Leeds Half Marathon

John Nevard 2:08:36

Esther Fraser-Betts and John Nevard made the trip up the A1 to Leeds, for the half marathon along with Alex Curtis.The route started in The Headrow , with runners heading out of the city centre, taking in a section of the Ring Road and returning via Abbey Road and Kirkstall Road, past historic Kirkstall Abbey before finishing at Millennium Square.  The final couple of miles being the same fast segment as the Leeds 10k Abbey Dash

The course is moderately hilly (!!) , with a steady incline from 2½ - 4.½ miles and a shorter one at 6-7 miles.   The second half is a mix of downhills a level here and there.    Around 700ft of incline overall, it’s probably not the easiest HM course but not the worst either. The city centre sections were very well supported, and there were plenty of sweets being handed out to runners with motivational signs aplenty.  It was warmer than predicted and the garden hoses/water pistols were a welcome addition.

Esther ran an excellent race chalking up a PB of 2:04:34 , which was nearly 3 minutes quicker than last September’s Robin Hood Half.   A sub 2 hour HM is well within reach. After running with Esther until around the 10 mile mark, John drifted off the pace crossing the line 2:08:36, but was generally happy with the race after limited training.

The performance of the day though was by U20 runner Alex Curtis , who ran a massive 4 minute PB , finishing in 1:21:42 It’s safe to say he was very happy with that performance and an unexpected PB. Alex (who is a student of Grantham College) was especially pleased with his result as he is still recovering from Covid and has moved into the top 40 half Marathon runners in his age group in the UK

The race was won by Joe Sagar (1:08:05) & Aisling Wall (1:23:42)

 

Caythorpe Dash Run for Ukraine

Six GRC members made the very short trip to take part in the Caythorpe Dash 2022 which was donating all proceeds from the race to the Ukraine Appeal.

Craig Drury was the solo GRC entrant in the half marathon event which took in trails, country lanes and farm tracks around Caythorpe Heath, Sudbrook, Carlton Scroop, Hough on the Hill and finishing at Caythorpe Pavilion.  Craig completed the course in 2:02:39.

The half marathon winner was James Ross of Sheffield 1:21:37

In the 5k event which used local trails and an old railway line local to Caythorpe, Stefan Latter claimed 3rd place overall in a time of 20:31. Gillian Cardus and Vicki Geeson finished together in a time of 33:59.

5k winner was Ben Allen of Lincoln 17:45

 In the Canicross event Stuart Baty was 1st Male finisher with his sidekick Oscar and 2nd overall in 23:27.  Paula Pick-Ebbins and her running mate Rosie were 2nd female finishers in 23:58. Winner of the Canicross was Lisa Pask in a time of 23:0.

 After the race runners were greeted with the Caythorpe Dash cake fest for refreshments where trophies and medals were presented. All runners commented on how well organised this event was and would return in September for the 5 and 10k.

Vitality 10,000

 

The Vitality 10 000 race was held once again on the May Day Bank Holiday and as usual attracted some of Britain's top club runners for the incorporated National 10k championship. Included on the start line were the likes of Sir Mo Farah and Eilish Mccolgan.

From the start-line on the Mall, the course winds its way past many of central Londons best known landmarks including Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's cathedral, The Bank of England, Somerset House, Whitehall, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, with the finish line right outside Buckingham Palace! Starting off in several waves runners were treated to fantastic support by enthusiastic spectators as well as musical groups, choirs and DJs. 

Representing Grantham Running Club at the event were Caroline and Paul Davis along with their daughter Abigail who competes for Grantham Athletic Club. All three had run the previous day's Langtoft 10k and so planned a fairly sedate run taking in the sights. The trio crossed the start line together but after much zigzagging through the congested streets Caroline moved ahead and lost sight of Paul and Abigail. 

Caroline completed the course in a respectable 53 minutes 32 seconds,  although the distance recorded on her GPS watch was nearer 10.4km!
As Paul and Abigail neared the finish line the GAC runner's youthful exuberance emerged and Abigail surged ahead, pipping her father on the line. Both given a chip time of 59.37.

Ellis Cross was the overall winner in a time of 28.40 with Eilish Mccolgan winning the womens race in 30.23.

"Not an event where you can guarantee a fast time due to the congestion in places so may not appeal to those hunting for the next PB but great if you fancy some of that big city race vibe without having to train for a marathon!"

Langtoft 10k

Sub 40 for Sam

The Langtoft 10k Road Race (and 3k fun run) ran once again on the 1st of May after a two year ‘you-know-what’ hiatus, for its 31st incarnation.

A flat, fast course set over picturesque Lincolnshire countryside beckons a small field every year – with numbers capped at 400.

Well-practiced and slick organisation keeps runners coming back year after year, it was a combination of all these factors that made it a GRC GP series inclusion a veritable no-brainer.

The small field is surprisingly competitive, with local elite level and excellent club runners taking to the small village near Bourne.

First home for GRC was Sam Jepson. Finishing tenth overall, he had a lonely race after the opening kilometre. Clocking 35:39 it still represented a 10 second improvement on his previous personal best.

With perhaps the performance of the day, Sam Dodwell stormed home in a fantastic 39:37 to become the latest to break the magical sub-40-minute barrier.

Taking a staggering 2 minute 20 seconds off his PB from Lincoln in October 2021, coupled together with a quite unbelievable 5 weeks of multiple PB’s over multiple distances, this though, probably represents his finest race to date!

Gav Meadows was pleasantly surprised with his result of 40:48.

First lady for GRC, the incomparable Holly Durham shaved 6 seconds of her long standing best from 2018 and secured the Female Vet prize too.

Relative racing novice Daniel Pearce was elated with his 41:37, representing a 55 second PB as was Stef Latter with his own clocking just 9 seconds behind in 41:46 a PB of 49 seconds.

The legendary Rob Howbrook posted a season opening 42:56 and took the V60 age win.

Alan Carley (43:13) was under a minute outside his best, a good return for someone bearing a long-standing niggle.

Nicola Ruston-Lichfield ran solidly to post 46:19.

‘Fresh’ from Boston Marathon, Robert McArdle dug deep into his well of experience to post a very credible 46:23.

A welcome return for Tony Johnson saw him clock 46:36.

Stuart Reader ran a rather neat 47 minutes flat.

Ultra and trail runner Andrew MacAllister was rightly thrilled with his showing of 47:49

Ben Mason will no doubt use his 48:14 as marker for the remainder of the year, he pipped the prolific racer Caroline Davis to the line – again a (UK) Boston Marathoner less than 2 weeks prior – she finished 48:17, staggeringly, her second quickest 10k ever.

Caroline was an unwitting pacer/marker for Michelle Parczuk, who was thrilled at clocking a ‘mojo boosting’ PB, despite coming in a little unprepared. Running 48:49 it took 19 seconds off her previous best at the Stilton Stumble in October of 2019.

Paul Jepson was rightfully, very pleased with his day’s work as he set his fastest time for 6 years, crossing the line in 49:33.

Just behind was Philip Crowcroft, enjoying his run he posted sub 50 in spite of less-than-ideal preparation the previous day. 49:46 the final clocking.

Mark Rice ran his own superb race to shave 4 seconds off his hitherto PB, clocking 51:03 he continues to improve race after race.

Pleased to be back racing again after injury, Martin Carter was chuffed with his efforts and performance. Racing a solid 51:53 it set a line in the sand to springboard back to form again throughout the year.

Next, Fraser Marshall put his own claim in for the performance of the day to rival Sam. His impressive comeback continues to bear fruit as his discipline and new training regime comes to the fore.

Thinking more conservatively than perhaps he should have, his game plan was quickly revised and revised again as he defied his own expectations. A finish time of 52:20 he was clearly elated – it represents a 2 minute and 38 second improvement from Oundle 10k in 2020.

Paul Davis, Wayne Baxter and Tommy Napier were separated by just 20 seconds. All three off their best but happy with racing again and looking to improve over the rest of 2022. They ran; 52:23, 52:37 and 52:43 respectively.

Naomi Rivers was happy to comeback after a long injury layoff and run 52:56 and finish under her target 54 minutes. Yvonne Buckley continues to fly in the face of age slowing her down – her 60:08 was her second fastest 10k to date coming close to her best set in 2015!

Emma Hopkinson, a relative newcomer but with the running bug firmly having taken hold, was happy to finish in 61:19 despite setting off a bit too quick.Racing only for the second time with the Green Army, Holly Wragg 62:36 was ever so delighted to take an impressive 1 minute and 15 seconds off her previous quickest time.

Tracy Webb another pleased with her work as she finished in 66:28 nursing some niggles and fitness setbacks recently. All in all, a pretty great day for GRC. Many concluding that the small but competitive field of 283 is surely set to return to pre-pandemic numbers next year!

The race was won by Ben Herron of Peterborough & Nene Valley AC in 31:43. the leading lady was Philippa Taylor of Helptson Harriers AC in a time of 39:49

Another PB for Fraz

 

 

Wymeswold Waddle 5

The Waddle is part of a very enjoyable village event that includes multiple rubber duck races (with various betting pools), a tough ducker obstacle course event for the youngsters and various fete stalls including trampolines, inflatable slides, tea and cakes from the Scouts etc. Unsurprisingly for a successful village fete, it takes place in front of one of the local pubs, who sponsor the barbeque.

The first event of the day is a 5 mile out and back UKA approved chip timed run along a closed road starting at the edge of the event (within sniffing distance of the Sunday morning bacon sandwiches!). The route is simple and basically rises, with a few undulations, to the turn-around point with a water station, then returns the same way to the finish.

The 2022 event unfortunately didn’t sell out, which is disappointing for a friendly event with relatively low prices and a t-shirt, water bottle and banana at the end, as well as activities for family spectators. However, 228 people finished with the first man home being Aston Perrin of Long Eaton in 25:44 and the first woman being Gemma Steel (yes that one) in 26:54.

Grantham Running Club’s only participant was Peter Bonner who finished in 15^th place with a chip time of 32:29. Peter’s review is that this is a good race, close to Grantham and should be more visible to other Club Runners. The course requires careful management with the first half being mostly uphill, but the advantage of the out and back format is that everything that goes up in the first half allows you to go down in the second half. This fed into Peter’s preferences and he was able to overtake half a dozen runners in the second half to finish strongly.