Weston and Whitty won on a packed Liberation Day course, each marking a return to winning form after injury and shifting rivals.
But although both repeated their victories from 2024 after missing last year’s edition, the landscape of distance running around them has continued to shift and they faced different main opponents in a race otherwise characterised by a record 227 finishers.. Weston arrived at a warm and sun-kissed North Beach 37min.. 50sec.. after setting off from Rousse, having been challenged by emerging triathlete Louis Le Cheminant in the opening miles, which were impacted by a mild
headwind.. It was around two-and-a-half miles into the eventual seven that he began to pull away, hitting the half-way marker at Bordeaux a modest 20sec.. clear.. He boosted his lead in the second half on young Le Cheminant, whose 39-32 finish was still significantly quicker than last year.. Veteran-45 Matt Jamieson finished another 18sec.. back for a great third, repeating last year’s position.. For Weston, it had been a welcome return to winning ways after
having his early-spring marathon block irreparably wrecked by injury.. ‘I’m really happy to get the win,’ Weston said.. ‘I missed the Barcelona Marathon and Guernsey Marathon, but I set this as a mini-target for my comeback.’ Weston is currently still working his way back to full training but added: ‘Today was the first time I feel like my injury’s over.’ He has marked December’s Valencia Marathon as his big race of the year, but he
will not be going full gas until nearer the time.. ‘My main target is to enjoy the summer and get on the beach and just be a bit more chilled,’ he said.. He also thanked Source Recruitment for supporting the popular road race and praised the committed organisers and volunteers.. ‘Sometimes it’s a nice day and everyone’s standing round in the sunshine, and sometimes it’s miserable, but they turn up whatever the circumstances.’ Veteran Andrew
Zabiela managed a course personal best of 40-09 for fourth overall, with an in-form George Nichols completing the top five another 14sec.. back.. Veteran Chris Gillman (40-49) and Tom Nichols (40-58) were the next two men across the line.. Not too far behind came top woman Whitty, whose 42-27 run improved on her last outing on this course but was outside her personal best.. The veteran was given a surprisingly close run by unknown quantity
Jamie Robinson, who tracked her through the race and finished solidly second in 43-02.. The English visitor relegated the in-form Vanessa King to third, with the Orkney 2025 Island Games debutant posting 44-36 after stretching away in the second half from Nix Dobson, who came in 28sec.. behind.. Whitty had mixed feelings on the finish line of her third Liberation Day run and third win in four years.. The driven athlete had hoped to run
quicker, having not challenged her impressive impressive PB of 41-33 from three years ago.. In last month’s Easter Festival, she ran a significant 5km PB of 17-00 and also improved her 10km to 36-28, though she had not been able to remain niggle-free during the intense training for the shorter distance.. ‘I’ve been back into 10km specific training, so I was hoping to be in better shape than I was,’ she said.. But, having missed
last year’s edition through injury, she was keen to get back on the start line and happy enough to win from both local and visiting opposition.. ‘It’s such a good event and a really good way to start Liberation Day,’ she said.. ‘When I was a kid, I’d start with the school relays.. ‘I love starting the day with a race and I definitely can’t complain with taking the win.’
Liberation Day race, Weston win, Whitty victory, North Beach 7 miles, course personal best, Louis Le Cheminant