O’Hare and Kerr stun New York; BUCS XC; Glasgow pole vault GP

Sunday 4th February 2018

Photo credit New York Road Runners

Chris O’Hare won the prestigious Wanamaker Mile at the NYRR Millrose Games, becoming the first British man since John Whetton in 1965 to claim victory in the race.

Clocking 3:54.14, the 27-year-old led a Scottish one-two on Saturday night as he was followed over the finish line by Josh Kerr, the two-time NCAA champion moving from 53rd to fifth on the UK indoor all-time list with his PB of 3:54.72. Josh is now third on the Scottish all-time list indoors.

USA’s Ben Blankenship was third in 3:54.77 and Britain’s Charlie Grice fourth in an indoor PB of 3:56.47.

Ahead of his season opener in New York, O’Hare had told Athletics Weekly how he was “ready to roll” and also looking forward to seeing his wife Meredith and 16-month-old son Ronan after having spent the past month at a training camp in Flagstaff.

Following his victory, O’Hare was joined on the track by Ronan and the Wanamaker Mile trophy.

‘It’s a prestigious race,’ said Chris. ‘So to get your name on that trophy is pretty special.’

Kerr had also spoken of strong current form pre-race and that was demonstrated in his fine run for the runner-up spot.

Two-time Olympic medallist Nick Willis – who had been on the hunt for his first title in six attempts – placed fifth in 3:57.72, one place ahead of Kyle Merber.

There was a world indoor record-breaking 4x800m performance as USA’s Chrishuna Williams, Raevyn Rogers, Charlene Lipsey and Ajee Wilson combined to clock 8:05.89 ahead of a NY All Stars team featuring Kendra Chambers, Lynsey Sharp, Ce’aira Brown and Cecilia Barowski (8:11.45).

Shadrack Kipchirchir won the 3000m in 7:45.49, with Britain’s Andrew Butchart fifth in 7:47.21.

Elsewhere in the States there were good performances by Neil Gourley, Adam Craig and Jamie Crowe in endurance events. Neil was at 4.00.21 for the mile, Adam at 8.15.72 for 3000m and Jamie clocked 14.25.17 for 5000m indoors.

Read more on the Athletics Weekly website

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BUCS XC Champs Results

Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds women were desperately close to the medals at the BUCS XC Champs in Uxbridge, west London, over the weekend.

Mhairi Maclennan finished seventh and Steph Pennycook in 12th place with the Edinburgh points tally 44 the same as bronze medallists Birmingham, the Scottish outfit losing out on count-back, with Naomi Lang at 25th and Anna Macfadyen at 27th.

Luke Caldwell was the best-placed Scot in the men’s long race, in sixth place in 33.21, with comeback man Alex Yee taking the win. Further down, in what is always a race with good depth, Tristan Rees was 27th and Euan Gillham 33rd.

Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds took sixth place in the men’s long race team race and eighth in the team event in the men’s short race. Tom Hug of Stirling Uni was 15th in the men’s short race.

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The Glasgow Pole Vault School GP series moved on to Pitreavie indoor centre for their fourth meeting of the winter.

Dylan Thomson, from Pitreavie, cleared 4.40m for the best height of the day with three athletes all at 3.73m – Ian Coghill of Inverness Harriers, Anna Gordon of Edinburgh AC and Giffnock North U17 Reuben Nairne.

Thanks to all athletes, coaches and Officials who supported this latest meet which supports the event specific principles.

Results online

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Tags: Chris O'Hare, Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds, Glasgow Pole Vault School GP, Josh Kerr, Luke Caldwell, Mhairi Maclennan, Wanamaker Mile

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