Run In The Park 10k, 21st May 2006
IT was supposed to be a Run In The Park, but turned out instead to be a soggy Run In The Rain at the Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley.
A total of 339 runners took part in the 10km race, organised by Southampton Running Club, which involved three laps of the park, finishing near the chapel.
Stubbington's Mark Le Gassick won at Alton last Sunday, and seven days later he came out on top once again. He enjoyed a 22-second winning margin over City of Portsmouth AC's Chris Thomson by clocking 32min 52sec. Havant AC's Dai Roberts, who was the first Vet 40 runner home, finished third in 33:25.
A strong contingent of Stubbington runners braved the rain and wind, with Mike Bell picking up 50th spot in 42:03 and was the fourth fastest Vet50 - surely some qualification mistake there!
Rob English had a rare outing in Stubbington colours and placed 82nd in 43:56 (Vet40, 29th), and Keith Carter was just behind him in the finishing straight with 89th in 44:24 (Vet 40, 33rd).
Mark Greenfield clocked 47:16 for 117th place (V40, 42nd), and Gary Littlecott took 124th spot (V40, 45th) in 47:42.
Stubbington's men team finished ninth in the team rankings with 133pts behind winners City of Portsmouth AC with 24pts and Southampton Running Club with 31pts.
The women's race was won by Karen Rushton from Southampton Running Club in 38:26, ahead of Cath Wheeler from Overton Harriers, the first Vet 40 lady, who came home in a time of 39:13.
Sarah White was Stubbington's only lady runner in the race, finishing 81st in 57:38.
Southampton Running Club claimed team honours on 41pts from Hardley Runners with 48pts.