Another fine win for both Jack Holland and Aimee Billington. Updated tables are in the downloads section (bottom right).

Photos (taken by Pegs) from the race have also been uploaded to the Photos Gallery. To access the photo gallery, click on “Members Menu” on the top menu bar, then select “Photo Gallery”, “View Photo Gallery”.

As the photos will tell you, this year’s Tadworth 10 was run in sunshine. It wasn’t as warm up on the downs as elsewhere but compared to previous years when the water stops have frozen solid it was quite the treat.

The two lap course includes plenty of hills – 445m of ascent according to the garmin which if anything seems too little, but most of the ups are long and grinding rather than short and sweet. Unlike the Epsom 10, the hills keep coming throughout the race, though there are a couple of blessed downhills in the back half of the lap. The toughness is shown in the age-gradings, with only Declan Flynn able to broach 70%, though David Pimm was only 17 seconds off.

Thanks first of all to our supporters. The Parker Brothers‘ family support group were very vocal and yet, surprisingly for those who know the boys, entirely clean-mouthed. Nellie stationed himself at the turn back into the racecourse while Binkie shouted for us from the top of the hill and Pegs was out on the course doing a grand job with the camera. Meanwhile Grant and Kevin Stone ran one lap the opposite round the course, thoroughly enjoying all 545 informative “you’re going the wrong way”s. Thanks all on a blustery day for spectators.

In the race, Jack Holland hared off for his 4th win in 6 races, while Aimee made it 7 in 8. The long hill that starts within the first mile sorted us out quickly but does at least (perhaps) mean that few go off too quickly for too long here. Behind came a nicely spaced out red-white-blue wave. Congratulations to Steven Ramek, whose improvement continues and will only be helped by a tough run. After finishing close to her in the last two races, if he can keep Aimee in sight as she accelerates he’ll be moving up the field rapidly. Oliver Webb was rightly elated as he finished his longest race (and run?) – what a one to pick! Well done Fred and Megan Toerien, nice to see you in club colours, managing to stick together for the whole run. The masochist award goes to Sue “That Was Fun” Garnish.

In the grand prix, the ladies’ past the post looks clear cut, with the leading three all on 8 and well clear. So long as all finish one more event they are guaranteed prize money, with Aimee nigh-on uncatchable and Zoe nudging past Libby into third. The age-graded competition is closer, with Ann Bath moving into third with a race in hand, while Aimee and Zoe have the points on the board.

In the men’s, Jack took advantage of chairman Joe and Steve Watkins’ absence to move into third in both competitions, and with 4 wins out of 6 races will go higher if he can complete the last three events. Worth mentioning, too, that Luke stays ahead of me despite running a race fewer (!).

Well run all – the next Grand Prix is the Watford half on the 5th February. www.sportsystems.co.uk/ss/event/WatfordHalfMarathon1

1	00:55:11	Chris Busaileh	Senior Men
21	01:04:20	Jack Holland	Senior Men
25	01:05:29	Luke McDonagh	Senior Men
32	01:06:39	John Matthews	Senior Men
46	01:09:12	Kevin Parker	Senior Men
57	01:10:08	Declan Flynn	MV50
99	01:13:30	David Pimm	MV50
126	01:15:55	Aimee Billington	Senior Ladies
135	01:16:26	Steven Ramek	MV40
156	01:17:55	Ben Downe	Senior Men
161	01:18:24	Neil Parker	Senior Men
165	01:18:31	Zoe Ashcroft	Senior Ladies
194	01:20:14	Simon Gerrard	MV40
204	01:21:03	Matthew Pritchard	Senior Men
300	01:27:02	Greg Whiteman	MV40
311	01:27:36	Oliver Webb	MV40
368	01:31:15	Sue Garnish	FV40
427	01:35:59	Javier Fuentes	MV40
431	01:36:26	Andrea Bennett	FV40
451	01:37:54	Ann Bath	FV60
458	01:38:59	Derick Wilkie	MV60
540	01:59:34	Frederick Toerien	MV50
541	01:59:34	Megan Toerien	FV50
554	02:45:32	Kate Knight	FV50