Grimsthorpe Gallop

On Sunday 24th June more than 500 people including 8 members of Grantham Running club took part in the newly named Grimsthorpe Gallop (previously known as the Grimsthorpe 10). This event held in the grounds of the beautiful Grimsthorpe Castle, comprised of 4 race distances ranging from 5k, 10k, 10 miles up to half marathon.  In very warm conditions it was difficult to run fast times.

The 4 routes took you past various delights within the private grounds including the castle, lake, tree lined tarmac avenues, ancient woodland along grassed paths and a Victorian railway culvet. The train line no longer exists, but the 10 and 13.1 mile routes travelled along this section and took you to a part of the world generally unseen by the public.  The race started and finished in front of the castle along the driveway, offering a unique venue. It certainly could not be described as flat.

In the longer event, the half marathon, first home was the ever reliable Tony Johnson 4th overall and 1st in his age category with an excellent time of 1:35:18, given the conditions.  He was followed by Roz Grindey and Luke Turner who ran together and were both given the same time of 2:21:39.

In the 10 mile the club was represented by Lucy Hardstaff who finished in 1:42:30.

In the 10K first home was Claudette Joint who finished 13th overall and first lady home in a time of 0:49:31, she was followed by Stuart Baty in 0:53:34 and Emma Weighill in 1:02:23. In the 5k Louise Kennedy finished in a time of 0:36:00 on her return from injury and admitted finding the going tough.