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.
New regulations are set to be put into place as part of the Briggate Action Plan.
Proposals for the plan, aimed at making some of the city centre’s busiest areas safer for everyone, received a huge amount of support during a public consultation last year.
Since then, the council have been drawing up the necessary regulations and signage, with the new rules now due to officially come into place over the next few months.
Once implemented, the action plan will mean a requirement to walk bicycles and e-bikes within the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area from 10.30am until 8pm every day.
That means no surprise bicycles will try and run you over as you're doing your shopping, hooray!
The action plan will also introduce prohibitions around certain street trading activities in targeted areas, including mobile street traders.
Extended restrictions will be put into place during major city centre events including Leeds Pride, Light Night Leeds and the Leeds Christmas Market.
Anyone breaking the new rules could be given a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council, said: “The city centre welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and our aim is for every one of them to have the best and safest possible experience of Leeds.
“Through this action plan, we’ve taken important and meaningful steps to address issues which the public have consistently told us were impacting their enjoyment of the city centre whilst also creating potential safety issues for shoppers and pedestrians.
“With these new regulations in place, our hope is that both day-to-day visits and major events will now be even more enjoyable, successful and welcoming.”
The new restrictions on pedlars are expected to be in place from Thursday 1 October, with restrictions on bikes in pedestrianised areas due to be in place by the end of the year.
Huge new two-storey late-night venue with beer hall and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
A new late-night venue is set to open in Leeds city centre.
And luckily for us, we don't have long to wait.
Introducing Klubhaus, a new venue by The Bierkeller brand that will open its doors on Friday 30 October on Merrion Street in Leeds city centre.
Combining a whole host of things, Klubhaus will feature drinks, games, and its very own beer hall on the top floor.
'The Bier Hall' will offer your classic Bierkeller-style benches alongside a huge stage and vast dance floor, perfect for events and live DJs.
Elsewhere in the two-storey venue, there will be two bars and plenty of games including dart boards, pool tables, and Bierkeller's popular ‘Spin the Wheel’ game where customers are given the chance to spin a large wheel behind each bar to unlock discounts and offers.
Dave Howarth, Brand Manager of The Bierkeller said: “Klubhaus is an exciting Bierkeller concept, and Leeds is the perfect city for a more drinks-led, late-night version of the brand.
“With two floors, two bars and The Bier Hall, we've built a venue on Merrion Street designed for the perfect night out.”
Considering the location, we've got a feeling this will do very well for those who prefer to party at the top of town on Merrion Street.
And with the prospect of bagging yourself a free drink from the mysterious wheel...who could resist?
You can have a look at what to expect via the Klubhaus by Bierkeller website here.
Sophie Smith -
4th October 2021 
