Each Monday we take a look back at some of the athletics news that you may have missed over the weekend. This week we talk marathon wins, R&B singles, expectant mothers, British Athletics Cross Challenge starts, two-goals for Usain Bolt and more.
SUPERMUMS
The ‘supermums’ just keep on making waves in athletics as the 41-year-old mother of two Sinead Diver was victorious in the Medibank Melbourne Marathon yesterday.
The Irish-born Australian athlete only took up running nine years ago, but now finds herself second on the all-time Irish female marathon rankings after running 2:25:19 for the victory.
“Today was the best marathon experience I’ve ever had,” said Diver after her win. “It’s really special to get a PB in my hometown. Finishing in the G, with all my family and friends cheering me on was so emotional.”
Read more about Sinead’s story on fastrunning.com.
Absolutely fantastic run @diversinead today 2:25.17 around the streets of Melbourne @melbmara worth getting up before the ☀& 💨💨 🏃♀️to cheer on while spinning around @ElliptigoE @RTEsport 2ndfastest Irish woman ever ☘☘🇮🇪 #whatarun #perfectpacing #justrewards @Pierceathletics pic.twitter.com/zTj051ja1q
— sonia osullivan (@soniaagrith) October 14, 2018
REFUGEE WINS HALF-MARATHON
Meanwhile, refugee athlete Kadar Abdullahi kicked off his first ever half-marathon in perfect fashion, storming to victory at the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run.
Abdullahi was part of the first-ever refugee team at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London and was over the moon after winning his first half-marathon in 66:06.
“I was not expecting to run that quickly in those conditions so I’m happy,” said Abdullahi. “This is my first half-marathon. I just said to myself: ‘let’s do this for the challenge’. It’s amazing.”
He added: “I don’t want to live somewhere where I don’t feel safe or I’m persecuted. That’s why I came to the UK and I pray that everything will be sorted out.”
Read more about Kadar Abdullahi on athleticsweekly.com.
Our first runner is over the finish line. Congratulations! 🙌🏼🏆@SimplyhealthUK #GreatBirminghamRun pic.twitter.com/ysvfzn1fLU
— Great Run (@Great_Run) October 14, 2018
BRITISH ATHLETICS CROSS CHALLENGE KICKS OFF
A busy Sunday also saw the opening British Athletics Cross Challenge race take place in Cardiff, as Charlie Hulson and grabbed a surprise victory in the senior men’s race.
The Welshman ensured the capital was happy home turf for him as he stormed away with the win, whilst Denmark international Anna Moller took a superb victory in the women’s race ahead of a returning Kate Avery and last year’s winner Jess Judd.
🥇 Charlie Hulson takes victory in Cardiff inside 30 minutes in the senior men’s race from defending champion Mahamed Mahamed #MuddyBrilliant pic.twitter.com/3ikAl3pqFY
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) October 13, 2018
Read more on our site here.
CORRUPTION IN KENYA
Meanwhile, sporting controversy has emerged in Kenya once again after seven officials, including ex-Sports Minister Hassan Wario and former Olympic Committee head and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kipchoge Keino was charged over corruption.
This is one of more corruption investigations in Kenya that seems to have marred what was their best ever Olympic medal tally of six gold, six silver and one bronze medal.
Read more about this story on bbc.co.uk.
TWO-GOAL BRACE FOR BOLT
Despite scoring twice in a friendly on his debut for Central Coast Mariners, sprint king Usain Bolt has been left confused after being handed a drugs testing notice by Australia’s anti-doping authority (Asada).
The 32-year-old posted on Instagram saying “So guys I’ve retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this,” above a picture of the drugs testing notice.
The confusion came about due to Bolt not yet being a professional footballer, still being on trial with Central Coast Mariners, with the notice reportedly being justified by the fact that he was “an elite athlete”, with Bolt saying that he is not a professional footballer yet and should not be getting tested.
Read more on the BBC here.
IAAF WORLD RELAYS MOVES TO ASIA
Japanese city Yokohama has been handed the baton to host the 2019 IAAF World Relay Championships, meaning Japan will host two major athletics competitions in two years with the Tokyo Olympics coming in 2020.
This sees Yokohama become only the second ever city to host the World Relays with Bahamas capital Nassau having to withdraw due to financial concerns.
Read more about this story on our site here.
BBC YOUNG SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
The top 10 for this year’s Young Sports Personality of the Year has been revealed, with two hugely talented young athletics figures entering the shortlist.
17-year-old multiple Paralympic medalist Kare Adenegan makes the shortlist, while 16-year-old European Junior champion and 800m world age-best holder Max Burgin is also shortlisted.
Read more about the shortlisted Max Burgin here.
See the full shortlist on the bbc.com/sport.
HELP HOLLIE RAISE MONEY FOR BRAIN TUMOUR SURGERY
Meanwhile, brave 13-year-old athlete Hollie needs your help after a devastating and rare brain tumour – Hypothalamic Hamartoma – has left her needing surgery that is not available in the UK.
There is still hope, however, with a GoFundMe page set up to help pay the huge cost of having surgery in Texas Children’s Hospital, USA to remove the tumour.
The target is £150,000, with the GoFundMe page linked below:
https://www.gofundme.com/m7jrt-help-for-hollie
SYDNEY MCLAUGHLIN SIGNS WITH NEW BALANCE
Young 400m hurdles prodigy Sydney McLaughlin has signed a sponsorship deal with NewBalance as she continues to go from strength to strength.
The 19-year-old is a multiple junior record holder and was part of the USA’s Olympic team in 2016, with the sponsorship deal signifying yet another step in her journey to athletics stardom
Fearlessly independent 🦋 @newbalance pic.twitter.com/QaNrRG0pkx
— Sydney McLaughlin (@GoSydGo) October 15, 2018
VALERIE ADAMS EXPECTING SECOND CHILD
Multiple Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams has announced that she is now pregnant with a second child, expected to arrive in April 2019.
Upon announcing the birth, 34-year-old year old joked that she did because she “didn’t want people to think I was just eating pies.”
Despite the pregnancy, Adams insists that he is still on for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, aiming to take the phrase ‘supermum’ to yet another dizzying level.
Read more at Stuffsport
NOAH LYLES RELEASES SINGLE
Finally, American sprint star Noah Lyles has once again continued to shine off the track as well as on it.
This time the 22-year-old has officially released his first song, after impressing fans with a rap during a pre-Diamond League press conference in Birmingham.
