First run in 1946, with 29 entrants, this fast and flat 5 miler has come a long way. 72 runnings later,the 700ish runners eagerly awaited the off on the startline of this sold out Hampshire League race.
Lakeside North Harbour hosted the race for the City of Portsmouth AC. 2 laps around the lake made up the course to bring the Roadrunners home amid warm but blustery conditions.
Simon Pilcher was the first Roadrunner to grace the finish in a fantastic 28.40 seconds in dazzling debut over the distance. Not too far behind was PB king Ross Wilkes in, yes you’ve guessed it…. yet another PB! Bill Goozee continued his return to form by just missing the 30 minute mark in his debut 5 miler. Completing the men’s first team was Dean Pike, just 5 seconds later knocking a tidy 3 and a half minutes off his PB in the process.
The second men’s team home were Stu Backhouse, Pete Sexton, Steve Bennett and Garry Sharp. Stu taking 8th V45, Pete 5th V55, Steve 5th V60 (and a PB) and Garry doing what does best, running with 100% enthusiasm.
For the Ladies, it was Zoe Sherwin which brought the flag home in just over 38 mins and another Pb giving her the full set for the year and 10th V40. Sarah Holmes was under the finish arch next in 39 minutes with Sarah Sharp completing the ladies team in 43 minutes.
Team placings done, in the rest of the team came, one by one. All having run their socks off around that blustery lake. Tanya Clifford bagged the PB of the day by knocking a humongous 6 minutes off her previous time.
“I’ve never run that fast – EVER!” beamed Tanya after the race
Giorgio Marinelli, Alison Butcher, Bianca Johnston and Caroline Curliss were all smiles as they ran their debuts over the distance and our second claim member Brian Harris taking 10th V70.
As a special treat, team IWRR had their own mobile coffee shop at the finishline in the shape of Matt Fletcher. He dished out well deserved hot drinks to our awesome runners.
Simon Pilcher – 28.40
Ross Wilkes – 29.43 PB
Bill Goozee – 30.31
Dean Pike – 30.36 PB
Stuart Backhouse – 30.53
Pete Sexton – 32.24
Steve Bennett – 34.06 PB
Garry Sharp – 34.44
Giorgio Marinelli – 37.01
Kevin Rann – 37.16
Zoe Sherwin – 38.09 PB
Sarah Holmes – 39.08
Keith Ruth – 42.06
Sarah Sharp – 43.00
Alison Butcher – 43.24
Kevin Fry – 43.45
Julie Ray – 43.47
Bianca Johnston – 46.12
Tanya Clifford – 46.32 PB
Bridget Keyte – 47.49
Caroline Curliss – 47.50
Brian Harris – 52.35
