8th November 2010

Weekend Update

08 November 2010

Outstanding victories for David Weir in the ING New York Marathon and Ellie Greenwood in the IAU 100km World Championships were the weekend highlights.

New York Marathon, November 7

David Weir (coach: Jenny Archer), five years after his last appearance in New York, was delighted to win his first ING New York City Marathon wheelchair title on Sunday.

Australia’s Kurt Fearnley, who eventually finished third, set the pace in the early stages and the pack settled behind the four times winner until 15 miles when the field started to break up.

The race came down to a sprint finish between Weir and Japanese racer Masazumi Soejima but Weir timed his push for victory to perfection, winning by two seconds in 1:37:29.

"I’m so happy to win today, it means a lot to me as I have always dreamed of winning New York," he said. "My new racing chair has been great and my final preparations have been almost perfect, putting in the miles around Richmond Park every day.

“The key to this race was staying with Kurt Fearnley on the uphill stretches at the start. I’ve done so much hill work for this race, so it paid off!

“I want to thank all the people around me who have helped me to get back to where I belong, especially my coach Jenny Archer, my fiancé Emily and my family.

"I know that this win will give me a real boost now building towards the IPC World Championships in January."

Mara Yamauchi (coach Shige Yamauchi), the UK’s top ranked women’s marathoner in 2010, finished 13th in 2:31:38, while Claire Hallissey (coach: George Buckheit) – 18th in the recent IAAF World Half Marathon Championships – ran 2:36:13 on her marathon debut to finish 18th and went third in the POT rankings for 2010.

Results here: http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/Results.htm

IAU 100km World and European Championships

Ellie Greenwood raced to a brilliant victory in the IAU 100km World and European Championships in Gibraltar on Sunday clocking 7:29:05 to lead the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland women’s team to overall victory in both events.

Lizzy Hawker finished third in 7:33:26 to take World and European individual bronze with Emily Gelder in 15th (8:14:23).

Martin Matthews was the first home for the Aviva GB & NI men in 15th place (7:04:08) followed by Allen Smalls in 17th (7:05:09) and Matthew Lynas in 32nd (7:28:08), the top three packing well enough to take European team silver.

“This has been one of the most successful Championships we’ve had,” said Team Leader Anne Wilson; “it was phenomenal.”

“In addition to the exceptional athlete performances the whole team pulled together – I’d especially like to thank the physio for the vital part he played in such a tough physical event.”

Results here: http://www.iau-ultramarathon.org/

National Cross-country Relays, Mansfield, November 6

Bedford and County won the men’s race comfortably with Mark Draper (coach: Andy Hobdell) clocking the fastest individual leg of the race (14:58.25).

Charnwood won the women’s race leading all the way with three very even legs from Gemma Steel (10:00.30), Jane Potter (10:03.25) and Hannah Whitmore (coach: Bill Foster) (10:05.5).

Aldershot recorded the two fastest legs in the women’s race from the Mick Woods coached duo of Steph Twell (9:47.70) and Emma Pallant (9:56.25)

Results here: http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=72