World Half Marathon Championships 2016

CONNELL AND TONY JOIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD IN CARDIFF.

The World Half Marathon Championships came to these shores on Saturday afternoon as the City of Cardiff played host to many elite athletes from countries including Kenya, Ethiopia and Japan, as well as our own Mo Farah, and in the world class field were 2 Kilmarnock Harriers who lined up alongside some greats of athletics.

Years of preparation for the event had meant that the organisers had put a huge effort into all aspects of the spectacle and one thing that came to fruition was the fact that they managed to lay on a fast, and mainly flat course in the hilly principality. One thing no-one could control however was the weather, and the good early conditions were tempered by severe gales in the last few miles for a number of runners meaning most pb hopes were dashed.

In a women’s race dominated by a 1-2-3 by the Kenyans, the Men’s event looked like following suit until a sprint finish ensured that Mo Farah did manage a 3^rd place finish which in an Olympic year was an excellent result.

In the Killie stakes however, hot on the heels of a new pb a couple of weeks ago, Connell Drummond wasn’t too far away from the 77.24 clocking he ran at Balloch. Connell stopped the clock in Cardiff in a fine 78.18 and a placing of 178^th overall. Tony also ran well, and with a sub 3 hour marathon to his name from not too long ago, the Kilmarnock man clocked 92.48 and just outside the top 1,000 in the World Championship event.

 

This Sunday (April 3^rd) sees the Scottish National Road Relays take place, and as has been the case for the past few years the venue is Livingston. Women are in teams of 4, with 6 athletes making up a men’s team and legs alternate between a short (3.15 mile) leg, and a long (5.8 mile) leg.

Please see Captain Paula Wilson for team selection details, and it should be noted that this is a pre entry only event and a large number of Kilmarnock Harriers will be taking part on the day.

More info at www.kilmarnockharriers.com