Giblin wins Scottish title and a UK bronze

Saturday 3rd May 2014

Paisley’s Paul Giblin (Team Nathan) smashed his 100km PB with a superb run at the Anglo Celtic Plate home countries international at Gravesend at the weekend.

The 36-year-old, who works in media management with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games organising team, showed once again that Scotland’s Top ultra distance runners can indeed mix it with the best of the other Home Nations.

Finishing with a time of 7 hours 10 minutes and 30 seconds, it placed him third overall, behind England’s Steve Way, 6.19.20, and Craig Holgate 7.05.44

As well as claiming the British athletics 100km bronze medal and as first Scot, the scottishathletics 100km title, his time was a GB Team qualifying standard for the world 100km Championships to be held in Qatar in November.

Andrew Murray, with his experience of many ultra running expeditions, showed he is also a ‘competitor’.

Running in his first 100km event, he clocked a very creditable 7.22.01 to place sixth overall and second Scot, with long distance hill runner, Ian Symington (Calder Valley) improving on his time from Perth in 2013 by over 25 minutes to record 7.28.23 in eighth place overall.

The Scottish men’s team finished second to England in the home countries international.

The Scottish woman’s team had been beset by injury withdrawals, but double West Highland Way champion Rosie Bell (Strathaven Striders) ran a solid first 100km to dip under the 9 hour mark with 8.57.52 to claim sixth place in the ladies race and claim the Scottish title .

The women’s race was won by Jen Salter from Wales in a close finish with 8.24.52 from Sarah Perkins with 8.25.17

Winner Steve Way’s time of 6.19.20 broke the current GB 100km road best of 6.24.05, which had been held by Scotland’s Simon Pride since 1999.

Way had ‘warmed up’ for the event by running the London Marathon in 2.16.27 – uncannily the same marathon PB of previous record holder Pride!

Scotland’s ultra distance legend Don Ritchie, still holds the GB and world absolute 100km time of 6.10.20 from 1977 which was set in a Track event at Crystal Palace.

Report from Adrian Stott

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