Jack Rowe and Eilish McColgan displayed dominant performances to claim the top spots in their respective races at the Vitality London 10,000 on September 22. Meanwhile, Paralympic legend David Weir celebrated yet another victory in the men’s wheelchair race following his return from the Paris Paralympics.
Rowe’s Momentum Continues
Jack Rowe, fresh off his recent win at the Big Half earlier this month, continued his exceptional form by completing the men’s 10km race in 29:14. This time earned him the win by a comfortable 28-second margin. The 28-year-old runner has had an impressive season, setting personal bests across a range of distances, from 1500m to 10,000m.
Rowe’s performance this year has also seen him finish 17th in the 5000m at the European Championships and take third place in the same event at the UK Athletics Championships. Despite achieving the Olympic qualifying standard for the 5000m, he was not selected for the Tokyo Games, with other British athletes taking the spots.
Looking ahead, Rowe has plans to race in the Manchester Half Marathon in October. He is considering balancing distances between 5km, 10km, and the half marathon next year, while also incorporating strength training with a long-term focus on marathon racing.
“I’ve improved a lot on the track, and it’s given me more confidence on the roads,” Rowe said. “I need to work on pacing myself better, especially in longer races, but I’m excited to continue building on this progress.”
McColgan’s Return to Form
Eilish McColgan secured victory in the women’s race with a time of 31:36, adding to her comeback after undergoing knee surgery last year. Although the time was not near her national record of 30:19, it marked a significant achievement on her road to recovery.
Over the past few weeks, the 30-year-old athlete has tackled three major road races, winning the Big Half in 69:14 and finishing fifth at the Great North Run. McColgan, whose mother Liz McColgan is a former world champion, spoke positively about her recent performances as she works to regain her full strength.
“It’s been challenging coming back after surgery, but I’m pleased with how I’ve been able to compete over the past few weeks,” McColgan shared. “Running two half-marathons and then a 10km in such a short period is something I didn’t think would be possible. Now it’s about staying healthy and preparing for next season.”
Weir’s Unstoppable Streak in London
In the men’s wheelchair race, David Weir, one of Britain’s most decorated Paralympians, added another London victory to his resume, crossing the finish line in 22:13. Weir’s victory was decisive, with a winning margin of over three minutes.
This race was Weir’s first since announcing his retirement from international track competition after competing in the Paris Paralympics, where he took part in the T54 1500m, 5000m, and marathon events. The six-time Paralympic gold medallist explained that stepping back from the international stage was the right decision after a long career that began at the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996.
“I knew going into Paris that this would be my last Games,” Weir reflected. “I’ve given everything to competing, and my family has made sacrifices for me to continue. Now I can focus on road racing and enjoy the next phase of my career.”
Looking ahead, Weir plans to compete in the Berlin and New York City Marathons later this year, with more races likely on the horizon for 2025.
Martyna Snopek claimed victory in the women’s wheelchair race with a time of 38:37, finishing over a minute ahead of her nearest competitor.
The Vitality London 10,000 once again highlighted Britain’s depth of athletic talent across different racing disciplines, with top performances setting the stage for an exciting upcoming year in road racing.
