Somerley 10k
ZIPPY Grice chose to get rid of some Christmas excess with a gentle 10km jog around the grounds of Somerley House near Ringwood.
Zippy joined 750 runners for the Somerley 10km race, organised by the Wessex Autistic Society. The race helped to raise more than £6,000 for the charity.
The run, which is now in its eighth year, took place at the spectacular grounds of Lord Normanton’s private Somerley Estate in Ringwood.
Money raised will go towards supporting adults and children with autism throughout the Wessex region.
Everyone who completed the race received a goody bag containing a medal, water bottle and chocolate. The fastest male and female 10km runners received a trophy and champagne alongside the second and third place runners who received a bottle of wine.
For the second year in a row the male winner of the 10k was Lee Piercy from Wick with a time of 33min 39sec. Last summer, Lee won the British Age Group Duathlon Championships. The female winner was Helen Thomson from Salisbury with a time of 43.44.
Zippy finished second in a time of 34.54, with Nick Crane, who has improved superbly this year, placing 32nd in 41.45. Stubby Del Granger made one of his rare appearances coming home in 72nd with 44.24.
There was also a 5km race and the top male runners were Alastair Bartlett from Trowbridge in 18min 06sec and Rowland Turnell-Ritson from London in 18.08. The top female runners were Africa Mason in 20.01 & Grace Howie in 20.12 both from Poole.
Race entrants are being encouraged to raise more sponsorship now the race is over as the person raising the most sponsorship will win a round of golf for four people with bacon butties and hot drinks, at Parley Golf centre.
Every runner raising over just £20 will receive a free Ruby Runners t-shirt in celebration of the charity’s 40th Anniversary.
Millie Paterson, Community and Events Fundraiser at the Wessex Autistic Society said: “It was a glorious, crisp day with clear skies so we were lucky and a record number of people entered so we are very grateful for the local support.
“As always we would like to express huge thanks to Lord Normanton for allowing the runners to use his stunning parkland, Nationwide who were the main supporters and our fantastic volunteers.
“The runners all did a fantastic job as it was a chilly day, as did the volunteers who were also exposed to the frost!”
Editor’s note: It is more than likely I may have missed out your result. No club names were given in the race results, just runners’ names and times. So if you are a Stubby who ran this race, please let me know and I’ll amend the article.