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Vitality Westminster Mile

Capital Festival Of Road Running

All roads lead to central London this Spring Bank Holiday weekend for the Vitality Westminster Mile on Sunday (27 May) and Vitality London 10000 on Monday (28 May).

An astonishing record 9,500 runners have signed up for the Westminster Mile, with many inspired by the opportunity to #RunWithMo. Sir Mo Farah will be running alongside young and old participants as part of the dozen Family Races.

Included in the family waves is the annual Mascot Race, which features mascots from sports clubs, organisations and charities throughout the UK. Another popular race is the Olympians Mile, where nearly 90 British Olympians will get the competitive juices going again. Among those running this year are Lord Seb Coe, Greg Searle and Brian Jacks.

The elite races, which are also the British Championships one mile road races, are extremely strong with the leading male runners hoping to break the magical four minute barrier for the mile for the first time in the event’s history.

Commonwealth Games 1,500m bronze medallist Jake Wightman, Charlie Grice and Chris O’Hare – three of Britain’s top middle-distance runners – will be hoping to run inside four minutes, with the winner being awarded the Sir Roger Bannister trophy.

Wightman said: “I hope to be in the sort of shape to run under four minutes at the Vitality Westminster Mile and I think, with the passing of Sir Roger Bannister, this year it would be nice for that to happen. It will be added motivation.”

The women’s race includes four athletes who reached finals at the Commonwealth Games: Melissa Courtney, bronze medallist at 1,500m; Sarah McDonald, Jess Judd and Rosie Clarke.

There is also a record entry for the Vitality London 10000 on Monday, with more than 17,000 people signed up for the most iconic 10K in London. Sir Mo Farah will be aiming for his sixth victory and Callum Hawkins and Chris Thompson are the men likely to push him the hardest.

In the women’s race, defending champion Jo Pavey returns for her first competitive outing of the year and Jo will be against the first British woman at this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon, Lily Partridge plus Commonwealth Games 1,500m and 5,000m finalist Steph Twell. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Lord Seb Coe will be the official starters for the event.

View the results via runABC South race listings and look out for our event coverage next week.

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