PWR Grand Prix 2017/2018 Race Reports
Round 12: Shorne Woods 5 mile Race Report 23/09/18
Round 12: Shorne Woods 5 mile Race Report 23/09/18
The weather gods decided to save by far the worst weather of this season’s Grand Prix for the series finale at Shorne Woods on September 23rd. It chucked it down in the hours leading up to the event and for the start itself which was frustratingly delayed by 10 minutes so we were soaked to the skin by the time we finally got under way. Thankfully the majority of this demanding race took place in the shelter of the woods thus protecting us from the elements.
35 hardy PWRs turned up on the day with just 4 not registered for the Grand Prix. Gavin Mackay was an excellent 2nd overall and picked up the MV40 award while men’s club captain Stephen Pond took the MV50 award for 7th overall. In between them were Simon Bryant 4th and Matthew Pond 6th but PWR didn’t pick up the team award on this occasion as a ‘team’ at this event consisted of two men and one lady and none of our very fastest ladies went down to the woods. However, this event was primarily about sorting out the final placings in the various classes and there were a few movers on the day.
Group 1 (6 runners)
Stephen Pond had already secured the title but the other podium places were up for grabs with Steve Bowley coming into this round in 2nd place from Matthew Pond and Simon Bryant tied in 3rd. Gavin Mackay (33:06) was the fastest PWR on the day and was probably the driest too as he secured a place in the timing awning before the start while the rest of us just got wetter. Bryant (34:09) was 2nd after his DNF at the previous round from Matthew Pond (34:43), just 3 seconds ahead of his dad Stephen, with Bowley 5th and Marcus Elwes 6th.
Once the Group 1 times had been adjusted for age, Stephen Pond was calculated as being quickest, rather than Mackay, and took his third win of the series to add another 4 points to his best 8 rounds total making 148 points. Pond Snr contested all 12 rounds, one of only two competitors to do so across 9 classes, so had to drop his worst 4 scores. Bryant (128 points) however had only contested 6 meetings prior to Shorne Woods so all his 16 points for finishing 3rd on adjusted times counted and catapulted him from joint 3rd in the table up to the runner-up position. Matthew Pond’s 4th place was not enough to prevent Bowley (119) taking the third step on the Group 1 GP podium from Pond Jnr (117), Elwes (97) and Daniel Selman (96).
CHAMPION – STEPHEN POND
Group 2 (4 runners)
James Wall had one hand on the Group 2 winner’s trophy but had to be wary of the in-form runner in the class, Peter Fisher, who had taken four wins and two 2nd places from his six outings and would pip Wall by a point if Wall didn’t add to his total at this final round.
Rob Laing (36:46) had only contested one round prior to Shorne Woods, December’s Bexley parkrun, but showed what he is capable of with the race win in his usual fashion of starting near the back and then carving his way through the field. Fisher (37:21) was 2nd from Wall (39:27) and Mark Franks (41:19).
Laing’s win did Wall a favour as it stopped Fisher picking up another 20 points and meant an easier time for the championship leader. Once the sums had been done, Wall (137 points) is confirmed champion from Fisher (134), Franks (128), Steve White (120), Gillian Selman (70) and Martin Smith (62).
CHAMPION – JAMES WALL
Group 3 (4 runners)
Stuart Isaacs, like Stephen Pond in Group 1, had done enough prior to Shorne Woods to confirm his GP title win. Behind him though it was tight for 2nd place with just 4 points separating Mark Burgess and Ian Bauly. Isaacs (39:41) duly took his sixth win of the series with Bauly (40:40) getting the better of Burgess (40:44) and Canterbury 10 mile winner Laura Elvin.
Isaacs (154 points) was just 6 points short of the maximum possible in the series while round 12’s results meant Bauly and Burgess were tied on 137 each. In the event of a tie the number of wins is taken into account and so Burgess with two (Greenwich and Weald) just squeezed Bauly with his one (Tunbridge Wells Half) into 3rd overall. Paul Strachan (122), Elvin (113) and Steve Burnett (75) complete the top six.
CHAMPION – STUART ISAACS
Group 4 (5 runners)
Pauline Skerrett’s mid-season dominance meant she too had already wrapped up a GP title and she did not run at either of the last two rounds. A late surge from George Sebastos meant Jeremy Benson’s hold on the runner-up spot wasn’t totally secure so he would need to race the final round.
Sebastos (41:03) duly took his fourth win of the series from Benson (41:38), Fiona Abiola-Musa (46.02), Viral Tanna, who was one of a group of three runners who took a wrong turn and did more than the race distance, and Nigel Hewson, hampered by a calf injury.
Skerrett’s 151 points was more than enough to win the Group 4 title but what about 2nd? Despite Sebastos taking four wins and three 2nd places he only contested 7 rounds while Benson’s eight scores were sufficient to take the runner-up spot by 4 points - Benson (138), Sebastos (134). Abiola-Musa (127) finishes 4th from Hewson (118) and Lee Mitchell (57).
CHAMPION – PAULINE SKERRETT
Group 5 (1 runner)
This group stayed away with only Sonja Laing making the trip. Like husband Rob, Sonja (47:30) had only entered one round previously but again, like Rob, she made it count with the win, although with no opposition her task was a little bit easier!
Unsurprisingly, with none of the championship contenders present the scores at the top of the table stayed the same other than Julie Medhurst moving up from 5th to 4th overall courtesy of her 15 points being added in for volunteering at the Bexley parkrun event. Philip den Baes (158 points) took a dominant win in the series from Lyttleton Barrett (120), Ellie Bowley (108), Medhurst (88), Derek Hopkins (85) and Julie Travers (77).
CHAMPION – PHILIP DEN BAES
Group 6 (4 runners)
The top 4 in this class were all present but Richard Dunstan had already done enough to secure the title. That was a good thing too as he took a nasty tumble and arrived at the finish pretty shaken and his clothes in need of a good soak. Perry Wilson (47:20) took the victory, his 4th of the series, from David Allison (50:39), a recovering Dunstan (52:06) and Spencer Davis.
Dunstan’s championship-winning 152 points accumulated before this event weren’t improved by his 3rd place finish. Wilson (144) extended his advantage over 3rd placed Davis (139) to 5 points, with Allison (120) 4th, Chris Haydon (103) 5th and Natalie Compton (70) 6th.
CHAMPION – RICHARD DUNSTAN
Group 7 (1 runner)
Group 7 was another group where just about every PWR stayed at home. Champion James Fisher (49:37) however made the trip and beat all but one of the Group 6s.
Seven wins and a 2nd place for Fisher (158 points) from his 8 counting results were more than enough to see him crowned as a worthy champion. Olivia Senbanjo (148) takes 2nd from Gemma Sampson (138), Michelle Cooper (52), Janice Mitchell (49) and Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece.
CHAMPION – JAMES FISHER
Group 8 (5 runners)
James Fisher’s results were good in Group 7 but for class domination you need to look at Group 8. Joanne Carey contested every round and took her tally following Shorne Woods to nine wins! As only 8 scores count she ends up on the maximum score possible of 160 points. Second place was secure for Helena Broadway but Kathy Strachan’s 3rd place was under threat from round 1 winner Debbie McKenzie.
Carey (54:13) finished well clear of McKenzie (57:22), Strachan (59:11), Broadway and Linda Bowley. That meant that Carey (160 points) is the champion from Broadway (146), with McKenzie (130) leap-frogging Strachan (129) into 3rd by just one point as a result of her 2nd place and her volunteering points from the Bromley Midsummer 10k being added in. Bowley (111) and Wendy Le Comber (93) complete the top six.
CHAMPION – JOANNE CAREY
Group 9 (1 runner)
Holly Allison (70:06) was once again the only Group 9 runner present and had already achieved the maximum 160 points to seal the title. Sarah Tuffin (54) retains 2nd place while Donna Carroll (31) moves up to 3rd ahead of Charley Hasim (18) now that her volunteering points have been added in.
CHAMPION – HOLLY ALLISON
Report: Mark Burgess
Registrations for the 2018/19 GP series are now open via Google Docs. All paid-up PWR members should have received an email regarding this and there will also be a link to the relevant document posted on Facebook. If you didn’t receive the email, please query this with the registrations team. The opening round is the Brighton 10k on November 18th – hope to see you there!
The weather gods decided to save by far the worst weather of this season’s Grand Prix for the series finale at Shorne Woods on September 23rd. It chucked it down in the hours leading up to the event and for the start itself which was frustratingly delayed by 10 minutes so we were soaked to the skin by the time we finally got under way. Thankfully the majority of this demanding race took place in the shelter of the woods thus protecting us from the elements.
35 hardy PWRs turned up on the day with just 4 not registered for the Grand Prix. Gavin Mackay was an excellent 2nd overall and picked up the MV40 award while men’s club captain Stephen Pond took the MV50 award for 7th overall. In between them were Simon Bryant 4th and Matthew Pond 6th but PWR didn’t pick up the team award on this occasion as a ‘team’ at this event consisted of two men and one lady and none of our very fastest ladies went down to the woods. However, this event was primarily about sorting out the final placings in the various classes and there were a few movers on the day.
Group 1 (6 runners)
Stephen Pond had already secured the title but the other podium places were up for grabs with Steve Bowley coming into this round in 2nd place from Matthew Pond and Simon Bryant tied in 3rd. Gavin Mackay (33:06) was the fastest PWR on the day and was probably the driest too as he secured a place in the timing awning before the start while the rest of us just got wetter. Bryant (34:09) was 2nd after his DNF at the previous round from Matthew Pond (34:43), just 3 seconds ahead of his dad Stephen, with Bowley 5th and Marcus Elwes 6th.
Once the Group 1 times had been adjusted for age, Stephen Pond was calculated as being quickest, rather than Mackay, and took his third win of the series to add another 4 points to his best 8 rounds total making 148 points. Pond Snr contested all 12 rounds, one of only two competitors to do so across 9 classes, so had to drop his worst 4 scores. Bryant (128 points) however had only contested 6 meetings prior to Shorne Woods so all his 16 points for finishing 3rd on adjusted times counted and catapulted him from joint 3rd in the table up to the runner-up position. Matthew Pond’s 4th place was not enough to prevent Bowley (119) taking the third step on the Group 1 GP podium from Pond Jnr (117), Elwes (97) and Daniel Selman (96).
CHAMPION – STEPHEN POND
Group 2 (4 runners)
James Wall had one hand on the Group 2 winner’s trophy but had to be wary of the in-form runner in the class, Peter Fisher, who had taken four wins and two 2nd places from his six outings and would pip Wall by a point if Wall didn’t add to his total at this final round.
Rob Laing (36:46) had only contested one round prior to Shorne Woods, December’s Bexley parkrun, but showed what he is capable of with the race win in his usual fashion of starting near the back and then carving his way through the field. Fisher (37:21) was 2nd from Wall (39:27) and Mark Franks (41:19).
Laing’s win did Wall a favour as it stopped Fisher picking up another 20 points and meant an easier time for the championship leader. Once the sums had been done, Wall (137 points) is confirmed champion from Fisher (134), Franks (128), Steve White (120), Gillian Selman (70) and Martin Smith (62).
CHAMPION – JAMES WALL
Group 3 (4 runners)
Stuart Isaacs, like Stephen Pond in Group 1, had done enough prior to Shorne Woods to confirm his GP title win. Behind him though it was tight for 2nd place with just 4 points separating Mark Burgess and Ian Bauly. Isaacs (39:41) duly took his sixth win of the series with Bauly (40:40) getting the better of Burgess (40:44) and Canterbury 10 mile winner Laura Elvin.
Isaacs (154 points) was just 6 points short of the maximum possible in the series while round 12’s results meant Bauly and Burgess were tied on 137 each. In the event of a tie the number of wins is taken into account and so Burgess with two (Greenwich and Weald) just squeezed Bauly with his one (Tunbridge Wells Half) into 3rd overall. Paul Strachan (122), Elvin (113) and Steve Burnett (75) complete the top six.
CHAMPION – STUART ISAACS
Group 4 (5 runners)
Pauline Skerrett’s mid-season dominance meant she too had already wrapped up a GP title and she did not run at either of the last two rounds. A late surge from George Sebastos meant Jeremy Benson’s hold on the runner-up spot wasn’t totally secure so he would need to race the final round.
Sebastos (41:03) duly took his fourth win of the series from Benson (41:38), Fiona Abiola-Musa (46.02), Viral Tanna, who was one of a group of three runners who took a wrong turn and did more than the race distance, and Nigel Hewson, hampered by a calf injury.
Skerrett’s 151 points was more than enough to win the Group 4 title but what about 2nd? Despite Sebastos taking four wins and three 2nd places he only contested 7 rounds while Benson’s eight scores were sufficient to take the runner-up spot by 4 points - Benson (138), Sebastos (134). Abiola-Musa (127) finishes 4th from Hewson (118) and Lee Mitchell (57).
CHAMPION – PAULINE SKERRETT
Group 5 (1 runner)
This group stayed away with only Sonja Laing making the trip. Like husband Rob, Sonja (47:30) had only entered one round previously but again, like Rob, she made it count with the win, although with no opposition her task was a little bit easier!
Unsurprisingly, with none of the championship contenders present the scores at the top of the table stayed the same other than Julie Medhurst moving up from 5th to 4th overall courtesy of her 15 points being added in for volunteering at the Bexley parkrun event. Philip den Baes (158 points) took a dominant win in the series from Lyttleton Barrett (120), Ellie Bowley (108), Medhurst (88), Derek Hopkins (85) and Julie Travers (77).
CHAMPION – PHILIP DEN BAES
Group 6 (4 runners)
The top 4 in this class were all present but Richard Dunstan had already done enough to secure the title. That was a good thing too as he took a nasty tumble and arrived at the finish pretty shaken and his clothes in need of a good soak. Perry Wilson (47:20) took the victory, his 4th of the series, from David Allison (50:39), a recovering Dunstan (52:06) and Spencer Davis.
Dunstan’s championship-winning 152 points accumulated before this event weren’t improved by his 3rd place finish. Wilson (144) extended his advantage over 3rd placed Davis (139) to 5 points, with Allison (120) 4th, Chris Haydon (103) 5th and Natalie Compton (70) 6th.
CHAMPION – RICHARD DUNSTAN
Group 7 (1 runner)
Group 7 was another group where just about every PWR stayed at home. Champion James Fisher (49:37) however made the trip and beat all but one of the Group 6s.
Seven wins and a 2nd place for Fisher (158 points) from his 8 counting results were more than enough to see him crowned as a worthy champion. Olivia Senbanjo (148) takes 2nd from Gemma Sampson (138), Michelle Cooper (52), Janice Mitchell (49) and Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece.
CHAMPION – JAMES FISHER
Group 8 (5 runners)
James Fisher’s results were good in Group 7 but for class domination you need to look at Group 8. Joanne Carey contested every round and took her tally following Shorne Woods to nine wins! As only 8 scores count she ends up on the maximum score possible of 160 points. Second place was secure for Helena Broadway but Kathy Strachan’s 3rd place was under threat from round 1 winner Debbie McKenzie.
Carey (54:13) finished well clear of McKenzie (57:22), Strachan (59:11), Broadway and Linda Bowley. That meant that Carey (160 points) is the champion from Broadway (146), with McKenzie (130) leap-frogging Strachan (129) into 3rd by just one point as a result of her 2nd place and her volunteering points from the Bromley Midsummer 10k being added in. Bowley (111) and Wendy Le Comber (93) complete the top six.
CHAMPION – JOANNE CAREY
Group 9 (1 runner)
Holly Allison (70:06) was once again the only Group 9 runner present and had already achieved the maximum 160 points to seal the title. Sarah Tuffin (54) retains 2nd place while Donna Carroll (31) moves up to 3rd ahead of Charley Hasim (18) now that her volunteering points have been added in.
CHAMPION – HOLLY ALLISON
Report: Mark Burgess
Registrations for the 2018/19 GP series are now open via Google Docs. All paid-up PWR members should have received an email regarding this and there will also be a link to the relevant document posted on Facebook. If you didn’t receive the email, please query this with the registrations team. The opening round is the Brighton 10k on November 18th – hope to see you there!
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Round 11: Weald 10k Race Report 02/09/2018
After a couple of rounds where numbers had been reduced, it was great to see a healthy turnout of 57 PWRs for round 11 of the Grand Prix series at the Weald 10k at the beginning of September. No Dame Kelly Holmes this year to hand out the medals but still a lovely, friendly event, albeit with a horrible uphill finish!
As seems to be the norm these days, PWRs collected a number of awards - Stephen Pond (MV50) and John Gurney (MV60) winning their respective age categories, and the club also picking up a team award through Stephen Pond, Matthew Pond and Michael Smith.
Group 1 (7 runners)
Seven started the race but sadly championship contender Simon Bryant pulled out at about 2k with achilles woes. No such problems for championship leader Stephen Pond (38:31) who took the win and was a fine 5th overall. Making it a Pond 1-2 on the road was Matthew Pond (40:36) with John Gurney (42:44) 3rd. Steve Bowley, Gary Smith, in his first race in this year’s series, and Marcus Elwes completed the top six. After the chiptimes had been adjusted for age, Gurney moved ahead of Matthew Pond, and Elwes ahead of Smith.
Stephen Pond has contested every round and now has 144 points from his best 8 scores, an improvement of 5 points since last time, with Bowley (116) moving up to 2nd. Matthew Pond and Bryant are tied for 3rd on 112 points from Elwes (92) in 5th and Gurney (87) 6th.
Group 2 (5 runners)
Peter Fisher (44:59) was victorious again to make it three wins in a row in this class. Mark Franks (47:50) on his way back from injury was 2nd from Martin Smith (48.07) who won the Ted Pepper round. Steve White and championship leader James Wall were the other two finishers in this class.
Wall (135 points) retains his championship lead with Franks (125) moving up to 2nd ahead of White (120), danger man Fisher (116 points from just 6 rounds), Smith (62) and Stephen Robson (56).
Group 3 (5 runners)
Two wins in a row for Mark Burgess (46:42) – and this one in a hot race too! Ian Bauly (47:39) took 2nd with championship leader Stuart Isaacs (48:24) next up from Steve Burnett and Laura Elvin.
Despite not winning this round Isaacs (148 points) extends his championship lead by ten points as he had only done 7 events before Weald. Burgess (136) stays 2nd with Bauly (132) hot on his heels in 3rd. Strachan who was unable to take in this meeting or the finale at Shorne Woods remains in 4th on 122 points from Elvin (98) and Burnett (75).
Group 4 (6 runners)
Round 1 winner Jeremy Benson (51:01) was back on form (perhaps it was the aerodynamic haircut?) and headed Nigel Hewson (52:19) in his best result of the season so far. Fiona Abiola-Musa (53:42) was 3rd from Viral Tanna, David Smith and Lee Mitchell.
Pauline Skerrett (151 points) wasn’t at Weald but retains her championship lead. Benson’s 20 points moves him onto 134 points and into the runner-up spot, with Abiola-Musa (124) dropping to 3rd. George Sebastos (115) was another front-runner not to be at this round and he falls to joint 4th overall with Hewson while Mitchell (57) moves up into the top six.
Group 5 (3 runners)
After just one entry at the previous round it was good to see three Group 5s contesting this event. Derek Hopkins (57:03), with wife Linsey as always by his side, took his first win of the series from Ellie Bowley (58:07) and Lyttleton Barrett (62:06).
Philip den Baes (158 points), conspicuous by his absence at Weald, is just 2 points short of a perfect score in the championship. Barrett (120) and Bowley (108) remain in the other two podium spots with Bowley having only contested 7 rounds to Barrett’s 8. Hopkins’ win lifts him to 4th on 85 points from Julie Travers (77) and Monica Lungu (76).
Group 6 (5 runners)
One runner at the last round and five at this – the class’ big guns were back out for the penultimate round! Richard Dunstan (54:25) flew around the Weald course to take his fourth win of the series and move back into the championship lead. Linsey Hopkins (57:03) was an excellent 2nd from Greenwich winner Perry Wilson (59:32), David Allison and Spencer Davis.
In the championship Dunstan (152) heads Wilson (140) and Davis (139) with Allison (114) moving up to 4th ahead of Chris Haydon (103) with Natalie Compton (70) 6th.
Group 7 (7 runners)
An excellent entry of 7 in this class but when James Fisher (58:07) runs he normally wins, and Weald was no different as he recorded his sixth victory of the campaign. Olivia Senbanjo (60:08) couldn’t stop Fisher but was some way ahead of her rival for the championship runner-up spot, Gemma Sampson (64:07). Janice Mitchell produced her best performance of the series to take 4th with Sue Hanney 5th and Emma Mackay, in her first outing, 6th.
Fisher (156 points) can’t be caught in the title race with Senbanjo (148) 2nd and Sampson (138) 3rd. Michelle Cooper (52) moves up from 6th to 4th ahead of Mitchell (49) and Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece.
Group 8 (7 runners)
Another victory for Joanne Carey (65:22) means she has attained the perfect championship score of 160 points from her best 8 rounds! Helena Broadway (66:56) was again 2nd, her eighth runner-up spot of this campaign, from Sarah Davis (68:29). Debbie McKenzie was 4th from Kathy Strachan and Wendy Le Comber.
So Carey (160 points) has clinched the title but will still contest the final round as she is determined to race at every event. Broadway (146) has the runner-up spot sewn up too, with Strachan (127), Linda Bowley and McKenzie, on 97 points apiece, and Le Comber (93) currently completing the top six placings.
Group 9 (1 runner)
Holly Allison (83:24) has also won every round she has contested and, like Carey, has achieved the maximum 160 points. Sadly, once again, there was no one to challenge her at Weald.
Allison (160 points) has been the only regular Group 9 runner to take part as can be seen from the scores of the other class’ runners - Sarah Tuffin (54), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kevin Howarth
Only one round remains, Round 12 at Shorne Woods on September 23rd. Entries for this 5 miler were still open at the time of writing (http://www.sportingeventsuk.com/enterevent/shorne-woods-5-mile/). See you there!
As seems to be the norm these days, PWRs collected a number of awards - Stephen Pond (MV50) and John Gurney (MV60) winning their respective age categories, and the club also picking up a team award through Stephen Pond, Matthew Pond and Michael Smith.
Group 1 (7 runners)
Seven started the race but sadly championship contender Simon Bryant pulled out at about 2k with achilles woes. No such problems for championship leader Stephen Pond (38:31) who took the win and was a fine 5th overall. Making it a Pond 1-2 on the road was Matthew Pond (40:36) with John Gurney (42:44) 3rd. Steve Bowley, Gary Smith, in his first race in this year’s series, and Marcus Elwes completed the top six. After the chiptimes had been adjusted for age, Gurney moved ahead of Matthew Pond, and Elwes ahead of Smith.
Stephen Pond has contested every round and now has 144 points from his best 8 scores, an improvement of 5 points since last time, with Bowley (116) moving up to 2nd. Matthew Pond and Bryant are tied for 3rd on 112 points from Elwes (92) in 5th and Gurney (87) 6th.
Group 2 (5 runners)
Peter Fisher (44:59) was victorious again to make it three wins in a row in this class. Mark Franks (47:50) on his way back from injury was 2nd from Martin Smith (48.07) who won the Ted Pepper round. Steve White and championship leader James Wall were the other two finishers in this class.
Wall (135 points) retains his championship lead with Franks (125) moving up to 2nd ahead of White (120), danger man Fisher (116 points from just 6 rounds), Smith (62) and Stephen Robson (56).
Group 3 (5 runners)
Two wins in a row for Mark Burgess (46:42) – and this one in a hot race too! Ian Bauly (47:39) took 2nd with championship leader Stuart Isaacs (48:24) next up from Steve Burnett and Laura Elvin.
Despite not winning this round Isaacs (148 points) extends his championship lead by ten points as he had only done 7 events before Weald. Burgess (136) stays 2nd with Bauly (132) hot on his heels in 3rd. Strachan who was unable to take in this meeting or the finale at Shorne Woods remains in 4th on 122 points from Elvin (98) and Burnett (75).
Group 4 (6 runners)
Round 1 winner Jeremy Benson (51:01) was back on form (perhaps it was the aerodynamic haircut?) and headed Nigel Hewson (52:19) in his best result of the season so far. Fiona Abiola-Musa (53:42) was 3rd from Viral Tanna, David Smith and Lee Mitchell.
Pauline Skerrett (151 points) wasn’t at Weald but retains her championship lead. Benson’s 20 points moves him onto 134 points and into the runner-up spot, with Abiola-Musa (124) dropping to 3rd. George Sebastos (115) was another front-runner not to be at this round and he falls to joint 4th overall with Hewson while Mitchell (57) moves up into the top six.
Group 5 (3 runners)
After just one entry at the previous round it was good to see three Group 5s contesting this event. Derek Hopkins (57:03), with wife Linsey as always by his side, took his first win of the series from Ellie Bowley (58:07) and Lyttleton Barrett (62:06).
Philip den Baes (158 points), conspicuous by his absence at Weald, is just 2 points short of a perfect score in the championship. Barrett (120) and Bowley (108) remain in the other two podium spots with Bowley having only contested 7 rounds to Barrett’s 8. Hopkins’ win lifts him to 4th on 85 points from Julie Travers (77) and Monica Lungu (76).
Group 6 (5 runners)
One runner at the last round and five at this – the class’ big guns were back out for the penultimate round! Richard Dunstan (54:25) flew around the Weald course to take his fourth win of the series and move back into the championship lead. Linsey Hopkins (57:03) was an excellent 2nd from Greenwich winner Perry Wilson (59:32), David Allison and Spencer Davis.
In the championship Dunstan (152) heads Wilson (140) and Davis (139) with Allison (114) moving up to 4th ahead of Chris Haydon (103) with Natalie Compton (70) 6th.
Group 7 (7 runners)
An excellent entry of 7 in this class but when James Fisher (58:07) runs he normally wins, and Weald was no different as he recorded his sixth victory of the campaign. Olivia Senbanjo (60:08) couldn’t stop Fisher but was some way ahead of her rival for the championship runner-up spot, Gemma Sampson (64:07). Janice Mitchell produced her best performance of the series to take 4th with Sue Hanney 5th and Emma Mackay, in her first outing, 6th.
Fisher (156 points) can’t be caught in the title race with Senbanjo (148) 2nd and Sampson (138) 3rd. Michelle Cooper (52) moves up from 6th to 4th ahead of Mitchell (49) and Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece.
Group 8 (7 runners)
Another victory for Joanne Carey (65:22) means she has attained the perfect championship score of 160 points from her best 8 rounds! Helena Broadway (66:56) was again 2nd, her eighth runner-up spot of this campaign, from Sarah Davis (68:29). Debbie McKenzie was 4th from Kathy Strachan and Wendy Le Comber.
So Carey (160 points) has clinched the title but will still contest the final round as she is determined to race at every event. Broadway (146) has the runner-up spot sewn up too, with Strachan (127), Linda Bowley and McKenzie, on 97 points apiece, and Le Comber (93) currently completing the top six placings.
Group 9 (1 runner)
Holly Allison (83:24) has also won every round she has contested and, like Carey, has achieved the maximum 160 points. Sadly, once again, there was no one to challenge her at Weald.
Allison (160 points) has been the only regular Group 9 runner to take part as can be seen from the scores of the other class’ runners - Sarah Tuffin (54), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kevin Howarth
Only one round remains, Round 12 at Shorne Woods on September 23rd. Entries for this 5 miler were still open at the time of writing (http://www.sportingeventsuk.com/enterevent/shorne-woods-5-mile/). See you there!
Round 10: Greenwich 10km Race Report 18/08/18
Finally, reasonable temperatures for a GP event! After 4 scorching rounds, conditions were just about perfect for the Greenwich 10k organised by the experienced and friendly team at RunThrough.
Although still probably the largest club at the event, only 34 PWRs took part, with all but 3 registered for the Grand Prix. However, what we lacked in numbers we made up for in quality with five age-category wins: Stephen Pond (MV50), John Gurney (MV60), Pauline Skerrett (FV50), Fiona Abiola-Muso (FV45) and Helena Broadway (FV55).
Group 1 (8 runners)
Simon Bryant (38:09) continued his late charge for honours in the premier group and was the first PWR home and 13th overall. Matthew Pond (40:39) was 2nd, beating dad and championship leader Stephen (41:26) who had been poorly earlier in the week. Hannah Roberts was the 4th PWR home from Jamie Fernandes and John Gurney. After times had been adjusted for age/gender Bryant still topped the group from Pond Snr, Roberts, Gurney, Pond Jnr and Steve Bowley
Stephen Pond now has 139 points from his best 8 scores, an improvement of 4 points, with Bryant (112) now up to 2nd and able to add 40 points to his score over the last two rounds as he has only contested 6 rounds so far. Bowley (110) drops to 3rd from Matthew Pond (96), Daniel Selman (81) and Marcus Elwes (78).
Group 2 (4 runners)
Peter Fisher (44:28) again won Group 2 with championship leader James Wall (45:44) having to be content with 2nd place. Wall pushed on in the latter stages of the race to finish clear of Mark Franks (47:20 according to the official results but certainly quicker) and Steve White.
Wall has 121 points from 7 rounds and retains his championship lead from White (117), Franks (107), Fisher (96 from just 5 rounds), Stephen Robson (56) and Gillian Selman (55).
Group 3 (5 runners)
Finally a win in this year’s series for Mark Burgess (46:51)! Success was put down to it being a cooler day, some dedicated training and, mostly, series speedster Stuart Isaacs being away in Spain. Laura Elvin (47:18) was 2nd from Ian Bauly (47:43), Paul Strachan and Steve Burnett.
Isaacs (132 points) leads the championship by just one point from Burgess (131) but, don’t tell him, Isaacs only has to complete one of the remaining two rounds to take the title as he has completed just 7 rounds while Burgess has 9 finishes to his name. Strachan (122), Bauly (114), Elvin (84) and Paul Haylock (61) complete the top six.
Group 4 (4 runners)
George Sebastos (48:38) finally got one over Pauline Skerrett (48:56) and was quite rightly delighted having started ahead of the title favourite and remaining there all the way to the finish. Sebastos though was one of two runners, Group 3’s Strachan the other, who initially didn’t have their times recognised by the organisers so it took a while for his victory to be confirmed. Nigel Hewson (51:07) was a happy 3rd with Fiona Abiola-Musa the final finisher in Group 4.
Skerrett (151 points) is just 9 points short of a perfect score in the championship with Abiola-Musa (121) currently in the runner-up spot. Sebastos’ win moves him up to joint 3rd with Jeremy Benson on 114 points from Hewson (97) and John O’Toole (52).
Group 5 (1 runner)
Philip den Baes (51:30) recorded yet another victory in Group 5 and this one was perhaps the easiest of the lot as sadly there were no other Group 5s at Greenwich to challenge him. Den Baes himself was a late entry.
A win at either of the last two rounds will see Den Baes (158 points) secure maximum points in the championship. Lyttleton Barrett (104), Ellie Bowley (90), Julie Travers (77), Monica Lungu (76) and Julie Medhurst (73) are in the fight for the remaining podium places.
Group 6 (1 runner)
Group 6 was another class to only have one runner with Perry Wilson (56:48) putting in a good performance nonetheless to earn the maximum 20 points.
It was a morning well spent for Wilson (139 points) as he moves from 3rd overall to take over the championship lead. Richard Dunstan (132) and Spencer Davis are snapping at his heels though and have only contested 7 rounds while Wilson has done 8. Chris Haydon (103), David Allison (99) and Natalie Compton (70) complete the top six.
Group 7 (4 runners)
Gemma Sampson (58:13) earnt another win to continue her run to the top. Championship leader Olivia Senbanjo (59:20) headed James Fisher (59:03) over the line by just one second but, sadly for her, Fisher had started well behind her and came in 2nd on chip times in the group by 17 seconds. Chris Summers was 4th having completed the even more challenging Dorset Invader Marathon three weeks earlier.
Senbanjo (146 points) retains her championship lead from Fisher (136) and Sampson (122). These three are well clear of Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40).
Group 8 (4 runners)
Despite saying she only needed to turn up, the competitive side (and the desire to be mentioned in this report) of Joanne Carey (64:06) kicked in and she recorded yet another victory. It was therefore yet another 2nd place for Helena Broadway (65:22) from Wendy Le Comber (67:56) and Kathy Strachan.
Carey (155 points) is another to be within touching distance of registering the perfect score of 160 points. Broadway (146), Strachan (124), Linda Bowley (85), Debbie McKenzie (82) and Le Comber (80) are next up.
Group 9 (0 runners)
Sadly there were no competitors in Group 9 with championship leader Holly Allison remaining on 140 points from Sarah Tuffin (54), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Run Through
Just two rounds remain in this year’s championship - the Weald 10k on September 2nd and the Shorne Woods 5m on September 23rd. Entries were still open for both events at the time of writing: Weald 10k (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weald-st-georges-10k-and-fun-run-2018-tickets-37603067788), Shorne Woods 5m (http://www.sportingeventsuk.com/enterevent/shorne-woods-5-mile/).
Although still probably the largest club at the event, only 34 PWRs took part, with all but 3 registered for the Grand Prix. However, what we lacked in numbers we made up for in quality with five age-category wins: Stephen Pond (MV50), John Gurney (MV60), Pauline Skerrett (FV50), Fiona Abiola-Muso (FV45) and Helena Broadway (FV55).
Group 1 (8 runners)
Simon Bryant (38:09) continued his late charge for honours in the premier group and was the first PWR home and 13th overall. Matthew Pond (40:39) was 2nd, beating dad and championship leader Stephen (41:26) who had been poorly earlier in the week. Hannah Roberts was the 4th PWR home from Jamie Fernandes and John Gurney. After times had been adjusted for age/gender Bryant still topped the group from Pond Snr, Roberts, Gurney, Pond Jnr and Steve Bowley
Stephen Pond now has 139 points from his best 8 scores, an improvement of 4 points, with Bryant (112) now up to 2nd and able to add 40 points to his score over the last two rounds as he has only contested 6 rounds so far. Bowley (110) drops to 3rd from Matthew Pond (96), Daniel Selman (81) and Marcus Elwes (78).
Group 2 (4 runners)
Peter Fisher (44:28) again won Group 2 with championship leader James Wall (45:44) having to be content with 2nd place. Wall pushed on in the latter stages of the race to finish clear of Mark Franks (47:20 according to the official results but certainly quicker) and Steve White.
Wall has 121 points from 7 rounds and retains his championship lead from White (117), Franks (107), Fisher (96 from just 5 rounds), Stephen Robson (56) and Gillian Selman (55).
Group 3 (5 runners)
Finally a win in this year’s series for Mark Burgess (46:51)! Success was put down to it being a cooler day, some dedicated training and, mostly, series speedster Stuart Isaacs being away in Spain. Laura Elvin (47:18) was 2nd from Ian Bauly (47:43), Paul Strachan and Steve Burnett.
Isaacs (132 points) leads the championship by just one point from Burgess (131) but, don’t tell him, Isaacs only has to complete one of the remaining two rounds to take the title as he has completed just 7 rounds while Burgess has 9 finishes to his name. Strachan (122), Bauly (114), Elvin (84) and Paul Haylock (61) complete the top six.
Group 4 (4 runners)
George Sebastos (48:38) finally got one over Pauline Skerrett (48:56) and was quite rightly delighted having started ahead of the title favourite and remaining there all the way to the finish. Sebastos though was one of two runners, Group 3’s Strachan the other, who initially didn’t have their times recognised by the organisers so it took a while for his victory to be confirmed. Nigel Hewson (51:07) was a happy 3rd with Fiona Abiola-Musa the final finisher in Group 4.
Skerrett (151 points) is just 9 points short of a perfect score in the championship with Abiola-Musa (121) currently in the runner-up spot. Sebastos’ win moves him up to joint 3rd with Jeremy Benson on 114 points from Hewson (97) and John O’Toole (52).
Group 5 (1 runner)
Philip den Baes (51:30) recorded yet another victory in Group 5 and this one was perhaps the easiest of the lot as sadly there were no other Group 5s at Greenwich to challenge him. Den Baes himself was a late entry.
A win at either of the last two rounds will see Den Baes (158 points) secure maximum points in the championship. Lyttleton Barrett (104), Ellie Bowley (90), Julie Travers (77), Monica Lungu (76) and Julie Medhurst (73) are in the fight for the remaining podium places.
Group 6 (1 runner)
Group 6 was another class to only have one runner with Perry Wilson (56:48) putting in a good performance nonetheless to earn the maximum 20 points.
It was a morning well spent for Wilson (139 points) as he moves from 3rd overall to take over the championship lead. Richard Dunstan (132) and Spencer Davis are snapping at his heels though and have only contested 7 rounds while Wilson has done 8. Chris Haydon (103), David Allison (99) and Natalie Compton (70) complete the top six.
Group 7 (4 runners)
Gemma Sampson (58:13) earnt another win to continue her run to the top. Championship leader Olivia Senbanjo (59:20) headed James Fisher (59:03) over the line by just one second but, sadly for her, Fisher had started well behind her and came in 2nd on chip times in the group by 17 seconds. Chris Summers was 4th having completed the even more challenging Dorset Invader Marathon three weeks earlier.
Senbanjo (146 points) retains her championship lead from Fisher (136) and Sampson (122). These three are well clear of Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40).
Group 8 (4 runners)
Despite saying she only needed to turn up, the competitive side (and the desire to be mentioned in this report) of Joanne Carey (64:06) kicked in and she recorded yet another victory. It was therefore yet another 2nd place for Helena Broadway (65:22) from Wendy Le Comber (67:56) and Kathy Strachan.
Carey (155 points) is another to be within touching distance of registering the perfect score of 160 points. Broadway (146), Strachan (124), Linda Bowley (85), Debbie McKenzie (82) and Le Comber (80) are next up.
Group 9 (0 runners)
Sadly there were no competitors in Group 9 with championship leader Holly Allison remaining on 140 points from Sarah Tuffin (54), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Run Through
Just two rounds remain in this year’s championship - the Weald 10k on September 2nd and the Shorne Woods 5m on September 23rd. Entries were still open for both events at the time of writing: Weald 10k (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weald-st-georges-10k-and-fun-run-2018-tickets-37603067788), Shorne Woods 5m (http://www.sportingeventsuk.com/enterevent/shorne-woods-5-mile/).
Round 9: Mid Kent 5 Miler Race report 15/07/18
42 PWRs (it felt a lot more) took on the Mid Kent 5 Miler at Staplehurst on yet another roasting day on Sunday July 15th. All but 5 PWRs were registered for the Grand Prix as we moved into the part of the championship where dropped scores start to come into play. It was a great event with friendly marshals, car parking on-site, good facilities and potentially a PB-friendly course – if you could cope with the heat.
Simon Bryant had raced here before and he finished in an excellent 5th place overall while Hannah Roberts won the FV35 category and Pauline Skerrett the FV45 class.
Group 1 (8 runners)
Simon Bryant (29:35) took 47s off his time set five years ago and it was good enough to hold off Stephen Pond (31:34) on adjusted times to win the group. Marcus Elwes (33:26) produced his best result of the series so far to take 3rd from David Groom, in his first appearance, Hannah Roberts and Steve Bowley.
Championship leader Pond has contested every round and so must now start dropping worst scores as only a competitor’s best 8 scores count in the final standings. The Men’s Club Captain has 135 points from his best 8 scores with Steve Bowley (97) his nearest rival. Bryant’s win moves him up from 6th to 3rd with 92 points and he heads Matthew Pond (82), Daniel Selman (81) and Elwes (78).
Group 2 (3 runners)
Peter Fisher (36:15) took his second win from 4 starts in Group 2 and headed home Steve White (37:30). Mark Franks (37:50) was the only other finisher in this class.
James Wall (103 points) retains his championship lead but only just as White (102) has closed the gap to just one point. Franks (91) stays 3rd from Fisher (76), Stephen Robson (56) and Gillian Selman (55).
Group 3 (4 runners)
Stuart Isaacs (36:01) again set the pace in Group 4 to take his fifth win. Ian Bauly (37:40) pipped Mark Burgess (37:42) in the closing stages to take 2nd place with Paul Strachan 4th.
Isaacs (132 points) leads the championship from Burgess (124) and Strachan (119). Bauly (98), Laura Elvin (66) and Paul Haylock (61) complete the top six.
Group 4 (5 runners)
After a season low of just two runners at the previous round, it was pleasing to see five turn up this time out. Pauline Skerrett (36:57) was back and duly took the win from Bromley Midsummer 10k victor George Sebastos (39:49). Round 1 winner Jeremy Benson (40:10) was next up from Fiona Abiola-Musa and John O’Toole.
Skerrett (133 points) has extended her championship lead over Abiola-Musa (116) with Benson (114) only a couple of points behind her in 3rd. Sebastos (94), Nigel Hewson (81) and O’Toole (52) are next up.
Group 5 (4 runners)
Philip den Baes (39:48) has only ever won or come 2nd this year and the Mid Kent race saw him pick up another victory. Derek Hopkins (44:15) took the runner-up spot from Lyttleton Barrett (46:43), who had to backtrack in the closing stages to pick up his dropped transponder, and Ellie Bowley.
Den Baes (156 points) is now just 4 points off the maximum 160 possible. Barrett (104) stays 2nd while Bowley (90) rises from 5th to 3rd. Julie Travers (77), Monica Lungu (76) and Julie Medhurst (73) complete the top six.
Group 6 (4 runners)
After having had to sit out the last round as he was organising it, Richard Dunstan (41:38) was flying at Staplehurst and won from Linsey Hopkins (44:15), Perry Wilson (44:33) and David Allison.
Spencer Davis’ enforced absence proved costly as Dunstan (132 points) retakes the championship lead that has been swinging between the two. Davis (125) is 2nd while Wilson (119) has made 3rd overall his own with the absent Chris Haydon dropping to 4th but still ahead of Allison (99) and Natalie Compton (70).
Group 7 (2 runners)
Only two runners again in this group with James Fisher (46:13) getting the better of championship leader Olivia Senbanjo (49:29).
Senbanjo (130 points) stays on top of Group 7 with Fisher (118) up to 2nd ahead of Gemma Sampson (102). The rest of the top six remain unchanged with Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper on 40.
Group 8 (6 runners)
Group 8 turned up in style and, after six 2nd places, Helena Broadway (52:50) finally took a win! Pherenice Worsey-Buck (52:52) was only 2s behind in her best finish of the series so far with Kathy Strachan (54:47) 3rd. Debbie McKenzie was 4th from championship leader Joanne Carey, nursing marathon-training tired legs, and Linda Bowley.
Carey (149 points) has now completed nine rounds so has to drop her worst score of 12 points from the opening round. Broadway (128), Strachan (109), Bowley (85), McKenzie (82) and Wendy Le Comber (64) complete the top six.
Group 9 (1 runner)
Holly Allison (62:40) was the sole competitor and now has 140 points out of 140 from the seven rounds she has contested. Sarah Tuffin (54), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16) are the only other competitors to have scored points in this group.
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Andrew Deer
The Greenwich Park 10k on Saturday August 18th is Round 10 and is organised by Run Through Events. At the time of writing the field was 64% full so get your entry in at https://www.runthrough.co.uk/event/greenwich-park-5k-10k-august-2018/
Simon Bryant had raced here before and he finished in an excellent 5th place overall while Hannah Roberts won the FV35 category and Pauline Skerrett the FV45 class.
Group 1 (8 runners)
Simon Bryant (29:35) took 47s off his time set five years ago and it was good enough to hold off Stephen Pond (31:34) on adjusted times to win the group. Marcus Elwes (33:26) produced his best result of the series so far to take 3rd from David Groom, in his first appearance, Hannah Roberts and Steve Bowley.
Championship leader Pond has contested every round and so must now start dropping worst scores as only a competitor’s best 8 scores count in the final standings. The Men’s Club Captain has 135 points from his best 8 scores with Steve Bowley (97) his nearest rival. Bryant’s win moves him up from 6th to 3rd with 92 points and he heads Matthew Pond (82), Daniel Selman (81) and Elwes (78).
Group 2 (3 runners)
Peter Fisher (36:15) took his second win from 4 starts in Group 2 and headed home Steve White (37:30). Mark Franks (37:50) was the only other finisher in this class.
James Wall (103 points) retains his championship lead but only just as White (102) has closed the gap to just one point. Franks (91) stays 3rd from Fisher (76), Stephen Robson (56) and Gillian Selman (55).
Group 3 (4 runners)
Stuart Isaacs (36:01) again set the pace in Group 4 to take his fifth win. Ian Bauly (37:40) pipped Mark Burgess (37:42) in the closing stages to take 2nd place with Paul Strachan 4th.
Isaacs (132 points) leads the championship from Burgess (124) and Strachan (119). Bauly (98), Laura Elvin (66) and Paul Haylock (61) complete the top six.
Group 4 (5 runners)
After a season low of just two runners at the previous round, it was pleasing to see five turn up this time out. Pauline Skerrett (36:57) was back and duly took the win from Bromley Midsummer 10k victor George Sebastos (39:49). Round 1 winner Jeremy Benson (40:10) was next up from Fiona Abiola-Musa and John O’Toole.
Skerrett (133 points) has extended her championship lead over Abiola-Musa (116) with Benson (114) only a couple of points behind her in 3rd. Sebastos (94), Nigel Hewson (81) and O’Toole (52) are next up.
Group 5 (4 runners)
Philip den Baes (39:48) has only ever won or come 2nd this year and the Mid Kent race saw him pick up another victory. Derek Hopkins (44:15) took the runner-up spot from Lyttleton Barrett (46:43), who had to backtrack in the closing stages to pick up his dropped transponder, and Ellie Bowley.
Den Baes (156 points) is now just 4 points off the maximum 160 possible. Barrett (104) stays 2nd while Bowley (90) rises from 5th to 3rd. Julie Travers (77), Monica Lungu (76) and Julie Medhurst (73) complete the top six.
Group 6 (4 runners)
After having had to sit out the last round as he was organising it, Richard Dunstan (41:38) was flying at Staplehurst and won from Linsey Hopkins (44:15), Perry Wilson (44:33) and David Allison.
Spencer Davis’ enforced absence proved costly as Dunstan (132 points) retakes the championship lead that has been swinging between the two. Davis (125) is 2nd while Wilson (119) has made 3rd overall his own with the absent Chris Haydon dropping to 4th but still ahead of Allison (99) and Natalie Compton (70).
Group 7 (2 runners)
Only two runners again in this group with James Fisher (46:13) getting the better of championship leader Olivia Senbanjo (49:29).
Senbanjo (130 points) stays on top of Group 7 with Fisher (118) up to 2nd ahead of Gemma Sampson (102). The rest of the top six remain unchanged with Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper on 40.
Group 8 (6 runners)
Group 8 turned up in style and, after six 2nd places, Helena Broadway (52:50) finally took a win! Pherenice Worsey-Buck (52:52) was only 2s behind in her best finish of the series so far with Kathy Strachan (54:47) 3rd. Debbie McKenzie was 4th from championship leader Joanne Carey, nursing marathon-training tired legs, and Linda Bowley.
Carey (149 points) has now completed nine rounds so has to drop her worst score of 12 points from the opening round. Broadway (128), Strachan (109), Bowley (85), McKenzie (82) and Wendy Le Comber (64) complete the top six.
Group 9 (1 runner)
Holly Allison (62:40) was the sole competitor and now has 140 points out of 140 from the seven rounds she has contested. Sarah Tuffin (54), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16) are the only other competitors to have scored points in this group.
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Andrew Deer
The Greenwich Park 10k on Saturday August 18th is Round 10 and is organised by Run Through Events. At the time of writing the field was 64% full so get your entry in at https://www.runthrough.co.uk/event/greenwich-park-5k-10k-august-2018/
Round 8: Midsummer run 10k Race Report 20/06/2018
Just 10 days after the previous round at High Elms, the GP competitors were at it again, this time at the Bromley Midsummer 10k on a balmy Wednesday evening. 62 PWRs took part, with 36 eligible for GP points, and a further 20 were on marshalling duties.
The venue may have changed but the heat and the result hadn’t as it was that man Roger Vilardell sweeping everyone aside yet again to take the overall win. Other PWRs picking up prizes were Simon Bryant 3rd overall, Stephen Pond claiming his first MV50 award after the longest, and most chronicled, lead up to a 50th birthday in history, Geraldine Schaer 2nd lady and Claudette Lilliefelth the FV45 winner.
Group 1 (9 runners)
So Roger Vilardell (36:22) was again the first runner home but for once he wasn’t far enough ahead to also win Group 1 when times were adjusted for age/sex. Men’s captain Stephen Pond (38:22) having reached his half century benefitted from an extra 5% adjustment to his times to win the group from Simon Bryant (38:00) and Vilardell. Geraldine Schaer was 4th on adjusted times from Matthew Pond and Marcus Elwes.
Stephen Pond (131 points) has further extended his championship lead over Steve Bowley (84) who was marshalling. Pond is one of only two runners across the whole nine groups to have competed at all 8 races and will now be dropping worst scores in the chase for the title as only a competitor’s best 8 scores out of 12 count. Expect the others to start reeling him in from now on although it will be difficult to beat him to the title. The younger Pond, Matthew (82), moves up from 5th to 3rd in the championship from Daniel Selman (81), Simon Dadhi (75) who retired at this event and Bryant (72).
Group 2 (7 runners)
Kevin Cooper (46:17) in his outing in the series took the Group 2 victory, 26 chip seconds ahead of High Elms winner Peter Fisher (46:43) who was 33s ahead of another series debutant Jack Harding (47:16). Martin Smith was 4th from series regulars James Wall and Steve White.
Wall (103 points) still leads the championship with White (84) continuing his rise up the table and now in the runner-up spot. Mark Franks (75) has dropped to 3rd from Fisher and Stephen Robson, tied on 56 points, and Gillian Selman (55) who was another helping out with the marshalling.
Group 3 (5 runners)
Stuart Isaacs (45:31) was the convincing winner of this group, finishing ahead of all the Group 2s to take his fourth win of the series. First round winner Claudette Lilliefelth (49:14) marked her return to the series with the runner-up spot from Paul Haylock (50:30), championship leader Mark Burgess and Paul Strachan.
Isaacs (112 points) has finally taken his rightful place at the top of the points table from Burgess (108) and Strachan (104). Ian Bauly (80) and Laura Elvin (66) are next up with Haylock (61) now into the top six.
Group 4 (2 runners)
This group was drastically down in numbers, perhaps due it being a midweek race or the majority of them having peaked at the previous night’s club midsummer run? George Sebastos (50:23) outshone many runners in higher groups to take the win, with Fiona Abiola-Musa the only other competitor.
Pauline Skerrett (113 points) retains her championship lead from Abiola-Musa (101) who goes up one place to 2nd overall. Jeremy Benson (98) drops to 3rd from Nigel Hewson (81), on marshalling duty, Sebastos (76) and Dan Bugden (50).
Group 5 (3 runners)
Championship leader Philip den Baes (52:23) picked up his fifth win of the series in this class from Ellie Bowley (58:01) and Julie Travers (58:55).
Den Baes (136 points) is now almost 50 points clear in the championship. Lyttleton Barrett (88) remains 2nd from Travers (77), up from 5th, Monica Lungu (76), Bowley (75) and Julie Medhurst (73).
Group 6 (2 runners)
Championship leader Richard Dunstan was busy organising this event so had to watch from the sidelines as his title rival Spencer Davis (57:59) took full advantage. David Allison (65:28) was the only other Group 6 runner taking part.
Davis (125 points) retakes the championship lead from Dunstan (112 points) but may be out of action for a while following a collision with a van from which he came off worse. Perry Wilson and Chris Haydon remain in joint 3rd overall with 103 points from Allison (84) and Natalie Compton (70).
Group 7 (2 runners)
Another group with only two runners and James Fisher (58:14) returning after an absence of two rounds to take the victory from High Elms winner Gemma Sampson (62:22).
Olivia Senbanjo (112 points) did appear to be running away with this group until recently but now has more of a fight on her hands as Sampson (102) and Fisher (98) are closing in. Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40) complete the top six.
Group 8 (4 runners)
Joanne Carey (60:52) along with Stephen Pond has contested all the rounds and will now need to start dropping worst scores. Another win at this round means she has six perfect scores so could well end up with the maximum score possible of 160 points (8 rounds x 20 points for a win) come the season finale at Shorne Woods in September. Helena Broadway (66:48) has six 2nd places from her six rounds and led in Kathy Strachan (68:37) and Linda Bowley.
Carey (147 points) is 39 points clear of 2nd placed Broadway (108) at the top of the table. Strachan (93) strengthens her grip on 3rd, with Bowley (72), Debbie McKenzie (67) and Wendy Le Comber (64) next up.
Group 9 (2 runners)
Holly Allison (75:51) remains undefeated in Group 9 and this time won from Sarah Tuffin (81:53).
Unsurprisingly Allison (120 points) is well clear in the championship from Tuffin (54), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kevin Howarth
Next up is the Mid Kent 5 miler on Sunday July 15th on a PB-friendly course at Staplehurst. Entries at the time of writing were still open at https://www.riderhq.com/events/77593/mid-kent-5-miler-0. The last time PWRs were there in force was in 2013 when Simon Bryant was the first PWR home in 30:22.
The venue may have changed but the heat and the result hadn’t as it was that man Roger Vilardell sweeping everyone aside yet again to take the overall win. Other PWRs picking up prizes were Simon Bryant 3rd overall, Stephen Pond claiming his first MV50 award after the longest, and most chronicled, lead up to a 50th birthday in history, Geraldine Schaer 2nd lady and Claudette Lilliefelth the FV45 winner.
Group 1 (9 runners)
So Roger Vilardell (36:22) was again the first runner home but for once he wasn’t far enough ahead to also win Group 1 when times were adjusted for age/sex. Men’s captain Stephen Pond (38:22) having reached his half century benefitted from an extra 5% adjustment to his times to win the group from Simon Bryant (38:00) and Vilardell. Geraldine Schaer was 4th on adjusted times from Matthew Pond and Marcus Elwes.
Stephen Pond (131 points) has further extended his championship lead over Steve Bowley (84) who was marshalling. Pond is one of only two runners across the whole nine groups to have competed at all 8 races and will now be dropping worst scores in the chase for the title as only a competitor’s best 8 scores out of 12 count. Expect the others to start reeling him in from now on although it will be difficult to beat him to the title. The younger Pond, Matthew (82), moves up from 5th to 3rd in the championship from Daniel Selman (81), Simon Dadhi (75) who retired at this event and Bryant (72).
Group 2 (7 runners)
Kevin Cooper (46:17) in his outing in the series took the Group 2 victory, 26 chip seconds ahead of High Elms winner Peter Fisher (46:43) who was 33s ahead of another series debutant Jack Harding (47:16). Martin Smith was 4th from series regulars James Wall and Steve White.
Wall (103 points) still leads the championship with White (84) continuing his rise up the table and now in the runner-up spot. Mark Franks (75) has dropped to 3rd from Fisher and Stephen Robson, tied on 56 points, and Gillian Selman (55) who was another helping out with the marshalling.
Group 3 (5 runners)
Stuart Isaacs (45:31) was the convincing winner of this group, finishing ahead of all the Group 2s to take his fourth win of the series. First round winner Claudette Lilliefelth (49:14) marked her return to the series with the runner-up spot from Paul Haylock (50:30), championship leader Mark Burgess and Paul Strachan.
Isaacs (112 points) has finally taken his rightful place at the top of the points table from Burgess (108) and Strachan (104). Ian Bauly (80) and Laura Elvin (66) are next up with Haylock (61) now into the top six.
Group 4 (2 runners)
This group was drastically down in numbers, perhaps due it being a midweek race or the majority of them having peaked at the previous night’s club midsummer run? George Sebastos (50:23) outshone many runners in higher groups to take the win, with Fiona Abiola-Musa the only other competitor.
Pauline Skerrett (113 points) retains her championship lead from Abiola-Musa (101) who goes up one place to 2nd overall. Jeremy Benson (98) drops to 3rd from Nigel Hewson (81), on marshalling duty, Sebastos (76) and Dan Bugden (50).
Group 5 (3 runners)
Championship leader Philip den Baes (52:23) picked up his fifth win of the series in this class from Ellie Bowley (58:01) and Julie Travers (58:55).
Den Baes (136 points) is now almost 50 points clear in the championship. Lyttleton Barrett (88) remains 2nd from Travers (77), up from 5th, Monica Lungu (76), Bowley (75) and Julie Medhurst (73).
Group 6 (2 runners)
Championship leader Richard Dunstan was busy organising this event so had to watch from the sidelines as his title rival Spencer Davis (57:59) took full advantage. David Allison (65:28) was the only other Group 6 runner taking part.
Davis (125 points) retakes the championship lead from Dunstan (112 points) but may be out of action for a while following a collision with a van from which he came off worse. Perry Wilson and Chris Haydon remain in joint 3rd overall with 103 points from Allison (84) and Natalie Compton (70).
Group 7 (2 runners)
Another group with only two runners and James Fisher (58:14) returning after an absence of two rounds to take the victory from High Elms winner Gemma Sampson (62:22).
Olivia Senbanjo (112 points) did appear to be running away with this group until recently but now has more of a fight on her hands as Sampson (102) and Fisher (98) are closing in. Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40) complete the top six.
Group 8 (4 runners)
Joanne Carey (60:52) along with Stephen Pond has contested all the rounds and will now need to start dropping worst scores. Another win at this round means she has six perfect scores so could well end up with the maximum score possible of 160 points (8 rounds x 20 points for a win) come the season finale at Shorne Woods in September. Helena Broadway (66:48) has six 2nd places from her six rounds and led in Kathy Strachan (68:37) and Linda Bowley.
Carey (147 points) is 39 points clear of 2nd placed Broadway (108) at the top of the table. Strachan (93) strengthens her grip on 3rd, with Bowley (72), Debbie McKenzie (67) and Wendy Le Comber (64) next up.
Group 9 (2 runners)
Holly Allison (75:51) remains undefeated in Group 9 and this time won from Sarah Tuffin (81:53).
Unsurprisingly Allison (120 points) is well clear in the championship from Tuffin (54), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kevin Howarth
Next up is the Mid Kent 5 miler on Sunday July 15th on a PB-friendly course at Staplehurst. Entries at the time of writing were still open at https://www.riderhq.com/events/77593/mid-kent-5-miler-0. The last time PWRs were there in force was in 2013 when Simon Bryant was the first PWR home in 30:22.
Round 7: Orpington High Elms 10k Race Report 10/06/2018
Hills! If hot described the Ted Pepper 10k, then this next round in the Grand Prix added in hills to the mix for good measure. The Orpies however put on a great event with much praise for their friendly organisation and marshaling. 58 PWRs took part with 40 of them registered for the Grand Prix. As seems to be the case at every race these days, our leading runners picked up a number of awards. Roger Vilardell was the outright winner, and, with Simon Bryant and Stephen Pond, we also won the men’s team prize. The ladies were also on fine form – Rachel Bentley 3rd lady overall and Geraldine Schaer winning the FV45 category.
Group 1 (9 runners)
Roger Vilardell (37:48) enjoys hills according to his excellent blog and duly took the lead at the first one on the course. He then controlled the race from that point on, surviving a wobble at about 6km, to take his second win of the series from just two starts. With five rounds still remaining his rivals must be now worrying that he may make a late push for the title. Simon Bryant (40:36) was the runner-up in Group 1 (three races, three 2nd places) from championship leader Stephen Pond (41:16). Simon Dadhi was 4th in class on the grass but dropped to 5th behind Matthew Pond once handicaps had been applied. Geraldine Schaer was 6th on adjusted times.
Stephen Pond (111 points) has extended his championship lead over Steve Bowley (84) who didn’t race at High Elms and is currently out injured as he recovers from a bout of pleurisy. Daniel Selman (81) remains in 3rd overall from Dadhi (75), Matthew Pond (68), and John Gurney and Simon Bryant tied on 54 points.
Group 2 (6 runners)
Peter Fisher (48:29) went one place better than at the previous round to take the Round 7 victory, 52s ahead of James Wall (49:21) who in turn was just over 2 minutes clear of 3rd placed Steve White (51:30). A trio of ladies chased White home – Kate Suckling, Gillian Selman and Jenny Leng.
Wall’s 2nd place was plenty good enough for him to retake the championship lead he had lost by missing the previous round. Wall (89 points) leads Mark Franks (75), White (71), continuing his climb up the table, Stephen Robson (56), Selman (55) and Darren Stevens (47).
Group 3 (3 runners)
Stuart Isaacs (48:29) was in great form and matched the Group 2 winner’s chip time exactly to take his third win of the series. Paul Haylock (54:37) had won the previous round but had to be content with the runner-up spot this time around, with Paul Strachan (57:06) recording his fourth 3rd place position of the series and the only other Group 3 entrant.
Mark Burgess (93 points) sees his championship lead over Isaacs (92) cut to just one point, while Strachan (90) is only two points further back. Ian Bauly (80), Laura Elvin (66) and Steve Burnett (46) complete the top six.
Group 4 (7 runners)
Pauline Skerrett (51:43) continued her fine run of form with another victory, her fourth of the season. George Sebastos (54:09) was her nearest challenger in 2nd place with Nigel Hewson (57:52) in 3rd having his best result so far. Julian Edmonds, Janine Harris and Fiona Abiola-Musa rounded out the top six.
Skerrett (113 points) now tops the championship table from long-time leader Jeremy Benson (98) who missed this round. Abiola-Musa (83) remains 3rd from Hewson (81), Sebastos (56) and Dan Bugden (50).
Group 5 (6 runners)
Monica Lungu (54:58) must be one of the most improved runners in the club and translated that form into a fine win at High Elms. Championship leader Philip den Baes (55:05) was just 7s behind on chip timing while Julie Medhurst (60:04) posted her best result so far in 3rd. Julie Travers, Lyttleton Barrett and Edmund Purves completed the Group 5 field.
Den Baes (116 points) remains well clear in the championship, with Barrett (88) 2nd and Lungu (76) jumping up from 5th to 3rd. Medhurst (73) is next up from Travers (61) and Ellie Bowley (57).
Group 6 (4 runners)
Perry Wilson (59:05) has been putting in solid performances all season and took his second victory of the year. Richard Dunstan (60:23) got the better of Spencer Davis (63:52) in the battle for 2nd, with Chris Haydon completing the Group 5 runners.
Dunstan (112 points) retains his championship lead from Davis (105) while Wilson joins Haydon in 3rd overall with 103 points. Natalie Compton (70) and David Allison (66) remain 5th and 6th respectively.
Group 7 (2 runners)
Gemma Sampson (63:28) won the Group 7 duel with championship leader Olivia Senbanjo (70:19) as numbers in this group continue to be poor since round 5.
Senbanjo (112 points) retains her championship lead but Sampson’s win lifts her from 3rd to 2nd with 84 points. James Fisher (78) drops to 3rd from Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40).
Group 8 (3 runners)
From 9 competitors at the previous round, there were just three Group 8s racing at this event. Joanne Carey (70:34) was once again the pick of the crop to take her fifth consecutive win. Kathy Strachan (75:36) and Sarah Davis (78:34) gained precious points for 2nd and 3rd.
Carey (127 points) continues her march to the title and is now 37 points clear of 2nd placed Helena Broadway (90). Strachan (77) moves from 5th to 3rd, with Debbie McKenzie (67), Wendy Le Comber (64) and Davis (59) next up.
Group 9 (2 runners)
Sadly not a single Group 9 runner took on those hills so no change in the points table with Holly Allison leading on 100 points from Sarah Tuffin (36), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kevin Howarth
The Bromley Midsummer Evening 10k at 7.30pm on Wednesday June 20th is next up and you may still be able to get a late entry.
Group 1 (9 runners)
Roger Vilardell (37:48) enjoys hills according to his excellent blog and duly took the lead at the first one on the course. He then controlled the race from that point on, surviving a wobble at about 6km, to take his second win of the series from just two starts. With five rounds still remaining his rivals must be now worrying that he may make a late push for the title. Simon Bryant (40:36) was the runner-up in Group 1 (three races, three 2nd places) from championship leader Stephen Pond (41:16). Simon Dadhi was 4th in class on the grass but dropped to 5th behind Matthew Pond once handicaps had been applied. Geraldine Schaer was 6th on adjusted times.
Stephen Pond (111 points) has extended his championship lead over Steve Bowley (84) who didn’t race at High Elms and is currently out injured as he recovers from a bout of pleurisy. Daniel Selman (81) remains in 3rd overall from Dadhi (75), Matthew Pond (68), and John Gurney and Simon Bryant tied on 54 points.
Group 2 (6 runners)
Peter Fisher (48:29) went one place better than at the previous round to take the Round 7 victory, 52s ahead of James Wall (49:21) who in turn was just over 2 minutes clear of 3rd placed Steve White (51:30). A trio of ladies chased White home – Kate Suckling, Gillian Selman and Jenny Leng.
Wall’s 2nd place was plenty good enough for him to retake the championship lead he had lost by missing the previous round. Wall (89 points) leads Mark Franks (75), White (71), continuing his climb up the table, Stephen Robson (56), Selman (55) and Darren Stevens (47).
Group 3 (3 runners)
Stuart Isaacs (48:29) was in great form and matched the Group 2 winner’s chip time exactly to take his third win of the series. Paul Haylock (54:37) had won the previous round but had to be content with the runner-up spot this time around, with Paul Strachan (57:06) recording his fourth 3rd place position of the series and the only other Group 3 entrant.
Mark Burgess (93 points) sees his championship lead over Isaacs (92) cut to just one point, while Strachan (90) is only two points further back. Ian Bauly (80), Laura Elvin (66) and Steve Burnett (46) complete the top six.
Group 4 (7 runners)
Pauline Skerrett (51:43) continued her fine run of form with another victory, her fourth of the season. George Sebastos (54:09) was her nearest challenger in 2nd place with Nigel Hewson (57:52) in 3rd having his best result so far. Julian Edmonds, Janine Harris and Fiona Abiola-Musa rounded out the top six.
Skerrett (113 points) now tops the championship table from long-time leader Jeremy Benson (98) who missed this round. Abiola-Musa (83) remains 3rd from Hewson (81), Sebastos (56) and Dan Bugden (50).
Group 5 (6 runners)
Monica Lungu (54:58) must be one of the most improved runners in the club and translated that form into a fine win at High Elms. Championship leader Philip den Baes (55:05) was just 7s behind on chip timing while Julie Medhurst (60:04) posted her best result so far in 3rd. Julie Travers, Lyttleton Barrett and Edmund Purves completed the Group 5 field.
Den Baes (116 points) remains well clear in the championship, with Barrett (88) 2nd and Lungu (76) jumping up from 5th to 3rd. Medhurst (73) is next up from Travers (61) and Ellie Bowley (57).
Group 6 (4 runners)
Perry Wilson (59:05) has been putting in solid performances all season and took his second victory of the year. Richard Dunstan (60:23) got the better of Spencer Davis (63:52) in the battle for 2nd, with Chris Haydon completing the Group 5 runners.
Dunstan (112 points) retains his championship lead from Davis (105) while Wilson joins Haydon in 3rd overall with 103 points. Natalie Compton (70) and David Allison (66) remain 5th and 6th respectively.
Group 7 (2 runners)
Gemma Sampson (63:28) won the Group 7 duel with championship leader Olivia Senbanjo (70:19) as numbers in this group continue to be poor since round 5.
Senbanjo (112 points) retains her championship lead but Sampson’s win lifts her from 3rd to 2nd with 84 points. James Fisher (78) drops to 3rd from Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40).
Group 8 (3 runners)
From 9 competitors at the previous round, there were just three Group 8s racing at this event. Joanne Carey (70:34) was once again the pick of the crop to take her fifth consecutive win. Kathy Strachan (75:36) and Sarah Davis (78:34) gained precious points for 2nd and 3rd.
Carey (127 points) continues her march to the title and is now 37 points clear of 2nd placed Helena Broadway (90). Strachan (77) moves from 5th to 3rd, with Debbie McKenzie (67), Wendy Le Comber (64) and Davis (59) next up.
Group 9 (2 runners)
Sadly not a single Group 9 runner took on those hills so no change in the points table with Holly Allison leading on 100 points from Sarah Tuffin (36), Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kevin Howarth
The Bromley Midsummer Evening 10k at 7.30pm on Wednesday June 20th is next up and you may still be able to get a late entry.
Round 6: Ted Pepper 10k Race Report 07/05/2018
Hot! That was the one word on everyone’s lips at the latest round of the Grand Prix Series on Bank Holiday Monday. The warmest day of the year so far didn’t put off PWRs though as we were everywhere! 86 runners out of the 407 finishers with others spotted on marshaling duties. 56 of the 86 were registered for the Grand Prix and eager to score points as the series reaches its halfway point.
All the groups were up in numbers from the last round (Bromley v Canterbury and most of the marathons out of the way) apart from group 7 which had just the one competitor.
Group 1 (12 runners)
Roger Vilardell (35:35) made his first appearance of this year’s series and what an introduction it was, the club’s undisputed fastest runner winning the race and notching up 20 points even when this group’s times had been adjusted for age/sex. Simon Bryant (38:23) was 2nd in only his second appearance in this year’s GP but, like Vilardell, he is unlikely to trouble the GP’s leading lights unless they turn up at all the remaining rounds. Championship leader Stephen Pond (39:19) was 3rd from Simon Dadhi, Daniel Selman and Tom Medhurst, although Dadhi dropped to 7th in the readjusted classification.
Pond (95 points) has contested every round and has been steadily racking up the points. He extends his championship lead over Steve Bowley (84) to 11, another to have raced at every round. Selman (81) retains 3rd overall from Dadhi (61), John Gurney (54) and Matthew Pond (53).
Group 2 (7 runners)
Championship leader James Wall was away doing the Milton Keynes Marathon so the door was open for others to take advantage. Martin Smith (47:52) secured the top spot, having only previously raced at the opening round, from Peter Fisher (48:25) in his first GP appearance this year. Steve White (48:31) in 3rd looks to be returning to form and he headed home Scott Haragan, Kate Suckling and Gillian Selman.
Mark Franks’ 7th place was enough for him to retake the Group 2 series lead with 75 points from the absent Wall (71). Stephen Robson (56) hasn’t taken part in the last two rounds but still retains 3rd place from White (55), up from 6th, Darren Stevens (47) and Selman (41).
Group 3 (6 runners)
Another infrequent attender Paul Haylock (48:38), last year’s Group D Champion, was one of a number of Group 3 runners set to benefit from championship leader Mark Burgess self-combusting after 5 or so miles out front. Ian Bauly (49:21) took 2nd from Paul Strachan (50:17), Steve Burnett, Stuart Isaacs (running alongside daughter Amelia in her first race) and the disconsolate Burgess.
Despite this hiccup Burgess (93 points) retains his championship lead from Bauly (80), up from 3rd, Strachan (74), Isaacs (72), Laura Elvin (66) and Burnett (46).
Group 4 (6 runners)
After missing the last round due to marathon training, Group 4’s stand-out runner Pauline Skerrett (47:57) was back out and annihilating runners in much higher groups. Fiona Abiola-Musa (52:00) took her best result so far with 2nd place, with series debutant Viral Tanna (52:09) ahead at the finish line but with a slower chip time in 3rd. Championship leader Jeremy Benson was 4th from Vassilis Sakizlis and Nigel Hewson.
Benson (98 points) retains his championship lead but by a reduced margin from Skerrett (90) and Abiola-Musa (70). Hewson (65), Dan Bugden (50) and Jackie York (48) complete the top six.
Group 5 (6 runners)
Like Skerrett in Group 4, Philip Den Baes (53:23) is the runner to beat in Group 5 and took his fourth win from five races. Derek Hopkins (56:04) achieved his best result of the season so far in a fine 2nd place with early championship leader Lyttleton Barrett (58:11) in 3rd. He was followed by three ladies – Julie Medhurst, Julie Travers and Ellie Bowley.
Den Baes (98 points) extends his points lead to 24 points over Barrett (74). Medhurst (57) is next, up from 5th and with some ‘joker’ volunteer points available to play if necessary. Bowley also has 57 points, one ahead of Monica Lungu (56) with Hopkins (47) in 6th.
Group 6 (7 runners)
The grudge battle between Richard Dunstan and Spencer Davis in this group saw an interesting twist with Dunstan (56:13) taking the win while Davis was only 6th. Perhaps saving himself for his naked run in less than a week’s time? Linda Whitely (57:15) took 2nd in her first outing in this year’s series by just one second on chip time from Perry Wilson (57:16). Chris Haydon, the only competitor in this group to have taken part in the full complement of races, was 4th from Natalie Compton and Davis.
The championship lead has swung back to Dunstan (94 points) with Davis (89) 2nd and Haydon (88) retaining the remaining podium spot from Wilson (83), Compton (70) and David Allison (66).
Group 7 (1 runner)
Numbers have tailed off alarmingly in this group with only 2 in Canterbury and Olivia Senbanjo (62:43) the sole representative at this event. Hopefully numbers will return to previous highs as the marathon runners in this group drop back down to the Grand Prix distances.
It was certainly worthwhile Senbanjo enduring Bromley’s temperatures to collect her 20 points as she retakes the championship lead with 94 points. James Fisher (78) drops back down to 2nd with the rest of the top six as after Canterbury - Gemma Sampson (64) 3rd from Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40).
Group 8 (9 runners)
There was a good turnout in this group but once again no one could deny Joanne Carey (64:35) maximum points for the fourth straight event in a row. Helena Broadway (65:44) continues to rack up the points with her fifth 2nd place and Pherenice Worsey-Buck (67:13) took her best result so far in 3rd. Brighton winner Debbie McKenzie was 4th from Bexley winner Kathy Strachan and Denise Duffus.
Carey (107 points) pulls another 2 points clear of Broadway (90), with McKenzie (67) up to 3rd overall from Wendy Le Comber (64), Kathy Strachan (59) and Linda Bowley (57).
Group 9 (2 runners)
Hurrah! Holly Allison finally got some opposition again as Sarah Tuffin returned after taking in round one at Brighton. There was no change to the results though as Allison (74:20) took her fifth win with Tuffin (78:02) 2nd.
Allison (100 points) unsurprisingly still leads the series with Tuffin (36) up to 2nd from Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: John Diamante and Royston Hackett
Next up is the demanding Orpington High Elms 10k on Sunday June 10th organised by Orpington Road Runners. “Designed by a sadist” their website says, “the course is challenging and hilly, but very scenic to make up for it. Faster runners should expect to add at least 5 minutes to their PB times, whilst slower runners will be delighted with the value for money of running a 90-minute 10k.” Entries for this “value for money” event were still available at the time of writing! Visit www.runbritain.com – you know you want to!
All the groups were up in numbers from the last round (Bromley v Canterbury and most of the marathons out of the way) apart from group 7 which had just the one competitor.
Group 1 (12 runners)
Roger Vilardell (35:35) made his first appearance of this year’s series and what an introduction it was, the club’s undisputed fastest runner winning the race and notching up 20 points even when this group’s times had been adjusted for age/sex. Simon Bryant (38:23) was 2nd in only his second appearance in this year’s GP but, like Vilardell, he is unlikely to trouble the GP’s leading lights unless they turn up at all the remaining rounds. Championship leader Stephen Pond (39:19) was 3rd from Simon Dadhi, Daniel Selman and Tom Medhurst, although Dadhi dropped to 7th in the readjusted classification.
Pond (95 points) has contested every round and has been steadily racking up the points. He extends his championship lead over Steve Bowley (84) to 11, another to have raced at every round. Selman (81) retains 3rd overall from Dadhi (61), John Gurney (54) and Matthew Pond (53).
Group 2 (7 runners)
Championship leader James Wall was away doing the Milton Keynes Marathon so the door was open for others to take advantage. Martin Smith (47:52) secured the top spot, having only previously raced at the opening round, from Peter Fisher (48:25) in his first GP appearance this year. Steve White (48:31) in 3rd looks to be returning to form and he headed home Scott Haragan, Kate Suckling and Gillian Selman.
Mark Franks’ 7th place was enough for him to retake the Group 2 series lead with 75 points from the absent Wall (71). Stephen Robson (56) hasn’t taken part in the last two rounds but still retains 3rd place from White (55), up from 6th, Darren Stevens (47) and Selman (41).
Group 3 (6 runners)
Another infrequent attender Paul Haylock (48:38), last year’s Group D Champion, was one of a number of Group 3 runners set to benefit from championship leader Mark Burgess self-combusting after 5 or so miles out front. Ian Bauly (49:21) took 2nd from Paul Strachan (50:17), Steve Burnett, Stuart Isaacs (running alongside daughter Amelia in her first race) and the disconsolate Burgess.
Despite this hiccup Burgess (93 points) retains his championship lead from Bauly (80), up from 3rd, Strachan (74), Isaacs (72), Laura Elvin (66) and Burnett (46).
Group 4 (6 runners)
After missing the last round due to marathon training, Group 4’s stand-out runner Pauline Skerrett (47:57) was back out and annihilating runners in much higher groups. Fiona Abiola-Musa (52:00) took her best result so far with 2nd place, with series debutant Viral Tanna (52:09) ahead at the finish line but with a slower chip time in 3rd. Championship leader Jeremy Benson was 4th from Vassilis Sakizlis and Nigel Hewson.
Benson (98 points) retains his championship lead but by a reduced margin from Skerrett (90) and Abiola-Musa (70). Hewson (65), Dan Bugden (50) and Jackie York (48) complete the top six.
Group 5 (6 runners)
Like Skerrett in Group 4, Philip Den Baes (53:23) is the runner to beat in Group 5 and took his fourth win from five races. Derek Hopkins (56:04) achieved his best result of the season so far in a fine 2nd place with early championship leader Lyttleton Barrett (58:11) in 3rd. He was followed by three ladies – Julie Medhurst, Julie Travers and Ellie Bowley.
Den Baes (98 points) extends his points lead to 24 points over Barrett (74). Medhurst (57) is next, up from 5th and with some ‘joker’ volunteer points available to play if necessary. Bowley also has 57 points, one ahead of Monica Lungu (56) with Hopkins (47) in 6th.
Group 6 (7 runners)
The grudge battle between Richard Dunstan and Spencer Davis in this group saw an interesting twist with Dunstan (56:13) taking the win while Davis was only 6th. Perhaps saving himself for his naked run in less than a week’s time? Linda Whitely (57:15) took 2nd in her first outing in this year’s series by just one second on chip time from Perry Wilson (57:16). Chris Haydon, the only competitor in this group to have taken part in the full complement of races, was 4th from Natalie Compton and Davis.
The championship lead has swung back to Dunstan (94 points) with Davis (89) 2nd and Haydon (88) retaining the remaining podium spot from Wilson (83), Compton (70) and David Allison (66).
Group 7 (1 runner)
Numbers have tailed off alarmingly in this group with only 2 in Canterbury and Olivia Senbanjo (62:43) the sole representative at this event. Hopefully numbers will return to previous highs as the marathon runners in this group drop back down to the Grand Prix distances.
It was certainly worthwhile Senbanjo enduring Bromley’s temperatures to collect her 20 points as she retakes the championship lead with 94 points. James Fisher (78) drops back down to 2nd with the rest of the top six as after Canterbury - Gemma Sampson (64) 3rd from Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40).
Group 8 (9 runners)
There was a good turnout in this group but once again no one could deny Joanne Carey (64:35) maximum points for the fourth straight event in a row. Helena Broadway (65:44) continues to rack up the points with her fifth 2nd place and Pherenice Worsey-Buck (67:13) took her best result so far in 3rd. Brighton winner Debbie McKenzie was 4th from Bexley winner Kathy Strachan and Denise Duffus.
Carey (107 points) pulls another 2 points clear of Broadway (90), with McKenzie (67) up to 3rd overall from Wendy Le Comber (64), Kathy Strachan (59) and Linda Bowley (57).
Group 9 (2 runners)
Hurrah! Holly Allison finally got some opposition again as Sarah Tuffin returned after taking in round one at Brighton. There was no change to the results though as Allison (74:20) took her fifth win with Tuffin (78:02) 2nd.
Allison (100 points) unsurprisingly still leads the series with Tuffin (36) up to 2nd from Charley Hasim (18) and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: John Diamante and Royston Hackett
Next up is the demanding Orpington High Elms 10k on Sunday June 10th organised by Orpington Road Runners. “Designed by a sadist” their website says, “the course is challenging and hilly, but very scenic to make up for it. Faster runners should expect to add at least 5 minutes to their PB times, whilst slower runners will be delighted with the value for money of running a 90-minute 10k.” Entries for this “value for money” event were still available at the time of writing! Visit www.runbritain.com – you know you want to!
Round 5: Canterbury Riverside10k Race Report 18/03/2018
Round 5: Canterbury 10k Race Report 18/03/18
The weather forecasts in the days leading up to the Canterbury Riverside 10k were not great and in the end put off about a third of the PWRs entered for Round 5 of this season’s Grand Prix. As it turned out, conditions improved as we journeyed down and the race from Chartham to Canterbury and back again was held in good, if chilly, conditions with just the odd puddle to decide whether to circumnavigate or straight-line.
The inclement weather, training for marathons, the distance to Canterbury and even ski trips meant a fewer than usual 34 PWRs turned up for this round, of which 7 were not entered for the Grand Prix. They included Michael Smith and Lucy Drury, who along with Grand Prix entrants Daniel Selman and Stephen Pond, helped PWR win the club prize, and Jo O’Malley taking part in her first ever 10k.
Group 1 (5 runners)
Daniel Selman (37:59) had his best race of the campaign so far and was the first PWR home and an impressive 3rd overall. Championship leader Stephen Pond (38:23) was just one place behind on the road, with Steve Bowley (41:03) 3rd in Group 1 and Matthew Pond and Jamie Fernandes next up.
Stephen Pond’s 2nd place in Canterbury boosts his GP points total to 79 and extends his advantage over Bowley (73) to six points. Selman’s win moves him up from 5th to 3rd, with 66 points, from John Gurney (54) and Simon Dadhi (49). Geraldine Schaer, Hannah Roberts and Matthew Pond are next up and all on 40 points.
Group 2 (2 runners)
Just the two runners in Group 2, with Bexley parkrun round winner James Wall (43:16) taking his second victory of the campaign from Gillian Selman (47:50) in 2nd.
The win for Wall (71 points) leapfrogs him into the championship top spot from 3rd place, overtaking the previous leader Mark Franks (63). Stephen Robson (56), Darren Stevens (47), Michael Bowley (40) and Steve White (39) complete the top six.
Group 3 (4 runners)
Stuart Isaacs (45:38) was another Bexley parkrun winner to take the honours at Canterbury with victory over joint championship leader Mark Burgess (46:54), Paul Strachan (48:23) and Laura Elvin (48:27).
Burgess (80 points) is now clear at the top of the table from Elvin (66), Ian Bauly(62), Strachan and Isaacs, tied on 58 points, and Ben George (32).
Group 4 (3 runners)
George Sebastos (48:05) took his first Group 4 win from Brighton winner Jeremy Benson (49:21) and Fiona Abiola-Musa (51:13).
Benson (83 points) retakes the championship lead from the group’s in-form runner Pauline Skerrett (73). Abiola-Musa (52) rises from 7th to 3rd equal alongside Nigel Hewson, with Dan Bugden (50) and Jackie York (48) completing the top six.
Group 5 (2 runners)
A win for Philip den Baes (47:17) makes it three victories and a 2nd place from his four GP outings and cements him as the firm favourite to take the end of season honours. Ladies captain Ellie Bowley (55:24) was the only other Group 5 runner to make the journey to Canterbury.
Den Baes (78 points) leads the championship by 20 points from Lyttleton Barrett (58) who was equal 1st before Canterbury, Monica Lungu (56), Bowley (44), Julie Medhurst (42) and Matthew Stevens (38).
Group 6 (4 runners)
Spencer Davis had won the last three Group 6 rounds and so it was with delight that the other runners in the group saw he was away skiing for this latest round. Perry Wilson (51:13) took a fine class win from Brighton victor Richard Dunstan (52:21), Chris Haydon (55:08) and Natalie Compton (59:16).
Davis (76) retains his championship lead with Dunstan (74) overhauling Haydon (73) for the runner-up spot. Wilson (67) rises to 4th from Compton (56) and David Allison (54).
Group 7 (2 runners)
James Fisher (53:58) made it three wins in a row, with Gemma Sampson (56:47) the only other Group 7 runner at this round.
Fisher (78) takes over the championship top spot from Olivia Senbanjo (74), with Sampson (64) 3rd from Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40).
Group 8 (5 runners)
There was a good entry of 5 from Group 5 but none could deny Joanne Carey (59:13), with her ‘bandit’ look, her third straight win. Helena Broadway (61:36) was closest, from Brighton winner Debbie McKenzie (64:49), Linda Bowley and Bexley parkrun winner Kathy Strachan.
Carey (87 points) extends her points advantage over 2nd placed Broadway (72), Wendy Le Comber (53), McKenzie (52), Bowley (47) and Strachan (45).
Group 9 (0 runners)
Championship run-away leader Holly Allison pulled out of Canterbury but no damage was done to her points advantage as joint 2nd-placed Charley Hasim, who was entered, was also a no-show. The championship therefore remains unchanged with Allison (80 points) leading from Hasim and Sarah Tuffin on 18 points and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Claudia Lugar and Graham Ó Síodhacháin
Next up is the off-road Ted Pepper 10k that start and finishes on the running track at Norman Park. This year’s event starts at 10am on Monday May 7th, further details here: http://www.bandbhac.org.uk/ted pepper.html. It did sell out last year!
The weather forecasts in the days leading up to the Canterbury Riverside 10k were not great and in the end put off about a third of the PWRs entered for Round 5 of this season’s Grand Prix. As it turned out, conditions improved as we journeyed down and the race from Chartham to Canterbury and back again was held in good, if chilly, conditions with just the odd puddle to decide whether to circumnavigate or straight-line.
The inclement weather, training for marathons, the distance to Canterbury and even ski trips meant a fewer than usual 34 PWRs turned up for this round, of which 7 were not entered for the Grand Prix. They included Michael Smith and Lucy Drury, who along with Grand Prix entrants Daniel Selman and Stephen Pond, helped PWR win the club prize, and Jo O’Malley taking part in her first ever 10k.
Group 1 (5 runners)
Daniel Selman (37:59) had his best race of the campaign so far and was the first PWR home and an impressive 3rd overall. Championship leader Stephen Pond (38:23) was just one place behind on the road, with Steve Bowley (41:03) 3rd in Group 1 and Matthew Pond and Jamie Fernandes next up.
Stephen Pond’s 2nd place in Canterbury boosts his GP points total to 79 and extends his advantage over Bowley (73) to six points. Selman’s win moves him up from 5th to 3rd, with 66 points, from John Gurney (54) and Simon Dadhi (49). Geraldine Schaer, Hannah Roberts and Matthew Pond are next up and all on 40 points.
Group 2 (2 runners)
Just the two runners in Group 2, with Bexley parkrun round winner James Wall (43:16) taking his second victory of the campaign from Gillian Selman (47:50) in 2nd.
The win for Wall (71 points) leapfrogs him into the championship top spot from 3rd place, overtaking the previous leader Mark Franks (63). Stephen Robson (56), Darren Stevens (47), Michael Bowley (40) and Steve White (39) complete the top six.
Group 3 (4 runners)
Stuart Isaacs (45:38) was another Bexley parkrun winner to take the honours at Canterbury with victory over joint championship leader Mark Burgess (46:54), Paul Strachan (48:23) and Laura Elvin (48:27).
Burgess (80 points) is now clear at the top of the table from Elvin (66), Ian Bauly(62), Strachan and Isaacs, tied on 58 points, and Ben George (32).
Group 4 (3 runners)
George Sebastos (48:05) took his first Group 4 win from Brighton winner Jeremy Benson (49:21) and Fiona Abiola-Musa (51:13).
Benson (83 points) retakes the championship lead from the group’s in-form runner Pauline Skerrett (73). Abiola-Musa (52) rises from 7th to 3rd equal alongside Nigel Hewson, with Dan Bugden (50) and Jackie York (48) completing the top six.
Group 5 (2 runners)
A win for Philip den Baes (47:17) makes it three victories and a 2nd place from his four GP outings and cements him as the firm favourite to take the end of season honours. Ladies captain Ellie Bowley (55:24) was the only other Group 5 runner to make the journey to Canterbury.
Den Baes (78 points) leads the championship by 20 points from Lyttleton Barrett (58) who was equal 1st before Canterbury, Monica Lungu (56), Bowley (44), Julie Medhurst (42) and Matthew Stevens (38).
Group 6 (4 runners)
Spencer Davis had won the last three Group 6 rounds and so it was with delight that the other runners in the group saw he was away skiing for this latest round. Perry Wilson (51:13) took a fine class win from Brighton victor Richard Dunstan (52:21), Chris Haydon (55:08) and Natalie Compton (59:16).
Davis (76) retains his championship lead with Dunstan (74) overhauling Haydon (73) for the runner-up spot. Wilson (67) rises to 4th from Compton (56) and David Allison (54).
Group 7 (2 runners)
James Fisher (53:58) made it three wins in a row, with Gemma Sampson (56:47) the only other Group 7 runner at this round.
Fisher (78) takes over the championship top spot from Olivia Senbanjo (74), with Sampson (64) 3rd from Kate Anderson and Moy McGowan on 44 points apiece and Michelle Cooper (40).
Group 8 (5 runners)
There was a good entry of 5 from Group 5 but none could deny Joanne Carey (59:13), with her ‘bandit’ look, her third straight win. Helena Broadway (61:36) was closest, from Brighton winner Debbie McKenzie (64:49), Linda Bowley and Bexley parkrun winner Kathy Strachan.
Carey (87 points) extends her points advantage over 2nd placed Broadway (72), Wendy Le Comber (53), McKenzie (52), Bowley (47) and Strachan (45).
Group 9 (0 runners)
Championship run-away leader Holly Allison pulled out of Canterbury but no damage was done to her points advantage as joint 2nd-placed Charley Hasim, who was entered, was also a no-show. The championship therefore remains unchanged with Allison (80 points) leading from Hasim and Sarah Tuffin on 18 points and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Claudia Lugar and Graham Ó Síodhacháin
Next up is the off-road Ted Pepper 10k that start and finishes on the running track at Norman Park. This year’s event starts at 10am on Monday May 7th, further details here: http://www.bandbhac.org.uk/ted pepper.html. It did sell out last year!
Round 4: Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon Race Report 18/02/2018
Round 4 of the 2017-18 PWR Grand Prix was the Hendy Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon on a chilly but bright February 18th. 64 PWRs took part in ideal racing conditions with only 8 not opted in to the Grand Prix so unable to score points on this challenging (hilly) but well organised and supported road race.
Group 1 (15 runners)
An excellent 15 runners from the top group raced at Tunbridge Wells with Kev Chadwick (1:24:58) fastest from Daniel Selman (1:25:31) and championship leader Stephen Pond (1:26:40). Simon Dadhi’s run of wins came to an end as he was down in 4th, with Tom Medhurst and Johnny Gill completing the top six. Once the times had been adjusted for age/sex it was Gill who claimed the 20 championship points for the class win from Selman, Steve Bowley, John Gurney (1st MV60 overall), Pond and Medhurst.
Bowley (57 points) has narrowed Pond’s lead at the top of the table from 6 points to 4, although Pond (61) will soon be moving up an age group and will therefore benefit from an increased age time advantage for the rest of the series. Already in that age category is Gurney (54 points) who has moved up to 3rd overall from 5th. Dadhi (49) and Selman (46) are next up from Geraldine Schaer and Hannah Roberts tied on 40 points apiece.
Group 2 (6 runners)
Having missed the previous round at Canterbury Stephen Robson (1:31:09) was back and took his second win of the series. Mark Franks (1:37:30) and James Wall (1:38:40) were next up from Jim Winbourne, Steve White and Darren Stevens who struggled through to the finish in obvious pain, albeit clutching a beer!
Franks (63 points) retains his championship lead with Robson (56) and Wall (51) moving up to 2nd and 3rd respectively. Stevens’ determination to finish is rewarded with him moving onto 47 points, and up from 6th to 4th, from Michael Bowley (40) and White (39).
Group 3 (4 runners)
Four races, four different winners. This time it was Ian Bauly (1:46:23) who led Group 3 home with Steve Burnett (1:46:37) just 13s behind. Championship leader Mark Burgess (1:48:16) was 3rd while Canterbury winner Laura Elvin persevered with a heavily strapped left knee and came home 4th to gain 15 championship points which may be crucial come the end of the season.
Bauly’s win puts him level with Burgess (62 points) at the top of the table from Elvin (51), Paul Strachan (42), Stuart Isaacs (38) and Ben George (32).
Group 4 (8 runners)
Pauline Skerrett (1:43;34) is the Group 4 runner to beat over the longer distances and the championship leader topped the group once again as she had at Canterbury. David Fordyce (1:44:07) in his first appearance in this year’s series was not far behind in 2nd from Jackie York (1:47:04), three 3rd places from three appearances. Last minute entrant Jeremy Benson was 4th from Nigel Hewson and Fiona Abiola-Musa.
Skerrett’s win increases her points advantage in the championship to 8 points over Benson (65 points) in 2nd place. Hewson (52) moves up to 3rd past Dan Bugden (50) with York (48) 5th and Lee Mitchell (44) 6th.
Group 5 (5 runners)
Confusingly Philip den Baes appeared twice in the results as another runner had taken his race number before he signed on! Whatever, both versions were too good for the rest of the Group 5 field and the ‘real’ den Baes (1:43:47) led them in from Monica Lungu (1:48:25) and championship leader Lyttleton Barrett (2:03:38). Julie Medhurst and Matthew Stevens completed the Group 5 field at Tunbridge Wells.
Two wins and a 2nd place in his three races have elevated den Baes (58 points) to a share of the championship lead with Barrett (58), with Lungu just two points behind on 56. Medhurst (42), Stevens (38) and Julie Travers (32) complete the top six.
Group 6 (6 runners)
Spencer Davis (1:53:05) is on a roll and took his third consecutive win in Group 6 to open up a healthy lead in the championship. Sigrid Robson (2:03:04) making her first appearance of the series was 2nd from Perry Wilson (2:04:27), Chris Haydon, David Allison and Natalie Compton.
Davis (76 points) is an emphatic 19 points clear of 2nd-placed Haydon (57) who is just one point ahead of Richard Dunstan (56). Allison (54) is 4th from Wilson (47) and Compton (41).
Group 7 (7 runners)
Like den Baes in Group 5, James Fisher (2:01:51) was the subject of some head-scratching in the results until it was realised that another James Fisher had been given his number! Our Fisher was another to secure back-to-back wins but there is a still big points gap to championship leader Olivia Sebanjo (2:03:32) who came in 2nd. Gemma Sampson (2:08:35) was next up from Michelle Cooper, her best result so far, Moy McGowan and Emma Sims.
Kate Anderson, Sebanjo’s nearest challenger coming into this round was on photographic duties, so Sebanjo (74 points) has extended her lead to 16 points over the new 2nd-placed runner, Fisher (58). Sampson (46) also moves ahead of Anderson (44) for 3rd overall with McGowan (44) equal 4th and Cooper (40) 6th.
Group 8 (4 runners)
Joanne Carey (2:10:37) was yet another to secure both the Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells long distance victories. Helena Broadway (2:22:18) took her third runner-up place of the series from Wendy Le Comber (2:30:52) and half-marathon debutant Pherenice Worsey-Buck.
Carey’s second win boosts her points tally to 67, 13 clear of 2nd-placed Broadway. Le Comber (53), Debbie McKenzie (36), Linda Bowley (32) and Kathy Strachan and Sarah Davis, both on 31, are her nearest challengers.
Group 9 (1 runner)
Yet another victory for Holly Allison (2:42:48) as sadly no-one else from her group took on the challenge of 13.1 miles. Hopefully she will face some opposition at future rounds as the distances come down so her fine efforts don’t go unrewarded at series end.
Allison has a maximum 80 points from the four rounds and heads Charley Hasim and Sarah Tuffin on 18 points apiece and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kate Anderson
Next up is the Canterbury Riverside 10k at 10am on March 18th that apparently has PB potential as it takes place on a flat scenic course linking Chartham and the centre of Canterbury.
Race entries are still available at https://runningandriding.co.uk/canterbury-10k/race-entry/ and there may be a coach trip to take the strain. Register your coach trip interest on this thread on the Petts Wood Runners Official Club Group Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2011794305707647/search/?query=riverside) but you will need to be a member of this closed Facebook group.
Group 1 (15 runners)
An excellent 15 runners from the top group raced at Tunbridge Wells with Kev Chadwick (1:24:58) fastest from Daniel Selman (1:25:31) and championship leader Stephen Pond (1:26:40). Simon Dadhi’s run of wins came to an end as he was down in 4th, with Tom Medhurst and Johnny Gill completing the top six. Once the times had been adjusted for age/sex it was Gill who claimed the 20 championship points for the class win from Selman, Steve Bowley, John Gurney (1st MV60 overall), Pond and Medhurst.
Bowley (57 points) has narrowed Pond’s lead at the top of the table from 6 points to 4, although Pond (61) will soon be moving up an age group and will therefore benefit from an increased age time advantage for the rest of the series. Already in that age category is Gurney (54 points) who has moved up to 3rd overall from 5th. Dadhi (49) and Selman (46) are next up from Geraldine Schaer and Hannah Roberts tied on 40 points apiece.
Group 2 (6 runners)
Having missed the previous round at Canterbury Stephen Robson (1:31:09) was back and took his second win of the series. Mark Franks (1:37:30) and James Wall (1:38:40) were next up from Jim Winbourne, Steve White and Darren Stevens who struggled through to the finish in obvious pain, albeit clutching a beer!
Franks (63 points) retains his championship lead with Robson (56) and Wall (51) moving up to 2nd and 3rd respectively. Stevens’ determination to finish is rewarded with him moving onto 47 points, and up from 6th to 4th, from Michael Bowley (40) and White (39).
Group 3 (4 runners)
Four races, four different winners. This time it was Ian Bauly (1:46:23) who led Group 3 home with Steve Burnett (1:46:37) just 13s behind. Championship leader Mark Burgess (1:48:16) was 3rd while Canterbury winner Laura Elvin persevered with a heavily strapped left knee and came home 4th to gain 15 championship points which may be crucial come the end of the season.
Bauly’s win puts him level with Burgess (62 points) at the top of the table from Elvin (51), Paul Strachan (42), Stuart Isaacs (38) and Ben George (32).
Group 4 (8 runners)
Pauline Skerrett (1:43;34) is the Group 4 runner to beat over the longer distances and the championship leader topped the group once again as she had at Canterbury. David Fordyce (1:44:07) in his first appearance in this year’s series was not far behind in 2nd from Jackie York (1:47:04), three 3rd places from three appearances. Last minute entrant Jeremy Benson was 4th from Nigel Hewson and Fiona Abiola-Musa.
Skerrett’s win increases her points advantage in the championship to 8 points over Benson (65 points) in 2nd place. Hewson (52) moves up to 3rd past Dan Bugden (50) with York (48) 5th and Lee Mitchell (44) 6th.
Group 5 (5 runners)
Confusingly Philip den Baes appeared twice in the results as another runner had taken his race number before he signed on! Whatever, both versions were too good for the rest of the Group 5 field and the ‘real’ den Baes (1:43:47) led them in from Monica Lungu (1:48:25) and championship leader Lyttleton Barrett (2:03:38). Julie Medhurst and Matthew Stevens completed the Group 5 field at Tunbridge Wells.
Two wins and a 2nd place in his three races have elevated den Baes (58 points) to a share of the championship lead with Barrett (58), with Lungu just two points behind on 56. Medhurst (42), Stevens (38) and Julie Travers (32) complete the top six.
Group 6 (6 runners)
Spencer Davis (1:53:05) is on a roll and took his third consecutive win in Group 6 to open up a healthy lead in the championship. Sigrid Robson (2:03:04) making her first appearance of the series was 2nd from Perry Wilson (2:04:27), Chris Haydon, David Allison and Natalie Compton.
Davis (76 points) is an emphatic 19 points clear of 2nd-placed Haydon (57) who is just one point ahead of Richard Dunstan (56). Allison (54) is 4th from Wilson (47) and Compton (41).
Group 7 (7 runners)
Like den Baes in Group 5, James Fisher (2:01:51) was the subject of some head-scratching in the results until it was realised that another James Fisher had been given his number! Our Fisher was another to secure back-to-back wins but there is a still big points gap to championship leader Olivia Sebanjo (2:03:32) who came in 2nd. Gemma Sampson (2:08:35) was next up from Michelle Cooper, her best result so far, Moy McGowan and Emma Sims.
Kate Anderson, Sebanjo’s nearest challenger coming into this round was on photographic duties, so Sebanjo (74 points) has extended her lead to 16 points over the new 2nd-placed runner, Fisher (58). Sampson (46) also moves ahead of Anderson (44) for 3rd overall with McGowan (44) equal 4th and Cooper (40) 6th.
Group 8 (4 runners)
Joanne Carey (2:10:37) was yet another to secure both the Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells long distance victories. Helena Broadway (2:22:18) took her third runner-up place of the series from Wendy Le Comber (2:30:52) and half-marathon debutant Pherenice Worsey-Buck.
Carey’s second win boosts her points tally to 67, 13 clear of 2nd-placed Broadway. Le Comber (53), Debbie McKenzie (36), Linda Bowley (32) and Kathy Strachan and Sarah Davis, both on 31, are her nearest challengers.
Group 9 (1 runner)
Yet another victory for Holly Allison (2:42:48) as sadly no-one else from her group took on the challenge of 13.1 miles. Hopefully she will face some opposition at future rounds as the distances come down so her fine efforts don’t go unrewarded at series end.
Allison has a maximum 80 points from the four rounds and heads Charley Hasim and Sarah Tuffin on 18 points apiece and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kate Anderson
Next up is the Canterbury Riverside 10k at 10am on March 18th that apparently has PB potential as it takes place on a flat scenic course linking Chartham and the centre of Canterbury.
Race entries are still available at https://runningandriding.co.uk/canterbury-10k/race-entry/ and there may be a coach trip to take the strain. Register your coach trip interest on this thread on the Petts Wood Runners Official Club Group Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2011794305707647/search/?query=riverside) but you will need to be a member of this closed Facebook group.
Round 3: Canterbury 10 Mile Race Report 21/01/2018
Round 3 of the 2017-18 PWR Grand Prix was the SsaangYong Canterbury 10 mile road race on a chilly January 21st. 77 PWRs took part with 15 of those not opted in to the Grand Prix so unable to score points
Group 1 (11 runners)
Simon Dadhi (61m 36s) has been unstoppable so far in Group 1 and, as at the previous two rounds, was again the fastest PWR. Daniel Selman (63:24) started almost a minute behind but came storming through the field to finish 2nd PWR on the road. Weaving through all those runners must have slowed him down so he surely would have been even closer had he taken up a start position better suited to his speed. Points leader coming into the event Stephen Pond (64:38) was 3rd in class from Gavin Mackay, Tom Medhurst and John Gurney.
It’s not just where you finish on the road in Group 1 as our top runners’ performances are adjusted according to age and sex for championship purposes. Geraldine Schaer’s excellent 68:13 was enough for her to claim the 20 points on offer for 1st place in the GP from Selman, Gurney, Pond, Dadhi and Mackay.
Schaer missed Round 2 at Danson Park so her two wins at the moment are not enough to head the championship table. That honour goes to Men’s Captain Pond (47 points) from Dadhi and Steve Bowley tied on 41 points. Schaer (40), Gurney (39) and Emma Crawford (32) complete the current top six.
Group 2 (6 runners)
Mike Reeves (71:21) topped the Group 2 field (it was worth the pain Mike!) from Mark Franks (72:16) who was just 3s ahead of Darren Stevens (72:19) on chip times. Round 2 winner James Wall was 4th from Michael Bowley and Steve White.
Points leader Stephen Robson did not race at Canterbury so loses his championship lead to Franks (45 points) who is 5 points clear of Bowley (40) and a further 4 points ahead of Robson. Reeves and Wall, 35 points apiece, are next up from Stevens.
Group 3 (5 runners)
There was another new winner in Group 3 with Laura Elvin (77:15) in front for the whole race. This group is seeing some great battles with Paul Kelly (78:48) and Paul Strachan (78:54) both charging past Mark Burgess in the closing stages to take 2nd and 3rd. Ian Bauly was 5th and less than 30s behind.
Stuart Isaacs wasn’t at Canterbury so loses his championship lead to Burgess (46 points) who heads Bauly and Strachan who both have 42 points. Isaacs (38) drops to 4th from Elvin (36) and Ben George (32).
Group 4 (11 runners)
Group 4 had the joint highest number of PWR entries with Group 1 at Canterbury with 11 runners. Pauline Skerrett (76.17) was in blistering form and beat not only all her group but also all the Group 3 runners! George Sebastos (79:01) in his first appearance in the series was 2nd from Jackie York (81:05), Danson winner Dan Bugden, Brighton winner Jeremy Benson and Julian Edmonds.
Skerrett’s win promotes her to 1st place in the championship on 53 points from Benson and Bugden tied on 50 points. Nigel Hewson (38) is 4th from York and Lee Mitchell, both on 32 points.
Group 5 (7 runners)
Another lady came out on top at Canterbury in Group 5 with Monica Lungu (81:08) well clear of Danson Park winner Philip den Baes (84:43). Julie Travers (91:16) was 3rd from Derek Hopkins, Julie Medhurst and Lyttleton Barrett.
Barrett (42 points) retains his championship lead but den Baes and Lungu, each with a win and a 2nd place, are hot on his heels with 38 points. Travers (32), Hopkins (29) and Medhurst (27) complete the top six.
Group 6 (5 runners)
Spencer Davis (88:09) made it two wins in a row and once again got the better of Brighton winner Richard Dunstan (89:56). Perry Wilson (90:29) took 3rd from Chris Haydon and David Allison.
Davis and Dunstan are now tied for the championship lead with 56 points each and are well clear of Haydon (42) in 3rd who heads Allison (40), Wilson (31) and Natalie Compton (28).
Group 7 (8 runners)
There was a third different winner from three rounds in this class with James Fisher (92:18) leading home championship leader Olivia Sebanjo (94:24), Kate Anderson (94:44), Moy McGowan, Gemma Sampson and Chris Summers.
Senbanjo (56 points) has extended her advantage in the championship to 12 points with Anderson her nearest rival on 44 points. Fisher’s Canterbury win puts him up to 3rd with 38 points from Danson Park winner David Goss (31) and Sampson and McGowan tied on 30 points.
Group 8 (8 runners)
There was another new winner in Group 8 too with Joanne Carey (102:19) heading home Helena Broadway (104:24), Brighton winner Debbie McKenzie (105:54), Wendy Tung, Ange McLellan and Wendy Le Comber.
Championship leader Linda Bowley didn’t take part at Canterbury and drops to 5th in the title race. Carey (47 points) is now in pole position from Le Comber (37) who is just one point clear of McKenzie and Broadway in joint 3rd place with 36 points. Bowley (32) in 5th is one point ahead of Kathy Strachan and Sarah Davis.
Group 9 (1 runner)
Only Holly Allison (118:56) braved Canterbury out of the Group 1 racers and collected another 20 points for her efforts.
Allison has a maximum 60 points from the three rounds and heads Charley Hasim and Sarah Tuffin on 18 points apiece and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Julie Medhurst & Éadaoin Miller
Attention now turns to the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon at 9am on February 18th as the series takes in its longest race.
Enter here: www.twharriers.org.uk/tunbridge-wells-half-marathon
Entries are open online until midday on February 16th unless all the places are taken before then. Moy McGowan is trying to organise a coach trip (see her post in the Petts Wood Runners Facebook Official Club Group page) although at the time of writing there had not been much interest shown.
Group 1 (11 runners)
Simon Dadhi (61m 36s) has been unstoppable so far in Group 1 and, as at the previous two rounds, was again the fastest PWR. Daniel Selman (63:24) started almost a minute behind but came storming through the field to finish 2nd PWR on the road. Weaving through all those runners must have slowed him down so he surely would have been even closer had he taken up a start position better suited to his speed. Points leader coming into the event Stephen Pond (64:38) was 3rd in class from Gavin Mackay, Tom Medhurst and John Gurney.
It’s not just where you finish on the road in Group 1 as our top runners’ performances are adjusted according to age and sex for championship purposes. Geraldine Schaer’s excellent 68:13 was enough for her to claim the 20 points on offer for 1st place in the GP from Selman, Gurney, Pond, Dadhi and Mackay.
Schaer missed Round 2 at Danson Park so her two wins at the moment are not enough to head the championship table. That honour goes to Men’s Captain Pond (47 points) from Dadhi and Steve Bowley tied on 41 points. Schaer (40), Gurney (39) and Emma Crawford (32) complete the current top six.
Group 2 (6 runners)
Mike Reeves (71:21) topped the Group 2 field (it was worth the pain Mike!) from Mark Franks (72:16) who was just 3s ahead of Darren Stevens (72:19) on chip times. Round 2 winner James Wall was 4th from Michael Bowley and Steve White.
Points leader Stephen Robson did not race at Canterbury so loses his championship lead to Franks (45 points) who is 5 points clear of Bowley (40) and a further 4 points ahead of Robson. Reeves and Wall, 35 points apiece, are next up from Stevens.
Group 3 (5 runners)
There was another new winner in Group 3 with Laura Elvin (77:15) in front for the whole race. This group is seeing some great battles with Paul Kelly (78:48) and Paul Strachan (78:54) both charging past Mark Burgess in the closing stages to take 2nd and 3rd. Ian Bauly was 5th and less than 30s behind.
Stuart Isaacs wasn’t at Canterbury so loses his championship lead to Burgess (46 points) who heads Bauly and Strachan who both have 42 points. Isaacs (38) drops to 4th from Elvin (36) and Ben George (32).
Group 4 (11 runners)
Group 4 had the joint highest number of PWR entries with Group 1 at Canterbury with 11 runners. Pauline Skerrett (76.17) was in blistering form and beat not only all her group but also all the Group 3 runners! George Sebastos (79:01) in his first appearance in the series was 2nd from Jackie York (81:05), Danson winner Dan Bugden, Brighton winner Jeremy Benson and Julian Edmonds.
Skerrett’s win promotes her to 1st place in the championship on 53 points from Benson and Bugden tied on 50 points. Nigel Hewson (38) is 4th from York and Lee Mitchell, both on 32 points.
Group 5 (7 runners)
Another lady came out on top at Canterbury in Group 5 with Monica Lungu (81:08) well clear of Danson Park winner Philip den Baes (84:43). Julie Travers (91:16) was 3rd from Derek Hopkins, Julie Medhurst and Lyttleton Barrett.
Barrett (42 points) retains his championship lead but den Baes and Lungu, each with a win and a 2nd place, are hot on his heels with 38 points. Travers (32), Hopkins (29) and Medhurst (27) complete the top six.
Group 6 (5 runners)
Spencer Davis (88:09) made it two wins in a row and once again got the better of Brighton winner Richard Dunstan (89:56). Perry Wilson (90:29) took 3rd from Chris Haydon and David Allison.
Davis and Dunstan are now tied for the championship lead with 56 points each and are well clear of Haydon (42) in 3rd who heads Allison (40), Wilson (31) and Natalie Compton (28).
Group 7 (8 runners)
There was a third different winner from three rounds in this class with James Fisher (92:18) leading home championship leader Olivia Sebanjo (94:24), Kate Anderson (94:44), Moy McGowan, Gemma Sampson and Chris Summers.
Senbanjo (56 points) has extended her advantage in the championship to 12 points with Anderson her nearest rival on 44 points. Fisher’s Canterbury win puts him up to 3rd with 38 points from Danson Park winner David Goss (31) and Sampson and McGowan tied on 30 points.
Group 8 (8 runners)
There was another new winner in Group 8 too with Joanne Carey (102:19) heading home Helena Broadway (104:24), Brighton winner Debbie McKenzie (105:54), Wendy Tung, Ange McLellan and Wendy Le Comber.
Championship leader Linda Bowley didn’t take part at Canterbury and drops to 5th in the title race. Carey (47 points) is now in pole position from Le Comber (37) who is just one point clear of McKenzie and Broadway in joint 3rd place with 36 points. Bowley (32) in 5th is one point ahead of Kathy Strachan and Sarah Davis.
Group 9 (1 runner)
Only Holly Allison (118:56) braved Canterbury out of the Group 1 racers and collected another 20 points for her efforts.
Allison has a maximum 60 points from the three rounds and heads Charley Hasim and Sarah Tuffin on 18 points apiece and Donna Carroll (16).
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Julie Medhurst & Éadaoin Miller
Attention now turns to the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon at 9am on February 18th as the series takes in its longest race.
Enter here: www.twharriers.org.uk/tunbridge-wells-half-marathon
Entries are open online until midday on February 16th unless all the places are taken before then. Moy McGowan is trying to organise a coach trip (see her post in the Petts Wood Runners Facebook Official Club Group page) although at the time of writing there had not been much interest shown.
Round 2: Bexley parkrun Race Report 16/12/17
Round 2 of the 2017-18 PWR Grand Prix was two laps around an icy Danson Park in Bexley as part of the weekly Bexley parkrun. 78 PWRs made up over 20% of the field – the club’s white tops standing out in the crowds.
At the opening event at Brighton a few runners had stood out as being in the wrong group and had been moved up a group for Bexley.
Group 1 (16 runners)
Simon Dadhi (18:50) was again the quickest of all and came 3rd overall at Bexley with Gavin Benson (18:57) just 7 seconds behind in the fastest and largest class. Gavin was one of the class winners at Brighton who had been moved up a group and his pace at this event showed it had ben warranted. Gavin led home Simon Bryant (19:15), holder of the fastest ever time at Bexley by a PWR, Kevin Chadwick (2nd on the road at Brighton) and Stephen Pond, once again ahead of his offspring Matthew.
Hannah Roberts (20:12) was the first lady home at Bexley in 12th overall, and on adjusted times taking into account age/sex she claimed the Group 1 honours from Bryant, Steve Bowley, David Groom, Pond Senior and Dadhi.
Points leader Geraldine Schaer wasn’t at Bexley so the championship after two rounds is now headed jointly by Stephen Pond and Bowley (32 points) from Roberts (29), Dadhi (27), Matthew Pond (25) and John Gurney (23).
Group 2 (11 runners)
James Wall (20:47) set the pace in Group 2, finishing two places and 3s ahead of 2nd placed Scott Reeves (20:50). Group 2 winner at Brighton (following Gavin Benson’s promotion to Group 1) Stephen Robson (21:10) picked up decent points again in 3rd from Mike Reeves, Jim Winbourne and Mark Franks – another to be moved up a group following his Brighton Group 3 win.
Robson (36 points) heads the table in Group 2 from Franks (27), Michael Bowley (26), Wall (20), and Scott Reeves and Darren Stevens tied in 5th on 18 points.
Group 3 (6 runners)
Following Mark Franks’ promotion to Group 2, Claudette Lilliefelth took maximum points at Brighton but was not at Bexley to defend her championship lead. In her absence it was Stuart Isaacs (22:26) who went one place better than Brighton to seal the win from Ben George (22:45) in his first ever parkrun anywhere! He headed a tight pack of Laura Elvin (22:46), Mark Burgess and Paul Strachan – the foursome covered by just 3s! Ian Bauly in 6th was the only other Group 3 runner.
With a 2nd place and a win Isaacs (38 points) unsurprisingly leads the title chase from George (32), Burgess (31), Bauly (28), Strachan (26) and Lilliefelth (20).
Group 4 (7 runners)
Dan Bugden (23:21) produced his fastest parkrun time for at least two years to take the Group 4 win from Lee Mitchell (24:12) and Brighton victor Jeremy Benson (24:15). Pauline Skerrett, promoted from group 5, was next up from Nigel Hewson and Fiona Abiola-Musa
Benson (36 points) retains his championship lead by one point from Bugden (35), Skerrett (33), Mitchell (32), Hewson (27) and Paul Daniels (24).
Group 5 (6 runners)
Philip Den Baes (24:23), another competing in his first ever parkrun, was quickest in Group 5 from Edmund Purves (26:27), Julie Travers (27:10), Ellie Bowley, Lyttleton Barrett and Sonja Laing. Sonja and hubby Rob were late starters having miscalculated slightly on how long it would take to run to the start from their house, nevertheless they still put in decent performances before setting off on the remainder of their training run!
Top five places at both Brighton and Bexley is enough to give Barrett (29 points) the series lead from Bowley (26). The two round winners, Den Baes and Eleanor Jones (Brighton), are next on 20 points, from Monica Lungu and Purves, another tie on 18 points.
Group 6 (7 runners)
Spencer Davis (25:31) added to his 3rd place at the seaside with a win in Bexley from Brighton victor Richard Dunstan (27:05). Chris Haydon (27:18) was 3rd from Natalie Compton, David Allison and Emma Hay.
Dunstan (38 points) retains his championship top spot, albeit by only 2 points from Davis (36). Compton (28) moves up to 3rd from Haydon (27), Allison (26) and Wendy Everest (18) – another to be moved up a group following Brighton.
Group 7 (10 runners)
8th in class over Brighton’s 10k, David Goss (28:17) obviously prefers the shorter distance of a parkrun as he took the class win by 6s from Brighton winner Olivia Sebanjo (28:23). Kate Anderson (28:42) was 3rd from Emma Sims, Michelle Cooper and Janice Mitchell.
Senbanjo (38 points) has a healthy 7 points lead over Goss (31) with Anderson (28), Mitchell (22), Eadaoin Miller (21) and Deborah Hayes (19) completing the top six.
Group 8 (5 runners)
Kathy Strachan (32:08) was another to come good over 5k, winning Group 8 from Linda Bowley (33:04) and Sarah Davis (33:46). Joanne Carey and Wendy Le Comber were the only other Grand Prix entrants in this class at Bexley.
Bowley (32 points) holds a slender 1 point advantage over Strachan and Davis on 31 points. Carey (27) is next up from Le Comber (24) and Brighton winner Debbie McKenzie (20).
Group 9 (2 runners)
Just the two competitors in Group 9 with Holly Allison (35:54) well clear of Charley Hasim (40:06) and recording her second victory of the series.
Unsurprisingly Allison is way ahead in this group with 40 points from Hasim and Sarah Tuffin on 18 points and Donna Carroll on 16. More Group 9s please for the remaining rounds!
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Andrew Squirrell
Attention now turns to Canterbury on January 21st and Tunbridge Wells on February 18th as the series takes in its longest races, 10 miles and Half Marathon respectively. A chance maybe for others to shine?
Enter Canterbury here (closing date: 5pm January 18th) and Tunbridge Wells here. A party bus is going to Canterbury – details were emailed out on December 6th.
Round 1: Brighton 10k Race Report 19/11/17
Following the cancellation of last year's race due to Storm Angus, the Brighton 10k was back on the Grand Prix calendar as this year's opening event. Undoubtedly a fast course - all the ladies club records having been set there – this year we were treated to ideal conditions. 114 runners descended on the south coast to put down an early marker in the series - well that's a lie, the majority were there to have a fun-filled day out with the race just a side issue!
Group 1
Last year's Group A GP champion Simon Dadhi was in scintillating form and headed our fastest runners home with a 36m 19s (2 minutes quicker than his 2015 time, albeit set in horrible conditions). Kevin Chadwick (36m 40s) was just 21s behind on chip timing, with Stephen Pond 3rd, heading home his son Matthew who had won the U17s race at the Swanley KFL the previous weekend. Daniel Selman and Steve Bowley completed the top six Group 1 runners with the first lady, Geraldine Schaer, next up. Geraldine’s 39m 55s broke her own FV45 club record by 1m 16s while John Gurney’s 40m 45s smashed Bill Middleton’s existing MV60 club record by 4m 40s!
This year Group 1 are having their times adjusted based on age/gender so that our ladies, youngsters and more mature runners can compete for overall honours. On adjusted times, Geraldine’s sub-40m run puts her in the championship lead ahead of John Gurney, Stephen Pond, Steve Bowley, Matthew Pond and Simon Dadhi.
Group 2
Getting well in amongst the Group 1 runners was Group 2 winner Gavin Benson with an excellent 38m 16s, almost 3m ahead of 2nd placed Stephen Robson (41m 10s). Third in Group 2 was taken by Darren Stevens from last year’s Group D runner-up Ralph Amrose, the winner at Hoblingwell the previous day, Michael Bowley and Antony Mitchell. Gillian Selman was the leading Group 2 lady in 9th in class.
Group 3
Leading Group 3 in (and not on my radar until now!) was Mark Franks with a 43m 23s from the class’ leading lady Claudette Lilliefieth (44m 20s) and Stuart Isaacs. Mark Burgess, Ian Bauly, Ben George, Steve Burnett (encouraged throughout by a roller-blading mate!) and Paul Strachan were next up and separated by just 18s on chip times that bodes well for some epic battles for the reminder of the season.
Group 4
Making Brighton a double celebration for the Benson family after Gavin’s Group 2 win was dad Jeremy who set a 10k PB of 46m 53s to win Group 4. Jackie York (47.m 18s) was the first lady home in 2nd from Dan Bugden, Lee Mitchell, Nigel Hewson and Paul Daniels.
Group 5
Just 1s slower than the Group 4 winner was the leading Group 5 runner, Pauline Skerrett (46m 54s). Pauline headed home an all lady top 4 of Eleanor Jones (49m 09s), Monica Lungu and Emma Rons, with Lyttleton Barrett and Derek Hopkins completing the top six.
Group 6
Regular Tuesday group leaders Richard Dunstan (50m 43s) and Spencer Davis (51m 22s) headed Group 6 with Perry Wilson 3rd. Linsey Hopkins was the leading lady in 4th from Natalie Compton and David Allison.
Group 7
It was five of the top six places for the ladies in this group with Wendy Everest (51m 7s) well clear of Olivia Senbanjo (54m 28s). James Fisher was the only male interloper from Gemma Sampson, Moy McGowan and Michelle Marsh. Moy’s 56m 36s is a new club FV55 record, beating Wendy Tung’s previous record, set two years ago at Brighton, by 36s.
Group 8
It was all ladies in Group 8 at Brighton with Nicola Noakes (56m 39s) on top from Janice Mitchell (59m 4s), Debbie McKenzie, Helena Broadway, Ange Mclellan and Sarah Davis. Joint 2016-17 Group I champion Linda Bowley was 7th.
Group 9
Three Group 9 competitors contested Brighton with Holly Allison (67m 6s) on top in her first ever 10k from Sarah Tuffin (71m 36s) and karaoke master Donna Carroll (83m 38s).
At least 27 PWRs took part that hadn’t opted into the Grand Prix so couldn’t score points, but they fully participated in the race and the post-race partying! A particular mention goes to David Simpson who set a new MV70 club record of 57m 43s.
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Sigrid Robson
Group 1
Last year's Group A GP champion Simon Dadhi was in scintillating form and headed our fastest runners home with a 36m 19s (2 minutes quicker than his 2015 time, albeit set in horrible conditions). Kevin Chadwick (36m 40s) was just 21s behind on chip timing, with Stephen Pond 3rd, heading home his son Matthew who had won the U17s race at the Swanley KFL the previous weekend. Daniel Selman and Steve Bowley completed the top six Group 1 runners with the first lady, Geraldine Schaer, next up. Geraldine’s 39m 55s broke her own FV45 club record by 1m 16s while John Gurney’s 40m 45s smashed Bill Middleton’s existing MV60 club record by 4m 40s!
This year Group 1 are having their times adjusted based on age/gender so that our ladies, youngsters and more mature runners can compete for overall honours. On adjusted times, Geraldine’s sub-40m run puts her in the championship lead ahead of John Gurney, Stephen Pond, Steve Bowley, Matthew Pond and Simon Dadhi.
Group 2
Getting well in amongst the Group 1 runners was Group 2 winner Gavin Benson with an excellent 38m 16s, almost 3m ahead of 2nd placed Stephen Robson (41m 10s). Third in Group 2 was taken by Darren Stevens from last year’s Group D runner-up Ralph Amrose, the winner at Hoblingwell the previous day, Michael Bowley and Antony Mitchell. Gillian Selman was the leading Group 2 lady in 9th in class.
Group 3
Leading Group 3 in (and not on my radar until now!) was Mark Franks with a 43m 23s from the class’ leading lady Claudette Lilliefieth (44m 20s) and Stuart Isaacs. Mark Burgess, Ian Bauly, Ben George, Steve Burnett (encouraged throughout by a roller-blading mate!) and Paul Strachan were next up and separated by just 18s on chip times that bodes well for some epic battles for the reminder of the season.
Group 4
Making Brighton a double celebration for the Benson family after Gavin’s Group 2 win was dad Jeremy who set a 10k PB of 46m 53s to win Group 4. Jackie York (47.m 18s) was the first lady home in 2nd from Dan Bugden, Lee Mitchell, Nigel Hewson and Paul Daniels.
Group 5
Just 1s slower than the Group 4 winner was the leading Group 5 runner, Pauline Skerrett (46m 54s). Pauline headed home an all lady top 4 of Eleanor Jones (49m 09s), Monica Lungu and Emma Rons, with Lyttleton Barrett and Derek Hopkins completing the top six.
Group 6
Regular Tuesday group leaders Richard Dunstan (50m 43s) and Spencer Davis (51m 22s) headed Group 6 with Perry Wilson 3rd. Linsey Hopkins was the leading lady in 4th from Natalie Compton and David Allison.
Group 7
It was five of the top six places for the ladies in this group with Wendy Everest (51m 7s) well clear of Olivia Senbanjo (54m 28s). James Fisher was the only male interloper from Gemma Sampson, Moy McGowan and Michelle Marsh. Moy’s 56m 36s is a new club FV55 record, beating Wendy Tung’s previous record, set two years ago at Brighton, by 36s.
Group 8
It was all ladies in Group 8 at Brighton with Nicola Noakes (56m 39s) on top from Janice Mitchell (59m 4s), Debbie McKenzie, Helena Broadway, Ange Mclellan and Sarah Davis. Joint 2016-17 Group I champion Linda Bowley was 7th.
Group 9
Three Group 9 competitors contested Brighton with Holly Allison (67m 6s) on top in her first ever 10k from Sarah Tuffin (71m 36s) and karaoke master Donna Carroll (83m 38s).
At least 27 PWRs took part that hadn’t opted into the Grand Prix so couldn’t score points, but they fully participated in the race and the post-race partying! A particular mention goes to David Simpson who set a new MV70 club record of 57m 43s.
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Sigrid Robson