The SOAR MK5000m PB Special, held on another hot day, produced some remarkable results. Of the 151 finishers in the 5000m 84 (56%) achieved a new personal best despite the conditions. Times were also taken at 3000m and of the 161 athletes that completed 7.5 laps, 48 (30%) achieved a PB at 3000m!
In the elite women’s race the first 3 dipped under 16 minutes with the winner Georgie Grgec set a new personal best of 15:51.54, with runner-up Elle Twentyman also improving to 15:58.39, with both athletes ducking under 16 minutes for the first time.
The elite men’s race had something to live up to after last year’s event where Jack Rowe set a new stadium record of 13:41.40 and five men went under 14 minutes. The runners set of with serious intent with 3000m reached in 8:10.64. Charlie Wheeler piled on the pressure over the last five laps and was rewarded with a new personal best and a new stadium record of 13:38.67. Seven more men ducked under 14 minutes with Rich Allen just missing out! Eight of the 14 finishers in the elite men’s race set new personal bests.
Congratulations to all who ran well despite the conditions.
Full results at 5000m (and at 3000m) from Stantonbury
62 Pictures of the races by Brian Graves
Pictures by Justin More to follow. Email contact jhmimages@gmail.com