In near perfect conditions in Perth, Scotland, on Sunday, England’s Matt Dickenson (Clapham Chasers) and Scotland’s Jo Murphy (unattached ) claimed the British 100km championship titles.
Seven men broke the magical seven-hour barrier and three ladies ran under eight hours, while many tuns set PBs.
Matt Dickenson wins debut 100km
It was Matt’s first 100km road race and he maintained a steady pace from the start, which saw him take the lead at around 60km. He finished in 6:39:34 and broke Charlie Harpur’s 2019 course record by almost four minutes.
Scotland’s Jason Kelly (Metro Aberdeen) was second in 6.42:23, while England’s Ollie Garrod (South London Harriers) took third place in 6:46:50.
Gareth King was forth in 6:47:33 and set a new Ireland and also a Northern Ireland 100km record.
Jo Murphy holds strong pace to win 100km
In the women’s race, former champion Sam Amend and her English team partner Caroline Turner led from the start and through 50km. Jo set her own pace but was only a few minutes behind by half way. She went on to be the stronger runner showing good pace judgement to run a negative split and finished first in 7:41:12.
Her time was a PB by almost 10 minutes and smashed the long-held course record of 8:00:30 set by of former GB international Emily Gelder in 2011. Sam took second in 7:48:39, also a PB, with Caroline, who was running her first 100km, finishing third in 7:51:39.
The Norman Wilson Trophies for the best newcomers were taken by Matt and Caroline.
Jason Kelly wins Scottish title
In the Scottish Championship, Jason Kelly triumphed over club mate Chris Richardson, who won in 2021. This means the Scottish title and the Don Ritchie trophy remain in the north-east but in a different household.
Chris had the satisfaction of improving his PB by almost 10 minutes to take second Scot but in this high quality field it was only good enough for seventh overall. Ron Turner took bronze in the Scottish Championship.
Jo Murphy retained her women’s title and the Don Ritchie Trophy. Behind her, Fife AC’s Alison McGill made a huge breakthrough finishing fifth overall and second scot in 8:02:34. She just missed the GB team standard. Lynne Allen (Kirkintilloch) was third in 8:41:40.
England win Anglo Celtic Plate Team Competition
In the Anglo Celtic Plate Team Competition, the England teams won both the male and female races. Scotland took second place in both categories with Northern Ireland taking third men’s teams and Ireland winning third ladies’ team.
Scottish Men’s Masters 100km
1.Rob Turner ( Musselburgh )
2. Peter Tucker (Inverclyde)
3. Dave Andrews (Metro)
Scottish Women’s Masters
1. Alison McGill (Fife AC)
2. Jo Newens (RRC).
3. Fiona Gibson (Dundee Hawkhill).