7 October 2007

Kate Reed (Bristol and West AC) – who clinched the silver medals for the Norwich Union Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at last winter’s European Cross Country Championships – survived three scares to win the UK women’s 10km road running title at Chichester today in 32 minutes 7 seconds.

She knocked 15 seconds off her previous best time in finishing an emphatic 1 minute 12 seconds ahead of former European Cross Country Champion Hayley Yelling (Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow AC), who took the UK silver medal only a week after finishing fifth in the BUPA Great North half marathon.

But the 25-year-old had an adventurous route to her first national 10km road title in a race that was incorporated into the popular Priory 10km.

Reed explained: “When the gun went, a massive barrier went up in the air and hit Louise Damen, who was beside me. Luckily it missed me but poor Louise never got started. After 1km, a man went down in front of me and I had to hurdle him. And at about 4km, I smacked my hip on the wing mirror of a car.

“I think it was fright that drove me to the PB: I just wanted to get to the finish! I’m glad I’m in one piece.”

The time reinforces Reed’s position in fourth place in the Power of 10 national rankings behind Mara Yamauchi (Harrow AC), Jo Pavey (Exeter Harriers) and Paula Radcliffe (Bedford and County AC).

The Men’s title at Chichester went to Williard Chinhanhu (Poole Runners) in 29:18, three seconds outside the Power of 10 National standard.

For more details, please click on Chichester 10km