PBs for English medallists at Reading Half Marathon
The England Half Marathon Championships took place in the Reading Half Marathon on 22nd March.
It was a new course designed to be faster for the athletes but the slightly windy conditions put pay to any super quick times.
Saying that the English medallists in the men’s event all recorded PBs. The overall event was won by Amos Kiplagat who was well clear at the end. 2nd overall went to the Irish runner Paul Pollock.
The next three who took then English Championship medals were all English athletes Ian Kimpton, John Beattie and Ben Lindsay.
The women's race was won overall by Lily Partridge who ran very well and also clocked a new PB to pull away from the chasing women. Third overall but 2nd English runner was Alyson Dixon from Sunderland closely followed by Helen Clitheroe from Preston.
From this English Championship event there are International races available for the top athletes. The teams will be selected over the coming weeks from eligible athletes.
Spencer Duval (Road Running Coordinator for EA) commented, "The England Championships were a great success, well supported and are a fantastic opportunity to earn places on international teams. Getting a championship medal should be every athlete's goal and it is a stepping stone to even bigger things. If athletes want to be considered in the future they should ensure they compete in the England Championship events they want to be considered for."
The next EA Championship event will be the Virgin Money London Marathon.
England Individual Results
Men
1st: Ian Kimpton (Club: Luton/ Nottingham Uni, Coach: Tony Simmons) 64:31 PB
2nd: John Beattie (Club: Newham & Essex Beagles/ Tulsa Uni, Coach: Gavin Smith) 64:48 PB
3rd: Ben Lindsay (unattached, self-coached) 65:04 PB
Women
1st: Lily Partridge (Club: Aldershot, Farnham & District/ Dundee Hawkhill, Coach: Mick Woods) 70:32 PB
2nd: Alyson Dixon (Club: Sunderland Strollers/ Sunderland Uni, self-coached) 71:30
3rd: Helen Clitheroe (Club: Preston, self-coached) 73:03