News

England marathon champions crowned in London

London once again provided the perfect backdrop for the world’s most popular marathon. The weather conditions were considerably more favourable than in 2018 and this was reflected in some fine performances amongst the elite and championship start runners. The England Athletics Marathon Championships were once again incorporated within the Virgin Money London Marathon with the title winners and runners up all coming from the elite fields.

Sir Mo Farah (Newnham & Essex Beagles, Gary Lough) who finished fifth in the race overall took the men’s title. Whilst his 2:05:39 was not quite as quick as his 2018 win in Chicago, his performance on the roads once again delighted the crowds. His attempts to take on the indomitable Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) were thwarted from around the half way point when Kipchoge and a small group pressed on with Kipchoge taking the win in a stunning 2:02:37.

In the women’s race Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot Farnham & District, Nic Bideau) stormed to a top ten finish and massive personal best of 2:25:38. Her time catapults her to third on the British all time lists behind Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi. Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) won in 2:18:20

Jonny Mellor (Liverpool Harriers, Steve Vernon) clocked 2:13:25 to finish second in the England Championships demonstrating his consistency at marathon distance, whilst V40 Nicholas Torry (Serpentine) ran his best time since 2013 to clock 2:16:21 and take third.

The runner up spots on the women’s race chopped and changed in the second half of the race with Tish Jones (Belgrave) finishing strongly to clock 2:31:00, a World Championship qualifying standard. Lily Partridge (Aldershot Farnham & District, Alan Storey) finished in 2:31:53 to take third place.

The Marathon is the second race in the England Athletics Champions of the Road series 2019. In addition to individual titles at each of our England Athletics road running championship races, it offers individuals and club teams competing in three or more championship events the opportunity to become the outright England Athletics Champion of the Roads.

Races still to come: Ipswich Twilight 5k: 11 May, City of Preston 5 miles: 11 August, Great Birmingham Run (half marathon): 13 October, Great South Run (10M): 20 October.

The ballot for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2020 is now open at ballot.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com

Photo by Mark Shearman

Athletics News Competition Road Running