@ATHLETICSWEEKLY
No cross-country equality in Hampshire
n THE Alton Sports Hampshire Cross-Country League has voted
against a proposal from Reading Road Runners to equalise racing
distances for men and women.
The idea was rejected at its AGM on the grounds it would result in
fewer women taking part, while the league has also voted to raise the
women’s masters age from 35 to 40.
Woolven on
comeback trail
n PIPPA WOOLVEN’s fine run to
finish 35th at the World Cross in
Aarhus came at a price as she
injured her foot at the event
and is hoping to make her
comeback to racing soon.
British Athletics Performance review
n TIME is running out to have your say when it comes to how the
British Athletics elite athlete programme is run. The governing body
has a questionnaire on its website but the chance to post your view
closes on July 14.
Irish sprinter Reardon dies
n JIMMY REARDON, the former Irish 400m record-holder and 1948
Olympian, has died in Dublin aged 93.
Van Niekerk sidelined again
n WAYDE VAN NIEKERK has suffered an injury set-back and is likely
to miss the rest of the Diamond League season but the world 400m
record-holder hopes to be fit for the World Championships and as
the defending champion he has a wild card for Doha.
Coe heads for another term as IAAF president
n SEB COE is set to be re-elected as president of the IAAF for a
second four-year term. He was unopposed when the deadline for
nominations closed last week.
THE eyes of the world will be on Eliud
Kipchoge when he attempts to break
two hours for the marathon in Vienna in
October (see p8) but the feat was achieved
by runners from Sunderland Strollers last
week.
The club was inspired to try to break two
hours after one of their members tried –
and failed – to run a lap at two-hour pace.
So club coach Kevin Doherty set up the
challenge with around 36 runners mainly
doing 100m each in a relay.
Alyson Dixon, the Olympic marathoner,
even stepped in to help out. “I ended up
throwing in 3x200m legs as people started
to tire and needed a little more rest in
between,” she told AW.
They succeeded with 1:52:20 and Dixon
adds: “Everyone loved it, though many are
still complaining of sore hamstrings!
“It gave them a good appreciation of how
fast the top guys really move.”
Doherty added: “The idea came from
a club member and initially everyone
laughed but we sat down and did the sums
and realised that with focus we could
achieve the target.
“I’m grateful to the timekeepers and
marshals without whom this fabulous
achievement wouldn’t have been possible.”
Club member Dan Anderson described
it as “the best club event I’ve done despite
being the hardest thing I’ve done ... an ultra
across the Lakes is easier than this, but we
all worked hard and achieved our target.”
There were also a few injuries, including
a dislocated shoulder, but Dixon says other
clubs have shown interest in having a go
and there is talk of setting up another relay
in the north-east of England for charity.
In brief
’
Quote of the Week
’
I cannot say I’ve been victimised.
I think I set an example. I think I’m
in this world for a reason ...
I would say I’m a saviour
CASTER SEMENYA after setting a
Pre Classic 800m meet record
Sunderland
Strollers ran
1:52:20 in
marathon
relay
IAN TATE & JASON CLEMENT
What’s on TV
n Friday July 5
Diamond League, Stanford, highlights – Eurosport 4pm
Diamond League, Lausanne, live – Eurosport 7pm
n Saturday July 6
Weight of a Nation, look-back at Sydney 2000 – Sky Sports Mix 12.30pm
n Sunday July 7
Wings of an Eagle, the story of Billy Mills – Sky Sports Action 7.30am
Games of Change, Mexico 1968 – Sky Sports Arena 8.15am
Strolling to a sub-2hr
marathon