Turkey Trot

The Turkey Trot half marathon is the traditional end point of Grantham Running Club’s racing year, being the final event on their Grand Prix Championship. In an era of professional race organising companies, the race has a long and illustrious history of being well organised by volunteers and raising funds for the large Scout Group in the village. This history is evident in the website where one can learn more than you ever needed about the change in rules allowing registered athletes to get a discount on the entry fee in 2008.

The course is an undulating one lap road race starting and finishing at the secondary school and taking in various local villages, with a challenging final uphill section through the local housing estate. There were doubts about the weather in advance of the event but good communication from the organisers, including a recce run round the whole course the previous day, allowed it to proceed despite the chill and the still conditions meant surprisingly good racing conditions.

A Club Christmas party the previous evening and a bit of football meant that only two runners from the club actually completed the race this year. First back was Peter Bonner who was delighted to finish in 1:26:09 to gain an unexpected half marathon personal best and a 75% age grading for the second time in a fortnight.

Dean Riggall struggled with calf issues and so was well down on his best, finishing in 1:31:44. The race was won by Matthew Hammerton in 1:13:58, with the first woman being Claire Frankland in 1:23:04 and the first elf finishing in 1:25.

 

Louth and Heanor Cross Country

Last weekend saw members of GRC participating at not just one, but two cross country fixtures. First up on Saturday was the third round of the North Midlands XC League which took place at Shipley Park in Heanor. Always a favourite, this 'proper' cross country course offers a bit of everything - parkland, track, fields, woodland, uphill sections and mud. In the men's race over a distance of 10K, Rob Howbrook was first back for GRC in a time of 43:27, which put him in third place in his age group. Peter Jennings put in a great effort on this testing course, finishing second for the club in 47:17. Paul Davis followed having put in a determined performance, with Andrew MacAllister not far behind and Craig Drury bringing the team home.

 For the ladies in their 6K race, Caroline Davis was first back for GRC in 37:32, closely followed by Sarah High, who finished third in her age category.

Both teams are currently twelfth in this league.

Sunday saw several members of the club venture North to Louth for the fourth and final round of the Lincolnshire XC League.

Despite wet weather on the drive up, which could have kept the less hardy in the car, the rain held off for the ladies race. Over a distance of 5.1K and with a testing, undulating, wet and muddy course Sarah High was first back for GRC in 27:24. Paula Ebbins followed in 29:11, grateful for the cheerful support of the men's team which lifted her spirits.

A good turnout from the GRC men meant that we had two men's teams in their 7.5K race. Peter Bonner was first back in a time of 29:18 after putting in a storming effort round the slippery course. Robin Atter finished next for the club in 31:48. He was pleased with his pace being more at home on road than XC, but appreciated the variation to his winter training. Peter Jennings completed the first team with his second strong run in two days.

Team two was lead home by Paul Davis who put in a great effort finishing in 35:46. Paul was followed by Andrew MacAllister, and for both men this was also their second race of the weekend.

Paul Jepson, who enjoyed the race, finished next followed by Richard Urquhart. Paul commented that the rain holding off until the last lap was a bonus. All in all, those involved appreciated the chance to represent the club and felt that the support from team mates and the nice chats added to the morning.

Motto from the weekend...Mud: slippery when wet!

 

Valencia Marathon

Andrew Pask was the sole GRC representative in the increasingly prestigious Valencia Marathon in Spain, joining around 30,000 other runners. With world records at stake, the elite field was impressive for this flat, fast race which is almost always ran in perfect conditions.

Coming into the race in a poor run of form, Andrew had realistic expectations and was not targeting a repeat of his PB run of 3:05:10 at the same race in 2019. Running purely to feel, Andrew didn’t look at his watch during the race to relieve the pressure. Running freely and with a smile on his face he simply concentrated on keeping running in whichever way possible.

Supported by Sam Jepson, the GRC Men’s Captain, Andrew gave the thumbs up at the 17-mile point as he was about to enter the ‘business end’ of the race. Lapping-up the atmosphere in the final miles, he continued to enjoy the race in what was declared his last marathon of 15 attempts at the distance. Crossing the line at the Ciudad de las Artes he was surprised that the clock read 3:11:48.

After the race Andrew and Sam kicked back at a beach bar for the afternoon, consuming all the beer and paella they could stomach.

 

Doncaster 10k

Twenty one members of Grantham Running Club took part in the Doncaster 10k on Sunday 27^th November. The morning drizzle cleared in perfect time, to allow for great dry running conditions.

The race started from the Doncaster Racecourse, went through the centre of Doncaster and included an out and back section which was great for seeing club mates from the other side of the road. The long drag of a hill at 8k was not so popular. 2165 runners finished under the main grandstand in front of a roaring crowd.

GRC had a fantastic day with a slew of PBs and seasons bests.  The first home was Peter Bonner in 39:01. This was Peter’s A race of the autumn, which he was delighted with as it went far better than planned. Peter set off aiming for a GRC silver plus certificate and planned this by banking some time early on in preparation for the difficult eight km section. Peter was really pleased to keep pushing through, and ended up with a 10k pb and his highest ever age grading at over 76%.

Second home was the ever eager Robin Atter in 40:47. Robin was back to his sub-41 performance standard for the first time this year. He enjoyed the race and was pleased with his season’s best 10k. Robin is excited for his planned race adventures coming up in 2023.

Next over the line was Sam Dodwell in 41:17 who improved on his 2019 time by almost 2 minutes.  He was bolstered by the fantastic support along the route and spotting clubmates on the out and back section.

The first lady home was Nicola Ruston-Litchfield, achieving a spectacular 42:40. Nicola thought this was a great race, and although she didn’t like the hill towards the end, the great encouragement on course pushed her to a 10k pb.

Alan Carley was pleased with his time of 42:57, which was an unexpected and morale-boosting seasons best and the second time he has achieved a sub 43 10k. Cameron Hoggan was next to follow, achieving a time of 43:45 which was also a PB. Second lady home was Penny Hodges who enjoyed the race and achieved her best time in seven years of 44:15.

Paul Davis ran his quickest 10k in years, coming in at 45:57, and was 55^th in his category. Richard Litchfield was the next home in 47:18, followed by Dale Towning who achieved an almost two minute pb of 47:48. Caroline Davis finished in 49:00, Paul Jepson was pleased with his time of 50:17, proving he still has something in his mature legs.

Julie Gilbert achieved 51:09. Although she did not like the hill towards the end, which seemed to go on forever, she was super chuffed to bag a very unexpected PB. Sarah High struggled in the last 3k, but this was still her best 10k since 2018 resulting in 51:55. Sarah was second in her age group and is keen to run this race again.

Rachel Pattison bagged another surprising PB after her recent efforts at Lincoln 10k a few weeks ago, finishing in 52:19 which was a 1 minute 43 seconds improvement. Zoe Wragg enjoyed the course and despite the uphill drag towards the end, also achieved a personal best of 52:54 which was a 50 second improvement compared to her recent Alton Towers 10k time. The ever-improving Holly Wragg completed in 57:22, which was a PB by 35 seconds.

After lurching around the zero-fun merry-go-round of illness and injury, Sylv Hull was pleased to complete her first 10k in weeks in 1:02:03.  Seeing friendly GRC faces from mile 4 onwards helped Sylv to get round the course.

Yvonne Buckley was pleased with her time of 1:02:39, especially due to the hill at the end. This was Yvonne’s first time at Doncaster and she would happily would do it again. Julia Hallam was happy to finish the year with a season’s best of 1:07:00, and Brendon Buckley was happy to complete the course in 1:10:23.

All GRC runners held a lot of praise for the Doncaster 10k organisers. Positive feedback included the race was well organised; great facilities held at the Racecourse HQ; good course to race on; clear planning; great support from marshals throughout the course and a fast result service. All finishers were treated to a medal, pork pie and hot chocolate at the end of the race. Many GRC runners are expected to return next year.

 

 

Hatfield 5

Grantham Running Club's Robert McArdle was their sole entrant in this year's Hatfield 5, This once small, local event has become a major part of the calendar for runners in Hertfordshire and beyond. This event features the Hertfordshire 5 mile Championships. 

Although the course have the potential to be fast in the right conditions flooding and a heavy leaf fall put outstanding times beyond the reach of the competitors. Hampered by a narrow start Robert was never able to make up the time lost and was pleased to finish in 37:27 which is over two minutes inside the age standard for this distance.

The race was won by Mohammed ELBAYAN in 25:59 with first lady Gemma KERSEY coming home in 27:12

Adnams Southwold 10k

It might be a long journey but it is certainly worth the trip.  Two Grantham Running Club members joined the field of 742 runners for the Adnams Southwold 10k.  This very popular race sells out every year and this year was no exception, as it sold out in under 7 minutes.

As seems to be the way with this race it was another rain soaked morning as the runners turned up in ponchos or bin liners.  However, with last year, the rain stopped moments before the start, but the bitter wind continued unabated, and the heavy overnight rainfall left sections of the 2 lap course littered with large deep puddles.

The race starts at the Southwold Harbour Inn, at the most distant point from the town itself, and the finish line. The first kilometre is run along the very rough and wet harbour road, through the working harbour, past the huts and boats before turning on to the Shore Road, heading toward Southwold. The route then turns left and up the hill to York Road before descending past the golf club back to the harbour, forming an almost 4km loop around the Town Marshes.

The race, as always, was very well supported by spectators and plenty of enthusiastic and encouraging volunteer marshals, especially in last 200m rise up to the finish outside the Red Lion.

 Stuart Baty (MV50) was the first of the GRC friends in, with a season best time of 48:46. Simon Hartley (MV50) running his first 10k off the year finished in 01:06:47.

Despite the conditions, the overall winner was William Page of Colchester & Tendring AC in 33:21 with the first female was Elizabeth Pugh, of Fulham Running Club in 40:28.

 

Gainsborough Morton 10km

 

In a change to the conditions of recent weeks, perfect weather greeted the 4 members of Grantham Running Club who took part in the Gainsborough Morton 10k

The well-run event takes place in an attractive Lincolnshire village with the distinct selling point of being flat as a pancake and taking in a stretch beside the River Trent.  The profile of the course means that it has great PB potential making it a popular event. First over the line for GRC was Daniel Pearce who continues to go from strength to strength, earning himself a new PB with a time of 40:44.

Holly Durham stormed home in a fantastic time of 40:49, adding to her tally of PBs this year.  This run also earned her the winner’s trophy in her age category.Robin Atter followed in 41:28, then Penny Hodges in a great time of 44:25 which put her in second place in her category just behind sister Holly.

Winner of the men’s race was Ronny Wilson of Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club, with Sophie Wells of the same club coming first in the women’s event.