Virtual Runner Live – Nottingham

Three members of Grantham Running Club welcomed the New Year with their first races of 2019, participating in the Virtual Runner Live event in Nottingham on Sunday 6 January. The annual event, organised by virtual running specialists Virtual Runner, included opportunities to race over 2k, 5k and 10k with participants able to pre-register or enter on the day for their chosen combination of events. The races, commencing in West Bridgford, followed the course of the River Trent, where runners enjoyed superb views of the river along the river paths and popular Victoria Embankment.

First up for the GRC runners was the 10k, with a course which crossed the river several times and took in Nottingham landmarks including Trent Bridge and the Nottingham City Ground. First home for the club was Tracy Webb, in a time of 58:59, followed by Kate Marshall in 01:00:01, and Claire Fritz in 01:05:05. The race was won by Paul Bakewell in 39:35.

After a break for refreshments, the intrepid group were soon ready for their next challenge, the 5k race. Again, the course took in the sights of the Trent up to Trent Bridge, with the views of the river bathed in welcome winter sunshine. Tracy Webb was first again for GRC in a time of 29:18, followed by Claire Fritz in 30:43 and Kate Marshall in 31:36. The race was won by in Damian Nadin in 21:04.

The GRC runners found the day well organised and enjoyed the challenge of competing at both 5k and 10k on the same day, which provided a great start to the 2019 running season.