Ngugi-Cooper claims victory in dramatic Great North Run finish

The Kenyan out-sprinted a strong field on Tyneside as Brits Eilish McColgan and Marc Scott finish top five

Mary Ngugi-Cooper claimed victory at the AJ Bell Great North Run on Sunday (September 8) in a thrilling women’s race that saw six athletes battling in a dramatic sprint finish.

Despite the rainy conditions, she crossed the line in 67:40, becoming the 11th successive Kenyan winner of the women’s event.

Ngugi-Cooper was joined from start to finish by fellow Kenyan’s Sheila Chepkirui and Vivian Cheruiyot, Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi and Megertu Alemu and Britain’s Eilish McColgan.

Teferi finished just behind Ngugi-Cooper in second with 67:41, while Alemu took third in 67:42.

McColgan, whose mother Liz won the race when it was the world championships in 1992, finished fifth, clocking 67:45. Just a week prior, the 33-year-old secured victory at the Big Half in London, finishing in 69:14.

Eilish McColgan (David Hewitson)

Ngugi-Cooper, a two-time World Half Marathon Championships podium finisher, is based in Leeds and trains under the guidance of Steve Cram.

Reflecting on her win, she said: “It’s amazing because I’ve always wanted to run this race.

“The timing was never great with my four marathons but this time around the timing was perfect. I’ve always watched it on TV so for me to come here and for people to watch me on TV is a great thing.

“We got to the last mile and all six of us where all still there. I knew I had a strong finish.

“I knew my coach had prepared me well. Steve sometimes trains me as a track athlete, I do lots of sprints so that gave me a bit of confidence. I’ve done it in training so I knew I could do it in the race and that is why I wasn’t scared to go for it in that last 400m.”

While the women’s race featured a tight group finish, the men’s race was a stark contrast, as Abel Kipchumba of Kenya dominated the field.

Abel Kipchumba (David Hewitson)

He broke away early and ran solo, crossing the line in a remarkable time of 59:52.

Great Britain’s Marc Scott also ran alone for much of the race, finishing second in 61:11 – 11 seconds faster than his winning time when he took the crown in 2021.

Scott had a busy weekend, having claimed victory at the UK Athletics 5km Road Running Championships on Friday where conditions were drier.

Though Scott didn’t start with the lead group, he managed to reel them in, finishing ahead of Norway’s Sondre Noen, who placed third with 61:25.

Marc Scott (David Hewitson)

“It wasn’t as quick as I would have liked today,” said Scott. “I was on my own the whole race and it was a silly first mile.

“The first 5km for the front was pretty quick and I knew if I was to go with that then it would come to bite later in the race.

“I just did my own thing, unfortunately on my own and battling the rain but at every corner there was someone cheering my name and they helped me get into second place.

“Amongst myself and my fiancee having a newborn it has been a team effort to get to the start line and to get the training in. There’s more there today than there was on show.”

Women: 1 Ngugi-Cooper 67:40; Teferi 67:41; 3 Megertu 67:42; 4 Chepkirui 67:44; 5 McColgan 67:45; 6 V Cheruiyot (KEN) 67:54; 7    D Sott (SAF) 71:30; 8 M Nishimura (JPN) 71:57; 9 L Heyes (Hallam) 72:12; 10 U Takahashi (JPN) 72:13; 11 L Partridge (Bir) 72:16; 12 Y Btashaki (JPN) 73:20

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