Fionnuala McCormack triumphs in Abbotstown as sister Una Britton is third

A report on the Liverpool Cross Challenge, which incorporated the GB Euro Cross trials, can be found here, while coverage of Jess Piasecki’s 2:25:29 Florence Marathon win to move to third on the British women’s marathon all-time list is here. Other recent highlights are below.

Irish Life Health National Cross Country Championships, Abbotstown, November 24

Fionnuala McCormack won the women’s 8km race with her sister, Una Britton, in third, while Liam Brady claimed the senior men’s 10km crown.

McCormack ran away with the race early on and won in 28:41 from Mary Mulhare in 30:22 and Britton in 30:32.

There was a swift U-turn after the finish for McCormack as she left the course and sprinted back down alongside the finishing straight to cheer on her sister to her first senior cross country medal.

Sister sister! ?

Gold and bronze medallists Fionnuala McCormack and Una Britton react after the national cross country ?????

"It's a great day for our family, our club." pic.twitter.com/pggcHPl4vn

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) November 24, 2019

In the senior men’s race there was a good lead pack for the first half until Brady pulled clear and held off Brian Fay, the first under-23 athlete, by five seconds. Sean Tobin finished third in 33:05.

It is Brady’s first national senior title to add to under-20 and under-23 crowns and after running 32:50 he said: “I wanted it. I badly, badly wanted it.”

Cross Internacional de la Constitución, Alcobendas, Spain, November 24

Burundi’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo won the senior men’s 10.080km in 29:23 ahead of Uganda’s Thomas Ayeko (29:27) and his fellow Burundian Rodrique Kwizera (29:31).

Kenya’s Eva Cherono won the senior women’s 8.040km in 27:10 from Bahrain’s 2017 world marathon champion Rose Chelimo (27:31) and Portugal’s Mariana Machado (27:39).

NCAA Cross Country Championships Division One, Indiana, USA, November 23

The men’s winner was Edwin Kurgat of Iowa State. Britain’s Patrick Dever finished 11th and helped Tulsa University to fifth place in the team standings, while Euan Makepeace was 15th as first scorer for Butler University.

In the women’s race, New Mexico’s Hannah Nuttall was the first British athlete home in 35th place. European under-23 10,000m sixth-placer Jodie Judd was 62nd for Florida State and Utah’s Poppy Tank 74th.

The race was won by Weini Kelati for New Mexico.

Warandecross, Tilburg, Netherlands, November 24

Denmark’s Anna Emilie Møller, a student at St Mary’s University in Twickenham, won the senior women’s 8km by half a minute, clocking 26:48 ahead of Georgia’s Valeriya Zhandarova (27:19). Sweden’s Samrawit Mengsteab was third (27:35).

The senior men’s 10km was won by home favourite Mike Foppen in 30:01 ahead of ANA athlete Rinas Akhmadeyev in 30:02. Italy’s Nekganet Crippa, the older brother of Yemaneberhan, was third in 30:04.

La Rochelle Marathon, France, November 24

Kenya’s Emmanuel Oliaulo ran 2:08:22 for the race’s second fastest ever winning time. Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta was second in 2:11:26.

Marion Kibor completed a Kenyan double by winning the women’s race in 2:29:56 ahead of Eunice Muchiri in 2:31:38.

Tuskys Great 10km, Eldoret, Kenya, November 24

World under-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto and world 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tiropwon in 28:23.8 and 32:22.2 respectively.

Wolverton 5, Milton Keynes, November 24

Leopoldo Burguete won the men’s race in 24:11 ahead of Liam Dee with 24:22.

Rafaela Fonseca claimed the women’s race win in 28:43 ahead of Elle Roche in 29:30.

Great win for Leopoldo Burguete at the Wolverton 5 in MK. Finishing in 24.11 ahead of Liam Dee (24.22). First MKAC man to win in 55 year history of the race!! Podium completed by Paul Mizon (24.44). I came 7th in PB 26.04. @FastRunning @AthleticsWeekly Pic Brian Graves. pic.twitter.com/DwrU4aSzuq

— Running Elliot (@runningelliot) November 24, 2019

Fraternity & Sorority Cups, Trent Park, November 23

Alex Lepretre won his third successive Fraternity Cup, while Lucy Anne Charles led all the way in the Sorority Cup over the approximately 5-mile course.

Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets won the team awards.

South of the Thames Team Race, Morden Park, November 23

Aldershot club-mates Joe Morwood and Emily Wicks took the individual honours on an overcast and damp day.

Kent AC dominated the team contests, taking three of the top four places in the men’s race and also winning the women’s event.

Gloucester 10km, November 24

Jonathan Hopkins took the men’s title in 29:27 ahead of Peter Le Grice in 29:53, while Rachel Felton won the women’s race in 34:37 from Heidi Tregenza in 35:47.