Course record is under threat at one of the fastest road races in England this week.

Following the success of the spring edition of the Kingsley based race, the summer staging of the Mid Cheshire 5k takes place on Thursday (August 23) and another strong field has been assembled.

Marc Scott, who finished fifth in the 5000m at the recent European Championships, heads the entries in the men’s race and will have his eye firmly on the course record of 14:00, set by Ben Connor in 2017.

The British 5000m champion has rarely raced on the roads, but with a 13:22.37 track personal best, it will be hard to see past the US-based athlete taking the honours.

Photo: Andy Peat

Aldershot’s Richard Allen will provide the biggest threat to Scott. The 22 year-old won the men’s title in the spring race – which incorporated the English championships – and will aim to improve on his 14:07 performance in April.

The former elite duathlete, who now focuses solely on running, subsequently went on to run 13:51 and 14:05 over the distance in May and June, as well as sub 14-minute clocking on the track.

Also set to challenge is Lewis Moses of Darlington Harriers who has twice broken the 14.00 mark on the track this summer. Chris Perry, the England Athletics steeplechase champion and local Vale Royal AC athlete, should also be in the mix after having recorded a PB of 14:09 on the track in Trafford on Saturday.

In form Elsey Davis heads the women’s field on the back of her recent Barry Island 10k win and is joined by track specialist Lori Handbury who will be looking to improve on her road PB.

RELATED: My favourite session: Elsey Davis

Lauren Howarth, a previous winner in Kingsley, appears to be returning well from injury after a recent 5k win in Manchester and should challenge at the front of the race.

The trio will be joined by England international and another previous winner Rachael Burns of Liverpool Harriers in what should be a great race.

Speaking to Fast Running Race Director Mike Harrington said: “I’m really pleased that the summer race is now attracting the standard of athlete that April’s championship race attracts.

“We see a lot of runners doing both races to measure progress over the summer. The forecast looks good and we may see our first sub 14:00 time at the race.”

Further information about the race can be found here.

RELATED: Racing ‘naked’ of technology key for Richard Allen

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