News

29/04/2019 00:00, In Blog /

Virgin London Marathon

Swansea Harrier Dewi Griffiths clocked a World Championships qualifying time as he finished 16th in the fastest ever London Marathon on Sunday. The Welsh Commonwealth Games athlete crossed the line in 2:11.46 - well inside the 2:13.00 standard for September's World Athletics Championships in Doha. Griffiths' performance brought him gold in Welsh Marathon Championships, which is incorporated into the London Marathon.

"Third Brit and I’ve got the standard for Doha,” said Griffiths after completing his second marathon. "I was more nervous this second time around because I had to prove myself. First time around I had nothing to lose and I went for it. This time I was getting to the water stations nervous because it was totally new again but a humbling experience and onto the next one.”

At one stage Griffiths looked on course to challenge former world record holder Steve Jones' Welsh record of 2:07.13, set in Chicago back in 1985. However, the Carmarthenshire-based athlete slowed in the closing stages but still claimed bronze in British Marathon Championships, behind Sir Mo Farah, who was the first Briton home as he finished fifth overall and Scotland's Callum Hawkins, who was 10th overall.

Fellow Swansea Harrier Josh Griffiths took silver in the race for the Welsh title as he produced a new marathon personal best time of 2:14.25 in finishing 21st overall.  Griffiths' previous fastest time of 2:14.49 was clocked when he finished as the top Brit and 13th overall in the same event back in 2017. The third Welshman home on Sunday was Stockport AC's Andy Davies, who finished 26th overall in a time of 2:15.37 - just outside his personal best.

The first Welsh woman home was Mickey Morris racing team athlete Natasha Cockram, who finished 57th overall to take the Welsh marathon title in a time of 2:40.31, ahead of American-based  Rotherham Harrier Rosie Edwards, who finished in 2:42.21.

Full London Marathon Results: https://results.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2019/?pid=start

Virgin Money London Mini Marathon

Full report & results to follow shortly, but all six teams of six competed well and experienced a fantastic weekend away representing Wales. Photo above - from Carmarthen Harriers

Mid-Cheshire 5K, April 26

Swansea Harrier Eli Kirk followed up last week's fast parkrun time by finishing second at the Mid Cheshire 5k on Friday evening. The Welsh international athlete clocked a time of 16:24 as she finished runner-up to City of Lisburn athlete Ciara Mageean, who won in a time of 16:09.

Full results: https://cutefruitevents.niftyentries.com/Results/Mid-Cheshire-5k-Spring-2019

BUCS 10,000m Championships, Loughborough, April 27

Cardiff Met student Jake Smith registered a new personal best as he finished second in the BUCS 10,000m Championships in Loughborough on Saturday. The Cardiff AC man clocked 29:30.64 as he finished second to Petros Surafel, of St Mary's University, who won in a time of 29:26.58.

Welsh Athletics League, Newport, April 27

The first fixture of this year's Welsh Athletics League at Newport was cancelled due to adverse weather concerns due to Storm Hannah.

Brutus Hamilton Open, Berkley CA, April 27

Anglesey's Iolo Hughes continued his excellent run of form across the Atlantic by setting a new 800m season's best time of 1:53.67 competing for the University of New Mexico at the Brutus Hamilton Open.

Memphis Tiger Invitational, Memphis, April 26.

Deeside AC's Amber Simpson finished second in the hammer at the Memphis Tiger Invitation with a throw of 59.41m competing for the University of Memphis.

Tom Jones Memorial, Gainsville, Florida, April 26

Colwyn Bay's Michael Parry, competing for Nova Southeastern, won his 800m heat at the Tom Jones Memorial in a time of 1:52:40.