Fast times in Loch Ness and Cardiff

Exciting races at Cardiff Half Marathon’s 20th anniversary event and impressive wins in Baxters Loch Ness Marathon – highlight our UK round-up

Principality Cardiff Half Marathon, October 1

Vincent Mutai and Mestawot Fikir took the honours at the race’s 20th anniversary celebration event.

Mutai defeated course record-holder and fellow countryman Shadrack Kimining in humid conditions to take the title in 60:35 after a sprint finish down King Edward VII Avenue.

The 28-year-old was part of a lead group alongside Kimining, Bernard Biwott and last year’s champion Geoffrey Koech who went through the first 10km in a brisk 28:29.

Over the closing miles,  it was Mutai who had the best finish and he won by 12 seconds from Kimining (60:47) as Biwott finished three seconds back.

“I feel good, this was my first time running this course, it was a bit challenging but it was really enjoyable and now I am a winner so I am so happy,” said Mutai. “The support on the course was fantastic and it really helped me keep going. I would love to come back next year.”

Prinicipality Cardiff Half-Marathon start

A single second separated the top three in the women’s event as Ethiopia’s Mestawut Fikir came out on top after a sprint finish to clinch the gold medal. 

It was her second victory in two months as she added this event to her win at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon, but she had to fight all the way to overcome compatriot Aminet Ahmed and last year’s runner-up Viola Chepngeno. 

Beatrice Cheserek, who beat Chepngeno to the title last time out, led from the front in defence of her title but faded to allow the trio through to battle it out down the home straight. 

The event, which had a record 27,000 registrations, also hosted the Welsh Half Marathon Championships, which saw Bridgend’s Adam Bowden and Beth Kidger of Brighton Phoenix earn Welsh titles.

Bowden defeated Meirionydd’s Rhodri Owen and Pontypridd Roadent Adam Bull. Kidger who finished ninth in the overall women’s race in her first half marathon outing, edged out Anna Bracegirdle and Olivia Tsim in taking the title.

“I was on my own at the start because I was trying to be sensible with the pace as this is my first real half marathon,” said Kidger. “It was so nice having the crowds all the way around and the support was amazing which helped. The fact it’s mainly flat really helped as well and I definitely want to do more half marathons in the…