8th September 2009

Iaaf World Half Marathon Team

8 September 2009

UKA has today named full teams – five men and five women – for the 18th IAAF World Half Marathon Championships which will take place in Birmingham on Sunday 11 October, including former World Half Marathon champion Paula Radcliffe (Bedford & County) and trials winner Claire Hallissey (Bristol & West), who reduced her lifetime best by a minute (1:12.03) with victory at the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 6 September.

Ian Stewart, Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland Team Leader, said: “This is a great chance to support a home Championship with full teams, and I’m delighted that in Birmingham on October 11th that will be the case. It’s a new course, in a city of people who will really get behind our athletes. Not only are they in a position to show what they can do in front of that home crowd, but they have a genuine opportunity to fight for decent team positions. We’re pleased to have Paula on the team and optimistic that we can win medals.”

Tomas Abyu (Salford Harriers), winner of the men’s trial incorporated within the Bristol Half Marathon, declined his automatic selection slot to focus on other racing commitments including the Berlin Marathon. Katrina Grimmett (Hants Police Tri Club), who also qualified for automatic selection as second Brit home in the women’s race with the required standard, was unable to be selected due to committing to her preparations for the World Duathlon Championships in North Carolina, USA, two weeks prior to the World Half.

GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM

MEN

Andi Jones (Salford Harriers); Andrew Lemoncello (Fife AC); Mark Miles (Belgrave); Gareth Raven (Sale Harriers Manchester); Phil Wicks (Belgrave)

WOMEN

Alyson Dixon (Chester-le-Street); Claire Hallissey (Bristol & West); Gemma Miles (Kendal); Paula Radcliffe (Bedford & County); Rebecca Robinson (Kendal)