Sunday the 22nd October saw the 6th Grand Prix of the 2023/4 season to be contested for at the Fleet 10km hosted by Fleet and Crookham AC. The course itself was a 5km lap covered twice; the good thing is that the first lap prepares the runner for what’s in store for the second lap. The downside is that runners know what is coming at the end. All jokes aside it was a relatively flat course with very gentle undulation most of the way and only 6 turns in total. The half-way/finish was probably the steepest incline of the route giving way for an interesting finale and dash for the line.
26.2rrc fielded 21 runners across the categories below
Gender
|
Total
|
Senior
|
v40-49
|
v50-59
|
v60+
|
Male
|
15
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
Female
|
6
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Chilly but not cold, the rain holding off long enough to dry the roads out, a perfect crisp autumn morning; that beautiful balance between too cold to stand around but spot on when pushing hard on a run. Could not really ask for better conditions.
Honestly cannot express how beautifully simple the route was: 2 laps, 3 roads, 6 turns, 10km. Any athletes that like uncomplicated runs with plenty of PB potential then this is definitely a race to bookmark for future events. With such a pleasant course, absolutely idyllic conditions, spectators along the course offering high-fives of support and encouragement it is no surprise at all that so many 26.2rrc members did so well:
As far as Strava will tell me, there were PBs from: Laura Twomey, Richard Hook, David Twaite, Henry Carter, Paul Turkington and Max Riley-Gould.
Not only that but, in their respective age categories Rike Jones came 9th, Carla Cotton 8th, Sue Garnish 5th, David Twaite 4th and Caroline Dawson 1st. Absolutely fantastic achievements all round.
(not) Last but by no means least, Ben Chown secured 2nd place overall winning an instant prize of £50 rumoured to have been spent pretty quickly on a full English in the nearest pub; breakfast of champions.
This leaves the current GP standings with Ben Chown and Rike Jones leading the first past the post by 5 points and 3 points respectively. However in the age graded competition is it too soon to suggest that Caroline Dawson (leads by 19) and David Twaite (leads by 18) are running away at the top? Certainly significant leads half way through the season.
Events coming up soon:
Monday 7pm – Club – ladder runs
Wednesday 7pm – Harrier Centre – Track
Saturday 11th Nov – Oxted – Surrey League Cross Country match 2
Sunday 12th Nov – Leatherhead 10km – GP and Championship
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