Thompson impresses to take half marathon

Defending champion Callum Hawkins (Kilbarchan) took an early lead at the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon, but in the end lost out to Chris Thompson.

Hawkins passed through the opening mile in 4.14, shadowed by fellow Rio Olympics marathon colleague Tsegai Tewelde (Shettleston) and Thompson (Aldershot Farnham & District).

Thompson then pushed the pace through 5km in 14.56.

Surprisingly it was London Olympics marathon fourthplacer Hawkins who dropped off the pace as Thompson forged ahead at the half-way mark through Pollock Park.

Thompson increased his advantage over the closing stages to reach the Glasgow Green finish unchallenged in 62.44.

Hawkins rallied over the final mile to outsprint Tewelde and claim second, both runners recording 63.18.

Welsh internationalist Kristian Jones (Dundee Hawkhill) was a fine fourth, clocking 66.11 ahead of Ben Johnson (Shettleston), who was fifth in 67.17.

Commonwealth marathon champion Flomena Cheyech Daniel (Kenya) headed the women’s race, having run alongside Fife AC Paralympian Derek Rae for much of the race.

Rae in 15th, chased home Rio Olympian Andrew Butchart (Central AC) in 14th, making his half marathon debut (70.03).

Rae broke away from Daniel over the final 400m to record a personal best 70.06.

Daniel, 18th overall, finished in 70 minutes 17 seconds, well clear of Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot FD) 72.17 and Fionnuala Ross (Shettleston) 74.26.

Other results included:

10km run: 1 S Gibson (Cambuslang H) 31.37, 2 A Mcleod (Shettleston) 31.55, 3 D Thom (New Marske H) 32.55. Women: 1 R Murray (Bedford & County) 34.30, 2 J Bannerman (Inverness) 35.30, 3 C Bruce (Metro Aberdeen) 35.55.

Great Scottish Junior Run (2.5km): 1 D Mcnair (Kilbarchan) 8.35, 2 E Duff (Garscube) 8.46, 3 G Mckay (Kilbarchan) 9.09…22 J Grant (Strathearn) 10.01. Girls: 1 R Davidson (Ayr Seaforth) 9.45,

2 J Robson (Law) 9.53,

3 A Anderson (Airdrie) 10.05… 28 C Paton (Pitreavie) 11.07.