The Great Britain and Northern Ireland teams secured top five positions at the IAU 100km World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

Northern Ireland’s Gareth King was the highest finisher in the men’s team as he fought well for a top ten position at the world championship. He ended the 100km in ninth overall in a time of 6 hours 32 minutes and 5 seconds.

He said afterwards, “Absolutely delighted with the opportunity  to run for GB. After Mondallo and Perth, I have gained confidence in my ability over the 100k distance and running for GB brought the best of that out  in Germany.”

Next home for the men’s team was Matthew Dickinson (Phillip, Kissi, Clapham Chasers) who was 21 minutes behind his compatriot for 26^th place; his time was 6:51:46. Oliver Garrod (South London Harriers) was the third counter for the GB & NI squad as he came home in 36^th with a time of 7:03:16.

The GB & NI men’s team finished fifth overall in a combined time of 20:27:07 with Japan, France and South Africa the top three teams. Japan took top two positions in the race with Haruki Okayama winning in 6:12:10, five minutes ahead of his compatriot Jumpei Yamaguchi.

In the women’s contest, Jo Murphy produced her best time over the 100km distance as she claimed 14^th position in a time of 7:38:10. Her previous best was 7:41:12 set at the Anglo Celtic Plate Home Countries race earlier this year.

She said afterwards, “After my performance out in Perth in April, I thought my limits had been reached, so today has far exceeded any expectations that I had. It was not all plain sailing but I had one best time out there competing on the world stage.”

Just seven minutes further back was Caroline Turner (Marcus Scotney, Lonely Goat RC) who ended the race in 15^th with a time of 7:45:42. Amy Sarkies (Robbie Britton, Rugby & Northampton) also improved her PB as she crossed the line in 21^st, dipping under the eight-hour barrier in 7:55:14.

The GB & NI women’s team finished fifth overall in a combined time of 23:19:06 with USA, France and Japan claiming the team podium positions. France’s Floriane Hot won the race overall in a time of 7:04:03.

Unfortunately, Sam Amend (Andrew Walling, Belgrave) and Jason Kelly (self-coached, Metro Aberdeen) did not finish in the women’s and men’s competitions respectively.

Results