Thank you to everyone who came along to make this year’s race a great evening. 18 runners lined up for this year’s event (it seemed like more until Rutland Runners headed off to run their loop of the same course around the peninsula!).
With predicted times based on a mixture of recent race times and parkrun Melton PBs, this race really rewards those who put in that extra effort on the night. There is a staggered start such that if everyone runs precisely in line with Mr Chairman’s expectations, they would all finish together. With a 24 min 30 sec gap between first and final starter, it was then a waiting game to see who will turn the corner first into the (deceptively long) finishing straight to claim this year’s trophy.
After battling the surprisingly steep hills of the first 3 miles, the course flattens out – on this occasion, just as the runners turned into the wind, which rapidly was added to with a short sharp rain shower.
First to turn the corner and head for home (with applause from the crowd of Rutland Runners who had made it back – thanks guys!) was Debbie Wilson, rapidly followed a few seconds later by Nicholas Smith. Jon Wilson finished in third (I can see a family trip to Melton Sports at the weekend to spend those vouchers!).
We then had 5 runners all within 15 seconds of their predicted time – Steph, Andy, Mike Bryan, Jay and Jenny. A special mention must go to the epic sprint between Jenny and Jay, who had started nearly 25 minutes apart but pushed each other to finish pretty much bang on their time.
Tam and John were next home, after starting together, and it was Tam who took the honours (reversing the Rothley 10k result from the night before), followed by Mike Brighty, Simon, Shane, Iain, Celina, Clive, Isaac and Stuart.
Full results are below, and check out the gallery here for photos of the evening.
