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.

Poppy Run 10k

 

Two Grantham Running Club members competed in the Poppy Run 10k on Remembrance Sunday, organised by Boston and District AC at Friskney village.

 Befitting the occasion, a two minutes silence was held by all competitors and race officials just before the race commenced. A heavy fog lingered at the start of the race and never lifted.

 Paul Jepson was first to the finishing line for GRC, recording a time of 51:33. Richard Urquhart next, finishing line in 55:06. Both runners pleased with their times in the wintery conditions – but largely running to support a cause close to both their hearts as an ex-serviceman and a serving member of the Armed Forces.

The race was won by Paul Lyons City of Hull AC in 33:45.

All race proceeds from the race are donated to the Royal British Legion. 

 

North Midlands Cross Country League fixture 2

 

West Glebe Park in Corby was the venue for the second North Midlands Cross Country League fixture. On an unseasonably mild, sunny afternoon GRC was represented by a ladies' and a men's team. The men's 10K race was first which demanded the completion of one small lap followed by three large laps of a course which was fairly flat with the exception of a wooded section which provided the technical and hilly difficulty.

Up against strong competition, first home for the GRC men was the ever impressive Rob Howbrook who finished in a time of 42:01 securing him second place in his age category. Paul Davis followed putting in a strong performance to finish in 49:20. Chasing Paul was ultra runner Andrew MacAllister who finished fourth in his age group. Craig Drury, returning to running fitness, brought the team home with a determined performance.

Then it was the ladies turn with a 6K distance consisting of two large laps of the course. Competing against a large field with a wide range of ages from Seniors upwards, Caroline Davis and Sarah High battled it out to finish within 3 seconds of each other, Caroline taking the lead from Sarah in the last 400m to finish as first GRC lady in a time of 30:34, and Sarah in 30:37, which secured her third place in her age category. Bringing the team home was Hayley Staff who put in a sterling effort in her first race for the club in a long time following knee surgery.

Following this event the men's team is currently lying in eleventh place in the league and the ladies' in twelfth place.

Six Dales Circuit

 

Photograph (Lto R): Peter Jennings and Paul Rushworth at the start of the Six Dales Circuit. 

Grantham Running Club members, Peter Jennings and Paul Rushworth traveled to the Peak District to participate in the annual Six Dales Circuit event.  The 25 mile route began in the picturesque village of Biggin, runners then visited Biggin Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Beresford Dale, Lathkill Dale, Bradford Dale and Long Dale, before returning to the village hall. Conditions on the day of the event were ideal for endurance running with sunshine occasionally breaking through the grey cloud base. The trails were surprisingly dry given the recent rain. Peter and Paul navigated together, returning to Biggin in a time of 4 hours and 44 minutes.