Perfect conditions greeted runners for the 34th Eastleigh 10k race on Sunday. A million degrees away from the 6 inches of snow that postponed this race from its original date back in March, a cool breeze and cloudy sky gave our team a comfortable temperature to run their socks off in. This sold out race is number 11 of 12 on the Hampshire Road Race League. With only 1 more race left in the league, the jostling for positions is really hotting up as the runners muster everything they’ve got to finish as high as they can for themselves and for their team. Known to be a fast and furious course, Eastleigh attracts nearly 3000 runners, making it the largest 10k in the South.
Starting at the unthinkably early 9am at the Fleming Park Leisure Centre, the course flips a right on Shakespeare Road, loops around bringing the runners into the long and straight Woodside Avenue. A couple more little twists and turns and they head for home along Chestnut Avenue.
Ross Wilkes was the first roadrunner to make it back to the Sports Centre in a nifty 37 minutes, with Cole Pearce not too far behind him. Pete Sexton was next under the finishing arch in just over 39 minutes bagging him 9th V50. Sneaking under the 40 minute mark was Matt Fletcher, completing the first men’s team.
For the ladies, golden girl Trish Train proved that her injury is well and truly behind her to take the V50 top spot in 41.22, finishing a massive 3and a half minutes between her and the next woman in her category. Jodie Wilmott continued her march back to form with her second 10k Pb in 72 hours.
“I still felt I could have pushed a bit more” she tells me on the ferry home “I sort of wish I was in the country for the final race of the season. I feel like there is a bit more in the tank”
Lizzie Pilcher was the 3rd lady across the finish line, bagging herself a 30 second Pb and shimmying under 46 minutes, whilst Zoe Sherwin continued her fantastic season with another Pb to complete the First Ladies team.
Every roadrunner out on the course ran brilliantly, wearing their vests with pride, representing our gorgeous diamond island with smiles in their faces. Notably both Gemma Fletcher and Ivan Ward made their official debuts over the distance whilst Sarah Ward took a huge 5 minutes off her previous Pb.
“I ran all the way, even up the hill!” said Lyn Snow after the race looking very pleased with herself.
Great running team IWRR!
Ross Wilkes- 37.02
Cole Pearce- 37.43
Pete Sexton- 39.07
Matt Fletcher- 39.45
Trish Train- 41.22
Garry Sharp- 42.46
Michael Coultrup- 44.13
Jodie Wilmott- 44.19
Kev Rann- 45.51
Lizzie Pilcher- 45.58
Zoe Sherwin- 47.47
Ivan Ward- 47.58
Sarah Ward- 48.17
Sarah Holmes- 49.24
Dave Wilcock- 54.38
Gemma Fletcher- 55.34
Sarah Sharp- 58.07
Steve Hunt- 1.00.12
Lyn Snow- 1.22.00
