The National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont was
the host for a compendium of races that was collectively titled the Nottingham
Christmas Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K and 1 Mile. Finishers of all the races
received a bespoke Christmas medal and selection box; although some would argue
that with the 10K and marathon races being held on the last day of November,
the Christmas sentiment was perhaps a touch premature!
The first race to be held on the Saturday was the 10K with
three members of Grantham Running Club taking part. Conditions were not great
for racing – sub zero temperatures meant sections of the only partially gritted
course were icy and with thick fog rolling in over the rowing basin, visibility
was at times down to just a few meters.
Despite the poor conditions Holly Durham put in a fine
effort to finish just 40 seconds down on her season’s best with 43:45, seeing
her finish fourth in the women’s race and second in her age category. She was
followed by her sister Penny Hodges who regarded the conditions as not fit for
racing in and cruised home several minutes outside her run at Leeds in 48:22.
Heather Welbourne ran well to finish just under half a minute outside her
previous 10K effort at West Pinchbeck, clocking 59:14. Despite the poor
conditions the winning times were quick with Euan Wilson of Charnwood AC clocking
33:05 and Johanna Gurney third overall and the winning female in a swift
34:22.
Taking to the start line a little while after the 10K in the
marathon was Tony Johnson. Although the ice had thawed somewhat on the multiple
lap course of the rowing basin, the heavy fog persisted for the entirety of the
race despite there being a noticeable breeze on the backstretch. Undeterred
Tony had a great run to finish 24th overall and third in the V50 age
category with 3:10:31, just 10 ½ minutes outside his sub-3 effort at the London
Marathon. The marathon was won by James Ford of Loughborough Students in
2:42:34 with Caroline Brooks of St Neots Riverside Runners the winning woman in
2:49:29
The following day – Sunday 1st December – saw the
running of the 5K and Half Marathon races. While no member of GRC took part in
the half, Sam Dodwell represented the club in the 5K.
In better conditions than the races held on the Saturday,
Sam ran a great race to break his old PB by fifteen seconds, finishing
sixteenth overall in 20:19, which closes the gap on his brother Jack to just
ten seconds over 5K. The battle of which Dodwell will break 20 minutes first
will be one of the more keenly followed club rivalries in the months to come.
The 5K race was won by Euan Wilson of Charnwood AC in 15:43 with
Gabrielle Coveney of Holme Pierrepoint RC the winning female in 19:15.
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