Manchester Road Race, Connecticut, USA, 24 November

Chris Thompson (coach: Mark Rowland/Alan Storey) produced a brilliant performance on Thanksgiving Day across the Atlantic, finishing third in a high quality field. Racing over a peculiar 4.784 mile dstance, the Aldershot, Farnham & District athlete finished just four seconds behind winner Ben True, but four seconds ahead of Olympic 5,000m silver medallist Paul Chelimo.

In the women’s race Eilish McColgan (Liz McColgan-Nuttall), who had swapped Manchester, England for its American namesake, finished fifth in an equally high quality field. Won by Emily Sisson in 24.08, McColgan clocked 24.39 and was notably just five seconds down on two time marathon world champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya.

Results: http://www.flotrack.org/result/9237-2016-manchester-road-race

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 5K, California, USA, 24 November

In the other major Thanksgiving Day road race steeplechaser Rob Mullet (David Leach) clocked a road personal best over 5km. Eighth in 13.52, Mullet was some 20 seconds down on winner Morgan Pearson, showing the quality of the field.

Results: http://www.flotrack.org/result/9238-2016-silicon-valley-turkey-trot-5k