Bragg goes sub-7 in Celtic 100k
Ireland were hosts of this year’s Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km road race, the annual home nations ultra-distance competition. England’s Jez Bragg ran superbly for a win that also saw him go under seven hours for the first time.
The event took place on the Salthill promenade in Galway which provided a beautiful setting for arguably the most physically and mentally demanding road running discipline there is. Despite the cold and blustery conditions of the preceding week conditions on the day were near perfect for ultra running; cool and sunny with a moderate breeze and occasional showers. This, combined with the flat 2km loop course, provided the basis for some fantastic performances.
There was additional incentive for the English, Welsh and Scottish runners with places up for grabs in their respective national teams for the inaugural Commonwealth Championships to be held in the Lake District in September, which is now fast approaching on the horizon.
In the men’s race there was a fascinating duel between the three England runners Jez Bragg, Allen Smalls and Marcus Scotney – all of whom spent periods of the race in the lead. However it was Bragg who showed his strength during the final third by maintaining a consistent pace whilst the others slowed. Indeed Bragg managed the unusual feat of running negative splits, covering the first 50km in 3hrs 29mins 54 seconds and the second half a couple of minutes quicker to record his first sub-7hr 100km performance in a time of 6hr 58mins exactly.
Bragg - dominated Celtic 100k
Second overall was German runner Stefan Hinze in a time of 7hrs 14mins who finished strongly to overtake Smalls and Scotney of England in the final few laps. Smalls was the second Anglo Celtic Plate competition runner home, overtaking Scotney in the last lap to finish in a personal best time of 7hrs 16mins 03secs, some 30mins quicker than his previous best time over the distance. Scotney, making his debut at 100km, was close behind in 7hrs 16mins 23second which provided a clean sweep for the England men’s team who retained the Anglo Celtic Plate.
In the ladies race, it was also the England team who came out victors however it was top Irish ultra-runner Helena Crossan who finished in first place in a time of 8hrs 11mins, winning by a sizable margin. England’s Heather Foundling-Hawker, making her return after long term injury, recorded an impressive time of 8hrs 20min to finish in second place ahead of team-mate Angie Sadler in third who was also making her debut at 100km.
Helena Crossan - fantastic run in Galway
The standard of this year’s competition was notably high despite the absence of several leading runners confirming that it’s exciting times for the sport ahead of September’s Commonwealth Championships.
Full reports and results over at the Cetlic 100k site
