Leeds Doctor Phil Sesemann ran the London Marathon and qualified for the European Championships after coming seventh on his first attempt.
Remarkably, the junior doctor completed the 26.2 mile run in just two hours, twelve minutes and 58 seconds - a time that secured qualification for the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Sesemann has been training with his dog Kipchoge, aptly named after marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge the spaniel cross has her own Strava account and regularly completes eighty miles of exercise a week alongside her owner.
According to Sesemann, "she seems to love it, but she doesn't get a choice".
Sesemann and Kipchoge training in the weeks leading up to the London Marathon. Image: Instagram
This was Sesemann's first attempt at the London Marathon, yet his impressive time was less than ten minutes behind marathon winner Sisay Lemma. The thirty-year-old from Ethiopia completed the marathon in two hours four minutes and one second.
Due to coming into contact with a fellow racer that tested positive for Covid-19, Lemma was not able to enjoy his success on the podium and left to return to their hotel after finishing the marathon - forcing his manager to take his place.
This was also a considerable fear for Sesemann, having worked in St James' and Leeds General Infirmary during the Covid-19 pandemic in the accident and emergency department, he would have been fully aware of the physical impact that the disease can have when training or participating in such events.
The Leeds doctor had been minimising his risk of catching the disease during the lead-up to the marathon.
"It wouldn't be worth it", noted Sesemann in an interview after his marathon success.
As the A&E doctor celebrated his win, he also is celebrated his 29th birthday on the tracks. With a crowd of half a million bystanders, this will certainly be a birthday to remember.
Sesemann ran alongside almost 36,000 other participants from Blackheath to the Mall but a further 35,000 runners are expected to have finished the virtual London Marathon.
It is thought that the London Marathon 2021 will now hold the world record for the number of runners taking part in a single marathon. The previous record was held by New York, but an announcement should be made later today if London 2021 has broken the record.
US pop star Conan Gray and BRIT award winner Jacob Alon join the line-up for Lewis Capaldi's headline date at Roundhay Festival.
Leeds' Roundhay Park is welcoming back live music to its grounds this summer for two outdoor gigs headlined by Lewis Capaldi and Pitbull titled Roundhay Festival, with special guests slowly being announced.
Gray is recognised for standout tracks like 'Heather' and 'Maniac' while Alon has built a cult following of fans around their indie tunes like 'Fairy in a Bottle' as well as 'Liquid Gold 25'.
Jacob Alon has been showing off their artistry within the indie music scene thanks to their 2025 LP In Limerence catching the attention of many in the process.
This album has gone onto attract widespread love from music listeners and even industry professionals bagging themselves their first-ever BRIT award nomination and win - The Critics' Choice award.
Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi's Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Supplied via Press Shots
Conan Gray started out covering other artists hits before creating some of his own and releasing debut studio album Kid Krow back in 2020.
The project has production credits shared between Gray and Dan Nigro, Grammy-winning producer who has worked with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde and more.
It's always exciting hearing updates like these, but this one is even more impressive as it's not just one stellar act joining the Roundhay Festival line-up but two, with further acts to be announced.
The almost 70,000 crowd who are heading down to Roundhay Festival when Lewis Capaldi makes his way to Leeds next summer are going to be blessed with some phenomenal live music.
This year marks American Express Presents Roundhay Festival first year with two star-studded dates fronted by powerhouse performers with the second show fronted by Pitbull and special guest Kesha.
These events have been organised with Leeds City Council and are expected to bring benefits to the local area by employing local suppliers, staff and boost spending on accommodation, food and entertainment.
Conan Gray and Jacob Alon will play alongside Lewis Capaldi at Roundhay Festival in Leeds on Saturday 4 July 2026 with tickets available HERE.
Award-winning vintage retailer announces new store in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Popular vintage store brand Glass Onion is returning to Leeds with a brand-new permanent site.
Following the huge success of its temporary pop up shop in Leeds Trinity, Glass Onion is coming back with a bang and expanding into a larger, two-floor space in Leeds city centre.
They'll be taking over the old Levi's jeans unit on Lands Lane and will be opening on Wednesday 18 March, so we really don't have long to wait.
Customers can shop Leeds' best collection of sustainable vintage clothing with every piece hand selected for store at their Yorkshire HQ.
Images: The Sheff
Shop from an expertly curated mix of all your vintage favourites, including Y2K, techwear, workwear, sportswear, boho, and loads more.
The store will also feature big-name brands like The North Face, Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, and Harley Davidson, along with an exclusive Rare Archive section - home to some of Glass Onion’s rarest vintage finds.
Glass Onion’s journey began in 2005, when founder John started selling vintage clothing out of his grandma’s coal shed in Barnsley. They opened their first retail store in Sheffield in 2019, quickly becoming a local favourite and their commitment to quality and sustainability has earned them “Best Indie Retailer in Sheffield” and “Best Vintage Retailer in Sheffield” at the Exposed Magazine Awards for three consecutive years.
To celebrate the exciting launch, Glass Onion are offering free VIP tickets where shoppers will be treated to first entry as well as freebies and vouchers from Leeds indies and entry into a competition to win a £100 Glass Onion voucher to spend on the launch day.
Sophie Smith -
4th October 2021 
