by Stuart WeirCallum Wilkinson won British 20k title in 1:22.47. 2021 Muller British Olympic Marathon Trials, 26 March 2021, #kewgardens, #marathontrials. Photos: @gettysports, @britathletics, @stuartweir, @tom_bedford, @jadebedford, #europeanathletics, #theshoeaddicts, #runblogrun, pic.twitter.com/WUiAtN6v5y
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The British 20k Race Walking Champs & Olympic Trials was held concurrently with the Muller British Olympic Marathon Trials. This is the piece by Stuart Weir.
Heather Lewis leads Women’s 20k, 2021 Muller British Olympic Trials, 26 March 2021, #kewgardens, #marathontrials Photos: @gettysports, @britathletics, @stuartweir, @tom_bedford, #europeanathletics, #theshoeaddicts, #runblogrun, #runningnetwork, #larryeder, #worldathletics, pic.twitter.com/UuryBZGVmx
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Alongside the Marathon trials there were 15 race walkers in their Olympic trials.
Callum Wilkinson (Rob Heffernan; Enfield and Haringey) stormed to an overwhelming victory in the men’s 20km race walk trial. Almost immediately at the 6am start, Wilkinson was out on his own in an attempt to get the 81:00 Olympic qualifier and was on target at 5km but out on his own in the breezy and damp conditions he fell just over a minute short with a time of 82:47 and won the British title in the process.
Callum Wilkinson, photo by Getty Images
While Wilkinson’s Tokyo appearance is dependent on a future qualifying time, Tom Bosworth – who is recovering fitness – already had the time and by finishing second he confirmed his place on the team for Tokyo. Bosworth was second in 86:24 with Guy Thomas third in 90:19. Wilkinson said: “It’s bittersweet I guess. I got the victory and of course I was aiming for the Olympic qualifier, it just wasn’t my day, it’s a very tough standard to hit, one that I feel I am capable of walking, so I’m very disappointed to be honest. I feel it is a case of when, rather than if, for the qualifying time and hopefully races coming up, it will be my day. I won the race, I am national champion again, that is always good, so we will reflect and use this to learn and move forward”.
“It’s a good course, very picturesque, when we are used to going up and down a street somewhere and doing a 500m loop – so to do a lap was nice and it’s great to be racing, so a big thanks to British Athletics and Tom Bedford for getting the race on so we can have our trials”.
Tom Bosworth, photo by Getty Images
Bosworth added: “Today’s race was not really a race for me, it was really, really tough. I have suffered with an injury over the last month, but you know, I have qualified for my second Olympic games, I’m on the plane. The winter has gone really well, and then about a month ago I suffered a reoccurrence in my lower back of an injury that I had two years ago, which makes moving pretty painful. So, getting through 20k is not easy, even when you are fit, let alone when you are struggling but I knew that was going to be the case. From about 5k in, I was in quite a lot of discomfort and it just got worse and worse. It was just managing the race, I’m experienced enough now, I knew that if I finished first or second, I’d be going to the Games.
None of the women has the Olympic standard and it will be a tall order for anyone to achieve it. Gemma Bridge looked as if she might but was then disqualified.
Gemma Bridge, photo by Getty Images
In the end it resulted in a clear victory for Heather Lewis. After building up a short early lead on the first 5km she was overtaken by Gemma Bridge, but the Oxford City athlete was disqualified and that left the Welsh athlete out on her own, falling short of the 91:00 qualifying time but is hopeful of another opportunity. She recorded a time of 94:49 with Bethan Davies taking second in 97:04 while Erika Kelly got bronze in 1:46.31.
