a short space of time, I'm going That's long, eccentric or isometric loading, which is the
to hit my top speed sooner and you'll be able to overtake me. opposite of what running is.
I'm not overly concerned with someone being very strong If you want to get better quickly and stay healthy, that's
because you don't have time to express strength in running – the only way to do it.
you have time to express extreme speed and power. Unless you're naturally very good, and you don't really
That meant we spent a lot of time on making him springier get injured, then at some point you're going to need to
and building elasticity into the tendons through lots of jumping use some kind of strength and conditioning to improve
and lots of repetitive, pogo-style, low-level bouncing work. or get back on the track.
If you look at him now, he's so elastic, it's unreal. The
amount of power he can produce and the height he can jump
– it's fantastic. We did some testing with British Athletics Is it all about lifting weights?
on his peak force output and even with calf raises alone he
can produce four times his own bodyweight in both legs. It’s Definitely not. The strength side is only one piece of the
twice as much as the benchmark they’d set. puzzle. A lot of the time we spend in the gym will be on
He's super, super powerful now and that was always the aim things like isometric holds – that can be a leg press or a
because the springier you are the more elastic you are, the squat rack with weight – but, equally, it could just be a
less energy you have to put into every step and therefore the doorframe or just using a lifting strap and using that to
less oxygen you use and the faster you can go. create tension.
That's just an example of working backwards from the A lot of the work we do also involves plyometrics such
sport – to find the most minute physical qualities that I can as jumping, landing and reactivity – again, no weights
improve which will eventually feed up the chain and take involved. There’s a lot of conditioning work, too, which
seconds off the clock. is very much just bodyweight.

82 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 ANDY KAY

What are the biggest mistakes

you see athletes making with
strength and conditioning?
The classic one is treating gym sessions like it's a
track workout or the old school circuit mentality
where the only aim is to just be tired. If the only
aim is fitness and being tired then you're doing
something wrong if you're not getting that from
running, because running will get you fitter for
running than burpees ever will.
For some people that approach will help but, as
soon as you’re reasonably good as a runner, it’s not
what you need.
Also, picking workouts that aren’t suitable or
you’ve just pulled off the internet… it’s just a
waste of time unless you’ve picked something
that’s going to benefit you.
Have a good reason to do something and
finding that only comes from working backwards
from the sport and from your own issues and
injuries in the past.
For all the athletes I work with, we do quite an Isometric: an exercise where tension is
extensive profile at the start of every season just developed with the muscle contracting
to see where their weaknesses lie. We work on
those first. Eccentric: slow, lengthening muscle
contractions for a specific muscle

raises – get to the point where you can do lots and

THERE ARE CERTAIN lots of these prehab-type exercises.
FACTORS AROUND It's very hard to overdo it and they're the things
PERFORMANCE AND that will give you a tangible difference in terms of
feeling it in your running.
INJURY THAT YOU'RE You can also look at plyometrics and working
NOT GOING TO GET them into your warm-ups. Just 10 minutes
before you run, you can do some isometric
FROM RUNNING ALONE holds, some light pogo hops, some
squatting to get mobility in your hips
– there’s lots you can do. If you do
that before every run and you
What simple steps can a runner take to run five times a week then that’s For more information you can
make themselves more robust? quite a lot of volume. visit ppconditioning.com or
Build the foundations. I follow Andy Kay on Instagram:
Start small, focusing on capacity and localised always say treat it like a running @andykay_performance
conditioning to injury-prone areas. season so have your winter
For example, if you can get to the point where first – lots of volume, lots He also recommends the book
you can do 20-30 single leg calf raises, you're of capacity work, really drill Strength and Conditioning
going to have a much more bulletproof Achilles, the skills before you go into for Endurance Running
calf, plantar fascia and shins than you would have your intense block where you by Richard Blagrove
had before – and for very little cost. start to lift weights and get more
It definitely helps to build up your core, too, with aggressive with it. Similar to running,
lots of planks and side planks to start off with. progressive overload relies on gradually
Then hip conditioning, with exercises like glute increasing intensity.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 83
 PERFORMANCE

ASK THE PHYSIO

Paul Hobrough answers your questions and helps solve your injury problems

I have a burning sensation and keen to do specific exercises for the If you look in a mirror and you see
weakness in my quads (vastus vastus medialis. your knee is translating slightly across
medialis). What could the What could the injury be? Maybe to the mid-line then you have to stop
injury be and have you got any it’s that your knee is just translating a your squat before it does that and
treatment advice? little bit more to the mid-line during come back up again. Each week you’ll
First of all, there are four quad muscles your running stance and you are just find that you can go down a little bit
and the vastus medialis is the one that loading your inside. It could also be further each time and gradually you’ll
runs down the inside of the knee. Many your adductors – they run down the build up strength.
people talk about the vastus medialis inside of the thigh – which I’d argue is If you want to load the inner or outer
being a real controlling muscle within probably more likely the issue. quad you should pull your foot one way
the quads and actually they’ve done My treatment advice would be strength, or another. Pull your heel up to your
all sort of studies which show that strength, strength and stretching. You backside and then rotate your foot out
when the quads pull, they all pull, so should see what you can do on a single to the side or using the opposite hand
there isn’t a significant difference that leg squat and see if your knee is travelling pick the foot up and move it towards
you’ll build up one muscle more than more to the inside and your big toe than your bum. That will load the stretch on
another. That said, people are still very it is tracking over the middle toe. either side.

84 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 PAUL HOBROUGH
Paul Hobrough is a running specialist
physiotherapist.

Download the Ichatphysio app now for

online treatment with Paul and a host of
other specialist running physios.

E: info@ichatphysio.com
physio@hobrough-healthcare.com

Paul will be conducting Q+A sessions

every month and you can submit
questions to him via our social media
channels (use the tag #askthephysio)
or via email at: haveyoursay@
athleticsweekly.com
I’ve just run a marathon and have muscles and glutes are working well
been invited to take part in another and the lower back is nice and free.
next month. What advice do you I think the injury risk, if you have done a
have and am I at risk of more injury? marathon successfully the month before,
Provided that you are otherwise healthy, will be okay and I’m not expecting it to be
your marathon went well and you’re not significantly higher. It really depends how
suffering too much, consider what you you came off the back of it. What’s the best management for
did in the previous race as another long What advice would I give? Recovery extensor tendonitis in the foot
training run. No doubt you tapered for wise from the first marathon you can look and ankle?
that marathon so what you have to do at massages, ice baths and other recovery When the foot goes up and down you have
once again is bring your training back aids can help people. Also get plenty of flexion and extension and when you have
up and have a slightly shorter taper. protein and carbs while staying hydrated. tendonitis there’s a very small amount, if
Do plenty of range of movement- Don’t put too much pressure on yourself any, inflammation. There is a breakdown
type stretching such as high knees and but run to feel. Get yourself to the 20-mile of the proteins in the tendon and it’s not
heel flicks, do a little bit of strength mark as a journey and in that last 10km happy so how can we manage it?
and conditioning, make sure your calf see what you’ve got left in the race. First of all, look at asymmetric loading.
For the foot and ankle let’s say you’d do
a calf raise, stop and effectively stand on
your tiptoes and hold that position for
around 40 seconds, have a two-minute
rest and repeat that over and over again
for five sets every other day. Over two
weeks that will get the pain under control.
Then you want to start doing
something called heavy, slow resistance.
That is when you are going up on you
tiptoes and then you go down and your
foot hits the flat surface. That’s slow and
heavy, where it takes six seconds each
way to go up and down, meaning that
you may struggle to do three or four sets
of 15 reps. That will be the best treatment
you can do for tendinopathy, outside
of something that I’m very passionate
about, which is shockwave therapy.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 85
 PERFORMANCE

With the autumn marathon season in full swing, running shoe guru Paul Freary
puts some of best new footwear offerings for racing and training to the test

THE RACERS
ASICS NOVABLAST 3 PUMA FAST-R NITRO ELITE
Asics.com £135.00 uk.puma.com £220.00

A little lighter, a little springier and a little more stable than It’s not just the striking two-piece midsole design and vivid
the previous generation of this model, the Novablast 3 is an colours which make this shoe stand out. Its performance
all-round improvement. matches its looks.
Cushioning comes from the FF Blast Plus midsole, formed Right from the word go, the Fast-R feels fast and features a
into a pattern which takes its inspiration from origami sock-like fitting ultra-lightweight upper along with its carbon-
and geometric patterns. This new shape contributes to the composite PWRPLATE and Nitrogen-infused midsole foam.
increased stability of the shoe, making it more suitable for a The midsole is made up of a CM-EVA heel and Puma’s
wider range of runners as a daily trainer. NITRO-Elite forefoot, which improves stability for heel strikers,
The feel is enjoyable and energised, with a soft impact compared to soft and springy super-foams, but retains the highly
and spring-like toe off, with the overall shape and geometry responsive push-off that has become the must-have sensation
giving the feel of a super-shoe racer but without the carbon in racing shoes. The PWRPLATE couples the heel and forefoot
plate and the often hefty price tag. and helps deliver the forward momentum into the toe-off.
The Jacquard mesh upper has a knitted design and feels Like many carbon super-shoes, the Fast-R feels better the
durable, which is a positive given its made up largely of quicker you go. As you increase the force with which you
recycled materials. push off the ground you tend to notice the effect of the
This is a good option as a faster everyday shoe or race day cushioning and plate being more evident.
option for those not wishing to go “full carbon”. Whilst this model is marketed around marathon
performance, it’s probably more effective at shorter distances
when moving at higher speeds.
That in itself isn’t a bad thing as it means you’ll have
more opportunities in your racing calendar to put the shoe
through its paces!
The PUMAGRIP-LT outsole is a lightweight version of the
brand’s high traction rubber and offers good coverage for
both durability and grip. Is this the best contender yet for the
super shoe top spot?

86 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 PRODUCTS

NEW BALANCE FUELCELL SUPERCOMP PACER

Newbalance.co.uk £170.00
Whilst this model is designed for 5km to half-marathon
distances, New Balance do also have options for the full
CRAFT PRO ENDUR DISTANCE
marathon with the RC Elite. Here we have a shoe that offers Craftsportswear.co.uk £132.00
a more aggressive toe-off and feel for the road which turns
its back a little on the high stacked models we’ve become Craft is a brand primarily known for apparel but,
accustomed to in recent years. as their range of footwear increases, so too does
The Pacer is a lightweight 200g yet features a carbon fibre the performance of each shoe they launch.
plate in the form of the brand’s Energy Arc. This curved This latest model features Px foam, which is
plate offers a much more aggressive feel in this shoe due an elastomer foam compound made with TPE
to its lower stack height (approx. 28mm/20mm) and is (thermoplastic elastomer) from the same family
sandwiched between two layers of FuelCell foam. While the as the widely used PBAX foams. It offers a
foam does feel soft and springy, there’s simply less of it here. familiar responsive feel yet remains very stable,
The shoe performs as you would expect – offering plenty thanks in part to the shape of the midsole.
of feedback and giving you a feel for the road. It’s great when The shoe has a simple, unfussy design, with a
used in road interval sessions and your very fastest efforts, one-piece midsole and one-piece mesh upper.
though it will feel very different for those who have become The ride is every bit as good as competitors in
accustomed to super shoe comfort. this category, perhaps even leading the way in
There will be runners, however, who have been waiting terms of stability and making it a good everyday
for this shoe for the last couple of years. Those that prefer a performance shoe option.
shoe which sits lower to the ground and has a more natural This is a shoe you really should seek out if you’d
feel, will enjoy the Pacer – a model which is still packed with like to try super-shoe performance without the
technology but is packaged in a more traditional way. high price tag.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 87
 PERFORMANCE

TRUE MOTION NEVOS

Truemotion.run £130.00

While still a relatively new brand to the UK market,

True Motion has a unique U-TECH cushioning system
which is quickly gaining fans. 361 NEMESIS 2
The brand’s technology looks a little like a horseshoe 361Europe.com £130.00
in the heel of the shoe. Made from a foam with a “75
per cent energy return”, in the hollow of this space is a A shoe which is reminiscent of many big brand support
bridge to help create a trampoline effect. The principle shoes, the Nemesis features a traditional medial post and
is noticeable and as part of the process helps to midfoot shank to control pronation and blends it with a
stabilise the foot as it “sinks” into the hollow. modern cushioning material in the form of the brand’s
The forefoot of the shoe features a similarly shaped midsole QU!KFOAM.
U, although there is no trampoline effect here to This foam is very responsive and really lifts the feel of the shoe,
ensure a stable push-off. It is a unique ride which very providing a lively ride that manages to reduce excessive over-
quickly feels natural and enjoyable. pronation in many cases. It’s also rather competitively priced.
The upper is a very nicely constructed design with a The upper is well made and fits neatly around the foot, with
breathable mesh that feels very plush around the foot. the collar being anatomically shaped to allow a close but
This model is worth considering for those who are unrestricted fit around the lacing and ankle area. The heel
not quite sure if they require a neutral or support collar is also neatly finished with soft, plush padding and a
model. The NEVOS sits neatly in the centre and is able contoured heel collar that turns away from the Achilles to
to cater for most runners. reduce any possible irritation.

88 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 PRODUCTS

PUMA X FIRST MILE VELOCITY NITRO 2 ASICS GEL-KAYANO 29

Uk.puma.com £100.00 Asics.com £165.00
This might just be the best value for money running shoe on The brand’s best known performance model, the
the market today. Kayano is now in its 29th iteration yet remains true to
It feature’s Puma’s NITRO foam midsole, a the core properties of this highly popular shoe.
Nitrogen-injected cushioning material usually found in The famous GEL cushioning is still present in the
the premium models of training and racing shoes from the heel, now encased in FF Blast Plus foam which offers
leading manufacturers. Here we have a full-length hi-tech a smooth, cushioned landing and more responsive
midsole at a bargain price. The neutral ride is smooth, soft toe-off. The medial post remains, although it now
and just as capable as shoes at twice the price. seamlessly blends into the midsole and is called the
The shoe also features the PUMAGRIP rubber outsole LITETRUSS system. This does as good a job as ever in
which has quickly become one of the most popular units providing support.
around thanks to its durability and high levels of traction. The FF Blast helps bring the weight down 10g over
This version of the shoe is made using recycled materials the previous version but it’s the buttery smooth ride
form First Mile, an organisation that works with waste which stands out.
collection communities to create jobs and positive social The engineered stretch knit upper provides a
impact. luxurious place for the foot to sit and complements
this premium model.
Fans of the Kayano will enjoy the new version
as much as ever but, as this premium price point
becomes more and more competitive, this old
favourite is going to have its work cut out.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 89
 RESULTS

RESULTS ROUND-UP
FELL RUNNING
English Schools Championships,
Giggleswick, October 1
European under-18 3000m silver medallist
Jess Bailey showed her versatility by
adding an English Schools fell title to her
cross-country success from March.
Years 12/13 (5.95km/251m)
Boys: 1 F Roden 25:50; 2 E Hobbs 26:49; 3 I
Battye 27:08
Girls: 1 J Bailey 28:25; 2 E Gibbons 29:08; 3
A Lane 30:17
Years 10/11 (5.59km/247m)
Boys: 1 J Sanderson 23:37; 2 F Goodman
24:16; 3 S Perry 25:03
Girls: 1 G Bell 27:17; 2 O Aldham 29:49; 3 S
PHOTO BY DAVE WOODHEAD

Cowin 30:28
Years 8/9 (3.96km/206m)
Boys: 1 B Brassington 20:46; 2 H Berry 21:09;
3 T Kunicki-Holda 21:11 Jess Bailey heads for
Girls: 1 C Mckee 21:05; 2 I-M Wilson 23:23; 3 B victory in Giggleswick
Buckley 23:29
Years 7 (283km/130m)
Boys: 1 R Carter 13:46; 2 O Goodman 14:08; 3
J Smith 14:11 1:44.86. 5000: 1 J Krop KEN 12:45.71; 2 G 1 Y Mahuchikh UKR 2.05 (rec); 2 E Patterson DENMARK
Girls: 1 I Jebb 14:44; 2 M Ford 15:15; Fisher USA 12:46.96 (rec); 3 N Kipkorir Kimeli AUS 1.94; 3 N Olyslagers AUS 1.91. LJ: 1 E Copenhagen Half-Marathon,
3 E Ranner 15:44 KEN 12:50.97; 4 D Lobalu SSD 12:52.15 (rec); Brume NGR 6.83/0.6; 2 Q Burks USA 6.54/0.1; September 18
5 Simiyu KEN 12:54.90; 6 S McSweyn AUS 4 N Thiam BEL 6.46/0.0. JT: 1 K Winger USA Men: HM: 1. M Mengesha ETH 58:58; 2 A
12:56.50; 7 O Chelimo UGA 13:00.42; 8 A 68.11 (N.Am rec); 2 H Kitaguchi JPN 63.45; 3 A Walelegn ETH 59:05; 3 F Kipkoech KEN
OVERSEAS Almgren SWE 13:01.70 (rec); 9 L Grijalva GUA Vilagoš SRB U20 63.00; 4 K Barber AUS 61.07; 59:07; 4 V Kipkemoi KEN 59:09; 5 Lobalu
Diamond League (Van Damme 13:02.94 (rec). 1 Hr: 1 S Sawe KEN 21,250 (rec) 8 B Spotáková CZE 58.01 SSD 59:12 (rec); 6 C Regasa ETH 59:13; 7 E
Memorial), Brussels, September 2 (15km: 41:51.84 (world best)); 2 K Kandie KEN Kipngetich KEN 59:25; 8 M Kimeli KEN 59:39;
World 1500m champion Jake Wightman 20,940. 400H: 1 A dos Santos BRA 47.54; 2 CROATIA 9 T Kimutai KEN 59:44; 10 R Kirui KEN 59:51;
defeated the two-lap world champion K Rosser USA 47.88; 3 W Happio FRA 48.61; Zagreb, September 9-11 11 T Kidanu ETH 59:52; 12 G Molla ETH 59:52;
Emmanuel Korir as he ran a PB 1:43.65 to 4 J Watrin BEL 48.66 (rec); dq CJ Allen USA Men: 100: (0.0) 1 M Bracy USA 9.97; 2 J 13 S Misganaw ETH 59:53; 14 T Abraham SUI
go sixth all-time in the UK. He also led home (47.96). PV: 1 E Obiena PHI 5.91; 2 M Duplantis Azu GBR 10.14; 3 F Omanyala KEN 10.19; 5 C 59:53 (world M40 rec); 15 A Kipchirchir KEN
Commonwealth champion Wycliffe Kinyamal SWE 5.81; 3 C Nilsen USA 5.71; 4 R Koppelaar Dobson GBR 10.28. 200: 1 J Fahnbulleh 20.07; 59:57; 16 B Kibiwott KEN 60:00; 17 Z Kbrom
and world indoor champion and European NED 5.71; 5 T Braz da Silva BRA 5.71. 2 R Mena CUB 20.17; 3 C Dobson 20.21; ; 5 NOR 60:01
gold medallist Mariano Garcia. TJ: 1 L Martínez CUB 17.49.0.1; 2 H Zango BUR J Ferguson GBR 20.49. 800: 1 D Huller HUN Women: HM: 1 T Teshome ETH 66:13; 2 T
Ciara Mageean won the women’s 1500m 17.40/-0.1; 3 A dos Santos BRA 16.81/0.5; 4 C 1:45.68; 2 S Tveit NOR 1:45.86; 3 A Tuka BIH Gebreselama ETH 66:35; 3 T Mesfin ETH
race in a big Irish record of 3:56.63 as she Taylor USA 16.72/-0.1. SP: 1 J Kovacs 1:45.87; 4 D Locke GBR 1:46.41. 3000: 1 W 66:42; 4 M Shauri TAN 66:52; 5 E Chumba
narrowly got the better of her European and USA 22.61; 2 T Walsh NZL 21.60; 3 J Gill NZL Kincaid USA 7:38.83; 10 N Laros NED U18 BRN 67:34; 6 S Tilahun ETH 67:41; 7 J Ruguru
Commonwealth conquerer Laura Muir. 21.32 7:48.25 (Eur U18 rec). 2000SC: 1 S El Bakkali KEN 67:51; 8 A Haymanot ETH 68:09 12 C
Jakop Krop set a world lead of 12:45.71 in Women: 100: (0.6) 1 S Jackson JAM 10.73; MAR 5:14.06 (Afr rec); 2 L Feletto ITA 5:23.15; Thackery GBR 69:02; 15 L Reid GBR 70:29; 17 L
the 5000m ahead of Grant Fisher’s American 2 S Fraser-Pryce JAM 10.74; 3 M Ta Lou CIV 3 W Battershill GBR 5:26.91. 110H: (0.1) 1 G McNeil GBR 71:01
record 12:46.96. 10.78; 4 A Hobbs USA 10.91; 5 S Richardson Holloway USA 13.19; 2 F Crittenden USA 13.31;
Yaroslava Mahuchikh cleared a USA 10.93. 400: 1 F Cofil DOM 49.80; 2 S 3 R Dunning USA 13.36. 400H: 1 Allen USA FRANCE
world-leading 2.05m in the high jump while Williams BAR 50.15; 3 C Bolingo Mbongo BEL 49.10; 5 J Paul GBR 50.30. LJ: 1 H Frayne Decastar, Talence, September 18-19
Kara Winger also went top of the 2022 50.19 (rec); 4 M Moraa KEN 50.67 (rec). 1500: AUS 8.11/0.8. TJ: 1 H Zango BUR 17.07/0.4; 2 Having finished second in Götzis, fifth in
rankings with her 68.11m javelin North 1 C Mageean IRL 3:56.63 (rec); 2 L Muir GBR C Taylor USA 16.63/-0.9. SP: 1 R Crouser USA Eugene and won Commonwealth gold,
American record. 3:56.86; 3 F Hailu ETH 3:56.94; 4 D Welteji 22.19; 2 J Kovacs USA 21.97; 3 J Awotunde Linden Victor ended the season with a
Mondo Duplantis suffered a rare loss to ETH 3:57.82; 5 H MacLean USA 3:58.76; 6 USA 21.73; 4 T Walsh NZL 21.32. DT: 1 K Grenada record as the women’s event
Ernest Obiena’s 5.91m vault and Shelly-Ann E Cranny USA 3:59.61); 7 W Nanyondo UGA Ceh SLO 68.60; 2 S Mattis USA 67.19; 3 S unusually featured a tie on points.
Fraser was pipped by Shericka Jackson in 3:59.91. 3000SC: 1 J Chepkoech KEN 9:02.43; Pettersson SWE 66.93; 4 L Okoye GBR 64.99; Men: Dec: 1 L Victor GRN 8550 (rec) (10.61/3.1,
the 100m (10.73 to 10.74). 2 W Getachew ETH 9:03.44; 3 W Yavi BRN 5 D Ståhl SWE 64.93 7.49/1.1, 15.75, 2.02, 48.20, 14.70/-0.7, 51.00,
Men: 200: (-2.9) 1 E Knighton USA 20.07; 2 9:08.03; 4 F Cherotich KEN 9:09.63; 5 Z Women: 400: 1 F Cofil DOM 50.73; 4.80, 4:43.74)
A Ogando DOM 20.18; 3 A Brown CAN 20.22; Wondemagegn ETH 9:10.16; 6 S Almayew ETH 6 A Pipi GBR 52.15. 800: 1 O Baker USA 2:00.16. Women: Hep: eq1 I Dadic AUT/E
4 J Richards TTO 20.27. 400: 1 K Borlée BEL U18 9:14.31; 7 L Gega ALB 9:14.41; 8 E Coburn 1M: 1 L Hall AUS 4:21.10; 6 K Snowden GBR Oosterwegel NED 6233
45.72. 800: 1 J Wightman GBR 1:43.65; 2 D USA 9:14.43. 100H: (0.1) 1 J Camacho-Quinn 4:25.72. 100H: (0.1) 1 T Marshall USA 12.74.
Sedjati ALG 1:44.12; 3 E Korir KEN 1:44.12; 4 E PUR 12.27; 2 T Jones USA 12.38; 3 K Harrison 400H: 1 R Clayton JAM 53.89. PV: 1 T Sutej GERMANY
Crestan BEL 1:44.24; 5 M Arop CAN 1:44.48; USA 12.40; 4 B Anderson JAM 12.44; 5 M SLO 4.61. DT: 1 S Perkovic CRO 68.46; 2 V BMW Berlin Marathon, September 25
6 W Kinyamal KEN 1:44.49; 7 M Garcia ESP Tapper JAM 12.51; 6 D Charlton BAH 12.66. HJ: Allman USA 67.55. JT: 1 A Ince USA 64.38 Eliud Kipchoge set a stunning world record,

For our full, up to date results service from across athletics, don’t

90 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 RESULTS

as well as world marks at 25km and 30km got the verdict in 44.33 – his fastest time SWITZERLAND Gudžius LTU 65.28; 4 S Mattis USA 65.24; 5 D
after a 59:51 first half. since 2017 – ahead of current world silver Weltklasse Diamond League Final, Zurich, Ståhl SWE 65.16; 6 M Denny AUS 64.81. JT: 1 N
Nigel Rackham won the M60 race and set a medallist Kirani James. September 7-8 Chopra IND 88.44; 2 J Vadlejch CZE 86.94; 3 J
British age group record of 2:41:23. Men: 100: (-0.1) 1 B Carnes USA 10.04; 2 F Former world shot champion Joe Kovacs Weber GER 83.73; 4 C Thompson USA 82.10; 5
Men: Mar: 1 E Kipchoge KEN 2:01:09 world Omanyala KEN 10.05; 3 K Williams USA 10.05. shocked world record-holder Ryan Crouser P Gailums LAT 80.44
rec (10km 28:23, 20km 56:45, HM 59:51, 25km 400: 1 W van Niekerk RSA 44.33; 2 K James with a world leading 23.23m to go second Women: 100: (-0.8) 1 Shelly-Ann Fraser-
71:08 (WR), 30km 1:25:39 (WR)); 2 M Korir KEN GRN 44.38. 3000: 1 D Lobalu SSD 7:38.16; 2 all-time. Pryce JAM 10.65; 2 S Jackson JAM 10.81;
2:05:58; 3 T Abate ETH 2:06:281); 4 A Belihu M Temoii KEN U20 7:38.50; 3 A Fayisa ETH World and Olympic 800m champion 3 M Ta Lou CIV 10.91; 4 D Neita GBR 11.02;
ETH 2:06:40; 5 A Kipchumba KEN 2:06:49; U18 7:39.63. 110H: (0.1) 1 J Britt USA 13.18; 2 Emmanuel Korir won in a world lead 1:43.26, 5 A Hobbs USA 11.03; 6 T Terry USA 11.10;
6, L Gtachew ETH 2:07:07); 7 K Sonota JPN D Thomas JAM 13.38. 400H: 1 A dos Santos with Jake Wightman third in 1:44.10, while 7 S Richardson USA 11.13. 200: (-0.9) 1 S
2:07:14; 8 T Maruyama JPN 2:07:50; 9 K BRA 47.61; 2 W Happio FRA 49.06. PV: 1 E Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the 1500m in a 2022 Jackson JAM 21.80; 2 G Thomas USA 22.38;
Kikutani JPN 2:07:56; 10 Z Chumba KEN Obiena PHI 5.81; 2 C Nilsen USA 5.71; eq3 R world lead of 3:29.02. 3 T Clark USA 22.42; 4 J Prandini USA 22.45;
2:08:01 Lavillenie FRA/ J Wooten USA 5.71. SP: 1 J Mondo Duplantis won the pole vault with 5 M Kambundji SUI 22.65; 8 B Dobbin GBR
M60: 1 N Rackham GBR 2:41:23 (UK M60 Kovacs USA 22.19; 2 R Crouser USA 22.00 a 6.07m leap. 23.83. 400: 1 M Paulino DOM 48.99 (rec); 2
record). M65: 1 J Cross GBR 3:00:15 Women: 100: (0.1) 1 Ta Lou CIV 10.86; Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce achieved a record F Cofil DOM 49.93; 3 S Williams BAR 49.98;
Women: Mar: 1 T Assefa ETH 2:15:37 (rec); 2 2 Neita GBR 11.00; 3 Hemida EGY 11.07 4 seventh sub-10.70 time of the year in easily 4 C McLeod JAM 50.03; 5 N Kaczmarek POL
R Wanjiru KEN 2:18:00; 3 T Abayechew ETH Ahouré-Demps CIV 11.18; 5 S Jackson 11.19; defeating Shericka Jackson with a 10.65 50.74; 6 A Kielbasinska POL 50.93. 800: 1 M
2:18:03; 4 W Edesa ETH 2:18:51; 5, M Gola ETH 6 Ray USA 11.36; 7 Parker USA 11.39; B: (0.0) clocking, while Marileidy Paulino ran a world Moraa KEN 1:57.63; 2 N Goule JAM 1:57.85; 3 S
2:20:58; 6 K D’Amato USA 2:21:48; 21 Sonia 1 Henderson USA 11.30; 2 Kielbasinska POL lead and Dominican record of 48.99. Hurta USA 1:58.47; 4 H Nakaayi UGA 1:58.82;
Samuels GBR W40 2:28:15 11.31; 200: (1.1) 1 Masilingi NAM-J 22.51; 2 Men: 100 (-0.3): 1 T Bromell USA 9.94; 2 5 K Hodgkinson GBR 1:59.06; 6 A Horvat
Hemida 22.59; 3 Neita 22.61; 4 Kambundji Y Blake JAM 10.05; 3 A Brown CAN 10.06; SLO 1:59.25; 7 R Lamote FRA 1:59.38; 8 L
ISTAF Berlin, September 4 22.88; 5 Kielbasinska 23.07; 400: 1 Vondrová 4 A Simbine RSA 10.07; 5 Y Abeykoon SRI Hoffmann SUI 1:59.69. 1500: 1 F Kipyegon
Men: 100: (0.3) 1 N Lyles USA 9.95; 2 F CZE 51.60; 2 Laviai Nielsen GBR 51.72; 3 A 10.14; 6 R Prescod GBR 10.16. 200 (-0.6): 1 N KEN 4:00.44; 2 C Mageean IRL 4:01.68; 3 F
Omanyala KEN 10.11; 3 J Azu GBR 10.16. Knight JAM 52.23; 4 Saalberg NOR 52.73; Lyles USA 19.52; 2 A Brown CAN 20.02; 3 A Hailu ETH 4:01.73; 4 D Welteji ETH 4:01.79; 5 L
1500: R Cheruiyot KEN 3:35.04; 2 G Mills GBR 800: 1 Goule JAM 1:59.05; 2 Horvat SLO Ogando DOM 20.02; 4 E Knighton USA 20.20; Muir GBR 4:02.31; 6 G Tsegay ETH 4:02.41; 7 H
3:35.30; 3 S Parsons 3:36.22. 110H: (0.6) 1 2:00.76; 3 Wielgosz POL 2:01.24; 4 Feldmeier 5 K Bednarek USA 20.20; 6 A De Grasse MacLean USA 4:02.90. 5000 (city circuit):
G Holloway USA 13.05; 2 F Crittenden USA USA 2:01.63; 5 Bellò ITA 2:02.01; 6 Detra USA CAN 20.43; 7 J Richards TTO 20.56. 400: 1 K 1 B Chebet KEN 14:31.03; 2 M Kipkemboi
13.07; 3 D Roberts USA 13.25; 4 S Izumiya 2:02.86; 100H: (0.0) 1 Camacho-Quinn PUR James GRN 44.26; 2 B Deadmon USA 44.47; KEN 14:31.52; 3 G Tsegay ETH 14:32.11; 4 E
JPN 13.26. 400H: 1 K Warholm NOR 47.24; 2 L 12.72; 2 Ali USA 12.80; 3= Skrzyszowska 3 V Norwood USA 44.66; 4 Z Nene RSA 44.74; Taye ETH 14:32.15; 5 S Hassan NED 14:37.05;
Vaillant FRA 48.26. 3 J Abuaku 48.55. PV: 1 M POL Lavin IRL 12.95; 5 D Kambundji 12.97; 5 R Petrucciani SUI 45.31; 6 I Makwala BOT 5 A Monson USA 14:37.22; 7 H Feysa ETH
Vloon NED 5.88 (rec); 2 E Obiena PHI 5.81; 3 K 6 Zbären 13.07; HJ: 1 Patterson AUS 1.91; 2 45.56. 800: 1 E Korir KEN 1:43.26; 2 M Arop 14:57.18; 8 A Markovic GBR 15:28.24. 3000SC:
Marschall AUS 5.81. JT: 1 J Weber 84.90; 2 G Vallortigara ITA 1.91 CAN 1:43.38; 3 J Wightman GBR 1:44.10; 4 W 1 W Getachew ETH 9:03.57; 2 W Yavi BRN
Dean JPN 80.69; 3 T Walcott TTO 79.78 Kinyamal KEN 1:44.47; 5 Hoppel USA 1:44.77; 9:04.47; 3 F Cherotich KEN-J 9:06.14; 4 Z
Women: 100: (-0.1) 1 D Neita GBR 11.00; 2 JAPAN 6 Kramer SWE 1:44.94. 1500: 1 J Ingebrigtsen Wondemagegn ETH 9:06.37; 5 J Chepkoech
C Barnes USA 11.10; 3 J Prandini USA 11.16. Yokohama, October 1 NOR 3:29.02; 2 T Cheruiyot KEN 3:30.27; 3 O KEN U20 9:11.06; 6 S Almayew ETH U20 9:14.10;
5000: 1 B Chebet KEN 14:44.25; 2 E Henes Men: 10,000: 1 R Yator Kimunyan KEN Hoare AUS 3:30.59; 4 A Kipsang KEN 3:31.36; 7 E Coburn USA 9:20.00. 100H: (-0.3): 1 T
USA 14:52.87; 3 S Busienei KEN 15:10.14. 100H: 26:54.76; 2 B Koech KEN 26:55.04; 3 J Ndiku 5 S McSweyn AUS 3:31.45; 6 J Kerr GBR Amusan NGR 12.29; 2 T Jones USA 12.40; 3
(-0.3) 1 T Amusan NGR 12.45; 2 T Jones KEN 27:12.84; 4 N Kosimbei KEN 27:15.83;5 B 3:31.85; 7 C Grethen LUX 3:33.16; 8 A Sadiki B Anderson JAM 12.42; 4 J Camacho-Quinn
USA 12.58; 3 M Tapper JAM 12.66. LJ: 1 M Kimeli KEN 27:20.85 MAR 3:34.12; 9 J Heyward GBR 3:34.27. 5000 PUR 12.49; 5 D Charlton BAH 12.66; 6 N Ali
Mihambo 6.92/0.7; 2 E Brume NGR 6.78/1.6; 3 (city circuit): 1 N Kimeli KEN 12:59.05; 2 D USA 12.67; 7 P Skrzyszowska POL 12.72; 8 K
J Sawyers GBR 6.69/ 0.7. DT: 1 V Allman USA NETHERLANDS Lobalu SSD 12:59.40; 3 G Fisher USA 13:00.56; Harrison USA 13.02. 400H: 1 F Bol NED 53.03;
70.06; 2 K Pudenz 65.20; 3 S Craft 64.36 Breda, October 2 4 T Haile ETH 13:02.21; 5 B Aregawi ETH 2 G Woodruff PAN 53.72; 3 J Russell JAM
English National winner Mahamed Mahamed 13:03.18; 6 C Kemboi KEN 13:09.38; 7 S Barega 53.77; 4 D Muhammad USA 53.83; 5 R Clayton
ITALY set a PB in third. ETH 13:13.16. 3000SC: 1 S El Bakkali MAR JAM 54.25; 6 V Tkachuk UKR 54.79. HJ: 1
Bellinzona, September 12 Men: HM: 1 V Kibet KEN 61:21; 2 C Muneria 8:07.67; 2 G Wale ETH 8:08.56; 3 A Kibiwot Y Mahuchikh UKR 2.03; 2 I Herashchenko
The highlight was a 400m battle between KEN 62:03; 3 M Mahamed GBR 62:08 KEN 8:08.61; 4 R Miura JPN 8:12.65; 5 L Bett UKR 1.94; 3 N Olyslagers AUS 1.94; 4 N
two former Olympic champions as world Women: HM: 1 G Jemaiyo KEN 68:18; 2 S KEN 8:13.21; 6 A Serem KEN 8:15.64. 110H: Dubovitskaya KAZ 1.91; 5 E Vallortigara ITA
record-holder Wayde Van Niekerk narrowly Teferi ISR 68:59 (-1.0) 1 G Holloway USA 13.02; 2 R Broadbell 1.91; 6 Y Levchenko UKR 1.88. PV: 1 N Kennedy
JAM 13.06; 3 H Parchment JAM 13.26; 4 A AUS 4.81; 2 S Morris USA 4.76; 3 T Sutej SLO
Martínez ESP 13.29; 5 T Cunningham USA 4.61; 4 R Bruni ITA 4.61; 5 W Murto FIN 4.51; 6
Joe Kovacs 13.30. 400H: 1 A dos Santos BRA 46.98; 2 K K Stefanídi GRE 4.51; 7 A Moser SUI 4.51. LJ:
Rosser USA 47.76; 3 CJ Allen USA 48.21; 4 W 1 I Vuleta SRB 6.97/-0.7; 2 K Sagnia SWE 6.55/-
Happio FRA 48.72; 5 J Watrin BEL 49.08; 6 0.5; 3 Q Burks USA 6.54/-0.2; 4 M Mihambo
Copello TUR 49.10. HJ: 1 G Tamberi ITA 2.34; GER 6.52/-0.1; 5 A Kälin SUI 6.50/-0.5; 6 M
2 J Harrison USA 2.34; 3 D Lovett CAN 2.27; 4 Bekh-Romanchuk UKR 6.50/-0.2; 7 L Ugen
A Protsenko UKR 2.24; 5 H Kerr NZL 2.21; 6 M GBR 6.38/0.1. TJ: 1 Y Rojas VEN 15.28/-0.2;
Barshim QAT 2.18. PV: 1 A Duplantis SWE 6.07; 2 M Bekh-Romanchuk UKR 14.96/0.3; 3 S
2 S Guttormsen NOR 5.86 (= rec); 3 C Nilsen Ricketts JAM 14.85/1.0 (x 14.39 x 14.85,14.12
USA 5.81; 4 R Lavillenie FRA 5.81; 5 B Broeders 14.45/-0.2); 4 T Franklin USA 14.75/-0.4; 5 T
BEL 5.72; 6 T Braz da Silva BRA 5.72. LJ: 1 LaFond DMA 14.56/1.24; 6 P Mamona POR
M Tentóglou GRE 8.42/0.0; 2 M Dendy USA 14.24/-0.5. SP: 1 C Ealey USA 20.19; 2 S
8.18/0.5; 3 M Massó CUB 8.05/-0.9; 4 T Montler Mitton CAN 19.56; 3 A Dongmo POR 19.46; 4 J
SWE 8.01/0.1; 5 S Ehammer SUI 7.93/0.0. TJ: Schilder NED 19.06; 5 D Thomas-Dodd JAM
1 A Díaz CUB 17.70/-0.8; 2 P Pichardo POR 19.04; 6 F Roos SWE 18.37. DT: 1 V Allman
17.63/-0.4; 3 J Díaz ESP 17.60/-1.6); 4 F Zango USA 67.77; 2 S Perković CRO 67.31; 3 L Cá POR
BUR 17.43/-0.1; 5 A dos Santos BRA 17.10/-1.2; 63.34; 4 K Pudenz GER 61.45; 5 C Vita GER
PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

6 L Martínez CUB 16.75/-0.2. SP: 1 J Kovacs 61.34; 6 L Tausaga-Collins USA 58.90. JT: 1 K
USA 23.23; 2 R Crouser USA 22.74; 3 T Walsh Winger USA 64.98; 2 K Barber AUS 63.72; 3
NZL 21.90; 4 J Gill NZL 21.51; 5 F Mihaljevic H Kitaguchi JPN 63.56; 4 L Müze LAT 60.35;
SRB 21.43; 6 N Ponzio ITA 20.71. DT: 1 K Ceh 5 B Spotáková CZE 59.08; 6 L Jasiunaite
SLO 67.10); 2 L Weisshaidinger AUT 65.70; 3 A LTU 57.73. Non DL 400: 1 W van Niekerk RSA

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ATHLETICSWEEKLY 91
 RESULTS

PHOTO BY LOCH NESS MARATHON

The Loch Ness Marathon
field gets off and running

44.39; 2 W London USA 44.78; 3 L Spitz 15 N Bowker GBR 2:17:35; 16 A Lawrence GBR Women: HM: 1 M Finn 72:33; 2 L Partridge 30:32; 3 S Chalmers 31:05; 4 S Mackay 31:18;
45.53; 5 A Haydock-Wilson GBR 45.93 2:17:58. Non-elite: 1 T Frith GBR 2:18:35 72:56; 3 F Ross 73:25 5 J Wade 31:31
Women: Mar: 1 Y Yehualaw ETH 2:17:26; 2 Women: 1 M Maclennan 33:00; 2 V Barrand
USA J Jepkosgei KEN 2:18:07; 3 A Megertu ETH Great North Run (Newcastle to South 33:39; 3 J Selman 35:00
New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, New York, 2:18:32; 4 J Jeptum Korir KEN 2:18:43; 5 J Shields), September 11
September 11 Chelimo Melly KEN 2:19:27; 6. A Bekere ETH There were wins for Jacob Kiplimo and Aldershot Relays, Rushmoor Arena,
This event was dominated by Britons, 2:19:30; 7 M Ngugi KEN 2:20:22 (32:47 ; 8 S Hellen Obiri. Hampshire, September 24
with Jake Wightman leading home Jake Asefa Kebede ETH 2:20:44; 9 A Hosoda JPN Men: HM: 1 J Kiplimo UGA 59:33; 2 S Barega Aldershot’s men and women won in style
Heyward in the men’s race and Laura Muir 2:21:42; 10 R Harvey GBR 2:27:59; 12 S Twell GBR ETH 60:39; 3 K Bekele ETH 61:01; 4 S Osako in an event that was of a far higher quality
winning the women’s event in a record 4:14.9 2:39:16. Non-elite: 1 H Alderson GBR 2:35:56; JPN 61:05; 5 B Robinson AUS 62:06; 6 M and depth than the official South of England
on the overall downhill course. 2 A Culling GBR 2:36:21; 3 D Nimmock GBR Scott GBR 62:28; 9 C Johnson GBR 63:16; 11 meetings at Crystal Palace as clubs in
Men: 1M: 1 J Wightman GBR 3:49.6; 2 J 2:38:18; 4 H Gaunt GBR W40 2:39:10 B Connor GBR 64:05; 13 J Mellor 64:38; 18 D the area reacted to the South’s previous
Heyward GBR 3:49.9; 3 S Prakel 3:50.4; 4 W W55: 1 K Stanton AUS 2:48:06; 2 S McDonald Green 65:52 organisational problems.
Paulson CAN 3:50.7; 5 C Hocker 3:50.7; 6 G GBR 2:54:39. W65: 1 J Benoit-Samuelson Women: HM: 1 H Obiri KEN 67:05; 2 P Men (6 x:6km) : 1 AFD 1:48:03 (J Grace 17:57,
Beamish NZL 3:51.0; 7 M Stonier GBR 3:51.1; USA 3:20:20. W70: 1 Y Gordon GBR 3:31:54 Jepchirchir KEN 67:07; 3 A Ayana ETH 67:10; A Clarke 17:51, E Cross 17:45, R Harvie 18:52,
7 L Grijalva GUA 3:51.1; 9 P Ryan 3:51.4; 10 J 4 H Gebrekidan ETH 67:22: 5 C Purdue GBR S Eglen 18:08; J Rowe 17:30); 2 Tonbridge
Kerr GBR 3:51.7 Wizz Air Cardiff Half-Marathon, October 2 70:11; 6 A Markovc GBR 71:12; 9 L Partridge 1:48:59 (A Howard 18:20, C De’Ath 18:25, B
Women: 1M: 1 L Muir GBR 4:14.4 (record); 2 Geoffrey Koech won after an extravagant GBR 74:13; 10 V Ockenden 74:30 Cole 17:49, J Goodge 18:21, J Kingston 17:36,
N Hiltz 4:17.4; 3 E Fulton 4:18.0; 4 J Reekie 27:42 first 10km. B Murphy 18:29); 3 Cambridge & C 1:49:49 (B
GBR 4:18.3; 5 A Tracey JAM 4:19.2; 6 N Overall: 1 G Koech KEN 60:01; 2 A Ayana ETH Active Northumberland Kielder Races, McCrawley 18:51, T Keen 18:19, C Elsen 17:58,
Tanaka JPN 4:19.3; 7 S Hurta 4:19.6; 8 H U20 60:17; 3 C Debele ETH U20 60:18; 4 M October 1-2 A Melloy 18:26, J Escalante-Phillips 17:52, S
Schlachtenhaufen 4:19.9; 9 M Courtney- Chekwurui UGA 60:36; 5 G Yegon KEN 61:18; 8 Overall (HM): 1 S Szablewski 75:36; 2 J Anthony 18:22)
Bryant GBR 4:20.0; 10 E Bird GBR 4:21.9; 11 E D Griffiths GBR 64:15; 10 Z Mahamed 65:04 Butters Morp, M45 77:47; 3 D Holmes M40 Fastest: Rowe 17:30; Kingston 17:36; J
Coburn 4:22.8; 13 E Baker GBR 4:24.9; 17 C Women: 1 B Cheserek KEN 66:48; 2 V 80:09 Davies Read 17:38
Mageean IRL 4:29.7; 18 H Nuttall GBR 4:29.8 Cherpngeno KEN 66:52; 3 Z Aderaw Women: 1 L Dorward 85:50; 2 D Smythe Heat M40 (4x6km): 1 Herne H 81:37 (S Coombes
ETH 69:16; 7 N Cockram GBR 73:12; 8 A 87:54; 3 C Davies Stocksfield, W40 91:12 20:31, J Cunningham 19:55, R Paranandi
Bracegirdle GBR 73:47; 9 N Mitchell GBR 74:19; Overall (HM): 1 K Greig Metro 2:45:57; 2 R 20:26, B Paviour 20:45); 2 B&H 83:04; 3
UK ROAD
10 O Tsim GBR 74:45 Maddams Kesw, M45 2:48:03; 3 M Hope AFD 83:50
TCS London Marathon, October 2 3:01:38 Fastest: Cunningham 19:55
Kenenisa Bekele set a world M40 record of Great Scottish Run 10km and Women: 1 D Greig 3:07:12; 2 J Wiktorska M55 (4x6km): 1 Phoenix 94:24 (A Haines
2:05:53 while Krishna Stanton, fourth in the Half-Marathon, October 2 3:35:08; 3 A Mckechnie Queensb, W40 23:23, G Pike 24:43, P Grabsky 24:15, S
World Indoor 3000m in 1987 and the 2002 Eilish McColgan set a British 10km record of 3:39:32 Atkinson 22:03); 2 Read RR 94:27; 3 AFD 98:03
Commonwealth Games Marathon silver 30:18 with only men’s winner Lewis Hannigan Overall: 1 M Snowball Morp 35:40; 2 P Fastest: Atkinson 22:03
medallist, set a world W55 record of 2:48:07. going faster at the event. Fiona Matheson Turnbull Tyne Br, M40 37:27; 3 N Sillence U17 (3x4.6km): 1 C&C 42:48 (E Taylor 14:24,
Behind her, Sue McDonald set a British set a British W60 record of 38:35, bettering NSP 37:48 L Conway 14:27, I Morris 13:58); 2 AFD 43:09; 3
W55 record of 2:54:39. There were 40,579 her 38:49 from December last year. Women: 1 R Falloon Morp 39:34; 2 R Mather Medway & M 44:12
finishers (23,707 men and 16.872 women). Callum Hawkins was a clear winner of the (Knaves) 39:57; 3 E Zielinska 46:39 Fastest: Dargan AFD/Morris 14:58
Men: Mar: 1 A Kipruto KEN 2:04:30; 2 L half-marathon. U15 (3x3km): 1 B&H 29:19 (S Bennett 9:49,
Gebrseiasie ETH 2:05:12; 3 B Abdi BEL Men: 10km: 1 L Hannigan 29:56; 2 C Tharme Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and River T Matthews 10:01, F Goodman 9:29); 2 B&B
2:05:19; 4 K Atanaw ETH 2:05:27; 5 K Bekele 30:18; 3 J Burns 30:22 Ness 10km, Inverness, October 2 29:32; 3 WSEH 29:37
ETH 2:05:53 (world M40 best); 6 B Legese Women: 1 E McColgan 30:18 (UK record); 2 L Men Mar: 1 D Selman 2:23:53; 2 I Kosgei Fastest: Goodman 9:29
ETH 2:06:11; 7 S Lemma ETH 2:07:26; 8 B Bell 36:33; 3 R Joss 37:01 M40+ 2:26:36; 3 S Cumming 2:26:37 U13 (3x3km): 1 C&C 32:10 (O Seaborn 11:03,
Robinson AUS 2:09:52; 9 W Ghebresilasie W60: 1 F Matheson 38:35 (UK W60 record) Women: 1 J Farley 2:42:40; 2 R Donaldson H Pearson 10:36, H Cantell 10:31); 2 B&B
GBR 2:11:57; 10 P Sesemann GBR 2:12:10; 12 R Men: HM: 1 C Hawkins 63:35; 2 A Craig 64:17; 2:57:01; 3 C Hay W50 3:02:20 32:32; 3 AFD 32:52
Braden GBR 2:14:32; 14 M Leach GBR 2:17:28; 3 D Hawkins 65:32 Overall (10km): 1 L Oates 30:26; 2 O Hind Fastest: B Lucas Brack) 10:10

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 RESULTS

Women (4x6km): 1 AFD 81:11 (L Small 20:08, Fastest: Ogden 21:07 17:46, A Peacock 17:53); 3 Bristol W (J Millar 20:01, J Dickinson 19:58, E Bovingdon 20:00, G
P Bowden 20:33, K Estlea 20:41, S Twell 19:48); U17 (3x4.5km): 1 S London 64:54 (C Chilton 17:52, J Moody 18:19, M Davis 17:46, J Thewlis Rush 19:53, R Allen 20:06, P Sesemann 19:19);
2 Bracknell 85:19 (E Jones 22:42, E Carey 15:50, C Norman 15:57, B Whyatt 17:01, M 18:06, A Stokes 18:29, K Taylor 17:42) 2 Hallamshire 2:01:54 (C Bell 20:00, C Milnes
21:12, A Quirk 19:24, A Willis 22:02) ; 3 AFD B Pickering 16:08); 2 Herne H 65:05; Fastest: Hessian 17:14; James 17:23; 20:05, J McCrae 21:00, A Heyes 19:59, T Power
85:27 (K Bingle 21:20, E Moyes 21:45, A Garner 3 Norwich 66:04 Watson 17:27 20:36, E Brown 20:14); 3 Blackburn 2:02:17 (M
21:45, N Scott 20:38) Fastest: Foley 15:41 M40 (6x5.88km): 1 BRAT 1:58:40 (D Dalmedo Ramsden 19:44, L Betts 20:55, J Birmingham
Fastest: Quirk 19:24; Twell 19:48; J Gibbon U15 (4x3km): 1 Sutton D 41:02 (R Haigh 10:33, 19:21, M Pollard 19:48, A Tsolakis 20:01, M 20:28, C Davidson 20:36, B Fish 20:13, D
Read 19:53 E Newell 10:17, E Manning 10:24, A Lennon Burgess 19:50, R Vaughan 20:18, J Marshall Bebbington 20:21)
W40 (3x6km): 1 AFD 71:27 (B Lefrenerie 9:49); 2 St Edmund P 42:46; 3 Norwich 42:54 19:22); 2 Tipton 2:01:23; 3 Worcester 2:04:31 Fastest: H Milner Derb 19:17; Sesemann 19:19;
25:00, L Locks 22:01, N McKensie 24:27); 2 Fastest: Lennon 9:49 Fastest: Meredith 18:59 Ramsden 19:44
Camberley 72:30; 3 Read RR 73:57 U13 (4x3km): 1 S London 46:20 (A Morrell 11:51, U17 (4x3.88km): 1 Swindon 37:45 (J Burns U17 men (4x3.7km): 1 Morpeth 34:51 (R
Fastest: Locks 22:01 F Shaughnessy 11:43, W Hughes 11:33, F Jenkin 12:38, T Cinnamond 12:51, F Hart 12:16); 2 Davies 11:35, B Marr 11:37, W Devereown
U17 (3x4.6km): 1 B&B 50:13 (L Whyte 17:14, 11:14); 2 Herne H 47:03; 3 Norwich 47:55 Wreake SV 37:59; 3 Rugby & N 38:03 11:39); 2 Rotherham 35:19 (S Hughes 12:05,
C Firth 17:07, F Todd-Warmoth 15:52); 2 WSEH Fastest: C Holmes Herne H 10:26 Fastest: Sheffield 12:03 J Hughes 11:52, Z Ferguson 11:22); 3 Salford
51:19; 3 Wells 51:45 Women (4x4.5km): 1 Cambridge H 71:22 U15 (4x3.88km): 1 W&B 38:08 (O Davis 35:41 (E Nation 11:36, M Russell 11:48,
Fastest: S Nicholls Wells 15:50 (M Marchant 17:40, N Sinha 19:41, H Dixon 12:58, O Ulfig 12:13, S Thursfield 12:57); 2 N A Simons 12:17)
U15 (3x3km): 1 AFD 32:01 (E Orbell 10:56, L 16:57, S Sinha 17:06); 2 Belgrave 71:33 (L Somerset 38:31; 3 Cheltenham 39:46 Fastest: Ferguson 11:22
Quinn10:50, K Pye 10:14); 2 Portsmouth 32:35; Adamson 17:21, A Sharp 17:22, A Price 18:04, Fastest: Ulfig 12:13 U15 boys (4x3.1km): 1 Salford 34:04 (J
3 Crawley 33:17 O Papaioannou 18:48); 3 VPTH 73:00 (H U13 (3x3.88km): 1 W&B 40:01 (W Hughes Barber 11:27, E Grime 10:58, B Burton 11:39); 2
Fastest: Pye 10:14 Somani 18:24, L Kaye 17:37, S Allen 18:31, 14:21, F Jones 12:19, S Ball 13:21); 2 Wreake SV Preston 34:25; 3 Liverpool 34:32
U13 (3x3km): 1 AFD 32:35 (T Robertson L Thompson 18:30) 42:21; 3 Charnwood 42:45 Fastest: Fraser Prest 10:51
10:48, N Walmsley 11:13, K Scott 10:33); 2 Fastest: Dixon 16:57; S Sinha 17:06; Fastest: Jones 12:19 U13 boys (3x3.1km): 1 Wirral 37:30 (J
Chelmsford 32:55; 3 Portsmouth 33:28 Adamson 17:21 Women (4x4.33km): 1 Charnwood 60:51 Hatton 12:40, M Harty 12:40, M Phelan 12:10); 2
Fastest: Scott 10:33 W40 (4x4.5km): 1 Kent 78:04 (V Buck 19:21, (Juliet Potter 15:27, M Atkinson 14:58, E Taylor Warrington 38:06; 3 Preston 39:09
A Farrall 19:46, D O’Brien 19:32, V Boyle 19:26); 16:02, G Steel 14:24); 2 Birchfield 60:52 (L Fastest: 1 Phelan 12;10; White 12:22; Steel
South of England Road Relays, Crystal 2 Dulwich 87:48 Partridge 14:24, N Collier 15:44, A Taylor 16:05, 12;27; Fletcher 12:32; Lawton 12:34; Keighley/
Palace, September 24 Fastest: Buck 19:21 B Gunn 14:39); 3 W Tempo. 63:15 (H Jenkins McGuffie/Smith 12:36
Victoria Park and Cambridge Harriers won W50 (4x4.5km): 1 S London 87:00 (D (14) 16:22, J Matthews 14:53, N Eaton 15:53, A Women (4x5.4km): 1 Salford 92:29
senior titles in a poorly supported event. Jackson 19:25, C Welch 21:31, J Quantrill Bullingham 16:07) (R Jones 23:21, H Smith 23:33, A Bracegirdle
Cambridge only took the lead in the last 24:26, S Chan 21:39); 2 Kent 94:22 Fastest: Partridge/Steel 14:24; Gunn 14:39 22:29, S Bent 23:06); 2 Leeds 94:25
100m of the race on the famous track. Fastest: Jackson 19:25 W35 (4x4.33km): (J Walsh 22:27, L Armoush 23:53, K
Men (6x6km): 1 VPTH 1:51:01 (A Lawrence U17 (3x3km): 1 Lon H 35:48 (H Munday 11:37, 1 Trentham 69:47 (J Stanfield 17:11, D Thomas Ballantyne 24:45, G Malir 23:20); 3 Vale R
17:21, A Millbery 18:10, J Bibbings 18:36, J R Walls 12:47, I Watkins 11:25); 2 S London 16:54, J Dickens 17:01, A Turner 18:41); 2 CLC 94:59 (S Dufour-Jackson 23:45, A Howarth
Hotham 18:50, M Stevens 19:12, G Divall 36:31); 3 Norwich 37:03 72:18; 3 Cheltenham 73:05 23:50, K Moulds 24:10, H Weedall 23:14)
18:55); 2 Dulwich R 1:52:21 (N Impey 18:27, B Fastest: Holland S Lon 11:13 Fastest: 1 A Sarkies RN 16:35 Fastest: M Williams Stock 22:21; Walsh 22:27;
Howe 19:07, E Chuck 18:37, A Wilson 18:47, J U15 (3x3km): 1 Herne H 34:59 (O Carroll U17 (3x3.88km): 1 Exeter 40:26 (S Bracegirdle 22:29
Hallsworth 18:57, J Ramm 18:29); 3 Newham 11:55, S Jack 11:36, O Wright 11:29); 2 St Livingstone 13:42, I Bryson 14:29, I Fitzgerald U17 women (3x3.7km): 1 Rotherham 40:49
& EB 1:54:03 (C Brisley 17:27, M Hanrahan Edmund P 35:26 3 Herne B 36:08 12:15); 2 W&B 41:21; 3 Wreake SV 41:27 (L Harris 13:16, E Bott 13:53, C McCloy 13:40); 2
18:54, F O’Brien 18:53, C Van Eitzen, 19:11, L Fastest: Wright 11:29 Fastest: Fitzgerald 12:15 Salford 41:04; 3 Vale R 41:35
Zangari 21:10, T Wallis 18:29) U13 (3x3m): 1 S London 37:51 (D Booth 12:05, U15 (3x3.88km): 1 Wreake SV 41:08 (V Fastest: Bellingham Liv 12:59
Fastest: Lawrence 17:21; Brisley 17:27; Higgs G Sone 13:04, M Watson 12:42); 2 St Mary’s Rudkin 14:05, I Saunders 13:38, S King 13:25); U15 girls (3x3.1km): 1 Rotherham 37:28 (K
S Lon 17:53 39:05; 3 Herne H 39:07 2 Stoke 43:56; 3 Swindon 44:15 Battle 12:25, G Igoe 12:36, I Waugh 12:27); 2
M40 (4x6km): 1 Serpentine 76:58 (N Besson Fastest: Booth 12:05 Fastest: I McGowan Banb 13:05 Salford 37:52; 3 Liverpool 37:53
19:14, N Torry 18:42, N Browne 19:19, G Hughes U13 (3x3.88km): 1 Wreake SV 43:52 (L Fastest: 1 Wharton Warr 12:02
19:45); 2 VPTH 78:11); 3 Kent 78:57 Midlands Road Relays, Sutton Park, Power 14:19, S Evans 14:54, P Langlands U13 girls (3x3.1km): 1 Birtley 39:20 (K
Fastest: Torry 18:42 September 24 14:39); 2 Cheltenham 46:15; 3 Stoke 46:38 Graham 13:19, O Murphy 12:52, N Graham
M50 (4x6km): 1 S London 1:25:21 (D Williams Notts men and Charnwood’s women took the Fastest: Power 14:19 13:09); 2 Rotherham 40:26; 3 Liverpool 40:31
20:15, N Reissland 21:28, J Burdett 23:23, S Major senior titles. Fastest: 1 M Schofield Roth 12:50
20:16); 2 Stragglers 98:19; 3 Dulw R 1:40:27 Men (6x5.88km): 1 Notts 1:47:40 (M Tkue Northern Road Relays, Sportcity,
Fastest: Williams 20:15 18:04, G Phillips 18:21, M Williams 18:44, C Manchester, September 25
M60 (4x6km): 1 S London 93:19 (D Ogden Smith 17:50, A Watson 17:27, F Hessian 17:14); City of Leeds took the men’s race and Salford
ULTRA
21:07, P Scarles 24:00, G Quarton 23:47, J Foss 2 BRAT 1:48:03 (D Robinson 18:27, K Welborn the women’s. ITALY
24:26); 2 Kent 98:30; 3 Dulwich R 1:40:00 18:00, J McGraw 17:57, J Tuffin 18:00, C Davis Men (6x6.4km): 1 Leeds 1:59:17 (O Meslek European 24-Hour Championships,
Verona, September 17-18
Overall: 1 A Sorokin LTU 319.614km; 2 A
Piotrowski POL 301.859 (rec); 3 M Visintini
ITA 288.438 (rec); 4 I López ESP 273,393;
5 D Lawson GBR 273.003; 6 M Ohler GER
267.782 rec; 7 D Hawkins GBR 265.302; 8,
P Maskell GBR 265.302; 9 F Martínez ESP
264.975; 10 L Videtic SLO 264.956 (rec);
14, A Whearity GBR 261.039; 15 D Carr GBR
250.367
Women: 1 P Bereznowska POL 256.250;
2 S Gicquel FRA 253.581 (rec); 3 M Pazda-
Pozorska POL 251.806; 4 A Stephan GER
250.573; 5 J Zakrzewski GBR 247.985 rec;
6, A Niwiska POL 246.765; 7, C Gruffaz FRA
Cambridge Harriers celebrate 245.550 rec; 8, R Hansen NOR 243.154 rec;
their four-stage relay success 9, R Churanová CZE 239.620; 10, J Jezek
GER 239.020

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ATHLETICSWEEKLY 93
 FINISHERS

A LAP WITH...

MIA
MCINTOSH
Katy Barden speaks to a young
British hurdles champion about
overcoming fear and finding success

P
rogress can be measured by a Her primary goal for the summer was to earn her first
multitude of factors. Performances, Great Britain vest and make the podium at the European
times, titles and records can all U18 Championships in Jerusalem. She achieved that with
represent notable moments in an an impressive gold medal, PB and European U18 leading
athlete’s career. So, too – at least in the time (second all-time). She also qualified for the World U20
case of European under-18 champion Championships in Cali courtesy of a lifetime best in her first
Mia McIntosh – can making the transition from a fear of ever international senior race (in Geneva).
competing to a love of being on the start line. On the track McIntosh is performing with a maturity
McIntosh is the British hurdles record holder at beyond her years. Off it, her ability to counter the
under-15, under-17 and under-18 level, as well as being disappointment of injury with pragmatism and respect for
a multiple English Schools and England Athletics her own achievements has also served her well.
champion. Her transition through the age groups has “[The summer] was incredible,” she reflects, in spite of
been a relatively smooth one, but success doesn’t come having to withdraw from the semi-final in Cali due to a knee
without pressure, even if it’s self-inflicted. injury. “It was like everything happened at once and it still
“I’ve always put pressure on myself to do well,” she says. hasn’t sunk in. Even meeting new people from different
“But I’ve never put ‘extra’ pressure on [to keep breaking countries on the circuit, it was amazing.
records etc] because I know I’d put myself off. “The day I actually hurt my knee (at the World U20s) was
“I never used to like competing. Before every race I’d throw up very stressful. I woke up and one of the girls in my room
because of nerves, so I stopped eating breakfast, I just wouldn’t tested positive for Covid. Then I hurt my knee and I couldn’t
eat at all before I raced, and I just wasn’t enjoying the process. walk. I tried to warm up but I couldn’t push off my leg so I
“Thankfully I got over that. [My coach Jake Awe] was like, had to make the decision then. I was really upset for a few
‘We need to stop this, because if you’ve not got food in you, hours, but it wasn’t going to keep me down because I was
you’re not fuelled enough to compete and it’ll go downhill’ already so proud of what I’d done already in the season.”
and he helped push that out of me.” Looking ahead, McIntosh has the European Under-20
The 17-year-old Harrow athlete has clocked personal best Championships in Romania to look forward to in 2023,
times over 100m hurdles U18 (13.05) and 100m hurdles as well as a return to South America and the 2024 World
(13.45) in 2022, in addition to the 60m, 60m hurdles, 100m Under-20 Championships in Peru.
and 200m. She finished the year ranked second in the world She also hopes to become a professional athlete when she
over the U18 height hurdles (76.2cm). completes her coaching and development course at college
next year – a path she initially chose so she could focus her
time on training.
Q. If you could choose one person to train/compete “This year will be very different to what I was doing before I
with, past or present, who would it be and why? was with Jake, because the focus of my training has changed.
A. I didn’t used to watch a lot of athletics, but I’m now lifting, I started in the gym last year, and I’m now
I’ve always followed Jessica Ennis. I have a huge, doing five days a week whereas before I was doing three, so it
framed photo of her in my bedroom, it’s signed and has changed quite a bit, but I know it’s worth it.”
everything. I got it for Christmas one year. I’ve always The days of pre-race dread are long gone and, in spite of the
followed her. I saw her once, and I thought: ‘That’s pressure to better herself, McIntosh continues to love what she
what I want to do, that’s exactly what I’m going to do’. does. “Well, sometimes...” she clarifies. “Winter [training] not as
That’s when I fell in love with the sport. much, but when I’m competing, yeah, I absolutely love it.”

94 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 QUIZ

1 What date was the first London Marathon

and who won the men’s and women’s races?
(Bonus point for the exact date).

2 What is the length of a high jump bar?

3 Which former European 100m champion

recently announced his retirement from
the sport?

4 Which athletes recently had the world

records they produced at the World
Championships in Eugene ratified?

5 Ciara Mageean broke a 27-year-old Irish 9 Which legendary sprinter said the
1500m record in Brussels in September. To following: “Worrying gets you nowhere.
whom did the previous record belong? If you turn up worrying about how you’re
going to perform, you’ve already lost. Train
6 Which member of Britain’s European hard, turn up, run your best and the rest will
4x400m gold medal team has released a take care of itself.”
single about his experiences in Munich?
Lawrence Okoye became the first ever
7 Four faces. Can you recognise these British athlete to win a discus medal at a
Diamond League 2021 champions? European Championships during Munich
2022. He also used to play in the NFL. What
8 On which date did Eliud Kipchoge run the position did he play and can you name any
first sub-two-hour marathon? of the teams he played for?

Answers in the November issue of AW

SEPTEMBER ANSWERS: 1 1986 and 1990; 2 Four faces: Jereem Richards, Paul Eldhouse, Laura Muir and Hannah Cockroft; 3 Tom Bosworth; 4 Lina Nielsen;
5 50.68 seconds; 6 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Elaine Thompson-Herah; 7 9.14m. Start to first hurdle is 13.72m. Final hurdle to finish is 14.02m;
8 1891 at the AAU (USA) Championships; 9 Competition; Steve Backley, Javelin. 1992 bronze in Barcelona, 1996 silver in Atlanta and 2000 silver in Sydney.

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 95
 FINISHERS

GET IN TOUCH:
HAVE YOUR SAY Email us at
haveyoursay@
athleticsweekly.com
or via our social
Mini marathon’s maximum growth
Plans by the London Marathon to grow media channels
the Mini Marathon field from 7000 to
around 50,000 in eight years’ time are
admirably ambitious.
It would mean we would see just
as many children as we did adult
runners at this month’s “main London
Marathon” plus another 10,000!
I wonder how London see this
materialising, though. Would the kids
go off in lots of waves through the day?
Or would there be one mass run with

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

50,000 kids running presumably 2.6km?
Aaron Brown, Manchester

Unwelcome withdrawals
Why so many drop-outs before the
London Marathon this year? Are they
all exhausted from an unusually busy Champs in 2012, had a best of 8:28:97 Mo should come full circle
year that had three major champs in and finished an excellent 30th in the Mo Farah should go out in style this
the summer? Or are the super shoes World Cross under-20 race in 2011. winter by returning to his roots and
causing more injuries than we realise? tackling some of the grassroots cross-
Nicholas Wynn, Durham
country events. It would be a great way
Elise Cadman, via email
for him to give something back to the
World champs hype sport and ordinary athletes would be
Delay for Ghebresilasie World Athletics is describing the able to meet him and run alongside
It was great to see Weynay Ghebresilasie World Athletics Road Running him. Amazingly he’s never won the
finish top Brit at the London Marathon. Championships in Latvia in 12 months’ English National senior title either.
I remember him first featuring in AW time as “the most significant public What a way to end his career!
almost a decade ago and him being sporting and athletics event in the Owen Jones, Morecambe
helped by Sunderland Harriers before history of the Baltic countries”.
finally moving to Shettleston Harriers Really? Tallinn held the European
where he has since thrived. Under-23 Champs in 2015 and 2021 Athletes of the year
Did UK Athletics ever get involved and the European U20 Champs in Athletes of the year? For me it’s the
during those early days in helping him 2011 and 2021, while Riga staged the unbeatable Mondo Duplantis and
get British citizenship? It’s taken quite European U20 Champs in 1999. Sydney McLaughlin. Top Brits? Jake
some time for him to achieve it (in the Among other things Estonia has staged Wightman is the emphatic No.1
1980s Zola Budd’s was fast-tracked an Olympic event, too, with sailing at the among the men with the women’s
through in a matter of days!). 1980 Games held in Tallinn. The World award, for me, going to Eilish
With more support in his early years, Ice Hockey Champs has been staged in McColgan for her all-round UK
he could have been nurtured into a Latvia in the past. Or how about some record-breaking feats and memorable
global championship medal winner. A of the football matches such as Estonia Commonwealth Games victory.
bit like another refugee who settled in beating Netherlands 4-2 in a World Cup Looking forward to AW opening its
Britain – a certain Mo Farah. qualifier in Tallinn in 2001? annual readers’ poll.
As a teenage steeplechaser Weynay Luke Belshaw, via email Marilyn Secker, Bournemouth
finished sixth in the World Junior

96 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
 FIXTURES

PHOTO BY MARK SHEARMAN

WHAT’S ON
● Cross Cup van Mol
OCTOBER 15 OCTOBER 22 Belgium
● Cardiff Cross Challenge ● Northern Ireland International sport.be
cardiffcrosschallenge.co.uk Cross Country
Belfast NOVEMBER 3-6
● NECAA Cross Country Relay athleticsni.org ● World Mountain and Trail
Championships Running Championships
Peterlee ● Lindsays scottishathletics National Thailand
nemaa.co.uk/necaa Cross Country Relay Championships wmtrc2021thailand.com
Cumbernauld
● British Athletics Hill and Fell Relay scottishathletics.org NOVEMBER 5
Biggar ● Lindsays scottishathletics National
carnethy.com OCTOBER 23 Short Course Cross Country
● Venice Marathon Championships
OCTOBER 16 venicemarathon.it Kirkcaldy
● TCS Amsterdam Marathon scottishathletics.org
tcsamsterdammarathon.eu ● Valencia half marathon
valenciaciudaddelrunning.com ● Saucony English Cross
● TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Country Relays
torontowaterfrontmarathon.com ● Leeds Abbey Dash 10km Mansfield
ageuk.org.uk englishcrosscountry.co.uk
● Yorkshire Marathon
runforall.com ● Area Cross Country Relays NOVEMBER 6
Various ● TCS New York Marathon
● Cabbage Patch 10 englishcrosscountry.co.uk nyrr.org
Twickenham
cabbagepatch10.com ● Cross Country Bydgoszcz ● Cross Internacional de Soria
Poland Spain
● Great South Run worldathletics.org worldathletics.org
Portsmouth
greatrun.org OCTOBER 30 ● 65th Cross Internacional de San
● Mainova Frankfurt Marathon Sebastian
● Oceania Trail Championships frankfurt-marathon.com Spain
Christchurch worldathletics.org
worldathletics.org

For all the latest athletics news and updates, visit athleticsweekly.com

ATHLETICSWEEKLY 97
 DIP FINISH

HOW NANOBOTS
CAN HELP BREAK
THE TWO-HOUR
BARRIER
liud Kipchoge recently

E missed breaking two

hours for the marathon
in Berlin by 69 seconds
but improvements in technology alone
could see the barrier fall in future.
On race day the athletes of tomorrow
could find themselves slipping into
advanced materials that dynamically
morph based on body temperature and
weather conditions to create an optimal
temperature for the wearer.
The pre-marathon and mid-race
nutrition might involve 3D-printed
meals that provide the precise mix
of nutrients based on real-time data.
This info would come from nanobots
that live in the bloodstream, stomach
and other organs to monitor health at
molecular level.
Added to this, glasses or contact
lenses will soon be able to display
key metrics such as wind conditions
or how an athlete’s body is faring,
providing the knowledge of when to
increase or decrease their pace. MOST “POPULAR AND
These are some of the ideas of
Frank Diana, a ‘futurist’ at the global PICTURESQUE” MARATHONS
technology leader Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS), a company which ondon, Manchester landmarks such as the London Eye
sponsors the London and New York
City marathons.
“If we pull back our lens even further
L and Brighton have been
named one-two-three in
a list of the “UK’s most
and Buckingham Palace.
Manchester saw 102,818 hashtags
with Brighton generating 91,124 in a
and envision the future athlete, we can popular and picturesque marathons”. survey that included 60 marathons in
see the total re-imagination of sports,” Staff from shoe brand HOKA the UK.
he says. “We are likely to experience analysed the cost of entry, number of Next on the list were Edinburgh,
a complete blurring of boundaries participants, number of landmarks for Richmond, the Yorkshire Marathon
between technology and the athlete. each marathon route and the volume in York, Loch Ness Marathon, Belfast,
Exoskeletons, implants, artificial body of Instagram hashtags to determine Newport and Bournemouth.
parts or human-machine convergence the rankings. Boston emerged top of a similar study
could alter the athlete and therefore the The research was done before of global marathons with London in the
sports themselves.” this month’s London Marathon runner-up spot followed by Chicago,
The question is, will the rules of the but the event in the British capital Berlin, Paris, Honolulu, New York,
sport adapt quickly enough to allow – generated 661,113 Insta hashtags Frankfurt, Edinburgh, Amsterdam,
or ban – all of this? on a route that passes eight iconic Rotterdam, Dublin and Prague.

If you have a potential Dip Finish story, email: jason.henderson@athleticsweekly.com

98 ATHLETICSWEEKLY.COM
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