Hardley Half Marathon - 16th Oct 2005
BEFORE last Sunday, Mark Le Gassick had only run two half marathons in his life. He turned up to the Hardley A Half at Blackfield, hoping to do well, but even he was surprised to win the race.
The 32-year-old Stubbington runner pulled off a fantastic run to win this second round of the Hampshire Road Race League in 1hr 12min 2sec.
It came on the back of an eighth place finish at the Overton 5 last month, and sees Mark top of the Hampshire Road Race leaderboard.
The Hardley event also doubled up as the Hampshire Half Marathon Championship, so Mark returned home with a medal-laden kit bag.
After the race, Mark admitted: "Before the race I thought I was in with a good chance of scoring heavily as I knew that close rivals Steve Bishop and Nick Baker (both Denmead) were going to be running at the Abingdon Marathon.
"However I didn't expect to win and make such a healthy start to the Hampshire Road Race League season, scoring 115 points to add to the 97 points that I scored at Overton."
Mark started off the race, which attracted a 361-strong field, fairly steadily. He went through the first mile in 5min 20sec and was a little over 5:20 pace at mile two.
"I normally don't like to go off too quickly and try to settle into a strong rhythm so that I get quicker as the race progresses," he explained.
"This helps to ensure a fairly consistent overall pace for the race and there's nothing worse than the feeling you get when you have to slow dramatically towards the end of a race due to poorly judged pacing.
"I caught the two early leaders Alan Hancock (Salisbury City) just before the end of the first mile and moved up to run alongside Paul Cameron (West Wight Runners) at around the two-mile mark.
"Paul and I ran together until about four miles when he had to stop to answer an unwanted call of nature.
"At this point I took advantage and put in a surge, passing through the five-mile mark in virtually 27mins dead (which is an average of roughly 5.25 pace for the first five miles)."
Mark said it was around half way by Lepe beach that he went through a rough patch with the wind against the runners.
He added: "Mentally, it's pretty tough to run on your own at the front because it's quite hard to remain focused and relaxed."
"You have to keep pushing yourself and not take your foot of the gas as you never know whether someone will put in a really quick second half and begin to reel you in."
He hit the 10mile time in 54min 46sec which was a personal best by 44 seconds beating the 55:30 clocked at the Hayling 10 last November.
However, in the latter stages he started to pay for the fast start, running the last 3.1 miles in 17mins 16 secs, which is just over 5.40 pace for the last 3+ miles.
Mark's finishing time was a personal best by 73 seconds, maintaining a staggering average pace of 5.30min per mile.
He added: "I think Hardley is a really good half marathon course.
"The single lap offers a nice mix of flat and undulating terrain to test the runner's speed endurance. The marshals and volunteers did a great job and the support along the course was greatly appreciated.
"I have a history of not making it to the start line at Hardley.
"In 2003 I entered the race and had my number but was unable to run due to a chest infection.
"In 2004 I wanted to run it but was unable to due to a lingering Achilles tendon injury.
"So I was determined not miss the race in 2005 and, after Sunday's result, was extremely glad to make it third time lucky!"
Mark helped Stubbington's men's team to fifth place on the day, with Mike Harper, who admits he's still not up to full fitness, placing 43rd in 1:26.41.
Paul Hammond put in a superb finish over the final three miles to reel in a load of runners for 70th in 1:30.41.The men lie sixth overall after two races in division one.
Lesley Harding was Stubbington's best placed lady runner with 1:45.21 for 215th . The ladies currently lie fourth in Division 2.
Other results: 83 Dave King 1:31.42, 142 Nick Kimber 1:37.25, 168 Keith Irvine 1.41.06, 179 Neil Jarvis 1:42.03, 198 Sean Jones 1.44.01, 215 Lesley Harding 1:45.21, 220 Colin Elderfield 1:46.22, 293 Margie Pritchard 1:57.08, 320 Liz Hall 2:01.45.
The next round of the Hampshire Road Race League is the Lordshill 10 which takes place on Sunday, November 6th , from Lordshill Recreation Centre.