Keyworth Turkey Trot Half Marathon

Gav (with soup), Catherine, Pasky, SJ, MKL and Robert

A turkey

Grantham Running Club managed to secure seven places at the very popular Keyworth Turkey Trot, an end of year half marathon on an undulating course around the quite rural roads surrounding Keyworth. Now in its 33^rd year and a sell out on the day it opened for entries, the Turkey Trot attracts 1,100 runners all vying to win one of the select few Christmas turkey prizes on offer. Those who didn't win a turkey could content themselves with one of the event's famous post race mementos, which this year was a medal which doubled up as a multi-tool. The near perfect running conditions were reflected in the times posted with strong performances from the entire GRC contingency.

                

First home was GRC Chairman Matthew Kingston Lee, who clocked a fine 76:45 to take an excellent eighth place, earning him first position in the V40-44 category. After collecting and posing with his prize turkey he said: “I was pleased to end the year with a positive result - a top ten finish, a course PB and the V40 prize. The turkey will be enjoyed by all the family on Christmas Day! The race was uneventful but went to plan. I'm very content to have a 'season's worst' breaking 77 minutes".

SJ enjoying the run in

Next to finish was Andrew Pask with a season's best time of 89:19, just sneaking into the top 100 finishers in his 20th half marathon. Gav Meadows closely followed - although Gav set an official PB, he was an agonising 12 seconds off the prized sub 90 minute time. Catherine Payne, in her first race back after a three month layoff due to a serious injury, was pleased with her steady 96:05, which was good enough for runner up spot in the LV45 Category.

Despite getting held up in the crowds before the start line, Nick Payne worked through the field to grab a PB with a time of 99:04 finishing just behind was Robert McArdle, whose 99:19 was a season’s best. 

The star of the day however was Sarah Willis, with a fantastic run to knock almost four minutes off her PB set in October. Her time of 1:41:23 is an amazing achievement considering she only started running seriously six months ago. (Member of the month in red)

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading	AG Ranking
8	76:45	Matthew Kingston Lee		MV40		81.01%	107
100	89:19	Andrew Pask		MV35		66.80%	1698
107	89:38	Gerry Hyde		MV50		76.66%	588
115	90:11	Gav Meadows		MV35		66.16%	N/A
210	96:05	Catherine Payne		FV50		77.61%	79
275	99:19	Robert McArdle		MV55		71.70%	639
282	99:04	Nick Payne		MV35		61.78%	N/A
314	1:41:23	Sarah Willis		FV35		66.06%	N/A
720	2:03:48	Ruth Dunstan		FV40		55.29%	N/A