Tamworth AC distance runner, Ben Evans opened his 2018 road running season in style with an impressive personal best at the British Half Marathon Championships in London over the weekend. The 39-year-old, clocked 1:14:21 in the ‘Big Half’; a race that looked to be in doubt after the recent heavy snowfall.  Thankfully, conditions in the Capital cleared leaving good weather for running on the day.

After the race Ben said “My marathon form has been really good over the last couple of years, but I’ve struggled to get the performances I’d like to see in the half distance.  I went into the weekend feeling strong and determined to get something from the race.  I settled well in the first mile and pushed myself progressively harder as the race progressed. The effort paid off and I’m very happy to go under 75 minutes for the first time in a couple of years, and it was a great confidence boost ahead of the Manchester Marathon in April”

A star-studded elite field led the way in this new event for London.  In an exciting finish, the men’s race was won by Sir Mo Farah with a time of 01:01:40, just three seconds ahead of 2017 London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru of Kenya.  Callum Hawkins followed closely in third place with a time of 01:01:45. The women’s race was won by Charlotte Purdue with a time of 1:10:29.  Lily Partridge followed in second place with Charlotte Arter in third.