21 May 2017

Tom Bosworth (coach: Andi Drake) finished fourth in the men’s 20km at the European Race Walking Cup, recording the highest ever placing by a British athlete at the event as well as leading the men’s team to fourth place overall.

Bosworth was in the chase pack at the halfway point, going through in 40.16; however an increase in pace from Miguel Lopez of Spain, Kevin Champion of France and Perseus Karlstrom of Sweden saw Bosworth unable to go with them as he slipped to sixth around the 13km mark. He moved back up to fifth around the 15km point, but the battle for the minor medals became wide open as Champion was disqualified leaving the way clear for the closing athletes. Bosworth held on for fourth place as he clocked 81.22 to make history for the British team.

There was also personal best for the ever-improving Callum Wilkinson (Mick Graham) who clocked a time of 82:17 to move him up to fourth on the UK all-time list over 20km. He finished tenth overall in his first ever senior international event; an impressive achievement by the 20 year-old.

Wilkinson added: “That was the perfect race. I am only 20 years old and this is just my second 20km ever. To walk alongside and beat Rob Heffernan (Irish Olympic and world medallist) and finish 10th was awesome. I am now looking to secure my place on the team for the World Championships in London."

Cameron Corbishley (Drake) held on in the tough hot conditions as he came home in 36th in 87.26. Dominic King (George Nibre) used his 50km strength to clock a season’s best of 89.28 to finish in 47th overall. This saw the British Athletics team finish fourth in the team competition, their highest ever placing, just missing out on the bronze to Ireland by 5 points.

Gemma Bridge (Mark Wall) continued her magnificent season with a 14th place finish in the senior women’s 20km race. The Oxford City athlete clocked the third fastest time ever by a British athlete over the distance in 94.24.

Bridge briefly commented afterwards: “It was very hot, but unlike my two previous 20km races I was able to hold it together in the middle. I am learning this event every time I go out there so I am pleased with today’s result.

Bethan Davies (Drake) found the last 5km tough but came home in a 22nd place, recording 96.04. Heather Lewis (Martin Bell) found the going tough in the second half of the 20km contest but held on to come home in 104.41 in 39th place. The trio achieved the best ever team result for Britain’s senior women in sixth.

In the junior 10km races, there was a lifetime best for Chris Snook (Verity Snook) who crossed the line in 19th with a time of 44.23. Meanwhile, in the women’s equivalent, Molly Davey (Patrice Terranova) made her international debut for the British team, and marked it with a time of 54.02 to place 31st.  

Full results can be found on the European Athletics website: https://www.podebrady2017.com/en/start-lists-results