Friday 24 March 2017 11:21, UK
Sky Scholar Mark English pushed David Rudisha all the way but had to settle for second in a pulsating 500m showdown at the Great North CityGames on the streets of Newcastle at the weekend.
The Kenyan double Olympic champion's 57.69 seconds over the rarely-raced 500m broke the world's best time as he fought off the close attentions of Ireland's 800m star and GB's Martyn Rooney.
In sunny and calm conditions at the free-to-watch street athletics meeting, English stayed on Rudisha's heels as Rooney fell off the pace with the 23-year-old Sky Academy Sports Scholar battling with a late dash to clock a personal best 57.91.
English, who won the 500m on Manchester's streets last year, said: "I was really happy to end the season on a high. I ran the second fastest time ever so that's a nice stat.
"The conditions were perfect and I was able to draft off the two big guys - Rooney and Rudisha. Huge respect to Rudisha for running the world's best time - he is a double Olympic champion for a reason.
"It was a great race to be part of - the crowd were magnificent, as always!"
English, who has just returned from the Rio Olympics after making the 800m semi-finals, was also joined on the Newcastle and Gateshead stage with fellow Scholar Holly Bradshaw.
The pole vaulter, fifth in the Olympic final, was not placed in the CityGames after fouling at 4.45m, but was not too disheartened with a holiday on the horizon after a hectic season.
Bradshaw said: "The crowd at the CityGames was immense as always. Thanks for the support but sorry I couldn't deliver what I thought I was capable of!
"Now it's time to relax and have some down time. I'm going to enjoy the next few weeks of doing nothing and then get things rolling towards 2017."
Another Scholar wrapping up a crazy campaign at the weekend was road cyclist Lucy Garner who was racing at the inaugural Women's World Tour race in Spain.
Belgian and fellow Wiggle-High5 rider Jolien D'hoore won the Madrid Challenge by La Vuelta ahead of team-mate Chloe Hosking, with American Megan Guarnier securing overall victory on the Tour.
Garner was part of a six-strong Wiggle-High5 team and D'Hoore and Hosking were very grateful for the efforts over the weekend of the Scholar's and other team-mates.
D'Hoore tweeted: "You never win alone! Special thanks to all Wiggle High5 staff", while Australian Hosking added: "Thank you girls! Wish you were up on the podium with us."
