Where to start this week? Do the numbers 60.29 – 59.01 – 13.43 mean anything to you? The streets of London witnessed something that the writer of this report didn’t think possible, certainly not in the current period. The history of endurance running was blown apart on Sunday April 26th when Sebastian Sawe ran 60.29 for the first half of the London Marathon and then ran a negative split with a time of 59.01 on the second half – which included a final 5k of 13.43 – to smash the world Marathon Record to pieces in 1 hr 59.30, being the first athlete ever, to run under two hours in an actual marathon race. Not only that, Yomif Kejelcha in second place – making his debut in the Marathon – ran 1hr 59 41 to also break the two hour barrier in what was the most incredible piece of marathon racing ever seen. The Women’s race was no less exciting with Tigist Assefa also breaking the Women’s only World Marathon Record as she ran 2hr 15.41 after a titanic battle with Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei which was a joy to watch.
Six Blackburn Harriers ran in this race, hot in terms of its outcome of world records, but also in terms of the temperature on the day – Jess Warner-Judd, Rob Warner-Judd, Tom Blaney, Joanne Nelson, Vikki Robertshaw and Georgina Burton were all putting themselves on the line. Jess finished in a time of 2,29.28; Rob ran 2hr 28.14; Tom finished with a time of 2hr 41.54; V45 Vikki set herself a new PB by four minutes of 3hr 13.08; V50 Joanne ran 3hr 15.42 and Georgina ran 4hr 49.59 in her first race for Blackburn Harriers and her marathon debut.
On the previous day bottom of age U14 Georgia Brambles took part in the Mini-London Marathon and had a very good day in the U14 British Athletics Road Championships taking 12th place and second counter for the North West in a time of 9.02. (RESULTS)
L-R – Joanne Nelson – Vikki Robertshaw
Jess Warner-Judd
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Dave Brown, throws coach and athlete for Liverpool, Pemboke & Sefton AC, orgainsed a Throws Pentathlon at Witton Park on Saturday April 25th, held as many events over the weekend, in warm sunshine and ideal for throwing. Blackburn Harriers Throws Coach and athlete – V60 Tony Balko was in very good form setting a hat-trick of new PB’s in the Hammer (38.98m), Javelin (27.48m), Weight (13.88m) and had a throw of 11.09m in the Shot Putt alomngside a distance of 32.69m in the Discus – all of which gave him a new PB points total for the Pentathlon of 2913.
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Bottom of age U18 Jack Wood had a fine run on the road too at the Preston Fast 5k held on Wednesday April 22nd. The race was won in a new course record of 15.38 with Jack taking second spot in a new PB time of 15.40, some 28 seconds faster than his previous best. V45 James Bretherton was in the race too, taking 12th place overall and 2nd V45 with a time of 16.08. (RESULTS). Staying on the road and ahortly after the 5k – V45 James Bretherton produced a win for the Harriers at the Wray 10k with a time of 34.38 from Wesham’s Adam Wilding in 2nd (35.07) and Kendal’s Alasdair Russell in 3rd (35.23).
Meanwhile Blackburn Harriers Liam Bennison, Peter Sagar-Moss and Leah Hoole have been taking on a number of fell and trail races in recent weeks and producing some good runs between them. Liam and Leah went in the Stanhill 5k Trail Race on April 8th with Liam placing 5th overall and 2nd U20 in a time of 19.40 as Leah won the Women’s race in a time of 20.14. Then onto to the Ossy Moors Fell race on April 15th which had Peter coming home in 8th place overall and 3rd U20 in a time of 43.36 with Liam taking 25th spot and 4th U20 running 48.52 and Leah taking 3rd spot in the Women’s race posting a time of 49.01 and first U23. Moving to April 22nd and the Baxenden 5k Trail Race, Peter had another good finish, crossing the line in 6th place and 2nd U20 with 18.43, alongside Liam in 8th postion and 3rd U20, 19.11 running. In terms of the standings for the Accrington Trail & Fell Series Liam now finds himself in 3rd place overall and 2nd U20 for the Series, with Peter in 28th. (ALL RESULTS)
Jack Wood (52)
James Bretherton
Liam Bennison
Peter Sagar-Moss
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Photo courtesy of woodentop.org.uk
Helen Leigh is now a 2nd claim member of Blackburn Harriers after transferring to Inverness Harriers when she moved to Scotland to take up her role as firefighter. She grew up as a Blackburn Harrier and made all her previous attempts in the Three Peaks in the Blue & White vest. Helen has been in fine form, winning races in Scotland and proving that even as a V40, age is not a barrier in preventsing top performances. On Saturday April 25th watched by her mum and sister, Blackburn Harriers President George Woodburn and Steve Duxbury Lancashire Fell Team Manager, they saw Helen winning the Peaks in a time of 3hr 49.13 with Catherine Willkiamson in 2nd place (3hr 49.44) and Molly Browne in 3rd (4hr 02.25). Having your name recorded as a winner of the Three Peaks is something to talk about as many great athletes have particpated in this race. Helen was ecstatic with emotion on winning, as many who saw her achievement witnessed. After the race, Helen spoke to the Harriers about her her race and that winning feeling, telling us she “Realised a dream winning the 3 peaks. From my first attempt in 2013 and my fastest in 2015, it’s taken another 11 years to finally win this iconic race. On a super hot day I had to run sensibly over Whernside to keep the cramp at bay which left me 3 or 4 mins down at Ingleborough summit. I put absolutely everything into the descent to catch the leader with around 1km to go. I actually couldn’t believe that I’d done it and was laughing and crying like a crazy person running into the finish field. So proud of myself and I’ll remember it forever! ” Stephen Hall who had targeted the race had unfortunately to pull out on medical advice after slashing his hand very badly on barbed wire and bleeding profusely. V50’s Matt Nuttall finished in 5hr 26.31 alongside Craig Greenough who posted a time of 5hr 36.20.
Helen Leigh – Photo courtesy of woodentop.org.uk
Stephen Hall (65)
Matt Nuttall (66)
Craig Greenhough
