Grantham Cup

On Sunday 31^st March a record 339 runners and 46 Canicross (CaniX) participants with their four-legged friends took part in the tenth Grantham Cup - one of the region’s favourite and most unique off-road running experiences. This challenging 10K race, hosted by Grantham Running Club, starts within the historic grounds of Belton House and takes place alongside the Belton International Horse Trials. More than just a race, the Grantham Cup allows participants the unique opportunity to take in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, visit a historic stately home and, once they have finished the race, enjoy the horse trials as part of their entry fee.

The course is considered very challenging, held on rough, unforgiving, cross country terrain, and includes several ascents of the hill upon which the National Trust owned Bellmount Tower stands at the top. The steep incline tests the resolve of even the hardiest of runners but the spectacular views over Grantham from the summit make the jelly legs worthwhile. Moreover, there are sections around the surrounding woodland and in the grounds of Belton House itself that allow runners to catch their breath and recover somewhat.

Jeronimo was first home for GRC

As well as enjoying pleasant spring sunshine and conditions kind for running, the 2019 event saw conditions underfoot good to firm, in contrast to the soft and muddy conditions in 2018. Finishers were rewarded with a commemorative medal locally designed by Alex Tall, and a bottle of beer specially commissioned for the event from local brewery Oldershaw. As in previous years profits from the GRC hosted race are donated to a local charity, with equine welfare charity Bransby Horses the chosen benefactors for 2019. Prizes, themed in keeping with the running of the horse trials, were awarded to first three male and female finishers, various age category prizes and also to the top CaniX participants.

The race was won by local junior athlete William Tucker of Grantham Athletic Club, who serenely galloped past the finish line in an impressive 00:36:46. Having finished runner up in 2018, Will was delighted to take the top spot on the podium in 2019. Aaron Harris of RAF Cranwell was second in 00:38:13 and Paul Massingham of Stamford Striders was third in 00:40:50.

Former GRC member Emma Johnston now of Helm Hill Runners was first female in a time of 00:44:53. Eva Wilkes of Norwich Road Runners was second in 00:46:34 and Grantham Running Club's own Joss Smith took an excellent third place in 00:47:27, bettering her 2018 time by over four minutes.

Sam sums up the hill

The female V35 prize went to Sam Lewsky in 00:47:56. FV45 was won by Kerry Stainton (00:48:49); FV55 went to Fiona Lawrie (00:58:49).

The male V40 prize went to Simon Daniel, who clocked 00:42:09. Martin Waite (00:44:33) won the MV50 category, with the MV60 prize going to David Babbs (00:48:34).

The winning CaniX runner home was Christopher Taggart in 00:42:09, followed by Clarke Midgley, second in 00:44:33 and Ben Pearson, third in 00:42:58. The winning female CaniX runner was Joanne Bitcliffe, who clocked 00:46:47. She was followed by Sue Brewin 00:47:21 and Jillian Boys, third in 00:51:07.

The event was well supported by athletes from Grantham Running Club, 26 of whom competed with some attempting the challenging course for the first time. First to finish was Joaquim Jeronimo who finished in 5th place on his Grantham Cup debut with an excellent time of 00:41:28. Joining Joaquim in the top thirty were Gav Meadows (23^rd, 00:45:08) and Russell Love (29^th, 00:46:13).

GRC also had a pair of CaniX entries with Caroline Davis and four-legged friend coming home in 00:53:31, with Claire Williams following in 00:58:03.

Having spent many long months coordinating the event before passing over responsibility to willing GRC volunteers on the day, Race Director Hayley Staff joined the field and was delighted to have completed the challenging course in under the hour, recording a time of 00:59:45.

Great run by Joss

The event was universally well received, with participants noting that it was a friendly and well organised race with a challenging but enjoyable course.

Grantham Running Club give grateful thanks to the large number of volunteers who made the event possible, working tirelessly behind the scenes and on the day to make the event a success, including those who provided medical support to the event, and to local photographers ParkRey Photography and Shaun Parkes who photographed the race.

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Grantham Running Club results in full:

Position Time Name

5 00:41:28 Joaquim Jeronimo

23 00:45:08 Gav Meadows

29 00:46:13 Russell Love

38 00:47:17 Stefan Latter

40 00:47:27 Joss Smith

43 00:47:46 Samuel Jepson-Rivers

51 00:48:28 Christopher Moore

64 00:50:18 Stuart Reader

68 00:51:12 Craig Drury

93 00:53:31 Caroline Davis (CaniX)

97 00:54:21 Stuart Baty

129 00:56:27 Anthony Boyle

142 00:57:01 Richard Winter Noon

152 00:58:03 Claire Williams (CaniX)

157= 00:58:13 Paul Kelly

177 00:59:45 Hayley Staff

178 00:59:46 Christopher Toon

215 01:03:26 David Lewis

230= 01:05:23 Rachel Varela

245 01:06:24 Kate Marshall

257 01:07:17 Claire Martin

278 01:09:21 Diana McDonald

303 01:14:49 Vicky Willan

310 01:15:47 Rebecca Angel

320 01:17:18 Simon Hartley

335 01:23:32 Louise Kennedy