Electric atmosphere at England 10k champs

A crisp winter's day at the iconic Abbey Dash 10k played host to the England Senior 10k Championships for the first time under the stewardship of Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All.

Despite the chilly conditions, the atmosphere was electric as over 10,000 runners took to the streets as they raced to Kirkstall Abbey and back. The event - renowned for its fast and flat course - attracted a stellar field of elite athletes and wheelchair racers alongside thousands of club runners, and charity fundraisers.

Wheelchair race

The day began with the elite wheelchair race, where Leeds City AC's Callum Hall claimed victory in 25:11, followed by Josh Hickinbottom (Coventry Godiva Harriers) and Ollie Porter (Leeds City AC, Paul Moseley).

Men’s Championship

The men’s race saw a close finish with just 10 seconds between the top three, as James McMurray (St. Albans AC, Deborah Steer) pulled away for the win and national title in 28:52 followed closely behind by Aldershot, Farnham & District’s Joshua Grace (Geoff Watkin), and Leeds City’s Ollie Lockley.

Women’s Championship

The women’s podium brought serious class with all three athletes being GB internationals. Welsh athlete Melissa Courtney-Bryant (Rob Denmark), representing Poole AC, won the title with a commanding run putting her in the top 20 all-time with her 31:37. Samantha Harrison (Mansfield, Rob Denmark) marked a welcome return to competition finishing second in 32:18. Louise Small (Aldershot, Farnham & District), coming off the back of her recent 2:27 performance at Amsterdam marathon, claimed third place in 33:32.

Results

Women
1st: Melissa Courtney-Bryant (31:37)
2nd: Samantha Harrison (32:18)
3rd: Louise Small (33:32)

Men
1st: James McMurray (28:52)
2nd: Joshua Grace (28:56)
3rd: Ollie Lockley (29:01)

Wheelchair
1st: Callum Hall
2nd: Josh Hickinbottom
3rd: Ollie Porter