Folksworth 15

Jonny is in the form of his life

Twelve members of Grantham Running Club took part in the thirty first running of the Folksworth 15 mile road race on Sunday 19^th January.

The Yaxley Runners and Joggers hosted event is one many use as an early training race in preparation for a spring marathon and has, in recent years, earned something of a reputation as a magnet for very cold, icy, and sometimes snowy weather. Although conditions were not as treacherous as many of the roads surrounding Grantham on the morning of the race, there were small pockets on the undulating two lap course that were very icy and saw some runners opt to take a cautious approach rather than risk injury.

Holly and Catherine on the first lap

First home for GRC was Jonathan Palmer who ran the opening lap at a steady pace then upped the tempo on the second lap to see him running at his planned pace for the upcoming London Marathon in April. Finishing several minutes faster than in 2019, Jonny finished a fine eleventh, his time of 1:28:14 seven seconds quicker than the previous club record held by Matthew Kingston-Lee when he ran the same race in 2017.Behind Jonny, Tony Johnson was next to finish for the club, opting to run within himself given the conditions yet still

finishing fourth V50 runner in 1:45:40. He was immediately followed nine seconds later by Matthew Williamson (1:45:49) who was pleased to secure a two minute PB, despite not being at 100% full fitness.

Impressive debut by Michelle

Ben's comeback continues

Catherine Payne was next to finish with a fine 1:51:48 just half a minute outside her best on the course. Finishing eleventh female overall and only three seconds behind the first senior woman, Catherine was second in the V50 category behind the impressive Philippa Taylor of Helpston Harriers, who ran 1:40:18. Just over half a minute later Holly Durham finished twelfth female overall and fourth in her age category with 1:52:21. Robert McArdle claimed the same position in the V60 category breaking two hours with 1:58:37.

In her debut over the distance Michelle Parczuk clocked 2:01:21, four minutes ahead of Caroline Davis (2:05:48). Ben Mason (2:08:27) and Warren Stark (2:08:45) finished in close company, as did Neil Emerson (2:16:35) who came home thirty five seconds ahead of Sarah High (2:17:10). 

The race was won by Aaron Scott of Helpston Harriers in a new course record 1:17:55 with V55 runner Gill Fullen of Bedford Harriers the impressive winner of the women’s race, clocking the same gun time (1:38:22) as second placed Zoe Smith of Rutland Running and Triathlon Club. There were 462 finishers.

Photos by kind permission of PJ Running Photos