One of the most popular races in Lincolnshire took place on Sunday. Always selling out within hours the Woodhall Spa 10k attracts runners from near and far. Boston Community Runners had 39 members take part this year. Renowned for being very hot and sunny, this years race was no exception although a brief light shower just as the runners had set off bought hopes of a cooler run but it stopped as soon as it had started! Kelvin Clements had a strong run in a very fast field and finished in 43.09. Just behind was John Burton in 43.43 who had caught up with a running friend and kept her going to the finish line. Martin Tebbs was the third club runner back in 46.17 with Nathan Saw chasing him down in 48.13. Simon Pickwell ran well in the heat coming home in 50.21 just ahead of Jake Fountain in 50.32. A flurry of Black and Yellow headed for the finish line with Tanya Knight (51.05), Rachel Mason (51.32) and Stephen Cornwell (51.44) just ahead of Karen Hindle in 52.31.
Matt Tunnard came in next in 55.45 just ahead of Michael Corney in 55.50. A superb finish by Dianne Houghton gave her a time of 58.26 with running buddy Lesley Buswell less than a minute behind in a new PB time of 59.20. It was also another PB time for Jayne Clements finishing in 1.00.18 and now has that sub hour firmly in her sights. Kimberley Pittam, whos sons put in a great performance in the 5k fun run earlier, ran with her friend Helen Bartholomew who was running her first 10k and they got a great time of 1.01.05. Linda Rands was pleased to be back after injury and was very pleased with her time of 1.02.18. Just behind came Dawn Cobb in 1.02.53. Nicola Housam ran a PB time of 1.05.46 and Gary Beck-Sykes was just behind in 1.06.04 with Jackie Hallett in 1.06.06. Emma Cook ran with her cousin, also competing in her first 10k race. Vanessa Cannon, along with Emma, covered the 6.2 miles in 1.07.47. Dan Simpson crossed the line in 1.08.55 closely followed by husband and wife team Graham and Sharon English in 1.09.09 with Claire Tunnard stopping the clock at 1.09.34.
The next few minutes saw a flurry of the distinctive BCR colours heading for the line and the race commentator thanked them for the support for the charity event. Kerry McCrainor produced a sprint finish to cheers from the crowd just pipping running partner Steve Langford to the line finishing in 1.10.00 and 1.10.02 respectively. Carole Page ran well in 1.10.24 with Debbie Petley finishing in 1.11.06. Janet Edwards was pleased with her time of 1.15.10. Jessica Bland and Jo Heron ran together in 1.15.16 as did Georgina Lidgard and Paul Maddison who clocked 1.15.19. Fiona Clarke had a smile on her face as she finished in 1.30.39 and in their forst race using the RunWalkRun method Maria Baker and Maryke Kilbon both achieved PB times of 1.34.33
A short journey to the south of the county for the latest in the Race for Life series saw Jayne Wallis take on the 10K event with her daughter who was running over this distance for the first time. It was a nice relaxed introduction to a racing environment, the route was a cross-country, undulating course on grass and paths and took the runners around the beautiful grounds of Burghley Estate. The weather was kind as well and helped get a great turnout for a worthy cause. Jayne and her daughter finished in 1.04.00.
Meanwhile Beth Lines went in the opposite direction to tackle the Hull 10K. It was the fifth time she has taken part in the event. Part of the Jane Tomlinson Asda Foundation Run for All series, these popular races see thousands of runners take part. Running round the streets of Hull city centre, past The Deep and a complete circuit of the marina the race then headed back passing City Hall to a grand finish outside the Guildhall. Beth was pleased with her run and crossed the line in 1.03.27. Slowly getting quicker after a long niggly injury Beth is looking forward to getting below the hour again.
It was the second running of the Van Elnor 10K at Barkston, near Grantham and Jackie Hallett returned along with fellow Boston Community Runners Tony Tomlin, Matt Tunnard and Claire Teesdale. The cross country event is challenging with hills, fields and stepping stones across the river. It was a very enjoyable event once again with all the Boston runners negotiating the course and finishing with good times. Matt was the first club runner back in 56.16 with Tony just 3 minutes behind him in 59.53. The ladies put on a good show as well with Claire finishing in 1.08.59 and Jackie in 1.10.31. Everyone enjoyed the course and it sounds like next year will see more of the black and yellow stripes of BCR taking part.
The weekend started early for the ever growing Boston Community Runners with two members heading over to Long Bennington for the Summer Solstice 10K hosted by Grantham Running Club. Starting at 7.30pm this evening run attracts up to 1000 competitors. Stephen Cornwell had two races this weekend and with this one being on road used it as his faster run. A super run saw him almost break the 50 minutes coming home in 50.27. Also running for BCR was Karen Hindle. Karen too had a race on Sunday as well so used the run as a loosener ready for her long run. Finishing in 1.02.42 she was pleased with her result.
Four members of the club made the short trip down the A15 for another in the Sublime series of 10k events at Peterborough. The Midsummer 10k was indeed very summery, warm and dry after the rain. Andy Leates, Clare Teesdale, Emma Cook and Beth Lines were once again in action. On a hard-standing surfaced course through the beautiful Ferry Meadows the course was relatively flat in the main, with a few ups and downs and it took in the varied and beautiful landscapes of meadows, lakes and woodland in one of the largest country parks in the region. Ferry Meadows is at the heart of Nene Park, all less than three miles from Peterborough city centre. It is a lovely setting for a run. With nearly 1000 runners taking part the Boston runners put in another fine display. Andy Leates ran a very strong run and was the first club runner back in 52.37. Clare Teesdale again got very close to breaking the hour finishing in 1.01.20 and was very pleased with her time in the heat. Emma Cook and Beth Lines ran together as Beth continues to improve her times once again and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed their run with Emma clocking 1.03.33 and Beth 1.03.34.
Not too far away at Grimesthorpe Castle near Bourne another contingent of the Black and Yellow stripes of Boston Community Runners were taking part. Seventeen members in total over the four distances. The routes took the runners past various delights within the private grounds including the castle, lake, hills, tree lined tarmac avenues, ancient woodland along grassed paths and a victorian railway culvet. The train line no longer exists, but the 10 and 13.1 mile routes travelled along this section and took the runners to a part of the world generally unseen by the public.
The race start/finish line was in front of the castle along the driveway. It was a very friendly event and the medals were huge. Due to the increased temperatures the past 2 years the start times had been bought down to 9am – 9.30am depending on the distance running. The 5k event saw Carmen Clark finish in 38.55 giving her 3rd in her age category. It was also a first event for Aimee Rolfe after joining the clubs RunWalkRun course. Aimee came back in sub 50 minutes time, in 49.43 and was delighted with her achievement. Onto the 10K race and it was Nicholas Turner, taking 2nd in his age category with a 53.36 time the first club runner back. Stephen Cornwell too got 2nd in his age category with 1.00.09. Paul Maddison and Georgina Lidgard ran together as Georgina continues to get stronger with every run. Another PB time for her as both runners finished in 1.08.20 just ahead of Mary Turner in 1.10.30. Mary, and husband Nicholas were both having their first race in club colours. Onto the 10 mile race and it was Karen Hindle (1.37.11) and Kim Pittam (1.37.14) who were first to come into view for BCR followed closely by Matt Tunnard in 1.39.22. Just behind Matt came Jayne Wallis running a 1.40.17 that got her 3rd in her age category. Neil Goodwin was just behind coming home in 1.41.33. Lesley Buswell ran strongly and finished in 1.48.54 with running buddy Dianne Houghton finishing in 1.53.10. In the Half Marathon event three runners took on the challenge. John Burton ran a great race finishing 9th overall and 2nd in his age category in 1.40.36. Simon Pickwell got under the two hour mark on this tough course with a 1.59.32 and Tanya Knight was just behind in 2.01.06 and getting 3rd in her age category. Definately a busy weekend for the club but also a very successful one too.
