Barcelona best for Nat

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Cardiff trio Mike Johnson, Nat Lane & Richie Gardiner represented Wales in the Barcelona Half Marathon last Sunday, 15 February.

With temperatures near to freezing, Mike Johnson led the Cardiff runners home in 8th place in a race won by Kenya's Erik Kibet. Mike's time was a solid 66:20.

Nat Lane (pictured during the race) was close behind Mike in 10th place, clocking a personal best time of 66:26.

Richie was 14th in 66:59.

The Welsh team had been selected to offer runners concentrating on the London Marathon a competitive half marathon abroad in the run up to April's event. Mike Johnson came into the team late on but is not concentrating on the marathon just yet. The Welsh team was surprised to find temperatures not rise far above freezing on the day of the race and, especially, to see snow falling.

Richie has been the Welsh 'numero uno' over the marathon distance for some years and, despite finishing third club man on Sunday, said he was pleased with his first race back since October's Gwent League. The three will now race in the Bath Half Marathon on 14th March, where Richie will be hoping to run sub 66 minutes and further prove that his marathon preparations are going to plan.

Club coach Alex Donald was the team manager.