Denmead 10k - 15th October 2006
MARK Le Gassick enjoyed a confidence-boosting run at the Denmead 10k, ahead of next weekend's BUPA Great South Run.
The Stubbington runner was joined early on, at the front of the field, by Southampton-based doctor, Andrew Hennessy. In breezy conditions, the pair worked the pace together, through the hilly, narrow country lanes, north of Portsmouth.
Hennessy, running for Wells City Harriers, who recently won the Clarendon Way Half Marathon, clocked 33min 33sec to take first place, with Mark following close behind in 33.36. Last year, on a shortened course, Henessy won in a time of 31.59, with Mark clocking 33.31 and finishing third.
Stubbington put out a strong team of runners for the prestigious running of the race, organised by Portsmouth Joggers, and staged on a hilly course around Denmead based at the King George Playing Fields.
Alasdair Ewing took tenth place in 37.11, and not far behind were Stubbington team-mates, Gordon Reid in 14th (37.30) and Andy Simpson in 15th (37.36).
Tim Crumpton ran well at 4min 2sec/kilometre pace for 32nd in 40.28, with Nick Kimber and Andy Lee finishing within sight of each other with Nick 66th in 43.34 and Andy 70th in 43.51
There was a welcome return to racing for Jon Leigh who was laid off this summer with a knee injury. Jon ran a steady 44.29 for 75th, and team-mate Tim Sands followed not far behind in 44.49. Steve Wylie was 196th with a time of 53.45.
A total of 295 runners took part in the race, with Carrie Blake from Denmead Striders leading the women home with a time of 38.56 in 21st.