European 10K Road Race Champs and Milton Keynes Marathon

The highlight of a busy post-London Marathon week was Jem O’Flaherty’s magnificent sixth place over 10k in the European U20 Road Race Championships in Northern Italy in a time of 31:54 – leading the team to bronze medal position. There was an excellent 3000m PB (8:30) for Jem’s Heathside teammate Liam Garrett and yet another fast marathon for Jim Connell in Milton Keynes (3:02:56) – just two weeks after running the Boston Marathon.

Trofeo Opitergium European U20 10km Road Race Champs, Oderzo, Italy, May 1

Jem O’Flaherty continued his wonderful season by taking sixth place in this event in a PB time of 31:54. Jem led an England team that took the bronze medal in the championships, just pipping Axon Valley’s Max Davis on the line (they both had the same time). Jem has another year in the age group. Big congratulations to his coach, Kabir Kemp.

Milton Keynes Marathon and Half Marathon, Monday May 6

Four Heathsiders ran in the marathon and two in the half. First home was Jim Connell, in an excellent time of 3:02:56 – just 15 days after he ran the Boston Marathon. Next home was Holly Fenton in 3:30:33. Here’s Jim’s report:

‘I sneaked off to Milton Keynes for a sneaky “secret” marathon on Monday! After my “Sunburn in Boston” I was envious of all the London Marathoners with their cool breezy running conditions last Sunday. After getting back from Boston I was frantically seeking a race where I could put my spring training to good use. I stumbled across the MK Marathon. I went undercover in a plain red vest, to do a job: run a solid GFA qualifying time and execute a good race. I did just that going off at a touch slower than three-hour pace and reeling in faster runners for most of the race. There was no larking around like I usually do. The weather was perfect and it was a perfect race for me with my best performance at this distance in a few years.

‘You start and finish at MK Dons Football stadium which is really good. You go off with the half marathoners and split at seven miles. At that point it’s very quiet and quite a dull race really, with some annoying hairpins, tow paths, underpasses and cycle paths that all contribute to disrupting your cruise control. If I had gone at sub3 pace it would have been a bridge too far. I’m more than happy with this performance and left it all out there. Back in London 2020! (job done). Five other Heathsiders also took part in the Marathon and the Half:

BMC PB Classic, Millfield, May 4

Seventeen-year-old Liam Garrett put in a fine PB in the 3000 meters, in a time of 8:30:59. This put him in 9th place in a highly competitive event. He has two years to go as an U20. His 15-year-old sister, Rose Garrett, running as an U17, ran an impressive 4:51:61 in the 1500m race.

Regent’s Part 10km, Sunday May 5

Five Heathside veterans ran in the Regent’s Park 10km and all did well in their age categories. First home was Doug Rendle in 37:24, the third V40. He was followed by Jonathan Shipley in 37:40 and Tony Killilea in 39:57 (4th V50). Carl Heap in 46:09 was the second V60 and Tony Chin in 48:35 was the third V60.

Thames Valley Harriers Open Meeting, Wednesday May 1

William Ross won the 800 meters race in 2:05:56 and Pete Crockford (V60) came 7th. Pete reports: ‘It was billed as an open graded meeting, but I’m not too sure about the grading given Will and I in same heat (of 3). Cold and windy; not very pleasant.’
London Mini Marathon – missing names

We left out a few names from the report last week- Stan Hasson, Max Deasy (U13 boys) and Ella Conlon (U17 women). Their results are below.

Parkruns

Seventy-five Heathsiders took part in 26 Parkruns on Saturday with wins for Seyfu Jamaal in Pymmes (15:42) Keith Burrows in Western Springs (17:26). Annabel Llitchfield in Finsbury Park (20:15), Lily Woolcock in Temple Newsam (20:46) Eilidh Wagstaff in Ally Pally and Jackie Wastell in Lannydrock (24:32). Full Heathside results here.

Results

Trofeo Opitergium European U20 10km Road Race Champs, Oderzo, Italy, May 1
6th Jem O'Flaherty 31:54

Milton Keynes Marathon and Half Marathon, Monday May 6
Marathon
Pos Bib Time Name Cat.
66 2284 3:02:56 James Connell MV40
287 1302 3:30:33 Holly Fenton FSEN
999 1765 4:16:31 Michael Hickey MV50
1280 1257 4:37:54 Danny Maher MV60

Half Marathon
1638 5834 2:12:44 Jill Gundry FV55
2005 5827 2:23:43 Louise Cripps FV55

BMC PB Classic, Millfield, May 4

1500m 7th F Race Rose Garrett (U17W) 4:51.61
3000m 9th A Race Liam Garrett (U20M) 8:30.59 PB

Regent’s Part 10km, Sunday May 5
6th Doug Rendle 37:24 (3rd V40)
11th Jonathan Shipley 37:40 (6th V40)
32nd Tony Killilea 39:57 (4th V50)
108th Carl Heap 46:09 (2nd V60)
159th Tony Chin 48:35 (3rd V60)

Thames Valley Harriers Open Meeting, Wednesday May 1
1st William Ross Snr 2:05.56
7th Pete Crockford V60 2:37.58

London Mini Marathon – missing names
U13 Boys
156th Stan Hasson (Isl) 19:35
172nd Max Deasy (Isl) 19:50

U17 Women
127th Ella Conlon (Har) 21:39

Report by Gavin Evans. Thanks to Simon Baker, Jim Connell, Jonathan Shipley and Pete Crockford.