On the first day of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest all eyes were on the women’s 10,000m in the evening session as a tantalising battle between Hassan, Gidey, Tsgey and Taye. The race went out incredibly slowly, with Hassan sitting at the back of the lead pack in her normal manner.

Jess Warner-Judd kept herself well up in the field and it was only really the last lap when the three Ethiopians and Dutchwoman put the afterburners on. There was enough excitement already as we watched Hassan pull away, chased down by Tsgay who looked to be in striking distance, when Hassan fell. Post race analysis would suggest that her wide-armed running style meant that some accidental contact with Tsgey knocked her off balance, though Hassan did comment afterwards that she thought she was pushed.

The times will not be the topic of conversation with this race, but Tsgay won in 31:27.17 with compatriots Gidey (31:28.16) and Taye (31.28:21) behind. Warner-Judd came 8th in 31:35.38 – a fantastic, well-run race and a great building block for Paris 2024.

Medals in the relays and 1500m progression

If that wasn’t enough drama for the day, we must mention the mixed 4x400m relay, where GB scored their first medal of the championships. The Netherlands and USA looked to have the 1-2 sewn up when Femke Bol stumbled right before the line leaving Yemi Mary-John to capitalise on the earlier work of Lewis Davey, Laviai Nielse and Rio Mitcham to clinch silver in 3:11.06.

Earlier on Saturday, GB’s women made light work of the 1500m heats – Katie Snowden clocked 4:01.15 to be 4th fastest qualifier overall in the fastest heat of the day, Melissa Courtney-Bryant (4:03.14) was fifth in her race, which was won by Faith Kipyegon(4:02.62), and Laura Muir (4:03.50) was second only to Sifan Hassan (4:02.92). Ireland’s Ciara Magean also qualified in 4:03.52.

The men’s 1500m heats included a few nail-biting moments when watching Neil Gourley boxed in at the closing lap, but in the end he made it through to qualify for the semi-finals in (3:46.87), as did Josh Kerr (3:34.00) and Elliot Giles (3:34.63).  The 1500m semi finals will be a must-watch at 16:05 and 16:30 today.

Courtney-Bryant (4:02.79), Muir (3:56.36 SB), Snowden(3:56.72 PB)  and Mageean (4:02.7) have qualified for the final without drama. They’ll be back on Tues 22nd for the final.

Photo: James Rhodes

Gourley had a similarly heart-rate-raising semi-final as he got boxed in again and left it very late to push forward into a qualifying position. Thankfully, he edged through  by 100th of a second in 3:32.97. He mentioned in post-race interviews that he didn’t have much left at the end, so here’s hoping a few day’s recovery will set him straight and ready to fight in the final.

Josh Kerr took the lead in his semi and was still there at the bell before Ingebritsen show-boated round to the front. Kerr qualified in second place but sadly Elliot Giles did not make the cut.

Back in the UK

Away from Budapest there was a good amount of action happening around the UK, though things are a little quieter this week.

At the BMC Gold Standard Races in Stretford on Tuesday, Ted Chamberlain PB’d for the 800m win in 1:47.77 and Steph Driscoll topped the women’s rankings, running 2:05.04. At the same time the Trafford Grand Prix  saw Harry Wakefield top the men’s 3000m in 8:23.32 and Beth Barlow fastest woman in 9:21.20. In the 1500m race Christopher Fielding clocked 3:53.00 and Laura Galvan 4:06.83 to take their victories.

Jake Shelley won the 5000m race in 14:28.39 at the BMC Regional Races in Eltham on Wednesday. There was no women’s race over that distance, but Georgia Bell was first home for the women over 1500m, running 4:09:18. In the men-only 1500m Zak Seddon was first over the line in 3:48.59.

The Podium 5K was back in Barrowford Saturday and James Gormley took the top spot in 13:49, with James West second in 14:02 and Fintan Stewart third in 14:10. Calli Thackeray may be shifting to the marathon distance but she still had plenty of speed in her legs to run a winning time of 15:36. Christina Fernandez was runner up in 15:44 and Hannah Nuttal next in 15:53. There was also another innovation from Chris Barnes – a 1km TT woth some impressive results, note Calli also running this after recently finishing the 5km;

Earlier in the week the Haresfield Gloucester 5k was won by Glen Stallard in 15:04 and Ruth Brook in 18:37. 15:26 was enough for the win for Callum Bowen-Jones at the Dereham 5K and Jo Andrews with 17:31.

Going on a 10K tour

A tour round the country provides a raft of 10K results this weekend.

Scott Nixon broke the tape at the Canaerfon 10K in 33:31 and Alison Campbell in 36:43. Then up in Yorkshire the Escrick 10K went to Simon Deakin in 35:53. The Tour of North Clydeside Bowline Bounce 10K was won by Mark King in 36:23 and Claire Heasmen. Birchwood 10K saw a winning time of 31:50 which was run by Daniel Cliffe of Hercules and Wimbledon. Anna Bracegirdle raced a 35:10 to take a confident win for the women. Heading up the country, and to the east of Scotland, Forth Road Bridge 10K went to Ian Whittaker (33:19) and Janet Dickson (39:23). Meanwhile on the west side of the country, Paisley 10K saw Ross Gray race home first in 31:53 with Catherine Camp taking the women’s crown in 35:06.

And finally…Run Through chase the sun  Clapham Common 5K wins went to Patrick Jackson (17:03) and Kate Alpe (19:54). At RT’s Kempton Park 10K, Eliza Hawthorn won overall in 36:32, followed by Jonathan Moore in 36:53. Ollie Garrod was back on the podium for the half marathon  distance, running 72:11. Jess Anand topped the women’s times with 83:39.