Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run Half Marathon

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading	Ranking
1952	1:55:34	Paul Durham		MV60		65.17%	543

Rock 'n' Roll Liverpool Marathon

ASDA NOTTINGHAM 10K

On Sunday 29th May, 10 runners from Grantham Running Club took to the roads of Nottingham to compete in the Nottingham  10km on behalf of the Asda Foundation. This group included 4 runners from the clubs 10week to 10k programme running their first 10km. The mid morning race started near to the Brian Clough Stand at City Ground, Nottingham and took the route towards Lady Bay and into Holme Pierre Pont of which the runners had to fully circle the lake giving way to the bold wildlife crossing the paths in front of the runners before making the route back to the Stadium. There were many supporters along the route encouraging everyone on this overcast but surprisingly humid day.

First to cross the line from the GRC team was Suzanne Britz who missed out on a new personal best by  44seconds but as she is still in recovery from a recent injury she was very happy with her result of 52:20; She was followed by GavSkinner who ran 55:48 which was his first 10km as part of the 10W210K programme; Two personal bests were achieved by Sue Swann and Nicola Fahy with 57:10; Another 10W210K first time runner was Hayley Staff who completed the race in 58:51; Two more first time 10W210K runners who raced each other across the finish line were Lucinda Gamble in 1:02:09 and Julia Hallam in hot pursuit in 1:02:13, followed closely behind was Yvette Taylor who was very happy with her personal best of 1:03:26, followed very closely Brendon Buckley with 1:03:48. Last but not least to cross the line for the club was Angela Carr who finished in 1:04:25 who said whilst she didn't get a personal best, she was very happy to finish the race. Runners received a medal, t-shirt and a bag full of running goodies.

Report: Suzanne Britz

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
715	52:20	Suzanne Britz		FV45		62.78%
938	55:48	Gavin Skinner		MV45		53.72%
1165	57:10	Nicola Fahy		FV45	PB	56.94%
1167	57:10	Sue Swann		FV45	PB	59.37%
1176	58:51	Hayley Staff		FV35		52.95%
1414	1:02:09	Lucinda Gamble		FV35		49.65%
1421	1:02:13	Julia Hallam		FV35		49.60%
1602	1:03:26	Yvette Taylor		FV40		50.86%
1651	1:03:48	Brendon Buckley		MV65		55.74%
1671	1:04:25	Angela Carr		FV50		55.39%

Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Rosalind, Louise and Lizzie

On Sunday 28th May 2017 three runners from Grantham running club travelled north to take part in the Edinburgh marathon festival by running the half marathon: Louise Fenton, Lizzie Potter and Rosalind Sadler. 

It was the largest race any of them had taken part in with over 9,000 runners. An early start time of 8am was appreciated due to a very warm and sunny day. The race took in a few miles of the historic city including Holyrood park before heading east along the stunning coast which provided a much welcomed sea breeze taking in portabello beach and Musselburgh race course before looping back at mile 11 towards the Musselburgh finish. There was Plenty of fantastic support from the crowds and well placed water stations at regular intervals. Rosalind Sadler and  were only a second apart with finish times of 2:17:30 and 2:17:31 respectively. Louise Fenton finishing in 2:21:56. 

All thoroughly enjoyed the well organised race especially the goody box which included a brilliant medal and t shirt.

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
6329	02:17:30	Rosalind Sadler		FV40		50.92%
6333	02:17:31	Lizzie Potter		FSEN		47.87%
6859	02:21:56	Louise Fenton		FSEN		46.69%

Race report by Rosalind Sadler

Trent 5

Note: Multi-terrain race not eligible for gradings or rankings

Position	Time	Name		Category
31	32:52	Richard Payne		MS
99	38:09	Nev Chamberlin		MV55

LWAC 5k Series

Round four of the GRC 2017 Grand Prix Series took place at the LWAC 5k at Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln. The course is a 3½ lap one round the playing fields with a few tight corners on a flat well sheltered tarmac path. At £5 as a one off or £15 for the whole series it is good value for money. As you would expect all the runners observed a minutes silence before the gun as a mark of respect for the victims of the Manchester bomb.

First over 70% race

On a warm calm evening Gav Meadows took full advantage of Paul Davis’s absence to post his first ever score of over 70% to move into the lead in the men’s table with a time of 18:41, after the race Gav commented that he felt that he had set off a bit fast but can’t be unhappy with the way he kept going on the final lap accelerating towards the end. This was even more impressive considering that he had spent an hour doing an open water swim prior to the race.

First home for the club was Matthew Kingston Lee in 9^th place with a time of 16:57, frustrating two seconds outside a PB he would have surely smashed if his calf had not tightened during the race. His score of over 81% and a ranking of 63 will help compensate for the missed PB.

A club record for Rob

Rob Howbrook was third runner back for GRC in 18:57, a 30 second PB albeit against one set on a tougher course, his score of 83.18% was a new club record for a road race and fast enough to gain a ranking with UKA in his age group of 44^th which is more impressive when you consider he is close to the top of that  category.

Next home was Gerry Hyde returning to the scene of some of his most impressive performances in the past using the race as a means of putting some speed back into his legs in the middle of doing long distance training which will culminate in a charity cycle ride to Paris. He also was quick enough to be given a ranking.

Matt Williamson was just behind him as he continued to enjoy a season where every run is a PB but just fell 16 seconds short of getting a ranking, Andrew Pask was 20 seconds down on his best ever time with 20:12 but still added over 65 points to his score.

Peter Bonner’s only previous 5k was Great Edinburgh Winter Run in January in very different conditions so he was expecting a PB but an excellent 20:25 is a fair reflection of how well he is running this year.

Having been concentrating on longer distances this was Catherine Payne’s first race over a distance of less than 13 miles since last August, able to stick within a second a mile to a conservative race plan, Catherine’s time of 20:42 placed her fourth lady in the race and first veteran, her score of 82% moves her up to fourth in the ladies Grand Prix table and earned her a ranking position of 19 from runbritain.

Suzy - fastest ever race

Robert McArdle’s time of 21:46 was his best in the last few years giving him almost 72 points to add to his score and comfortably inside his ranking target.

Like Gav and Gerry Suzanne Britz is a multi-sport specialist combining her running training with cycling and open water swimming, this race was to be a tester for events still to come. She was so excited to be back running again after three weeks out with injury that she nailed the first mile before hanging on to record her fastest ever run completing the course in 25:07.

Round 5 takes place at the Woodhall Spa 10k in a couple of weeks.

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading	Ranking
9	16:57	Matthew Kingston-Lee		MV40		81.14%	63
27	18:41	Gavin Meadow		MV35		70.97%	285
31	18:57	Robert Howbrook		MV55	PB	83.18%	44
34	19:17	Gerry Hyde		MV50		78.37%	122
39	19:32	Matthew Williamson		MS		66.04%	N/A
46	20:12	Andrew Pask		MV35		65.64%	N/A
49	20:25	Peter Bonner		MV40	PB	66.85%	N/A
54	20:42	Catherine Payne		FV50		82.00%	19
61	21:46	Robert McArdle		MV55		71.80%	168
89	25:07	Suzanne Britz		FV45		63.83%	N/A

LWAC 5K Series - Race 1

LWAC 5K Series - Race 1

The Lincoln Wellington 5K series kicked off this week at the Yarborough Leisure Centre, Lincoln. The season opener attracted ten members of Grantham Running Club all hoping for PB's and aiming to gain crucial points in the GRC grand prix series.

In a quality field, which included 2hr 17 marathon man Ben Livesy and on a warm evening some GRC runners found the early pace difficult to hold. Matthew Kingston-Lee put his injury troubles aside for an impressive time of 16:57, only 2s outside his previous best and placing him in 9th position.

Next home Gav Meadows, making an eye catching debut in a 5K race with 18:41. Gav was closely followed by veterans Rob Howbrook and Gerry Hyde. Rob continues to defy the age barrier with an outstanding PB time of 18:57 placing him 2nd in the VM55 age category and bagging himself over 80 points in the series. Gerry produced a confidence boosting 19:17 and is sure to go quicker in races to come.

The in-form Matthew Williamson was next, making his 5K debut with a very strong 19:32. Following on was Andrew Pask who was disappointed to miss out on a sub 20mins run with 20:12 and seasoned parkrun competitor Peter Bonner who ran a PB time of 20:25. The ever consistent, Catherine Payne continued the fine performances with 20:42, placing her 1st in the VW50 age category.

Robert McArdle was 3rd in the VM55 age category with a solid 21:46 and Suzanne Brize made an impressive debut with 25:07.

GRC members now turn their attention to the next event in the Grand Prix Series which is the Woodhall Spa 10k.

Report: Andrew Pask

The Deepings 10K

Tony, Gav, Vicky and Peter

Four members of Grantham Running Club made the trip to Deeping St James on Sunday 21st May to take part in the Deepings 10K. The charity race, organised by the Deepings Rotary Club, takes place on the country lanes around the village. The course is very flat meaning there was potential for personal best times. However, there was a moderate breeze which slowed runners down slightly on the day.

First to finish for GRC was new, but experienced member Tony Johnson with a very impressive time of 39:12 placing him 11th overall in the field of 239 runners. Just 5 places behind was Gav Meadows who narrowly missed out on going under 40 minutes with a time of 40:25. He said 'I knew that Tony was one to watch in this race & unfortunately I made the mistake of trying to stay with him. This cost me dearly & led to a very poorly paced race. I ran the first mile far too quickly & paid the price'.

Next over the line for GRC was Peter Bonner who continued recent good form with a PB of 42:33. This bettered his previous best by 21 seconds & without the wind he may well have gone under 42 minutes.

Despite having to stop for a break due to feeling unwell Vicky Willan soldiered on and made it to the end recording a time of 1:05:50. There's no doubt that she's well capable of going under 60 minutes but it just wasn't to be on the day.

Report: Gav Meadows

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading	Ranking
11	39:12	Tony Johnson		MV50		78.31%	159
16	40:25	Gav Measdows		MV35		68.28%	N/A
35	42:33	Peter Bonner		MV40		66.77%	N/A
201	65:50	Vicky Willan		FV45		50.97%	N/A

ASICS Windermere Marathon

Last Sunday saw Caroline and Paul Davis make the long journey to Cumbria to take part in the Asics Windermere marathon. Billed as the UK's most scenic marathon it is also seen as one of the toughest courses in the country.
Caroline and Paul joined 655 other runners on the start line at Brathay hall in cool and damp conditions though fortunately the heavy rain had stopped by this time.
After a steady start Paul made good progress through the field as some competitors struggled on the hilly terrain.
First across the finish line for GRC was Paul in 94th position in a time of 3:41:53. Caroline came a brilliant 3rd place in the FV45 category in a time of 4:14:10.
After the race Paul said "it was a really hard race but having run a couple of marathons this spring certainly helped in the latter stages and the location is fantastic".

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
94	3:41:53	Paul Davis		MV45		61.74%
286	4:14:10	Caroline Davis		FV45		60.91%

Sinfin Classic 10K

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
64	41:46	Richard Payne	PB	MS		65.33%

Eye 10k Road Race

Tony Johnson was the only GRC runner taking part in this 10k race which attracted a high quality field as it was part of a Cambridgeshire race series. Run under ARC rules (which means it doesn't appear on Power of 10) his time of 39:12 placed him fourth in his age group and 22nd overall out of over 500 finishers. As usual the course was effected a crosswind for most of its distance but thiis turned into a welcoming tailwind for the final 3k.

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
22	39:12	Tony Johnson		MV50		78.95%

Draycote Water Half Marathon

Catherine on her way to first lady

This half marathon is good value for money at £14.00 + £1.50 admin fee for a chip timed race with a medal and a tee shirt. There is a 10k and a half marathon run over the same 8k lap concurrently. The two races starting half a lap apart mean there is a good atmosphere at both the start and the finishes with a good crowd milling around. The different starting points mean the course is never too crowded and you could end up lapping a lot of people. There are a lot of non club runners and the field was wide spread with many runners taking over two hours. It is one to consider with three race days here over the course of the year.

Grantham Running Club’s Catherine Payne enjoyed a winning start to the summer season of shorter races by being first lady over the line at the Draycote Half Marathon in Rugby. This three lap race round the reservoir attracted almost 400 runners on a dry but windy morning to this picturesque setting in the heart of Warwickshire.

With no timed starting pens and not having done the race before Catherine ended up closer to the front than normal with only one lady in front of her who she passed within the first mile. Despite not having raced at anything faster than marathon pace for five months Catherine was able to increase the gap to the second and third ladies to 93 seconds by the end of the first lap. During the next lap Catherine was able to build her lead by another two and a half minutes as the strong headwind on the mile long final straight took its toll on the field. The final lap saw her winning margin grow to over six and a half minutes as she finished in a time of 96:39 to place her comfortably inside the top 50 ranked ladies in the UK in her age group.

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
19	1:36:45	Catherine Payne		FV50		78.12%