Burleigh 7 Mile Road Race

Nine members of Grantham Running Club took part in the Rutland Marathon Events hosted inaugural Burghley 7 Mile Road Race on Sunday 8th March. A sell out field of over 1200 competitors experienced this new event on a stunning course which utilised private sections of the Burgleigh Estate.

Catherine Wallace 65:53

The race started at Bottle Lodges in Burghley Estate itself before taking in St Martin’s High Street in Stamford, Burghley Deer Park and a testing climb through the village of Pilsgate before passing through The Walled Gardens for a rewarding fast final downhill mile passing over The Lions Bridge to the finish line backdropped by Burghley House. 

The race was well received despite the brutal head wind runners encountered between miles four and five shortly after the tough climb at Pilsgate. All runners received medals and t-shirts at the finish. With a few tweaks, particularly the awkwardly placed finish line which became congested for later finishers, the race could become a must-do fixture on the local racing calendar.

First home for GRC was Russell Love in a time of 47:28, followed two minutes later by Stefan Latter in 49:28. Chris Bibby finished in 55:46; Paul Kelly, 56:04; Stuart Baty 56:44; and Tommy Napier in 1:00:50. Catherine Wallace was the first of three ladies to finish in 1:05:53. She followed by Hazel Dunthome and Victoria Dexter, both crossing the line in 1:27:57.

The race was won by James Gelsthorpe in 39:26 with Philippa Taylor of Helpston Harriers AC the winning woman in 44:54.