Photo: Runners passing Cockington Court early on in the event and one of the early hills
The Cockington Christmas Caper 2011 proved to be another fantastic and successful race with 171 determined runners making it to the gruelling uphill finish. In first place, for a second successive year, was Arran Tocknell of Torbay Athletic Club, in an incredible time of 50 minutes and 5 seconds - more than 5 minutes ahead of anyone else! Although runners came from far afield local club, Torbay Athletic Club, are also celebrating first female with Wendy Urban finishing in under an hour.
Conditions were perfect with enough rain leading up to race day to create the much loved mud of this event, but with beautiful sunny weather on the day. The amended and improved course proved popular, resulting in much positive feedback and praise for race officials, marshals and organiser, The Barnabas Sports Trust (www.tbst.co.uk) for putting on the event with such professionalism and attention to detail for a seventh year.
Photos: Race winner Arran Tocknell, second placed Colin Peters and third placed Antonin Hurdych
Men's results
1
Arran Tocknell
00:50:05
2
Colin Peters
00:55:31
3
Antonin Hurdych
00:55:53
Women's results
1
Wendy Urban
00:58:57
2
Ellie Sutcliffe
00:59:01
3
Lucy Commander
01:00:24
Photos: Race winner Wendy Urban, second & third placed Ellie Sutcliffe and Lucy Commander
2011 saw a record entry for the Mince Pie 10 mile run, which was a fitting tribute to Geoff Gray and Natalie McCreath in their final year of organising the event. On a cold, overcast day another record was also broken as winner James Baker of Chichester Runners smashed the fastest time for the tough, hilly course by nearly 2 minutes, coming home in a fantastic 56:34. In second place was Mark Dooley of Herne Hill Harriers, also inside the old course record with 57:39. Third man was Andrew Mynott from Saffron Striders with 60:41.
In the women's race Hailsham Harrier, Sam Alvarez had a comfortable win in 70:45, with Susie Casebourne second in 72:26 and Natasha Swan, of home club Seaford Striders, in third place with 75:34. There were 327 finishers in total.
Our grateful thanks go to all the marshalls and helpers who gave up their time on Sunday morning and especially to Nat & Geoff for all their hard work over the past few years in making the Mince Pie such a success.
More importantly a substantial sum will go to the 2011 charity, Seaford Downs Syndrome and Special Needs Support Group.
The Stockport 10 is always a special race. This year, based on feedback from runners, it was better (if wetter) than ever. It was also bigger than ever – almost 800 runners started on the Stockport Harriers track in Woodbank Park. It has also, for the first time, become the PUMA Stockport 10. And 2011 is the centenary year of Stockport Harriers, so everyone involved was keen to make this year’s race an exceptional one.
The race was won by Matt Barnes from Altrincham & District in 50:55, followed by fellow Altrincham runner Mohammed Abu-Rezeq in 51:44. Antony Ford from Sale Harriers came third in 51:47. The women’s race was won by Olivia Bush of City Of Norwich AC in 58:44, with Stockport’s Sarah Lomas second in 1:00:47 and Rachel Wood from Blackburn Harriers third in 1:05:20. Stockport took the ladies’ team prize and Altrincham & District took the men’s team prize.
This year Stockport also welcomed Michael Rimmer to the race. Michael, Olympic athlete and European 800m silver medalist 2010,finished in a personal best over ten miles in 55:47.
Photos: The first three male finishers, l-r: 1st Matt Barnes, 2nd Mohammed Abu-Rezeq, 3rd Anthony Ford. MEP Chris Davies and Stockport Harrier Tony Audenshaw, who plays Bob Hope in Emmerdale, presented the prizes
This year, Stockport Harriers will make a significant donation, likely to be more than £500, to St Ann’s Hospice. St Ann’s Hospice is 40 years old this year and it is also the centenary year of Stockport Harriers. The hospice offers special, unique care to around 3,000 patients, families and carers every year who are affected by cancer and non-cancer life limiting illnesses.
The Andy Reading 10k is jointly organised by Alchester RC and Bicester AC with this years' nominated charity being CLIC Sargent.
Over 450 were on the start line in weather conditions significantly different from last year. A stiff breeze hampered runners as they entered the RAF Weston on the Green airfield at 4k. First runner home was Scott Hazell from Coventry Godiva in a time of 32:45, followed by Nick Sasha of Orion Harriers and the unattached Matt Setlack.
With last year’s winner of the ladies race Samantha Amend unfortunately having to drop out at 2k the road was clear for Emily Setlack (wife of 3rd placed Matt) to come home in first place in a time of 35:29. 2nd was Lucy Richens of Southville Running Club (36:59) and 3rd was Lucy Waterlow of St Alban Striders in 38:27.
The children’s races were also a great success following on from the club, county, and schools cross country events. The weather held off and the conditions could have not been better. Tom Gould of Bicester AC was a star in being the hare for both 1k races and then running his own 3k race. There were 74 finishers.
It never rains but it pours – and entrants to this year’s Aberystwyth Charity 10k poured in in record numbers to make this the most successful event in its 13 year history. Of the 341 runners, 224 were running the race for the first time.
This is a serious race with a soft heart which saw elite club runners from the length and breadth of Wales - and beyond - running alongside people raising money for their individual charities. The incorporation of the Business Team challenge saw people many out in fancy dress which all added to the atmosphere and fun on the day.
Despite heavy rain early in the day and one shower during the race conditions were ideal. Light wind and the absence of course obstructions meant that we could look forward to some good times all round.
The leaders set of a quick pace and quickly dropped the main bulk of the runners behind them. Carwen Jones of Cardiff AC and Michael Johnson of Bristol & West AC fought for the lead throughout the race but in the end it was Carwen who won in a time of 31:26 with Michael in at 31:41. Third place went to 16 year old Gwynant Jones of Maldwyn Harriers 34:43. Gwynant won the Aberystwyth Twin Peaks race back in October and is proving to be a major talent on all surfaces.
Runners in the Ladies were well spread out and were led home by Pembrokeshire Triathlon’s Katrin Streed in 41:15. Three time runner Nicola Quinn of Emlyn Harriers was second with a pb run of 42:13. Local runner Joanne Thatcher of Aberystwyth AC was third in 42:45.
Winning the Business Team event and taking the Dolphin Trophy for the seventh consecutive year were James Thomas, Hywel Lloyd and Llion Ap Dylan from the National Library of Wales. Their combined times placed 14 minutes ahead of second placed Blitzkrieg , Danny Jamson, Alex Murray and James Mobley.
Protecting the rear were and keeping up spirits were Nathan Hazlehurst, Mathew Calfe, Lisa Search and Robert Haycock who dressed as 1940’s Homeguard and Landgirls. Their time? Spiffing.
Aberystwyth Charity 10k 2012 will take place on 9th December 2012.
2011 saw a record entry for the Mince Pie 10 mile run, which was a fitting tribute to Geoff Gray and Natalie McCreath in their final year of organising the event. On a cold, overcast day another record was also broken as winner James Baker of Chichester Runners smashed the fastest time for the tough, hilly course by nearly 2 minutes, coming home in a fantastic 56:34. In second place was Mark Dooley of Herne Hill Harriers, also inside the old course record with 57:39. Third man was Andrew Mynott from Saffron Striders with 60:41.
