Sleaford Half Marathon

 

The green vests of Grantham Running Club were out in force at the revamped Sleaford Half Marathon with 20 club members attempting the distance. The race hosted by Sleaford Striders Running Club relocated this year to Sleaford Football Club, using a new course through the villages of Kirkby La Thorpe, Evedon and Ewerby. The new course, more undulating than expected proved increasingly difficult due to the 20mph northerly winds with mile 9 being uphill, into the wind. This didn't stop the GRC team from posting fast times including many personal bests (PBs).

Caroline

Tony Johnson was first over the line in a season's best of 86:22. Gav Meadows after a slight wrong turn at 10 miles was second home in 16th position with a PB time of 1:27:59.  Matthew Williamson and Andrew Pask was next, racing to the line with Matthew overtaking Andrew on the finish straight to finish in 21st position with a huge PB time of 1:29:00, the first time he's finished under the prestigious 1:30:00 mark. Andrew in 22ndposted 1:29:04, his 2nd fastest time over the distance. Gav, Matthew and Andrew ran well enough for GRC to be awarded 1st place men's team although an admin glitch prevented them from being awarded their prize on the day. 

Next home for GRC was Paul Davis in 33rd place, only 6 days after running the Milton Keynes Marathon and 14 days after the London Marathon making his PB time of 1:31:33 all the more incredible.

Martin

First GRC lady was SJ Willis with a return to form 1:43:35, closely followed by Caroline Davis also 6 days after a marathon with PB time of 1:49:12. The ever consistent Sarah High was next with a strong 1:49:56.

Paul

Next home was PBs from Sinead McDonnell (1:52:20), Martin Carter (1:52:44) and first timer Rachel Smith (1:56:04). Nicola Cottam was next with a big PB in 1:56:07, her first time under the magical 2hr mark.

Tommy Napier was happy with his PB time of 2:00:27, despite narrowly missing out on a sub 2hr run. The PBs kept coming with Jacqueline Jacobs (2:02:03), Rosalind Sadler (2:10:51) and Lizzie Potteer (2:13:04). Strong times continued with Louise Fenton (2:19:31), Julia Colville (2:23:55), Vicky Willan (2:25:43), Sue Swann (2:25:45) and Magaretta Murray (2:26:10).

The GRC supporters were out in force for this race, with many club members who were not running choosing to come to support fellow club-mates. The GRC cheer leading team was a welcome sight on the finish straight for every Grantham runner.

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
11	1:26:22	Tony	Johnson	MV50		78.19%
16	1:27:59	Gav	Meadows	MV35		68.10%
21	1:28:59	Andrew	Pask	MV35		67.37%
22	1:29:00	Matthew	Williamson	MS		66.49%
33	1:31:33	Paul	Davis	MV45		69.51%
103	1:43:35	SJ	Willis	FV35		64.83%
134	1:48:36	Stuart	Reader	MV40		59.06%
143	1:49:12	Caroline	Davis	FV45		65.87%
150	1:49:56	Sarah	High	FV55		72.18%
169	1:52:20	Sinead	McDonnell	FV40		62.23%
176	1:52:44	Martin	Carter	MS		52.63%
210	1:56:04	Rachael	Smith	FV35		57.59%
211	1:56:07	Nicola	Cottam	FV45		62.60%
234	1:58:24	Paul	Durham	MV60		63.52%
253	2:00:27	tommy	Napier	MV55		58.48%
262	2:02:03	Jacqueline	Jacobs	FV50		58.92%
308	2:10:38	Rosalind	Sadler	FV35		53.51%
324	2:13:04	Amy Elizabeth	Potter	FS		49.40%
354	2:19:31	Louise	Fenton	FS		47.43%
369	2:23:55	Julia	Colville	FV45		49.49%
371	2:25:43	Vicky	Willan	FV35		49.90%
372	2:25:45	Sue	Swann	FV45		50.47%
373	2:26:10	Magaretta	Murray	FV55		55.76%