Beth Potter’s World’s fastest time
British triathlete Beth Potter raced this weekend in the Podium 5k. In one of the first races on English soil since the 3rd Lockdown? (I’ve lost count), Beth Potter did something unthinkable.
Running 14:41, knocking 2 seconds off the previous World record held by Beatrice Chepkoech, who holds the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase World record.
Beth is an Asics athlete, which means she wore Asics’ new “Super shoe” The Asics metaspeed Sky. Which has received backlash from what we are going to call the boomer community , who are suggesting this new Asics' shoe must be far better than any other supershoe before it, despite them never wearing it.
If anyone believes Beth’s improvement is down to a shoe change, that’s fine, you’re entitled to your opinion. But Beth beat the time of Beatrice Chepkoech who ran her previous World record in Next%. Meaning Beth’s performance still outranks some of the best track athletes in the World, in fact the best ever over steeplechase. Also, last season Beth wore the next% and has progressed drastically since then, highlighting that the better times isn’t a result of the shoes.
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Istanbul Half marathon
Ruth Chepngetich, the world marathon champion ran a stunning 1:04:02 to destroy the women’s world half marathon record. In arguably the most stacked half marathon field in history, which included Brigid Kosgei, the marathon world record holder and Hellen Obiri, two-time world 5000m champion. The lead group had been reduced to 5 women by the 10km mark but soon after, Kenyan, Kosgei and compatriot Joan Chelimo Melly started to wane leaving Chepngetich, Ethiopian athlete, Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Hellen Obiri in the lead. Chepngetich closed the final 5km segment in an incredible 15:13. Yehualaw, the world marathon bronze medallist, came 2nd in 1:04:40, with Obiri coming a close third, 1:04:51. This was the first time three women have finished inside 65 minutes in one half marathon.
In the men’s race, Kibiwott Kandie, the men’s world record holder (57:32) was pushed all the way in a tight race, which saw him just pull away from Geoffrey Kamworor, in his first race back since being involved in a motorbike accident, to take the win by 0.3 seconds.
The only downside to this race was the interesting commentary highlighted by Chris Chavez and the Team at Citius Mag. Apparently just reading Wikipedia whilst commenting live is now okay...
Charlotte Purdue to appeal selection decision which saw Steph Twell selected for the GB Olympic marathon team.
Charlotte Purdue, the fourth fastest women marathoner in British history has, according to reports, launched a formal appeal against her omission from Britain’s marathon Olympic team after Steph Twell was selected ahead of her.
When the full team was announced, it would be accurate to say that most observers were surprised to see Purdue not selected. Although she had a medical exemption from the marathon trials this year, not racing was always going to be a risk and so it proved, with Steph Davies the only woman to run under the necessary qualifying time of 2:29:30 at the trial race itself.
The controversy, however, comes from the fact that despite both Purdue and Twell not racing the trials, British Athletics selected Twell, being more than a minute slower over the 26.2 miles distance. Purdue too has significant competition pedigree being the only woman to represent GB in the marathon at the 2019 world championships in Doha. Her PB of 2:25:38 also came from 2019 after she was the first Brit to cross the line at the 2019 London Marathon.
Twell’s best also came in 2019, when she ran 2:26:40 on a fast course in Frankfurt. Unsurprisingly, given both women ran their PBs in 2019, and with Purdue significantly quicker, Twell’s selection has raised eyebrows throughout the sport. After Steph Davis ran the time at the trials and comfortably won the race, her place was assured and most athletes and fans expected that Jess Piasecki, the fastest of the remaining 3, would be selected with a PB of 2:25:28.
Hayward Premiere
Everyone needs to buy Cole Hocker stock. Cole (19) is now seemingly unstoppable. After his recent double at the NCAA indoors in the mile and 3000m, It seemed Cole Hocker couldn’t impress anymore than he already has. But he’s done it again. This time out kicking a quality field in the 1500m and then the next day, holding the inside rail and coming through to win the 800m in a time of 1:46.60.
Conner Mantz NCAA cross country winner ran the olympic trials qualifying standard in the 5000m with 13:24.78. However, he was beaten by Colorado runner Eduardo Herrera. Casey Clinger (3rd) also ran under the Olympic trials qualifying standard of 13:25.
The Stanford Invite
As well as the Oregonians impressing at the Hayward Premiere, some of the finest performances of the weekend came from the Stanford Invite with 19 year old Charles Hicks (he’s definitely British) running a stunning 28:25 in the 10,000m to run the U23 10,000m european qualifying standard by a comfortable margin of more than 35 seconds. Doing so by splitting a 13:53 last 5000m.
As debuts go, Stanford athlete Ella Donaghu’s is right up there. She won the 5000m in a quick time of 15:36.52, the second fastest collegiate time of the year.
Cole Sprout won his 5000m race in 13:43, which has cemented his spot as a serious collegiate runner, after his stellar high school career.
Stewy McSweyn runs an 8:19 grass 2 mile
Heading down under to the Craig David and Dizzee Rascal loving Tasmanian Devil that is Stewy McSweyn. Everything he touches turns to gold, it seems, and this weekend he clocked 8:19 for 3200m...on the grass. In Athletics Australia’s own words, “you can’t fault that run”. However, this wasn’t enough for the win, as the race is staggered based off handicap. Stewy Ended up coming 4th, behind Prefontaine look alike (see below), Jack Rayner, who placed 3rd. Seriously though, Jack looks like Pre and runs like Pre…
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