New British Record for Tom Bosworth

Birmingham July 5th

First up was the women's race, reports Mark Wall, which quickly saw an early lead pack of five whittled away to two lead competitors Jo Atkinson and Bethan Davies. Lap after lap only a metre or so separated them, however in the end the more experienced Jo was able to prevail in a time of 22:03.55 whilst Bethan was rewarded with a Welsh Record of 22:06.46 to go with her 20km of 14 days earlier. After Tatyana Gabellone was disqualified with 550 metres to go, whilst in an isolated third position, Heather Lewis took the bronze in 23:28.43, she was the defending champion. There were 10 finishers out of 11 starters in 19o C and 52% humidity on a sunny afternoon.

Women’s 5000m

1 Johanna Atkinson Middlesbrough & C 22:03.55 (SB)

2 Bethan Davies Cardiff AAC 22:06.46 (PB)

3 Heather Lewis Pembrokeshire H 23:28.43 (SB)

4 Emma Achurch (U20) Leicester Walking Club 25:01.58 (SB)

5 Brenda Gannon (W40) Hyde Park Harriers 25:43.69 (PB)

6 Sophie Lewis Ward (U17) Cambridge Harriers 25:44.82 (SB)

7 Rebecca Collins North Down AC 26:04.11

8 Ester Montaner Spain 27:07.44 (PB)

9 Heather Butcher (U20) Cambridge Harriers 27:50.77 (SB)

10 Jasmine Nicholls (U23) Leicester Walking Club 27:57.69 (SB)

Tatyana Gabellone Italy DQ

Immediately following the women it was the turn of the men. This was a tour de force by Tom Bosworth who recorded a tremendous time, just missing the 19 minute barrier with a quick 19:00.73 but still setting a new national record. This was 16.09 seconds better than his previous record, recorded in the same race last year behind Dane Bird Smith. His demolition of the field was complete but behind him all bar one competitor recorded a personal or seasonal best. Junior standout Callum Wilkinson showed he is well prepared for the European Junior championships with a time of 20:21.57. In a shootout for third, Olympian Dominic King prevailed in 21:01.70 ahead of junior Cameron Corbishley in 21:03.92. 13 started 11 finished (two DQs') in identical conditions to the women.

Two Manx Harriers race walkers competed, and both Adam Cowin and 15 year old Tom Partington produced lifetime track best times.

Men’s 5000m

1 Tom Bosworth Tonbridge AC 19:00.73 (NR)

2 Callum Wilkinson (U20) Enfield & Haringey AC 20:21.57 (PB)

3 Dominic King Colchester Harriers 21:01.70 (SB)

4 Cameron Corbishley (U20) Medway & Maidstone 21:03.92 (PB)

5 Fredrik Rotnes Norway 21:39.26

6 Luc Legon (U20) Bexley Athletic Club 22:59.73 (PB)

7 Christopher Snook (U17) Aldershot F & D AC 23:06.95 (PB)

8 Adam Cowin (U23) Manx Harriers 23:12.73 (PB)

9 Tom Partington (U17) Manx Harriers 23:18.62 (PB)

10 Timothy Snook (U20) Aldershot F & D AC 23:35.15 (PB)