Notts 10

On a busy night for Grantham Running Club, three members opted for the Notts 10 mile road race instead of the Sleaford 10km. The race hosted by Notts AC at Holme Pierrepoint National Water Sport Centre attracts a strong field as it is the Notts 10 Mile Championships. The flat course  is notorious for being difficult in windy conditions but this year the runners were let off fairly lightly with just a 10mph wind.

Andrew Pask made a strong start, placing himself in a group of runners who were all happy to take their turn setting 6:35/mile pace. Through 6 miles and Andrew’s group were gaining confidence and ‘picking off’ slower runners despite running into the wind. With a mile to go Andrew had a glance at his watch and saw that a last push could secure a personal best. Leaving the rest of his group behind Andrew accelerated to the finish line, breaking a 3 year PB by just 5 seconds with a time of 65:55.

Next home for GRC was Gav Meadows. On the comeback trail after a recent spell of frustrating niggles that have interrupted his training of late, Gav set himself realistic expectations going into this race. After setting off confidently, Gav found his pace for the day which would see him over the line. Sprinting up the finish straight Gav finished in 69:30 and was pleased to average a confidence boosting 6:55 per mile.

Adrian Walker was next, making his debut over the measured distance having run a ‘not accurate distance’ race previously. Adrian set off at his planned pace and was disciplined enough to hold it through the race. Adrian’s time of 78:14 was solid and a great marker for future 10 mile races.

After the race Gav said “Mentally it was one of the toughest races I’ve ever done - two and a half laps over that distance is psychologically very tough. I know where my fitness is now and exactly what I need to do for the Newton’s Fraction Half Marathon which is my next focus.”