Tarpley 20

2016 '10 weeks to 10k' graduate Ady Walker represented Grantham Running Club in the Tarpley 20 mile race near Bury St Edmunds in Sussex. The race is named after Bert Tarpley who is a former president of the St Edmund Pacers Running Club. With temperatures only just above freezing point runners seemed reluctant to head outside onto the undulating course in the picturesque Suffolk countryside.

Ady set off aiming for a sub 3 hour finish in his first race at this distance. Feeling strong in the early stages of the race, he reached the 10 mile mark in 1hr 24min (over 5 minutes ahead of schedule). Unfortunately this was to prove his downfall as he found the going tougher from mile 13 and his pace began to drop. In mile 17 cramp set in and a sub 3 Hour finish was now looking doubtful. Trailing runners started to pass Ady on a regular basis and he eventually crossed the line in a time of 3.04.55.

After the race Ady commented “I learned a hard lesson today on the importance of pacing the race correctly and sticking to the original race plan. I went off too fast and then paid the price but on a positive note I have to remember that less than 2 years ago I would struggle to run three miles never mind twenty." Ady is now preparing for his first ever marathon in Manchester on 8th April.

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
197	3:04:55	Adrian Walker		MV40		53.75%