Quantcast
Channel: Leicester Mercury Latest Stories Feed
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9894

Athletics: Gemma Steel defends Great North title

0
0

Gemma Steel was crowned queen of the north again when she successfully defended her Bupa Great North 10k title.

The Charnwood AC athlete strode to victory in the damp Gateshead conditions to romp home in 33min 26secs.

It wasn't plain sailing for the 27-year-old though, as Sunderland Stroller Alyson Dixon pushed her hard over the first half of the race until Steel showed her class to pull away and finish 17 seconds clear of her rival.

"I led all of the way into the wind while Ally, particularly in the first mile, didn't make it easy, snapping at my heels," said Steel.

"I broke away from her at 6km but she made me fight really hard."

Steel had gone into the event in blistering 10k form, proving why she is the country's leading runner over the distance.

Her third-placed finish in the Oakley New York Mini 10k was the best performance by a Brit ish athlete since Paula Radcliffe won the event in 2001.

Steel was the top domestic finisher against a stacked international field in last month's BUPA Great Manchester Run as well as grabbing second place in the Spar Great Ireland Run shortly after victory in the Bristol 10k.

Jasmine Nicholls showed her international potential with a third-placed finish at the Small Nations Race Walking event in Breda, Netherlands.

The Leicester Walking Club athlete smashed her previous personal best by 1min 24sec, clocking 53.57 for the 10k race.

Nicholls finished just behind her fellow England team-mate Lauren Whelan, who was second in 53.22.

Switzerland's Laura Polli won the race comfortably in 48.42.

Across the whole event, including men, women and juniors, England finished in second place in the team standings behind Ireland.

Athletics: Gemma Steel defends Great North title


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9894

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images