2020 European half marathon leaders Callum Hawkins (coach: Robert Hawkins; club: Kilbarchan) and Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau; Aldershot, Farnham & District) have been added to the full 10-strong team for the rescheduled 2020 World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland on October 17.
2019 World Athletics Championship marathon fourth placer Hawkins clocked the European and British lead of 60:01 in Japan back in February as he finished third at the Marugame International Half Marathon and makes his first appearance at the event since 2016 in Cardiff.
Hawkins joins British Under-23 half marathon record holder Jake Smith (James Thie; Cardiff), who was third in 62:00 at the Vitality Big Half, and Mohamud Aadan (Paul Oppe; Thames Valley), who finished 36th at the 2018 edition of the championship.
Kristian Jones (Dundee Hawkhill), who clocked a personal best of 63:09 at February’s Barcelona Half Marathon, and world trail bronze medallist Tom Evans (Andrew Hobdell; Belgrave), who lowered his PB to 63:15 in Antrim earlier this month, will also make their British debuts on the roads, with Ben Connor, Chris Thompson and Matt Leach declining their places from the original team.
Like Hawkins, Purdue clocked her European lead of 68:23 in Marugame, Japan as she took second place in February was the first Briton home at the 2018 instalment of the championships, helping the British team to finish seventh in the team standings with an individual 21st placing in Valencia.
Purdue is joined by teammate from 2018, Charlotte Arter (Chris Jones; Cardiff), who finished fifth at the Barcelona Half Marathon in February in a season’s best 70:00 and makes her third consecutive appearance at the championships, having competed in both Valencia and Cardiff.
Samantha Harrison (Vince Wilson; Notts) and Stephanie Davis (Philip Kissi; Clapham Chasers), who recorded personal bests of 71:01 and 71:15 as they took second and third place at the Big Half, join Hayley Carruthers (Daniel Robinson; Birchfield) in being handed British debuts in Poland.
Lily Partridge and Sarah Inglis, who were named in the original team for the championships back in March, have both declined selection for the rearranged competition.
Team leader Robert Hawkins said: “I am delighted that we are able to name such a strong team for the rescheduled World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland, next month.
“The team has been revised following athlete withdrawals from the original team named for March’s championship, but I feel we have been able to add a good blend of international experience to those that are making their first appearances on the roads for Great Britain & Northern Ireland.
“I am hopeful that the full team of 10 we have selected, with its strong mix of international experience and debutants on the roads, will be able to guide us to a strong team finish in Poland.”
The full British team selected for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships on October 17:
Men:
Mohamud Aadan (Paul Oppe; Thames Valley)
Tom Evans (Andrew Hobdell; Belgrave)
Callum Hawkins (Robert Hawkins; Kilbarchan)
Kristian Jones (Dundee Hawkhill)
Jake Smith (James Thie; Cardiff)
Women:
Charlotte Arter (Chris Jones; Cardiff)
Hayley Carruthers (Daniel Robinson; Birchfield)
Stephanie Davis (Phillip Kissi; Clapham Chasers)
Samantha Harrison (Vince Wilson; Notts)
Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau; Aldershot, Farnham & District)
