19 May 2017

British Athletics 10,000m trials for the London 2017 IAAF World Championships take place at the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs at Parliament Hill, London, tomorrow night (Saturday 20 May), in an event that allows FREE entry to spectators and offers the unique opportunity of being able to stand on the competition track and cheer on British athletes from Lane Three.

Headlining the unique event and hoping to qualify for her sixth World Championships is Jo Pavey.  The 43-year old World Championship medallist has dropped back down to the 10,000m after hopes to qualify for the marathon were dashed when she pulled out of the London Marathon at the 16 mile mark in April.

Last year’s surprise winner, Jess Martin (née Andrews), also returns to Parliament Hill and will be joined by Sonia Samuels, who competed in the marathon for Great Britain at the Rio Olympic last summer, Beth Potter and Kate Avery.

The men’s field includes defending champion Ross Millington and Andy Vernon, both of whom represented Great Britain at the Rio Olympic Games in the 10,000m last year, along with Welshman Dewi Griffiths, who was the second Brit home at the event in 2016.

The first two British runners in each race will automatically be selected for the World Championships, providing they also achieve the qualifying standard of 27:45 for men and 32:15 for women – with reigning World Champion Mo Farah already pre-selected.

Now in its fifth year, the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs starts with an inter-schools relay at 13:30 followed by five races, and a VIP seminar at 18:30 – guest speakers at this year’s event include the IAAF president Seb Coe, world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe and snooker World Champion and amateur runner Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The British Championships/London Trial races commence at 20:15 for the women and 21:00 for the men.

Event info: https://www.highgateharriers.org.uk/hh_10000_timetable2017.html