24 October 2011

BUPA Great Birmingham Run, October 23

While Haile Gebrselassie grabbed the headlines by winning the men’s race, Gemma Steel’s (coach: John Nuttall) first place finish in the women’s race was arguably the most impressive performance of the day in the West Midlands.

The Leicestershire athlete completed the course in a personal best time of 72:21 – shaving over a minute off her previous best which she recorded at the Bristol Half Marathon last month.

The result and performance bodes well for Steel as she prepares for the forthcoming cross country season and the European Cross Country Championships in Valenje, Solvenia in December.

Elsewhere, Louise Damen (self-coached) finished in second place with a time of 73:51. Jon Pepper (Bud Baldaro) was the leading UK athlete in the men’s race, completing the 13.1 mile course in 65.32 to earn a sixth place finish.

Results: http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=43879