Eastleigh 10k, Sunday 25th March 2007
IT was fast, it was flat, and it was full well over a month in advance of its March 25th fixture date.
This year, the Eastleigh 10k proved as popular as ever despite the fact that the start of the race was brought forward for the first time in the event's 22-year history. In a bid to ease congestion for both traffic and runners, organisers decided to change the start of the race to 10am, from its traditional 2.30pm start time.
The race also coincided with the change to British Summer Time. The clocks moved forward an hour, but this didn't seem to catch out runners, with the race attracting 1,350 entrants, and the organisers having to turn away a further 500 who wanted to run.
If the size of the field was impressive, it was nothing compared to its quality, with the first 53 runners completing the 6.2-mile course in under-35 minutes, and the ladies' course record, set in 2006, being broken by a considerable margin.
On a day that was almost perfect for road running, a breakaway group that included runners from clubs as far afield as Leeds, Essex, and Shaftesbury, ensured that the early pace was swift and that fast finishing times would be the order of the day.
Having turned down his call-up to represent Great Britain in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Mombassa, Wells City Harrier, Frank Tickner decided to enter the slightly less prestigious Eastleigh 10k, taking victory in 29 minutes, 38 seconds - 21 seconds ahead of second placed David Webb, of Leeds City AC (29.59). Jonathan Blackledge of Belgrave Harriers was third in a time of 30 minutes, 16 seconds.
Stubbington Green Runners & AC's Mark Le Gassick was almost back to his best, with a swift first 5k of 15.46, and clocking in at 31 minutes, 50 seconds for the full race distance. This was just a second outside Mark's personal best, set at last year's Stubbington 10k where he finished in second place, compared with 14th at Eastleigh, such is the quality of the field.
In the ladies' race, another GB international, Natalie Harvey, was the decisive winner, finishing in 24th position overall. On a cool, overcast day, the South London Harrier's class shone through as Harvey stormed to victory crossing the line in 32 minutes 56 seconds, more than 30 seconds ahead of Kendal AAC's Gemma Phillips (33.28), and smashing the course record by exactly 40 seconds. Ranelagh Harrier, Joanne Ronaldson, took third place in a time of 34 minutes, 39 seconds.
Bev Lavery was the first lady home for Stubbington in 41 minutes 52 seconds, and hot on Bev's heels was the rapidly improving Susie MacGregor who, after taking a few pre-race tips from highly sought after running coach, Tim Crumpton, ran a personal best 10k time of 42 minutes, 6 seconds. As well as Tim's words of wisdom, being a regular at the Tuesday and Thursday evening training sessions undoubtedly played a part in Susie's superb performance.
Clear winners of the men's team event were Winchester & District AC, with their B team also taking third spot, and Southampton RC in second. SGR&AC were 15th. Winchester District & AC, also took the ladies' title, with their B team in second place, and Lordshill Road Runner finishing third. SGR&AC finished 9th.
SGR&AC results from the Eastleigh 10k are listed below:
14 Mark Le Gassick 31.50
77 Graham Bell 36.41 (13th M40)
158 Mike Bell 40.33 (15th M50)
188 Eric Beck 41.48 (19th M45)
193 Malcolm Lavery 41.52 (21st M45)
201 Richard Simms 42.02
275 Sean Jones 44.52
288 Zac Conaty 45.15
289 Keith Carter 45.18
302 Richard Snell 45.41
310 Andy Lee 45.59
347 Christopher Green 47.10
419 John Fairhurst 48.58
431 Terry French 49.21
481 Peter Adams 50.45 (3rd M70)
489 Derek Balson 50.52
570 John Vose 53.13 (4th M70)
716 Michael Aimable 1.18.51 (2nd M80)
26 Bev Lavery 41.52 (W40 4th)
29 Susie MacGregor 42.06 (W35 4th)
128 Rachel Openshaw 51.31
133 Sarah White 51.50
158 Annie Tomlinson 53.08
192 Jacquelyn Sherman 55.05
278 Sharon White
1.00:41
279 Hayley Venn 1.00.41
293 Anne Fairhurst 1.01.21 (W60 5th)
There were 1,135 finishers.