Men’s captain TONY PAGE reports as the 2023 club championship programme gets underway…
Once again the green vests were out in force in Wokingham on Sunday for the half marathon, the first race in this year’s club championship.
There were more than 100 of us on the start line out of a high-quality field of more than 2,500 runners, with a winning time of 1.05.10 and first vet in sixth place with an amazing time of 1.08.20. Also, despite the undulating course, there were lots of big PBs to report.
The first Roadrunner to finish was closely contested between Seb Briggs in 1.16.26 (98th overall, 32nd M40) and Chris Burt (1.16.41, left), a three-and-a-half minute PB, with Joe Bend (1.18.51) and Chris Moseley (1.19.51) next.
Jeff Armstrong, Dimi Gospodinov (1.20.21, PB), Dave Parton (11th M50, PB 1.20.35) and Callum Evans (1.20.52) all narrowly missed out on a sub-1.20 finish.
It was nice to see some strength in depth and hopefully this will continue throughout the other rounds of the championships.
Katherine Streams was first female RR to finish in 1.25.26 (32nd and first F50), followed by Nikki Gray in 1.26.26. Third place was closely fought out between Holly Sedgwick (1.27.49) and Flo Ledger (1.28.01, right, with Brooke Johnson), both sub -1.30 for the first time, and Kat Charles (1.29.29).
Helen Pool (21st F40), Katherine Streams (F50) and Stephanie Smith (34th F60) were first RR in their respective age categories.
Top age group places for the men were Seb Briggs (M40), Dave Parton (M50), Alan Freer (1.36.19, 21stt M60) and Eddie Thorpe (1.56.01, fifth M70).
It was pleasing to hear of other landmarks being achieved — Pip White (1.32.48 PB, left), Liz Johnson (1.41.28 PB), Mark Allen (15-year PB, 1.46.04), Julie Sugden (1.48.13, PB) and Becky Mellor with a 19-minute PB (2.28.46), to mention but a few.
Do please email results@readingroadrunners.org with your PBs so that they can be included in the results pages of the newsletter.
Well done to everyone who ran, and a huge thank-you to all of our volunteer marshals and to other members than turned out to support us.
Next Saturday, March 4th, is the last Hampshire League XC fixture of the season at Bournemouth. The next club championship race is the Goring 10K on 1March 12th. I hope to see lots of green vests there!
Here’s your link to the results and pictures from Wokingham: https://results.sporthive.com/events/7034491866264349440