FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vernon, Hawkins, Purdue and Partridge lead British charge
Andy Vernon will make his debut over 26.2 miles at the 2019 Virgin Money
London Marathon.
The 33-year-old, who has won medals in European Championships on the track
and cross-country, has decided that now is the time to make the step up to
marathon running.
He will join a star-studded British field in both the men's and women's
races at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon which will be used as the
selection race for the World Championships in Doha which begin in
September.
Vernon said: "It felt like the right time in my career to move up to the
marathon. I feel like I am getting a little bit slower on the track. It's
tough to make teams, it's tough to do well at championships, especially
over 10,000m. For that reason, I thought if I don't do it now, I won't ever
do it."
Joining Vernon in the men's race is Callum Hawkins, who was fourth at the
2017 World Championships, Dewi Griffiths, who ran 2:09:49 at the Frankfurt
Marathon in 2017 and, of course, Sir Mo Farah who was the first elite
athlete announced for the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Other Brits confirmed to run are Jonny Mellor, Tsegai Tewelde, Andy Davies,
Josh Griffiths, Robbie Simpson and Matt Sharp.
The British women's field promises to be just as competitive. After a year
hampered by injury and illness, Charlotte Purdue will return to the Virgin
Money London Marathon in 2019 as will her Aldershot Farnham & District AC
clubmate Lily Partridge.
Just one second separates Purdue's marathon PB of 2:29:23, set at the 2017
Virgin Money London Marathon, and Partridge's best time of 2:29:24 which
she ran to finish eighth in her first Virgin Money London Marathon last
year.
Purdue said: "I want to make the World Championship team for Doha and I
want to run a PB at the Virgin Money London Marathon because I think I can
go a lot faster than I did in 2017 and I think my World Championship
performance proved that. I just haven't had the right race yet so I'm
hoping the London Marathon will be the right race for me.
Tracey Barlow and Sonia Samuels are also confirmed for the 2019 Virgin
Money London Marathon.
Other British women confirmed to run are: Laura Graham, Hayley Carruthers,
Natasha Cockram and Tish Jones.
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