Gemma Steel in winning form at Great North 10km
Written by I Dig Sports![](https://athleticsweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Gemma-Steel.jpg)
UK-wide endurance running round-up includes the Ogi Porthcawl 10km and Bridges of the Tyne 5-miler
OGI PORTHCAWL 10km, Porthcawl, Wales, July 7
Tumultuous weather didnt deter athletes with a new mens record set by Birchfields Omar Ahmed at 29:09, his third victory in the Run 4 Wales 10km series.
The wet and windy conditions gave way to sunshine on this coastal course, during the race, as 47 seconds were hacked from Josh Griffiths 2019 record.
Omar said: I was feeling good but at the beginning of the race it was windy, raining and very wet, so I was a bit scared but, eventually, I managed to get warm and Im so happy to win.
Welshman Dewi Griffiths, who recently reset his lifetime best at the Great Manchester Run, was hot on his heels for most of the race securing second place with a time of 29:15, despite recovering from illness.
He said: I wanted a bit of an honest race to blow the cobwebs out and see where I was at. Ive had a turbulent week and been on antibiotics most of the time but I decided to run on Friday, to give it a go and see what happens. I felt alright out there until Omar kicked in at about 8km and that was it then.
Previous course record holder and former UK marathon champion, Josh Griffiths, narrowly took third place with 29:48 ahead of Seyfu Jamaal.
Porthcawl 10km
In the womens race it was Les Croupiers Alaw Evans, who previously came third in the series opener in Newport in April, who claimed victory with a time of 34:51 ahead of Louise Smalls 35:26.
Evans said: It was really windy and I forgot how many hills there were so I just ran my own race. I got to 7km and saw the leader (Small) so thought Id just keep doing my own thing. I managed to catch up with her and there was really good support all around the course.
Deep in the field there was a personal best 40:00 for David Gibson, the fourth ranked UK over-70 runner.
Overall: 1 O Ahmed (Bir) 29:09; 2 D Griffiths (Swan) 29:15; 3 J Griffiths (Swan) 29:48; 4 S Jamaal (Lon H) 29:51; 5 J Millar (B&W) 30:13; 6 K Taylor (B&W) 30:39; 7 K Omar (Bir) 30:53; 8 J Butler (Swan) 30:54; 9 D Hamilton (Ppridd) 31:06; 10 S Jewson (Croft) 31:53
M45: 1 P Matthews (P Bryn) 32:04
M55: 1 P Williams (Awyth) 35:59
M70: 1 D Gibson (Tri Hard) 40:00
Women: 1 A Evans Les C) 34:51; 2 L Small (SAFD) 35:26; 3 E ODea (Dees) 36:19
W45: 1 D Morris (Builth) 36:29; 2 L Flynn (Les C) 36:50
W55: 1 T Jenkins (Pcawl) 40:24
W60: 1 J Evans (Cphilly) 44:53
AJ BELL GREAT NORTH 10km, Gateshead, July 7
Inverness half-marathon winner John Bell made the trip south to take the race comfortably in 30:52 as Gemma Steel added to her recent wins at Leicester and Great Birmingham by taking the womens section in 34:23.
A total of 6000 runners set off from the Central Motorway start line before running through the sights of the city centre crossing the Tyne Bridge, taking in the views around Market Street and Greys Monument, Northumbria University and the Civic Centre before finishing on the Town Moor behind Exhibition Park.
Daniel Alexander, John Bell and Kieran Walker (GRC)
Overall: 1 J Bell (Iclyde) 30:52; 2 K Walker (NE Project) 31:26; 3 D Alexander (Gate) 32:50
M50: 1 L McEwan (Elvet) 36:04
M55: 1 F Rafferty (Sport W) 34:55
Women: 1 G Steel (Charm W35) 34:23; 2 K Maltby (Border, W35) 35:39; 3 P Williams (Hallam) 36:02
BALMY BICTON MT 10km, East Budleigh, Devon, July 7
Overall: 1 P Whylie (W Tempo, M45) 32:40
Women: 1 A Gill 36:25
CHESHIRE 10, Chorlton, Greater Manchester, July 7
Overall: 1 T Charles (Chorl, M40) 51:58; 2 N Barry (Sale) 52:35; 3 M Young (W Chesh) 53:36
M50: 1 N Brook (Eryri) 58:07
M55: 1 M Lynas (Macc) 61:51
Women: 1 J Marsden (Chesh Dr, W45) 61:49; 2 K Gough (Kilo) 63:08
W40: 1 N Reece (Wilm) 63:48
W50: 1 L Harrison (Wilm) 69:48
W60: 1 G Kinlock (Burnden) 74:36
W65: 1 N Mowatt (Wilm) 78:39
W80: 1 E Statham (Congle) 1:45:59
HALIFAX 10km, West Yorkshire, July 7
Overall: 1 D Smithers (Knaves, M50) 35:33
M50: 2 A Grinnell (St Ther) 36:13
M60: 1 D Parker (St Ther) 36:58
Women: 1 M Beever (Stainland, W45) 40:38
W60: 1 B Coomber (Denby D) 42:28
W65: 1 S Cordingley (Bing) 44:09
W70: 1 D Kesterton (Steel) 48:27
HOLLYBANK ECCUP 10, Leeds, West Yorkshire, July 7
Overall: 1 N Marsh (Leeds) 52:58; 2 D McKinnon (Goole) 53:32
M60: 1 M Hall (Ilk) 62:31
Women: 1 K Brown (Lon H) 61:51
W55: 1 A Spencer (Valley St) 69:35
LORDSHILL 10km, Hampshire, July 7
Overall: 1 J Copeland (SC Vets, M40) 31:59
Women: 1 E Monks (Soton, W40) 36:25
W45: 1 L Locks (AFD) 37:16
MAGNIFICENT 7, Saltash, Cornwall, July 7
Overall: 1 J Rowe (Corn) 37:41; 2 T Moreton (N&P) 37:58
Women: 1 E Paull (Hayle, W35) 46:56
NORTHBROOK 10km, July 7
Overall: 1 I Allen (Spa) 31:44
M45: 1 T Foulerton (Leam) 34:43
Women: 1 Z Hadfield (Leam, W5) 39:18
RUGELEY 10, Staffordshire, July 7
Overall: 1 L Gratton (Rugeley) 52:22
M40: 1 C Moulton (Boalloy) 56:33
Women: 1 A Kelly (Stoke, W35) 67:53
W50: 1 J Stanfield (Trenth) 68:43
RUNNING GP HALF-MARATHON AT GOODWOOD, West Sussex, July 7
Overall: 1 A McCaskill 69:10
M45: 1 J Baker (Chich R) 72:39
M65: 1 R Miles 94:55
Women: 1 N Seymour (THH, W35) 79:42
SHREWSBURY 10km Shropshire, July 7
Overall: 1 B McINtosh (Vale R) 32:17; 2 J Bennett (Bir) 32:31; 3 J Lambie Shrews) 32:42
M40: 1 J Brain 33:35
Women: 1 R Carter 36:07
W50: 1 J Cook (Shrews) 39;47
HOLKHAM 10km, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, July 6
Overall: 1 B Kruze (Strat, M40) 32:52
M50: 1 T Mardall (R Next Sea) 36:36
Women: 1 L Finch (Bure) 37:45
NEWPORT PAGNELL CARNIVAL 5km, Buckinghamshire, July 6
Overall: 1 M Elbayan (Stops) 15:07
M50: 1 M Aldridge (Woott RR) 15:41
M60: 1 B Benson (Hunc) 17:46
M70: 1 J Skelton (Mil K) 19:24
Women: 1 K Hayes (R&N) 17:54
W50: 1 H Heley (Silson) 18:53
W55: 1 J Martin (Redway) 21:11
W70: 1 Y Gordon (FVS) 22:23
GREAT BENTLEY FRIDAY 5, Essex, July 5
Before the pandemic Paul Whittaker was quite a prolific racer but in recent years has limited his outings to no more than a handful and his fifth win of 2024 here was just his 17th outing in four years.
It was a comfortable one as the former Southend multi-team medalled youth athlete won by 14 seconds, over Jack Nixon in 24;36.
Clare Jacobs took the womens section in 28:21 from Heidi Hogan-Steele in her second win of the series.
Overall: 1 P Whittaker (RRC) 24:36; 2 J Nixon (C&C) 24;50; 3 A Gladley (C&T) 25:16
M40: 1 D Rock (Felix) 26:25
M55: 1 M Allen (Ips J) 29:14
M65: 1 R Wold (Felix) 32:52
M70: 1 N Clarke (New J) 35:49
U20: 1 B Barber (Ips H) 25:26
TEAM: 1 Felixstowe 29
Women: 1 C Jacobs (Hleigh, W35) 28:21; 2 H Hogan=Steele (Col H) 29:38; 3 K King (St Ed) 29:51
W45: 1 H Weir (Col H) 32:46
W50: 1 J Carnham (Stow) 34:33
W60: 1 V Jennings Ips J) 37:09
W65: 1 S Lockhart (Ips J) 38:31
W70: 1 L Tanner (Sfield) 44:20
TEAM: 1 Colchester H 27
SALE SIZZLERS 5km Series, Race 2, Wythenshawe Park, Greater Manchester, July 5
Gavyn Chalmers was just 10 seconds outside his best when winning by 18 seconds in 14:35, as Martha Tibbot took the womens race in 16:44, her first outing over the distance.
Deep in the field, former marathon international and long-time Altrincham servant Jeff Norman was top M75 in 25:45.
Overall: 1 G Chalmers (Leeds) 14:35; 2 J Martin (Hallam) 14:53; 3 R Moore (Vale R) 15:11
M40: 1 T Charles (Chorl) 15:13
M50: 1 A Pickford (Alt) 17:10
M55: 1 R Johnson (Alt) 16:55; 2 D Bennett (Roch) 16:57
M60: 1 R Evans (Alt) 17:43; 2 S Watmough (Warr) 18:00
M70: 1 M Curley (Chorl) 19:58
M75: 1 J Norman (Alt) 25:45
U20: 1 F Dale (Sale) 15:26; 2 G Noble (Sale) 15:28
Women: 1 M Tibbot (Saddle) 16:44; 2 C Davies (Preston, W35) 16:52; 3 J Walsh (Leeds) 17:04
W50: 1 J Peck (Vale R) 21:31
W55: 1 D Broad (Vale R) 21:01; 2 S Evans (Chorl) 21:10; 3 K Wood-Doyle (Stock) 21:23
W60: 1 C Higgs (Trenth) 20:25; 2 G Richardson (Stock) 21:55; 3 B Jackson (Alt) 22:51
W65: 1 C Burns (CleM) 21:57; 2 J Cordingley (Sale) 21:46; 3 A Ashton (Marple) 23:35
W75: 1 A Dinsmore (Stock) 28:28
ASSEMBLEY LEAGUE 5km, Sutcliffe Park, London, July 4
Overall: 1 L Laylee (Stock E) 15:38
M50: 1 A Bond (Dulw R) 15:56; 2 P Sanders (Kent) 16:13
Women: 1 E Freden (Kent) 18:16
W45: 1 D OBrien (Kent) 19:12
W50: 1 N Gaudillat (Beck) 20:00; 2 M Lennon (Dulw R) 20:47
W55: 1 O Balme (Dulw R) 21:21; 2 R Baker (Camb H) 21:34; 3 D Mewis (Beck) 21:39
W70: 1 R Tabor (Dulw R) 26:14
SCOTTS MIDWEEK LEAGUE 10km multi terrain, Div 1, Race 4, Trent Park, London, July 4
Overall (10km MT): 1 C Dockerill (St Alb) 33:14
M40: 1 S Buckle (St Alb) 34:09
M50: 1 S Aiken (Trent P) 36:30
M60: 1 M Campbell (St Alb) 41:24
TEAM: 1 St Albans 210; 2 Orion 263; 3 Trent P 381
M40 TEAM: 1 Orion 51; 2 Trent P 78; 3 St Albans 88
Final standings
TEAM: 1 St Albans 17
M40 TEAM: 1 Orion 18
Women: 1 F Weddell (St Alb) 38:13
W55: 1 P Habbick (St Alb) 41:17
W70: 1 Y Gordon (FVS) 51:14
TEAM: 1 St Albans 67; 2 NHRR 152; 3 Trent P 175
W35 TEAM: 1 St Albans 25; 2 NHRR 26; 3 Trent P 44
Final standings
TEAM: 1 St Albans 18S
W35 TEAM: 1 Sta Albans 18
EMGP Corby 5, Northamptonshire, July 3
Overall: 1 H Arnell (R&N) 26:16
M60: 1 A Green (North Tri) 31:15
TEAM: 1 R&N 1:50;15
M40 TEAM: 1 R&N 1:53:58
WOMEN: 1 A Lambert (Bed C) 30:42
W45: 1 K Godof (Olney) 31:45
W50: 1 H Heeley (Silson) 33:16
W55: 1 A Cobb &R&N) 36:07
W60: 1 K Bond (Dav) 37:53
W65: 1 J Hill (Squirrels) 40:34
W75: 1 A Copson (R&N) 42:28
TEAM (3 to score): 1 R&N 1:41:52
W35 TEAM: 1 R&N 1:49:50
PITSTOP 10km, Darlington, Tyne & Wear, July 3
Overall: 1 J Lonsdale (Worksop) 32;10
TYNEDALE PIE & PEAS 10km, Prudhoe, Northumberland, July 3
Overall: 1 D Hastie (Gala, M40) 31:51; 2 J Anderson (NSP) 32:38
M60: 1 R Tailford (Tyne Br) 39:39
Women: 1 B Hewitson (Derw) 40:36; 2 K Stevenson (Tyne Br, W50) 41:05; 3 J Johnston (Gala, W50) 42:11
TEMPO MIDWEEK 5km, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, July 3
Overall: 1 I Allen (Spa) 15:12
Women: 1 R Gifford (Leam) 18:16
W55: 1 K Wright (Strat) 18:54; 2 S Hewitson (Bville) 21:12
W65: 1 J Kidd (Kenil) 23:22
VIC MUSGROVE 5km, Telford, Shropshire, July 3
Overall: 1 L Vine (Tip) 15:18
M40: 1 J Carter (BRAT) 15:27
M50: 1 P Jones (Shrews) 15:51
M70: 1 P Hough (Shrop) 20:27
M75: 1 I Day (Shrop) 25:17
Women: 1 H Carruthers (Tip) 17:30
W45: 1 S Hawkins (Lawley) 18:48; 2 C Martin (Telf) 19:32
W50: 1 N Shipp (Osw) 20:26; 2 R Coupe (Telf) 20:40
W60: 1 Y Hill (Osw) 22:36
W65: 1 B Cole 24:19
W70: 1 S Johnson Mercia) 26:12
WROXHAM 5km, Norfolk, July 3
Holly Archer, the 2021 European indoor silver medallist, ran 16:29 and just squeezed home ahead of Emily Ruanes personal best 16:29.
There was a bigger PB for Michael Clark, in the mens race, as the under-17 South of England cross-country second placer ran 15:05.
Overall: 1 M Clark (Norw, U17) 15:05; 2 J Senior (Norw) 15:12; H Alcock (Notts U) 15:14
M45: 1 G Crush (Norw) 15:37
M50: 1 S Mann (Norw) 16:54
M55: 1 D Honour 18:12
M60: 1 T Lake (Wym) 18:12
M75: 1 K Youngs (Norf G) 22:28
U20: 2 B Eccles (Bure) 15:31
Women: 1 H Archer (C&C) 16:27; 2 E Ruane (Norw) 16:28; 3 E Grubb (Norw) 16:58; 4 S Barrett (Norw, U20) 17:01
W45: 1 C Cummings (Norw) 18:42
W55: 1 L Hurr (Norf G) 21:49
W60: 1 C Brown (Wym) 21;36
W65: 1 J Yardy (Norw RR) 24:45
W70: 1 P Sparrow (Ryst) 26:19
W75: 1 J Ashby (Ryst) 27:32
U20: 1 S Barrett (Norw) 17:01
YATELEY 10km Series, Race 2, Hampshire, July 3
Overall: 1 S Blake (AFD) 32;45
M40: 1 G Hooper 33:13
M60: 1 P Jewell (Read RR) 38:51
M70: 1 B Bradbury (Wok) 39:48
Women: 1 S Holt (Strag, W35) 37:17
W45: 1 L Locks (AFD) 37:58
W70: 1 J Georgiou (Farn R) 55:25
W75: 1 L Harkness (newb) 59:04
Bridges of the Tyne 5 (David Hewitson)
BRIDGES OF THE TYNE 5, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, July 2
In one of the few 5-mile races in the north east, Newcastles quayside played host on this out and back course along the river as Sunderland Harriers Stephen Jackson had a comfortable victory.
The north east masters cross-country champion was home ahead of Sam Hancox by 19 seconds in 25:15 to continue his unbeaten M40 streak.
Alex Sneddon, who ran in the British & Irish International Masters in Glasgow last autumn, made it a masters double by taking the womens section in her first 5-miler for 10 years.
Stephen Jackson (David Hewitson)
Overall: 1 S Jackson (Sund, M40) 25:15; 2 S Hancox (Morp) 25:34; 3 N Silence (NSP) 25:55
M60: 1 G Penn (NSP) 30:00
Women: 1 A Sneddon (J&H, W35) 29:03; 2 J Eaton (Tyne Br) 29:35; 3 D Foster (Tdale, W45) 30:26
W65: 1 H Robinson (J&H) 37:00; 2 H Raistrick (Elvet) 39:48
Alex Sneddon (David Hewitson)
FRAMPTON 10km, Gloucestershire, June 2
Overall: 1 L Stopford (Stroud) 31:42; 2 B Price (W Tempo, M40) 31:58
M50: 1 G Smith 34:31
M60: 1 C Phipps 38:07
Women: 1 J Gardner (Berkeley) 38:15
W50: 1 C Fowler (Chep) 40:45
W60: 1 D OConnor 47:51
W70: 1 J Wynds (FoD) 54:36
RUN EXE SUMMER 5km, Exeter, Devon, July 2
Josh Benfold won overall in 15:16 as, further back, Isaac Malton went to the top of the UK under 13 rankings for the year with 16:55.
There were good performances from older women as top ranked W65 for the year, with a 20:48 PB, Jenny Reay posted the second-best time of the year for her age group with 21:07 and Caroline Lavis went top of the years W75 lists with 24:55.
Overall: 1 J Benfold (Bide) 15:14
M50: 1 C Rees (Tav) 16:23
M70: 1 J Shapland (Bide) 20:40
U15: 1 T Glew (Torbay) 16:17
U13: 1 I Malton (SWRR) 16:55
Women: 1 T Beach (Corn) 17:16
W65: 1 J Reay (Exmth) 21:07
W75: 1 C Lavis (Yate) 24:55
YORK ROAD RACE LEAGUE, Wistow 10km, July 2
Overall: 1 J Firth (Tad) 31:06; 2 W Weatherill (Tad) 32:50
M40: 1 J Eaton (Tad) 33:15
M50: 1 D Smithers (Knaves) 35:05
Women: 1 C Mason (York) 36:22
W45: 1 S Davies (Ewold) 40:22
W55: 1 K Wood (York) 43:08