Sunday 1 December 2019

Nottingham Christmas Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K and 1 Mile


The National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont was the host for a compendium of races that was collectively titled the Nottingham Christmas Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K and 1 Mile. Finishers of all the races received a bespoke Christmas medal and selection box; although some would argue that with the 10K and marathon races being held on the last day of November, the Christmas sentiment was perhaps a touch premature!
The first race to be held on the Saturday was the 10K with three members of Grantham Running Club taking part. Conditions were not great for racing – sub zero temperatures meant sections of the only partially gritted course were icy and with thick fog rolling in over the rowing basin, visibility was at times down to just a few meters. 

Despite the poor conditions Holly Durham put in a fine effort to finish just 40 seconds down on her season’s best with 43:45, seeing her finish fourth in the women’s race and second in her age category. She was followed by her sister Penny Hodges who regarded the conditions as not fit for racing in and cruised home several minutes outside her run at Leeds in 48:22. Heather Welbourne ran well to finish just under half a minute outside her previous 10K effort at West Pinchbeck, clocking 59:14. Despite the poor conditions the winning times were quick with Euan Wilson of Charnwood AC clocking 33:05 and Johanna Gurney third overall and the winning female in a swift 34:22.  

Taking to the start line a little while after the 10K in the marathon was Tony Johnson. Although the ice had thawed somewhat on the multiple lap course of the rowing basin, the heavy fog persisted for the entirety of the race despite there being a noticeable breeze on the backstretch. Undeterred Tony had a great run to finish 24th overall and third in the V50 age category with 3:10:31, just 10 ½ minutes outside his sub-3 effort at the London Marathon. The marathon was won by James Ford of Loughborough Students in 2:42:34 with Caroline Brooks of St Neots Riverside Runners the winning woman in 2:49:29
The following day – Sunday 1st December – saw the running of the 5K and Half Marathon races. While no member of GRC took part in the half, Sam Dodwell represented the club in the 5K.
In better conditions than the races held on the Saturday, Sam ran a great race to break his old PB by fifteen seconds, finishing sixteenth overall in 20:19, which closes the gap on his brother Jack to just ten seconds over 5K. The battle of which Dodwell will break 20 minutes first will be one of the more keenly followed club rivalries in the months to come.
The 5K race was won by Euan Wilson of Charnwood AC in 15:43 with Gabrielle Coveney of Holme Pierrepoint RC the winning female in 19:15.

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