Bank of America Chicago Marathon, USA, 8 October

Double world champion Sammi Kinghorn (coach: Ian Mirfin) obliterated the Scottish wheelchair marathon record by some 20 minutes as she pushed to an impressive 1.43.52 debut in Chicago. Fifth in the elite women’s race aged just 21, Kinghorn clearly has a bright future at the event, and first up will be the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, having gone well inside the qualifying time required.

In the men’s race, Simon Lawson (Ian Thompson) was 11^th with a time of 1.30.36, having passed through halfway in 45.16, metronomic pacing.

Results

ERRA National 6 and 4 Stage Relays, Sutton Coldfield, 7 October

It was a case of deja vu in the women’s 4 stage event as Aldershot, Farnham and District took yet another national title, again underlining their distance running prowess.

After a fine opening leg from Katherine Bingle (Mick Woods), who brought the team home just five seconds behind the leader, Philippa Bowdens (Woods) quickly put AFD in front on leg two and from there they were never caught. Emelia Gorecka (Chris Thompson) was next up to extend the lead and Louise Small (Woods) had the easy job of anchoring the team to glory. Leeds City put up a valiant chase, finishing just 30 seconds back, with Swansea Harriers third. Running the final leg for 13^th placed Chelmsford, Jess Judd (Mick Judd) was the quickest individual, some 15 seconds faster than anyone else, showing she’s in great early season form.

In the men’s race it was Swansea who prevailed, over a minute clear of their nearest rivals Tonbridge AC, with Lincoln Wellington stepping up to secure bronze. Swansea took the lead on leg three, a position in which they held until the finish; Dewi Griffiths (Kevin Evans) phenomenal 16.40 on anchor, the fastest leg of the day by some margin, ensuring gold.

Tonbridge moved through the field steadily through the race, Christopher Olley’s (Mark Hookway) 17.17 final leg, fourth fastest on the day, bagging them bronze. Just four seconds behind came a well-balanced Lincoln team, just 30 seconds separating their fastest and slowest runners, with Aldershot just four seconds back in fourth.

In young athletes races Aldershot took two further titles, the U17 men and U13 boys, with Liverpool Harriers winning the U17 women’s event. Hillingdon took the U15 boys title, whilst Blackheath & Bromley secured the girls equivalent and Vale Royal won the U13 girls category.

Results

FSU Invitational, Tallahassee, Florida, USA, 6 October

Representing the hosts, Florida State University, Jodie Judd (Mick Judd) and Michael Callegari put in good performances to finish second and fifth in the women’s and men’s races respectively.

Results