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Arter & Cockram smash Tooby sisters’ Welsh Records
28/10/2019 00:00, In Blog / Road /
In a month of memorable marathon milestones, Natasha Cockram (MMRT, Tony Houchin) yesterday made her own mark in the history books. Her time of 2 hours 30 minutes and 50 seconds in the Dublin marathon is the fastest any Welsh Female Athlete has ever run for the distance. The previous record of 2.31:33 held by Susan Tooby was set in Seoul, Korea, in 1988. The Cwmbran girl who runs for the Mickey Morris Race Team lowered her best by nearly 4 minutes from 2.34.18 and put herself within touching distance of the Tokyo Olympics qualifying time of 2.29.30. She finished 5th behind four Ethiopian ladies, including race winner Motu Gedefa who ran 2.27.48 for victory.
Natasha, who mixes running with work and a love of horse riding is only 26 and looks set to be one to watch for both Tokyo 2020 and Birmingham 2022.
Meanwhile up in the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, Charlotte Arter (Cardiff Athletics, Chris Jones) led the Welsh women’s team to team gold in a stunning 31.35 to go top of the Welsh all-time 10k list ahead of Susan’s sister, Angela Tooby’s mark of 32.15. Her winning time puts her 5th in Europe for 2019, and 5th on the UK all time list behind Wendy Sly and ahead of in-form Laura Weightman’s 31.40 set earlier this year.
“It’s always a fast start at Leeds, I tucked in amongst the leading women and some of the guys for the first 3k, but by 5k I felt it slowing and I decided to push on. Coming back into town I was looking at the watch thinking I was on for a low 32min time, maybe just under, but it wasn’t until I saw the clock in the last 100m that I realised how quick I’d run! I’m delighted to break another Welsh Record and lead the team home.” Said Charlotte.
Charlotte, impressive winner of the Cardiff Cross Challenge a few weeks ago, looks to be in excellent shape and will head back on to the grass next to target the Liverpool XC and look to secure a place on the GB team for the European XC Championships in early December.
"I'm delighted for both Natasha & Charlotte, they're both working so hard to develop themselves as strong, resilient athletes. The reward of seeing themselves entering the history books by breaking records is well deserved, and shows the support programme we have in place around our senior athletes is working." commented National Coach, Chris Jones.