A team of six athletes travelled to the Valencia 10k to represent England in one of the world’s fastest 10k road races.
Samantha Harrison (coach: Vince Wilson; club: Charnwood) finished 6th and moved to 4th on the UK all time rankings with a stunning 30:51, taking another 19 seconds off the PB she set at the England 10k Championships in December.
Jacob Allen (Steve McGowan, Highgate) also set a big new personal best to clock 28:45, backing up his fine silver medal at the England champs at Telford.
Lucy Reid (Tonbridge, Richard Owen) recovered from being involved in a mass fall at the start line to produce a brilliant performance with her 2nd fastest 10k to finish 18th in 32:54.
Intercounties XC Champion Calum Johnson (Gateshead) was another man in PB form as he knocked 21 seconds off his previous best to run 28:49 for 40th in an exceptionally strong field.
Finishing just behind Calum in 42nd was England 10k champion Alexander Leprêtre (Ben Pochee, Highgate) who completed a fantastic set of PBs for the men running 28:51. Calli Thackery was unable to compete due to illness.
Amelia Quirk (Mick Woods, Bracknell AC/Birmingham Uni) — who did not compete for England on the day — also turned in an excellent performance with a time of 31:49, putting her in 11th place and 16th on the UK all-time list for the 10k.
Team leader Jo Wilkinson said; “It was fantastic to see such positive results despite some challenging circumstances. The professionalism and determination of the team was outstanding and it was great to see the bond and connection that developed between them across the weekend.”
The 10k Valencia Ibercaja was a part of England Athletics’ programme of team and selection opportunities which provide athletes the chance to build international experience and represent their country at the highest level.