BMW Berlin Marathon, Germany, 24 September 2017 – Weekend update – Uka Athletics – News

Sonia Samuels (self-coached) produced a brilliant run in the German capital, seventh overall in a time of 2.29.34, despite extremely wet conditions. Third European across the line, that run marked her second time under the 2.30 barrier and showed that a summer of racing over the shorter distances has really paid dividends.

That time puts her third on the Power of 10, surely enough to earn her a spot on the England team for next April’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

There was similar success in the men’s race, Jonny Mellor (Steve Vernon) again defying the conditions to obliterate his old marathon best by almost four minutes as he crossed the line in 2.12.57. Not only was the Liverpool Harrier rewarded with a huge personal best but he sneaked into the top ten of a truly world class field. Now second on the Power of 10 and first Englishman, Mellor, like Samuels, will be hoping for Commonwealth Games selection next week.

Triathlete turned endurance runner Matt Sharp (Geoff Watkin) continued to make impressive strides forward, taking almost two minutes of his personal best, his 2.16.02 run good for 20^th position and sixth on the Power of 10.

Johnboy Smith (Jenny Archer) was the top British finisher in the men’s wheelchair race, placing fifth in 1:32.45. He was followed by recent victor of the Great North Run, Simon Lawson (Ian Thompson) in eighth with a time of 1:32.55, Callum Hall (Thompson) in 1:40.10 and Richard Chiassaro (Jenni Banks), making his debut over the distance, 12^th in 1:42.44.

Mel Nicholls (Job King) was the first British finisher in the women’s race, fifth in 1:58.10 with Meggan Dawson-Farrell next to cross the line in sixth position, recording a time of 2:16.53. Martyna Snopek was seventh in 2:35.35.

Results: https://www.runbritainrankings.com/results/results.aspx?meetingid=218473

UKA Athletics – News