Night of 10,000m PBs: British athletes eye Olympic qualification

The Night of the 10,000m PBs has been dubbed the “Glastonbury” of athletics and the unique event carries even greater significance this year as it doubles as the UK Olympic trials.

A total of 17 races, featuring athletes from more than 30 countries, will take place at Parliament Hill, London on Saturday night. Spectators will be placed at the heart of the event by several innovative features, including a back straight DJ and a lane three beer-and-cheer tent.

It is in the final two events of the evening where Britain’s best will bid for an Olympic spot, with the first two UK athletes across the line heading to Paris if they have achieved the qualifying time.

Those times are set at 27:00 for men and 30:40 for women.

Aware she just needs a top-two finish, Scot Keith will be up against England’s Jessica Warner-Judd, who will aim to win the British title for a successive year.

Also competing in the women’s championship race at 20:30 are Philippa Bowden, Abbie Donnelly, Clara Evans, Alice Goodall, Lauren McNeil, Jennifer Nesbitt, Verity Ockenden and Sophie Wallis.

Dever became the second fastest Briton of all time behind Sir Mo Farah (26:46.57) when he ran 27:08 at The Ten in California last month, going agonisingly close to the Olympic qualifying standard.

Also in the men’s championship race at 21:25 are Ellis Cross, Charles Hicks, Rory Leonard, Zakariya Mahamed, Paulos Surafel and Charles Wheeler.

Prize money of £30,000 is up for grabs, with the winners of the men’s and women’s championship races earning £6,000. An additional £5,000 will be given to any championship race winner who breaks the event record times of 27:12.73 for men and 29:59.03 for women.