LWAC 5k Series

Round three of Grantham Running Club’s Grand Prix Series took place at Lincoln where 17 runners lined up for the LWAC 5k race. On a flat course and with the temperature ideal for a short event the only downside was a strong headwind which runners had to face three times during this lapped course.  First home for GRC with an outstanding PB in a time of 16:45 was Matthew Kingston Lee  slicing three seconds off his previous mark. It is considered the mark of an athlete operating at their peak when the PB’s are by such small increments. This capped a remarkable month for Matthew where despite his training being hampered by a cycling related knee injury he has been able to peak twice in two successive races.

Next home was the fast improving Matt Williamson also setting a PB in only his third ever 5k, he was closely followed by Rob Howbrook in 19:09 which was good enough not only to secure a top 50 ranking but to a score of 83% which is the club’s highest in 2018. Chasing Rob to the line was 5k specialist Peter Bonner who clocked up a dozen of these races last year alone but had never previously gone sub 19:30. Triathlete Gerry Hyde was next in using the race as a sprint warm-up for his forthcoming multi-event outing.

Holly Durham was the club’s first lady home in 20:37 narrowly pipping Mark Hillson on the final lap in what was for both of them their first 5k race. Craig Drury was also delighted with his sub 22 minute debut  and can’t wait to show off this pace at his next parkrun. Suzy Britz clipped 8 seconds of her previous best and was rewarded with a WMA score of over 65%.

April’s member of the month Julie Gilbert scored highly with a 62.25% performance in her best run ever. The other PB of the day was from Louise Kennedy in her third 5k where she reduced her time over the distance by in excess of three minutes. Sadly Penny Hodges had to pull out early in the race with a leg strain. Full results below;

Position	Time	Name		Category		Grading
9	16:45	Matthew Kingston Lee		MV40	PB	82.75%
39	18:46	Matthew Williamson		MSEN	PB	68.74%
46	19:09	Rob Howbrook		MV55		83.03%
48	19:18	Peter Bonner		MV40	PB	71.26%
49	19:26	Gerry Hyde		MV50		78.42%
61	20:37	Holly Durham		FV35		73.03%
66	20:49	Mark Hillson		MV45		69.18%
76	21:36	Stuart Reader		MV45		66.15%
80	21:55	Robert McArdle		MV55		71.92%
81	21:55	Craig Drury		MV45		64.69%
96	23:33	Stuart Baty		MV45		60.67%
101	24:43	Suzanne Britz		FV45	PB	65.52%
107	25:19	Rosalind Sadler		FV45		62.73%
115	26:18	Julie Gilbert		FV45		62.25%
124	30:40	Louise Kennedy		FV40	PB	50.91%