Latest news with #halfmarathon
The Herald
40 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Frans, Solomons set hot pace in icy weather to claim 21.1km titles
The half-marathon and 10km races started simultaneously, which allowed him to feed off the pace set by clubmates Sinawo Poti and Lithobe Menzeleleli, who were both competing in the shorter distance. The trio, along with Motwana, stayed together until the 5km mark when Poti surged ahead to solo to victory. 'Once I reached the halfway turning point, the wind was behind me and I was able to push for a sub-66-minute finish,' Frans said. The Ikhamva ace now turns his attention to Saturday's Bay West 10km, where he is the defending champion. 'I'm hoping to clock a fast time there. That's the challenge I choose to set for myself,' he said. In the women's race, Solomons was equally unfazed by the weather and delighted to notch up another title. 'I came into this race determined to win it again,' the slightly built Nedbank athlete said. 'I don't have much resistance against the wind due to my size and I just focused on giving my best.' Starting alongside the 10km runners allowed her to establish a strong early rhythm. 'I ran with some of the men I train with — Melikhaya Keep, Abdul Wicomb and Jermain Wilson — and my cross-country training really helped.' She led the women's field after 4km and, though slightly concerned about the slippery surface, was able to hold her pace throughout. Solomons paid tribute to her coach, Luvuyo Stephen, whom she said did 'so much behind the scenes' and played a 'big role in helping me stay competitive'. Madibaz Sport athletics manager Bernard Petersen said the elements affected the turnout but he was happy with the outcome. 'There was growth in the 10km, and the 5km fun run attracted a good number of runners, probably as a result of the park runs.' The Personal Best Bell was a popular innovation. 'It was a big hit,' Petersen said. 'Runners were queuing up to ring the bell after obtaining their PBs.' He said the feedback had been extremely positive, which augured well for 2026. Leading results: Half-marathon: Men: 1 Melikhaya Frans (Ikhamva) 1:05:34, 2 Andile Motwana (Nedbank) 1:07:26, 3 Sicelo Mashaba (Madibaz) 1:10:04. Women: Refeloe Solomons (Nedbank) 1:22:39, 2 Bianca Meistre (32GI) 1:26:27, 3 Kaitlyn Wolff (Achilles) 1:33:55. 10km: Men: Sinawo Poti (Ikhamva) 30:42, 2 Lithobe Menzeleleli (Ikhamva) 31:04, 3 Mxoleleni Tabata (Achilles) 32:00. Women: 1 Amanda Detshe (Madibaz) 38:54, Kayla van Rensburg (Charlo) 39:09, 3 Desnay O'Grady 41:18. — Full Stop Communications
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Standout college tennis player, 21, collapses and dies during half marathon
A 21–year–old college tennis player died tragically during a half marathon in Pennsylvania last weekend. Toby Atwood of Armstrong County was a student–athlete at Thiel College – a private university in Greenville, Pennsylvania. While running the Presque Isle Half Marathon in Erie on Sunday, Atwood suddenly collapsed and died. The event was organized by the Erie Runners Club. After collapsing, the college senior was rushed to UPMC Hamot hospital in Erie. Atwood later died in the hospital's emergency room, and her death was determined to be 'cardiac–related,' according to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook. Atwood was a member and co–captain of her college's women's tennis team. 'Her presence touched the lives of so many, and she will be deeply missed,' Thiel College Vice President for Student Life and Athletics Michael McKinney said in a news release. 'During this heartbreaking time, we mourn for Toby and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family, friends, classmates, teammates, coach, instructors, and all who knew her.' Toby Atwood (pictured) - a 21–year–old college tennis player - died tragically during a half marathon in Pennsylvania last weekend Toby Atwood of Armstrong County was a student–athlete at Thiel College – a private university in Greenville, Pennsylvania Atwood later died in the hospital's emergency room, and her death was determined to be 'cardiac–related' In a Facebook post, the Erie Runners Club said it was 'saddened and distraught' about Atwood's death. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends,' the post said. According to race officials, 1,323 people registered for the half marathon, which consists of loops around Presque Isle State Park. No other injuries were reported after Sunday's 13.1 mile race. Atwood was a business administration and accounting double major, and she maintained a 4.0 average while holding the number one position on the women's tennis team. According to her obituary, Atwood also worked as a bartender at the Wick City Saloon and served as President of Student Athletics. 'She enjoyed working out at the gym and running, she was the best candy salad maker. Toby loved Chipotle and Toby Keith,' her obituary said. 'Toby was the best daughter, sister, and friend. She had the brightest light. Toby was successful in everything she did, the world was a better place with her in it. She was beautiful, funny, smart, strong, and a beautiful human being, she will never be forgotten,' the obituary continued. 'She enjoyed working out at the gym and running, she was the best candy salad maker. Toby loved Chipotle and Toby Keith,' her obituary said Atwood was a business administration and accounting double major, and she maintained a 4.0 average while holding the number one position on the women's tennis team According to her obituary, Atwood also worked as a bartender at the Wick City Saloon and served as President of Student Athletics Atwood is not the first young and athletic person to pass away after competing in running events. In June, two 24–year–old Irish athletes – Olivia Tuohy and Ellen Cassidy – tragically died within a week of each other after competing in separate half marathons in Scotland and Ireland. Back in May, former Minnesota football player Charles Rogers died after going into cardiac arrest during the Brooklyn Half Marathon. Also in May, 28-year-old runner Jon Devereux died after collapsing during the Great Bristol Run half marathon in England.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Half-marathon IOM magic on Island Games' final day
Manx athletes are celebrating at the Island Games after claiming 19 medals on the final day of action, including gold in both the men's and women's half-marathons. Christa Cain dominated the 13.1m (21.1km) road race to take her third victory in three races while Corrin Leeming won the men's race. Gymnast Amara Brogan also secured gold in Orkney to take the Isle of Man's medal haul to 80 and fourth place in the overall standings. There was heartbreak for the Manx women's football team, however, with them losing to Bermuda on penalties after their opponents equalised late in extra-time. Cain, who won the 10,000m and 5,000m events earlier in the week, said the "half-marathon is my bag so I was looking forward to this one, I'm much more comfortable on the road". Finishing more than six minutes clear of Jersey's Jess Troy, Cain said she had "a great time out there and the crowd were really supportive, so that helped get me round". She said the support from back home had also been a "big help - my family have been messaging me flat out because it's not been so easy for supporters to travel". Cain added: "I really can't wait to get back and give everyone a big hug." Cain also added a bronze medal in the women's team half-marathon category, alongside Dawn Atherton and Emily Mylchreest. Securing his second gold of the games by posting a time of one hour and seven minutes, Leeming said the course had been "really hard" because "it's literally all up or down, so it wasn't the fastest of days". He said he had been nervous before the race but gold had always been his goal. "I wanted it quite badly today," Leeming said, "so it's really nice to get there." As for his immediate plans, he said they would include "quite a bit of sleeping, because I'm quite tired and quite sore!" In gymnastics, Brogan topped the podium in the beam event, with Lacey Jackson coming a close second. Fraser McKenna takes home a silver from the parallel bars contest, while Harry Eyres claimed second spot in the high bar category and a bronze in the floor event. In vaulting, Elise Pease was awarded bronze, as was Aine Matthews on the asymmetric bars, which means the gymnastics squad flies home with 22 medals. Manager of the women's football team Wayne Lisy said he "really thought the team had done it" when Milly Dawson put the team 1-0 up in the second half of extra-time. He said losing on penalties had been "hard to take". But he said the squad, who very nearly missed out on the contest after being picked as third reserve in the initial draw, deserved their silver medal. While the result was not what the team had set out for, captain Becky Corkish said "the girls dug deep and left everything out on that pitch". "I couldn't be prouder of them," she added. The men's football team picked up a bronze medal, beating Jersey 3-2 after a last-minute penalty in their third place play-off. Elsewhere, cyclist Tyler Hannay added a silver medal to his collection in the town centre criterium, which means he takes home six medals - two of each colour from his first Island Games. The men's team were also awarded silver at the event held in Kirkwall. In badminton, Kim Clague missed out on claiming gold in the women's doubles for the sixth consecutive time when she and her partner Jess Li lost in the final to their opponents from the Faroe Islands. On the athletics track, Samuel Perry claimed silver in the 800m to add to the 1,500m bronze he secured on Tuesday. He was also part of the 4x400m relay team that came third on the last day of the contest, alongside team-mates Ben Sinclair and brothers Regan and Ryan Corrin. Manx runners also claimed bronze in the men's 4x100m event to take the number of medals won by the athletics squad to 15 across the week. While the Isle of Man matched the final team position achieved in Guernsey in 2023, Manx athletes picked up an 17 extra medals in Orkney, which only hosted 12 sports compared to 14 two years ago. The Games will end with a closing ceremony at The Pickaquoy Centre, which played host to five of the 12 sports, later on Friday. The next Island Games will be held in the Faroe Islands in 2027. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. More on this story Double gold in golf adds to Manx games medal tally Isle of Man's Island Games medal tally rises to 45 Record-breaking swimmers add to Manx medal tally Manx athletes break records at Orkney Island Games Cain smashes record to win gold at Island Games 'Running for my adopted home at games feels right' Island Games fever takes hold in transformed Orkney Manx gymnast to be games' youngest competitor at 13 Dad and daughter 'rooting for each other' at games Footballers 'determined' to go for gold at games Team 'ready to make Isle of Man proud' at games Related internet links Orkney Island Games 2025
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Half-marathon joy for Team Isle of Man on Island Games' final day
Manx athletes are celebrating at the Island Games after claiming 19 medals on the final day of action, including gold in both the men's and women's Cain dominated the 13.1m (21.1km) road race to take her third victory in three races while Corrin Leeming won the men's Amara Brogan also secured gold in Orkney to take the Isle of Man's medal haul to 80 and fourth place in the overall was heartbreak for the Manx women's football team, however, with them losing to Bermuda on penalties after their opponents equalised late in extra-time. Cain, who won the 10,000m and 5,000m events earlier in the week, said the "half-marathon is my bag so I was looking forward to this one, I'm much more comfortable on the road".Finishing more than six minutes clear of Jersey's Jess Troy, Cain said she had "a great time out there and the crowd were really supportive, so that helped get me round".She said the support from back home had also been a "big help - my family have been messaging me flat out because it's not been so easy for supporters to travel".Cain added: "I really can't wait to get back and give everyone a big hug."Cain also added a bronze medal in the women's team half-marathon category, alongside Dawn Atherton and Emily Mylchreest. Securing his second gold of the games by posting a time of one hour and seven minutes, Leeming said the course had been "really hard" because "it's literally all up or down, so it wasn't the fastest of days".He said he had been nervous before the race but gold had always been his goal."I wanted it quite badly today," Leeming said, "so it's really nice to get there."As for his immediate plans, he said they would include "quite a bit of sleeping, because I'm quite tired and quite sore!" In gymnastics, Brogan topped the podium in the beam event, with Lacey Jackson coming a close McKenna takes home a silver from the parallel bars contest, while Harry Eyres claimed second spot in the high bar category and a bronze in the floor vaulting, Elise Pease was awarded bronze, as was Aine Matthews on the asymmetric bars, which means the gymnastics squad flies home with 22 medals. Manager of the women's football team Wayne Lisy said he "really thought the team had done it" when Milly Dawson put the team 1-0 up in the second half of said losing on penalties had been "hard to take".But he said the squad, who very nearly missed out on the contest after being picked as third reserve in the initial draw, deserved their silver the result was not what the team had set out for, captain Becky Corkish said "the girls dug deep and left everything out on that pitch". "I couldn't be prouder of them," she men's football team picked up a bronze medal, beating Jersey 3-2 after a last-minute penalty in their third place play-off. Elsewhere, cyclist Tyler Hannay added a silver medal to his collection in the town centre criterium, which means he takes home six medals - two of each colour from his first Island Games. The men's team were also awarded silver at the event held in badminton, Kim Clague missed out on claiming gold in the women's doubles for the sixth consecutive time when she and her partner Jess Li lost in the final to their opponents from the Faroe the athletics track, Samuel Perry claimed silver in the 800m to add to the 1,500m bronze he secured on was also part of the 4x400m relay team that came third on the last day of the contest, alongside team-mates Ben Sinclair and brothers Regan and Ryan runners also claimed bronze in the men's 4x100m event to take the number of medals won by the athletics squad to 15 across the the Isle of Man matched the final team position achieved in Guernsey in 2023, Manx athletes picked up an 17 extra medals in Orkney, which only hosted 12 sports compared to 14 two years Games will end with a closing ceremony at The Pickaquoy Centre, which played host to five of the 12 sports, later on next Island Games will be held in the Faroe Islands in 2027. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Half marathon medal 'not meant to happen'
Jersey's Jess Troy says she cannot believe she won an Island Games silver medal in the half marathon. Troy ran a personal best of one hour 23 minutes 58 seconds to finish runner-up behind Isle of Man's Christa Cain in Orkney. The medal was even more remarkable as Troy has been working 15-hour shifts as part of the team filming the Island Games for local media. "I came into this race injured and I'd been working filming the races for TV for the whole week," Troy told BBC Jersey. "I was just looking to have fun, enjoy it and represent Jersey one last time - that was not meant to happen, getting a medal." It was a second Island Games medal for the Jersey runner who won bronze at the 2019 Island Games in Gibraltar. "I started out far too fast," she added. "I was up with the lead pack and I shouted to my team manager 'I've really messed this up'. "He was like 'just keep going, just see how long you can hold it' and even the girls who were with me were like 'just stick with us and see what you can do'. "So I did that, expecting to be dropped by them, but they kept peeling back and I'm apparently better at running hills than I realised. "I didn't even think I'd finish this race today because of injury, so to come home with a medal I'm so immensely proud of myself, I can't put it into words."
