Perfect conditions kicked off the racing calendar for 2018 as the road runners traversed the Solent to reach Stubbington, just outside of Fareham.
An early start faced the gang as they embarked the ferry to travel across the water and made their way to the south coast village.
A fast and flat course and the favourable conditions promised some good performances, coupled with the determination to give it 100% in memory of our dear friend and clubmate Darren Andrew who passed away suddenly this week.
Beginning in the heart of the village, the looped course took in quiet country lanes through the local copses before emerging onto a stretch of the coastline of Portsmouth Harbour before returning back to the centre of the village for the finish.
Darren Cole stormed through the 6.2 miles to make himself the first Roadrunner home in 37 mins straight, bagging himself a huge 2 minutes off his already speedy PB.
Ross Wilkes was next home, just 30 seconds later, in his debut over the distance. Matt Fletcher continued his flurry of PBs to come in next knocking 90 seconds off his previous best, with Pete Wilmott completing the 1st men’s team in just under 39 minutes and 9th in his V50 age category.
For the ladies, Trish Train returned to racing after the previous season being dogged by injury. Not quite back to her full fitness she still powered home in just over 42 minutes and 2nd in her V50 category. Judy McCabe was next home in just under 44 minutes with Jodie Wilmott continuing her journey back to fitness across the line next with a pb to complete the ladies 1st team.
“That’s broken my PB from 2015! Not bad considering what I’ve been through!” Jodie tells me later that day.
The rest of the gang came in thick and fast, taking advantage of the favourable conditions. All running their hearts out and giving this race 100%. Men’s Vice Captain Steve Bennett ran a fantastic race coming 7th in his V60 category and Julie Salter ran herself to 10th place in hers. PBs were achieved by Glen Jones, Sarah Holmes, Dave Wilcock and Bridget Keyte, but most notable perhaps were those achieved by Kevin Rann, who broke his first PB in 4 years and Mike Kimber who somehow took 44 minutes off his previous time. One last performance to mention is that of Tim Keyte, although not breaking his own personal record, ran with his daughter Abi, giving her a massive pb of over 8 minutes and into the 3rd junior female top spot.
D.Cole – 37.00
R.Wilkes – 37.30
M.Fletcher – 38.46
P.Wilmott – 38.57
N.Kenney – 40.19
G.Sharp – 41.50
M.Kimber – 41.41
T.Train – 42.18
S.Bennett – 43.18
M.Coultrup – 43.40
J.McCabe – 43.56
K.Rann – 44.31
J.Wilmott – 44.56
G.Jones – 45.28
A.Farwell – 45.32
S.Holmes – 46.19
J.Shoulder – 48.38
J.Salter – 49.49
K.Phillips – 50.31
T.Keyte – 50.44
D.Wilcock – 51.08
L.Upstell – 51.14
J.Ray – 52.00
S.Sharp – 55.10
K.Fry – 55.23
S.Trotman – 56.39
S.Hunt – 58.12
B.Keyte – 58.18
N.Stilwell – 1.05.11
T.Clifford – 1.05.33
S.Morgan – 1.11.08
T.Houdoire – 1.11.09
L.Snow – 1.19.59
Good to see that this year’s Epic Fail Award has an early entry for contention as club legend and head race Marshall Tracey Houdoire made a crucial error when preparing her kit bag for today’s race. Tracey managed to pack two very similar looking shoes…unfortunately they were both right feet. Luckily for Tracey, there was a footwear stand and she managed to buy a left and a right.
“They’re my go faster shoes!” She beamed after the race
