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.
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
The Script announce HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Thomas Melia
Boyband and radio hitmakers The Script are coming to Leeds and are playing out alongside an equally big support act.
'For the First Time' in almost a year, The Script are playing a run of live shows across the UK including Leeds' First Direct Arena.
This Irish-based band have soundtracked generations with their hits spanning two decades including 'Hall of Fame', 'Breakeven', 'Superheroes' and more.
Consisting of lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue with Benjamin Seargent on bass, guitarist Ben Weaver and drummer Adam Marcello, their music fuses pop and rock.
The Script has released three albums that have topped both UK and Ireland charts as well as four Top 10 singles and they're hoping to reign supreme on the charts once more with upcoming LP The User's Guide to Being Human.
Although the full album doesn't drop until August, Danny and the rest of the lads have dropped a single titled 'Man In The Arena'.
There's even a nod to the Northern music scene on the tracklist as one of the upcoming releases is labelled 'The Crowd Was Singing Wonderwall'.
Other tracks on this LP include 'Living Our Life Without Me', 'I'm 100 Different People' and a song that's sure to get a few tears out of all of us - 'Grow Old with Grace'.
As well as announcing this new run of shows set for Winter 2026, The Script are joining Take That on a stadium tour titled The Circus Live across June and July.
Joining The Script on their latest UK tour this Winter is James Morrison known for similar ballad-like hits including 'Broken Strings' and 'Wonderful World'.
The Script UK tour dates
Mon 2 November - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Thu 5 November - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Fri 6 November - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
Sat 7 November - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Mon 9 November - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Tue 10 November - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Thu 12 November - Aberdeen, UK - P&J Live
Fri 13 November - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 14 November - Sheffield, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 16 November - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Thu 19 November - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Sat 21 November - London, UK - The O2
The Script are visiting First Direct Arena on Tuesday 10 November 2026 for their The Man In The Arena Tour with tickets and more info HERE.
Sophie Smith -
4th October 2021 
