Summer Solstice 10k

MKL was first home for GRC pictured here at the start

Shane Robinson and Rebecca Gallop were the winners of the 2017 Summer Solstice 10K Road Race, held at Long Bennington on Friday 23rd June. The Grantham Running Club hosted event, first run in 2010, again attracted over 900 entrants and had 835 finishers, making it currently the largest club organised road race in Lincolnshire. 

Race Winner Shane Robinson

From the moment the starting horn was blasted at 7:30pm, the men's race established itself as a two-way battle between 2014 Solstice winner Ben Livesey (Notts AC/Royal Air Force) and 2015 winner and course record holder Shane Robinson (Lincoln Wellington AC), who was hoping to return to the top spot after finishing second in 2016. In a closely fought battle it was Shane who finished victorious in 31:46, eleven seconds clear of Ben and just 16 seconds outside the course record on an evening when a blustery wind made the going tough for much of the opening half of the race. 

First lady: Rebecca Gallop

The race for third was an even closer affair with veteran runner Stephen Dickens (Rushcliffe AC) clocking 34:02, smashing his old 10K PB by nearly a minute to finish four seconds ahead of fourth placed Chris Nicoll, who was two seconds ahead of fifth placed Philip Nind (Lincoln & District Runners). 

Holly was first lady for GRC

The women's race saw Rebecca Gallop (Newark AC) hoping to finally claim victory having finished third, fourth, fourth, and second on her previous four Solstice appearances. She faced tough competition in the form of twice World Duathlon Age Group Champion Claire Steels (Unattached), who herself was hoping to win her first Solstice having finished second in 2015.Ultimately it was Rebecca who won; her winning time of 37:53 over a minute better than she had run before and thirteen seconds quicker than second placed Claire. Third was 2014 and 2015 Solstice winner Emily Foran (Sleaford Striders), who was the only other woman to break forty minutes, with 39:19.

Chloe looking relaxed as she finishes

Race hosts Grantham Running Club were able to field a large contingency of forty runners, nine of whom had taken part in the club's 2017 10 Weeks to 10K (10W210K) campaign as a build up to taking part in the race. First home for GRC was Matthew Kingston-Lee, finishing seventh in 35:00. He was followed by Gav Meadows, who smashed his old PB with his first sub-40 minute performance, clocking a superb 38:59. Tony Johnson (39:09), Richard Payne (39:27, PB), Matthew Williamson (39:43, PB), and Andy Atter (39:50) all broke 40 minutes, making it the strongest ever showing in a 10K race by the club.

Belinda holding off a L & D runner

First GRC woman home was Holly Durham, who was an excellent fifth, clocking 42:13. She was followed by Suzanne Britz, who was delighted with a new PB of 51:04, and 10W210K runner Rachael Smith, who clocked 54:41. There were six further personal bests set on the night by GRC members: Gavin Skinner (55:40); Hayley Staff (56:48); Nicola Fahy (56:56); Andy Barradell (58:33); Victoria Dexter (58:19); and Carole Walker (67:28). Stuart Batty was the first 10W210K finisher in 48:15. 

Kathleen with a few yards to go

The Summer Solstice 10K has gained a reputation for offering a race experience over and above what you'd normally expect at a club-hosted race. Runners in the race village could enjoy, amongst other things: a pre-race group warm up from Biltong Farm co-owner and Fitness Instructor Rebecca Smith; post race massage from Sophie Hunt and David McKee; food from North Field Farm; and post-race bubbles to celebrate with from the Vino Prosecco Bar.

Julia sprints to the line

The race also featured pacers for the first time. From Ian Boneham, the sub-40 minute pacer, to Nick Jones, the sub-70 minute pacer, pacers at five minute increments helped numerous runners achieve their time targets. Moreover, to the delight of Club Chairman Matthew Kingston-Lee, a bottle of commemorative cider was also on offer for the first time to finishers in addition to the traditional ale and half pint glass.  

"Once again I was blown away by the quality of the event staged by our club," commented Matthew after the race. "Our new Race Director Ben Mason and his crew of volunteers, comprised entirely of club members, their friends and family, should be congratulated for organising a race that has now become, for many, one of the highlight races of the year. I'm looking forward already to the 2018 race!"

Gun Position	Name	Chip Time	Age Grade
7	Matthew Kingston-Lee	35:00	81.78%
37	Gav Meadows	38:59	70.79%
40	Tony Johnson	39:09	79.05%
47	Richard Payne	39:27	69.17%
52	Matt Williamson	39:43	67.60%
55	Andy Atter	39:50	68.87%
82	Peter Bonner	41:49	68.45%
89	Holly Durham	42:13	72.80%
152	Stuart Reader	45:30	65.36%
211	Kevin Kettle	47:38	66.04%
227	Stuart Baty	48:15	61.16%
268	Tommy Napier	49:25	65.27%
298	Paul Durham	50:14	68.25%
326	Suzanne Britz	51:04	64.34%
418	Chris Gearren	53:16	54.14%
424	David Lewis	53:36	56.36%
457	Rachael Smith	54:41	56.43%
473	Caroline Davis	55:39	59.64%
490	Gavin Skinner	55:40	53.84%
512	Hayley Staff	56:48	54.58%
523	Nicola Fahy	56:56	57.71%
543	Anne Barnabas	57:41	55.06%
579	Victoria Dexter	58:19	53.44%
568	Tracey Smith	58:29	52.43%
576	Andy Barradell	58:33	50.40%
607	Warren Stark	59:03	48.84%
594	Rachel Hamilton	59:14	51.23%
606	Joanne Moore	59:22	56.52%
649	Kathleen Gray	01:00:57	51.13%
661	Simon Hartley	01:01:41	49.37%
682	Belinda Baker	01:03:01	57.36%
687	Julia Hallam	01:03:30	48.60%
738	Emma Weighill	01:06:08	47.69%
748	Amanda Mumby	01:06:45	46.96%
753	Claire Fritz	01:07:27	45.96%
754	CJ Walker	01:07:28	46.46%
770	Nicholas Jones	01:08:04	44.04%
774	Melanie Taylor	01:08:44	45.10%
796	Angela Wilson	01:11:42	45.40%
829	Helen Barradell	01:23:21	38.39%