Ryan Takes Bronze Medal - 5,000m

The hottest weekend of the year so far with some parts of Britain hitting the 30 mark in temperature meant most were at the beach! RunnersLife athletes Ryan McLeod, Jonny Mellor and Lily Partridge though were racing at the UK Championships (incorporating the European Trials) in Birmingham which wasn't the best conditions for distance running.

Ryan McLeod took the bronze medal in the 5,000m behind winner and recent 'Guest Runner' Chris Thompson in a race that was slowed up by the hot conditions. Ryan went with the early pace and the field split quite early on. Chris Thompson pushed on at around 2,000m and Ryan was left to work on his own, it was all about position on a day like that and the times reflect the tough conditions.

1Chris THOMPSONAFD13:48.15

2Andy VERNONAFD14:01.14 

3Ryan MCLEODTIPTON14:12.03

4Matthew BARNESALTRINCHAM14:19.20

5Jon THEWLISROTHERHAM14:19.70

6Bruce RAESIDENOTTS14:20.52

7Michael SKINNERBLACKHEATH14:21.07

8Patrick MARTINSUNDERLAND14:27.41

9Tom RUSSELLB&W14:39.11

10Ben JONESCOVENTRY14:50.59

11Matthew BONDSALE14:51.44

12Matt DUMIGANSWANSEA15:03.47

13Matt BARNES SMITHWOODFORD G15:09.10

14Joshua GORECKIAFD15:17.08

Meanwhile in the men's 1500m Jonny Mellor got through the heats to make the final and was in the mix with a lap to go. After a slow start by the contenders, even leaving the pace maker to himself it wound up the last 800m. Jonny made a push to come around the pack at 200m to go and ran a very good race to come 7^th just behind former RunnersLife's athlete, Mark Draper.

1Andrew BADDELEYHARROW3:41.49

2Colin MCCOURTBOURNE'MTH3:41.95

3Nick MCCORMICKMORPETH3:42.52

4Tom LANCASHIREBOLTON3:42.53

5Lee EMANUELSHEFFIELD3:43.44

6Mark DRAPERBEDFORD3:43.70SB

7Jonathan MELLORLIVERPOOL3:44.43

8James THIECARDIFF3:45.31SB

9Shaun MORALEEDURHAM H3:46.01

10Alastair HAYCENTRAL3:47.18

11Ricky STEVENSONN MARSKE3:48.02

12Jermaine MAYSKENT3:52.12

Jonny Mellor far right (Heats)

In the Ladies 5,000m Lily Partidge was also taking on the tough conditions at the Alexander Stadium. RunnersLife 'Guest Runner' Freya Murray lead from gun to tape to take the title while Lily was working with a pack trying to get one of the medals. Again with the heat the times were not going to be fast but lily won't be happy not winning whatever the weather!

1Freya MURRAYCLeS15:48.75

2Laura KENNEYRSC15:54.57SB

3Justina HESLOPCLAPHAM CH16:23.24

4Lauren DEADMANH&M16:27.78

5Kate AVERYSHILDON16:30.31SB

6Natalie GRAYMEDWAY16:32.40

7Lily PARTRIDGEAFD16:33.49

8Hollie ROWLANDNORWICH16:34.58PB

9Emma PALLANTAFD16:37.30

10Hannah WHITMORECHARNWOOD16:37.94

11Sarah WALDRONSHAFT'BURY16:41.28

12Alexa JOELH&M16:43.72

13Elspeth CURRANKILB16:44.38

14Kate GOODHEADB&W17:04.38

15Kirsty MILNERTRAFFORD17:06.84

16Cathy ANSELLTELFORD17:07.61

17Bryony PROCTORBLACKHEATH17:12.19

18Sophie COLEMANPHOENIX17:30.64PB

Well done to the RunnersLife athletes and everyone who competed on the weekend.

RunnersLife Team