Race report: Elmbridge Road Runners Julie Button Memorial 10k

Course Record Smashed in Thrilling Duel

The Elmbridge Road Runners Julie Button Memorial 10k race sponsored by Air Products, took place on Sunday 25th July in fine weather. The flat course starts near Walton-on-Thames progressing on the roads towards Hampton Court before returning along the scenic riverside towpath.

The race attracted a field of 600 runners including 2009 BMC Grand Prix 3000m steeplechase winner Bruce Raeside and former World 5000m Champion Sonia O’ Sullivan.

In the Men’s race the pace was set by Raeside of Notts AC and Paul Martelletti of Victoria Park Harriers. Right from the start it was clear the course record of 30.33 minutes set by Kassa Tadesse of Belgrave in 2004 was under threat. At 2km Raeside had opened up a 50m gap on Martelletti and the pair were already 100m ahead of Nick Hodges from Dorking and Mole Valley AC. However any thoughts Raeside had about opening up a big lead were quickly dispelled by a magnificent challenge from Martelletti who was soon on his shoulder. By the 4km mark the pair were racing head to head at a terrific pace with Brian Wilder of Herne Hill Harriers 400m adrift in 3rd place. Wilder had opened a gap of 20m on the chasing pack headed by Nick Shasha of Torq Fitness, followed by Matthew Jones of Thames Hare and Hounds, Justin West of Stragglers, Will Cockerell of Belgrave, James Savage, unattached and Nick Hodges.

By 6km Raeside and Martelletti were really pushing ahead of Wilder in 3rd who himself was pulling further away from Shasha and Cockerill. At 9km the pair were 45 seconds ahead of Wilder who was a similar distance ahead of the rest. Despite Martelletti’s best efforts, Raeside’s form was just enough to earn him the win by 5 seconds in 30:20 minutes. It was desperately tough for Martelletti who also broke the previous course record in a time of 30:25 minutes and in any other year would have won the race.

In the women’s event, Samantha Amend of Belgrave and O’Sullivan of Thames Hare and Hounds were soon at the head of the field with Anna Critchlow of West 4 in close attendance. Through the middle stages of the race Amend was able to take an outright lead and by 6km was 100m ahead of Lucy Macalister of Thames Hare and Hounds with Critchlow now in 3rd.

The trio maintained their positions over the final part of race with Rose Nicholson of Woking AC pushing on in 4th place and O’Sullivan in 5th.
By the finish Amend was a comfortable winner in 36:35 minutes, 43 seconds ahead of Macalister with Critchlow 3rd.

Race winner Bruce Raeside (668) – Notts AC – leading at 9km from Paul Martelletti (666)– Victoria Park Harriers – finished 2nd. Both runners broke the course record. Samantha Amend (41) – Belgrave Harriers (ladies winner) receives her prize from Glyn Watkins of race sponsors Air Products.

The first Elmbridge resident home was Sean Renfer of Elmbridge Road Runners in 6th place and a personal best time of 33:27 minutes.

The Air Products prize for the first runner under the age of 20 went to Billy Challis of Sutton Runners.

The Men’s Team prize went the Kent AC team of; Luke Armitage, Andrew Farquharson, David Child, Philo Sanders, Simon Loach and Christopher Greenwood.

The Ladies Team prize went to the Thames Hare and House team of; Lucy Macalister, Sonia O’Sullivan, Ruth Clifton and Charlotte Saunders.

A donation is made from the race proceeds to a local charity ‘Surrey Crossroads, Elmbridge Branch,’. This is a local charity that supports carers who look after relatives with significant disabilities by supplying trained staff to assist families. As part of a range of support in Walton, the charity runs a ‘Saturday Club’ that provides youngsters with a day of activities whilst their carers have a break. Alastair Patterson, representing the Charity spoke during the presentation about the work of the charity and thanked all present.

All prizes were presented by Glyn Watkins of race sponsors Air Products.

Elmbridge Road Runners meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for a run and they welcome new members – see www.elmbridgeroadrunners.co.uk

Men's results

Women's results