England Athletics 10k Champions crowned

Marc Scott (Richmond & Zetland, Jerry Schumacher) and Jess Piasecki (Stockport Harriers, Robert Hawkins) claimed the 2018 Men’s and Women’s England 10k titles in dominant style at last weekend’s Trafford 10k.

This highly popular race, run by Altrincham and AC and Race Director Dave Norman, always attracts strong fields and 2018 was no exception.

The men’s race also featured Scotland’s Andrew Butchart in his first race back from injury since February and while he managed to clock a brisk 29:28, it wasn’t enough to take the race win from Scott, who finished in 28:57, clocking a new personal best for the roads and securing the England Championship title at the same time.

Dejene Gezimu (Liverpool Harriers, Anthiny Clarke) ran a strong race to finish in 29:35 to place runner up in the England Championships, whilst Jack Gray (Cambridge & Coleridge, Mark Vile) took the remaining podium spot in a time of 30:10.

Just five seconds a drift of Gray was Crawley AC’s James Westlake (Allison Benton) who smashed his personal best by over 30 seconds to run 30:15. Westlake who is clearly in good shape makes his debut for England at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon next month.

In the women’s race Piasecki made a bold return to form in only her second race in two years. Just seven seconds short of her 2015 personal best, a delighted Piasecki stormed to a finishing time of 32:51, almost a minute clear of her fellow competitors. Eleanor Davis (Bristol & West, Helen Clitheroe) took the second-place spot in a highly respectable 33:56, whilst Dani Nimmock (City of Norwich, Pauline Ash) finished third in 34:14. Nimmock was another athlete using the 10k distance to sharpen up in preparation for representing England in the Frankfurt marathon next month.

This year’s England 10k Championships included a team competition with three to count based on finishing positions. In the men’s race it was Tipton Harriers who took the team win with Liverpool Harriers in second and Sale Harriers in third.  The women’s team competition was won by a delighted Vale Royal AC team, with Salford Harriers in second and Chorlton Runners in third place.

Dean Hardman (Head of Business Partnerships and Major Events) who presented the England medals said, “On behalf of England Athletics I want to say a huge thank you to Race Director Dave Norman and the many volunteers at Altrincham who helped put on such a great race today. Well done to everyone who took part and particularly to our medal winning teams and individuals - there were some truly outstanding performances.”

Results

Men
1.    Marc Scott (Club: Rutland & Zetland, Jerry Schumacher)
2.    Dejene Gezimu (Club: Liverpool Harriers, Coach: Anthony Clarke)
3.    Jack Gray (Club: Cambridge & Coleridge, Mark Vile)

Women
1.    Jess Piasecki (Club: Stockport Harriers, Coach: Robert Hawkins)
2.    Eleanor Davis (Club: Bristol & West, Coach: Helen Clitheroe)
3.    Dani Nimmock (Club: City of Norwich, Coach: Pauline Ash)

Men’s Team
1.    Tipton Harriers (Peter Brooks, Stuart Hawkes, Ian Williams)
2.    Liverpool Harriers (Dejene Gezimu, David Devine, Thomas Rogerson)
3.    Sale Harriers (Nigel Martin, Phil Robertson, Gavin Hill)

Women’s Team
1.    Vale Royal AC (Elizabeth Renondeau, Sarah Murphy, Chloe Broad)
2.    Salford Harriers (Carla Davies, Kate Knox, Sarah Carroll)
3.    Chorlton Runners (Elisabeth Kilcourse, Amy Welch, Stephanie Stevens)

Photos by Pete Brown photography