England champions crowned at ASICS Manchester Half

Alex Durant and Molly Smith claimed the England half marathon titles at the 2026 ASICS Manchester Half, with closely contested racing in near-perfect conditions on a bright, still morning.

In the men's elite race, Alex Durant (City of Sheffield AC), recently returned from competing in the NCAA, clinched the England Athletics title with an impressive 1:02:51 following a closely contested race throughout. Omar Ahmed (Birchfield Harriers, David Lawrence) crossed the line just six seconds later in 1:02:57 to claim silver, with Max Milarvie (Dulwich Runners, Mark Pollard), a member of the Cottage Training Group, completing the podium in 1:03:03.

The women's England Athletics Championships proved equally competitive over the flat streets of Manchester. Molly Smith (Herne Hill Harriers) secured the 2026 title in an excellent 1:11:42, holding off Annabel Gummow (Herts Phoenix, Andrew Hobdell) in 1:12:01, while Verity Hopkins (Tonbridge AC, Richard Owen) finished just ten seconds further back in 1:12:11 to take bronze.

Although not an England Athletics championship race, the wheelchair races were very hotly contested. The day's racing began with a high-quality wheelchair field. Following his gold medal success at this summer's Commonwealth Games, Nathan Maguire (Kirkby AC, Steve Hoskins) produced a commanding performance to win the men's wheelchair race in 47:01. Scotsman, Sean Frame (Red Star AC) claimed second in 48:04, with Anton Shepherd (Kirkby AC) completing the podium in 54:31. In the women's wheelchair race, Roz Delap (Harlow AC) took victory in 1:12:13, ahead of Abi Hession (University of Warwick), who finished second in 1:16:22.

The strength and depth of competition across the championships reflected the continued quality of endurance running in England, with closely contested races and impressive performances throughout the field. England Athletics congratulate all those who competed, particularly our newly crowned national champions and medallists, and extends its thanks to the ASICS Manchester Half organisers, officials and volunteers for delivering another outstanding event.