Stubbington Green Runners

THE Stubbington 10km race is once again going to be a sell-out. By the end of October, entries for the popular race have surpassed the 1,000 mark and entry secretary, Mike Harper, is fully expecting to close the book on any more runners by the middle of November.

Earlier this year, the Stubby 10 attracted more than 1,000 runners as it established itself one of the best 10km road races on the south coast. Blessed by wonderful weather 11 months ago, the challenge for race director, Gary Littlecott, is to put on another fantastic race.

He is now spreading the word that he needs more marshals and helpers than ever to ensure the race on January 13th goes off without a hitch.

“The Stubbington 10k road race is not far away now and we need lots of marshals and volunteers to make the race happen,” said Gary.
The sudden cancellation of the Hayling 10 next month because of increasing police costs and considerations has put further pressure on events such as the Stubbington 10.

While police will be present at the January race, there is no guarantee there will be as strong a police presence that the club had for the race earlier this year.
Gary added: “The race is under increasing threat from the police to change and for clubs likes ours to man-manage a majority of the course ourselves. So you can see the importance of all of your roles for our 10k day.”

If you are not running and can help to marshal, then Gazza would be delighted to hear from you. Equally, if you can press gang friends or family to join you for the morning, with the promise of a mug and the chance to sample the kitchen’s delicious bacon rolls, then you will be welcomed with open arms. If you can help, then e-mail Gary on: thelittlecotts@ntlworld.com

As part of a new departure, Gary has decided to hold the helper’s race in December, and not on the day before the big event. He’s hoping the move to hold the helper’s race on Sunday, December 9th at 10am might encourage more Stubbies to take part. And Gazza has got a few incentives up his sleeve.

He added: “If you have ever run the race helpers race in previous years, then I think you will agree with me that it is a very low key affair when only a handful of people turn up on a Saturday morning and, basically, get nothing out of it.

“I believe that you should get something back from the race, so this year I have decided to try something new; a new route, some spot prizes and a race day 10k t-shirt for all entrants.

“The race will start at 10am on the Sunday morning of the 9th and it will follow a route which, I am sure, everybody has run at sometime. It’s a run from the Crofton Community Centre car park in Stubbington to the Kingfisher caravan park just outside of Lee by Browndown, and back.

“Hopefully we can get a good field out for this new helpers race and build on it . I would like to make it a popular pre-race event. “Please make an effort to come along. After all, you will be one of the first to sport a 10k t-shirt for 2008!

“The new t-shirts feature caricatures of four club members; Mark Le Gassick, Mike Clarke, Caroline Street and Zippy Grice.

Once again please e-mail me with your intent to run on that day or see me on a training night.