Stilton Stumble 10K

Eleven members of Grantham Running Club took part in the 2018 Stilton Stumble 10k at Cropwell Bishop on Sunday 14^th October. Partly enticed by the unusual finishers’ prize of local Stilton cheese instead of a traditional medal, the race was also a round of the 2018 GRC GP Series, offering a shorter alternative to the half marathon distance Great Eastern Run, which was also a round and took place on the same day.

Despite the constant downpour, a field of over 450 runners completed the course. First home for GRC was Richard Payne in 16th place in a time of 41:26, followed by Nick Rossington in 27th place (42:38) and Stefan Latter, 28th in 42:50.

Club newcomer Paul Kelly posted a fine PB of 47:01, taking a couple of minutes off his previous 10k best set at the Summer Solstice. Paul was followed by fellow club newcomer Stewart Pick who came home in 47:40. Stuart Baty finished in 49:17, Tommy Napier 49:37, and Simon Hartley 1:06:43.

Suzanne Britz was first of three GRC women to finish the race, clocking 54:09, less than two minutes off her season’s best. She was followed by Nichola Webster, just over a minute outside her best, finishing in 55:35.

Arguably the performance of the day came from Louise Kennedy, who smashed her old 10K best by nearly eight minutes, stopping the clock at 1:08:32. She commented after the race: “Despite being soaked to the bone, I really enjoyed the course and will be back next year.”

The race was won by Niall McNamara in 37:24 with Kim Duffy of Sleaford the winning woman in 43:32.