London Calling for the Harriers

The UK:A 10k championships are being held as part of the BUPA London 10k on Monday and the Harriers have a big contingent in both mens and womens races. The race promises to be a top-class event with 15 men with sub 30 PBs and 12 women with sub 33.30 PBs entered! Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe are the biggest names in the event, but without a competitive start for some time, it is unclear just how fast Paula will go.

For the Harriers, the men will be led by Matt Ellis, with Sam Dalgelish and John Collier likely to make up the team (for whom the top 3 aggregate times count). Providing support will be John Terry, Colin Johnson and Robin Phillips. For the ladies a top 6 team position could be on the cards, with Emma D'Alton, Debbie Marsden, Sophie Voller, Robyn Golding and Zoe Dixon all participating. They will face stiff competition though, with Charnwood AC favourites for the title fielding 3 athletes (Gemma Steel, Hannah Whitmore and Juliet Doyle) all with PBs better than 33.30. Assuming they all finish there would appear to be no realistic challengers for the £2,000 first prize.  Bristol & West, Hallamshire, Aldershot Farnham & District, Shaftesbury Barnett, Windsor and Serpentine all have squads that could compete with the Harriers, but on a good day - a top 6 finish is definitely on the cards.