Run Britain – News – Gearing up for race 2 in runbritain grand prix

The second race in the runbritain Grand Prix is the Bristol 10k that takes place on 15 May. The points have now been awarded from the Reading Half Marathon that was the first race in the series.

The leading 250 British (eligible to compete for Great Britain & Northern Ireland at the date of the race) finishers from the men’s and women’s races were awarded the relevant points: 250 for the first British finisher, down to 1 point for the 250th British finisher. There are also bonus points for time. In the men's race, Dave Webb is currently 101 points clear at the top of the leader board after running sub 65 minutes at Reading and so earning himself an extra 100 points. Liz Yelling is leading the women's competition but is only 1 point clear.

The Bristol 10k is expected to see faster times recorded than in 2010. Last year the men's race was won in 28-29 and the women's in 32-53. Phil Wicks is a former winner and is currently 3rd on the Grand Prix leader board. He heads a very strong entry from his club Belgrave. Pushing him all the way will be the current England half marathon champion, Nick Swinburn from Morpeth Harriers. The field has plenty of experienced runners including Matt O’ Dowd from Swindon, Dan Robinson from Stroud and Ian Hudspith from Morpeth. The English 5k champion from 2010, Matt Barnes (Altrincham) can expect to be a threat if still in contention with a mile to go. Jean Ndayisenga from Birchfield has impressive road form that should always be considered when looking at podium potential. Adding an international flavour will be Swedes, Mikael Ekwall and Frederik Johansson coached by Tom Watson from Yate and Tewodros Shiferaw, the Glasgow based Eritrean should also make the leading pack.

The women's field also has a stack of impressive entries that should make for an exciting race. The rising star of the field would appear to be the World Cross-Country start Gemma Steele from Charnwood who has displayed a meteoric rise in the last 18 months. With a 53 minute 10 mile clocking to her name this winter Gemma must surely start as the favourite for the Bristol event. Liz Yelling, with a best of 32-55 for 10k, has shown impressive form winning at Reading, Chichester, Workingham and Tunbridge this year.

’s own Claire Hallisey will be returning from a stint of altitude training, and will be hoping for a home win and a best time to boot, having clocked 33-01 in her last outing in Cardiff. Stroud’s Kate Goodhead  runs for Bristol and will strengthen the ladies team that should be on the team podium. Becky Penty has improved over 2 minutes in the last year and will expect to be in the mix as will Andrea Woodvine and Gemma Turtle.

women's field includes as well as emerging talent. Amy Stiles has been rewriting her best times in between time out to start a family but Dionne Allen from Leigh may pose a surprise threat to her more experienced rivals.