Ethiopian long-distance runner Hagos Gebrhiwet recorded the fastest road 5k ran in Britain at the inaugural SportsShoes.com Podium Festival held at New College, Leicester.
The Olympic Medallist and world number one for men’s road running clocked a time of 13:19 at the event on Saturday (March 16) setting an all-comer British record.
SportsShoes.com Podium Festival also saw an estimated 65 per cent of the field who took part achieve personal bests.
In the male category, 13 runners secured sub-14 minute 5k race times, while sub-15 and 16 minute times were clocked by 156 and 289 entrants respectively.
Across the female runners, two achieved sub 15-minute race times and 21 completed in under 16 minutes. Sub-17 minute times were seen with 76 runners and 133 recorded sub-18 minute times.
SportsShoes.com’s managing director, Brett Bannister, commented: “It’s amazing what Hagos has achieved at the SportsShoes.com Podium Festival and it’s fitting way to kick off what will be the first multi-brand event of its kind.
“We set out to put on the UK’s fastest ever running event. With Hagos’s record and the host of personal bests amongst the world-class talent we gathered, it’s fantastic to say we achieved just that.
“Our mantra at SportsShoes.com is ‘there’s no fun in standing still’, and we look forward to staying on this record breaking path with more events for the athlete and running community.”
More than eight hours of racing ranging in format and distance took place and entrants shared a total prize fund of over £30,000, one of the biggest domestic racing has ever seen.
Alongside the 1,000 runners who took part and spectators in attendance, an estimated 20,000 watched the live stream, making it the biggest Podium5K event organised to date.
Race manger, Chris Barnes, commented: “SportsShoes.com Podium Festival represents months of dedicated hard work and I couldn’t be more proud of the result.
“We are committed to supporting the athlete and running community with leading events, and we have now set a new standard.
“I’d like to thank the team at New College for hosting us, the runners who took part, spectators and brand partners who supported us alongside all those who made the festival a reality.”
The event also hosted an exclusive brand village which housed 10 of SportsShoes.com’s brand partners and it was believed to be the first of its kind at any community racing event. Featured brands included Adidas, Puma, Asics, Hoka, Garmin, Saucony, New Balance, Mizuno and Salomon.
Brands had the opportunity to showcase their products and served as a platform for new product and community activations, as well as featuring their run crews and brand ambassadors.
Alongside the racing and brand village, additional entertainment at the event included 10 hours of DJs, bands and live entertainment.
