Olympic marathoner clocks 3:07:20 to break the world record and lead a GB 1-2 in Romania

Britain’s Aly Dixon has won gold at the IAU 50km World Championships in Brasov, Romania, also breaking the world record for the distance in her very first ultra marathon.

The Olympic marathoner clocked 3:07:20 to take the title on Sunday, leading a GB one-two ahead of Helen Davies, who ran 3:09:16. Spain’s Alicia Perez claimed bronze in 3:15:09.

Top 3 Women (provisional results)
1. Alyson Dixon (GBR) 3.07.20
2. Helen Davies (GBR) 3.09.16
3. Alicia Perez (ESP) 3.15.09 pic.twitter.com/zHXJeXeref

— IAU (@iaunews) September 1, 2019

Another individual medal for the GB team was claimed by Dan Nash as he finished third in 2:49:01 in a men’s race won by Spain’s Iraitz Arrospide in 2:47:42. South Africa’s Lungile Gongqa was second in 2:48:26.

Nash’s time improves the GB record of 2:53:41 set by former Olympic marathoner Jeff Norman in 1985.

A total of 17 athletes finished inside three hours in the men’s event, including Nash’s team-mates Paul Martelletti (2:55:39) and Alex Milne (2:56:20), who placed 14th and 15th respectively.

Kevin Rojas clocked 3:01:22 in 20th.

Behind Dixon and Davies, Julie Briscoe completed the team scoring for GB, clocking 3:22:57 in ninth, while Hannah Oldroyd ran 3:26:00 for 12th and Dani Nimmock clocked 3:30:22 for 20th.

Dixon, who has a best of 2:29:06 for 26.2 miles, or 42.195km, led from the start and went through 23km in 85 minutes before clocking 2:32:58 through the 41km checkpoint.

Crossing the finish line with 3:07:20 on the clock, the 40-year-old takes more than a minute off the previous world record of 3:08:39 set by South Africa’s Frith van der Merwe in 1989.

Dixon will be returning to the roads next weekend with another world record in mind as she attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest superhero to run a half-marathon. Back on home soil, she’ll race the Simplyhealth Great North Run dressed as Wonder Woman.

More to follow…