Ignoring the first and second runners across the line (on adjusted handicaps) the race winner on the night was JONATHAN SAUNDERS whose PB saw him cover the 10K course in 46:38 minutes. The second placed runner was the above-mentioned 12 year old sensation, SAM HORTON, who recorded a superb 47:04 minutes (accompanied by Malc – on pacemaking duties this month).
In terms of fast times, there were a plethora of sub-40 performances on Tuesday – nine in total – with the magestic ANDY PARKIN eclipsing everyone else with a (not unexpected) well-deserved new Handicap PB of 36:45. In what was his first attempt at the River Gardens 10K since joining the club last year, TIM HOLLING recorded the second fastest time of the night – finishing in 37:56. Once again, the inimitable STEPH ILSLEY was the fastest of our ladies on the night…shaving her previous month’s PB to record 42:32 minutes. ..
The other debutante was Neil Adams who, with a 50:19 clocking, will surely join the sub-50 club next month. Talking of which… as well as the nine sub-40 times, there were nineteen other runners running under the 50 minute barrier this month!
Now for some further statistics… As I mentioned earlier, due to most runners sticking to their calculated handicap times this time around, the true potential of the event format was realised this week – with close finishes aplenty. Individual start times for the 34 runners ranged from 0 minutes to 25.5 minutes – and at the end of the race…
29 runners finished within a 5 minute period.
23 runners finished within a 2 minute period
14 runners finished within a 1 minute period.
10 runners finished within a 30 second period.
8 runners finished within a 10 second period.
Finally, thanks very much to Craig Allen for his (unexpected!) assistance with the timekeeping and also to super Sarah Holme for handing out the discs. As always, thanks also to Steve and the staff at the Dev for the food laid on again after the race.
The final Handicap of the season is scheduled for March 22nd.