Markfield 10k Race Report

Personal Bests a plenty!
There was a terrific turn out of 29 from the Club in the second race in the 2014 Leicestershire Winter Road Running League, the Markfield 10k. In dry, but blustery conditions, it was Dominic Sharman who again led the way in his first race as a MV40 with a superb 35^th place out of 526 finishers in a time of 36.45. Next home, over a typically undulating Leicestershire course, and showing he is getting back to something like his best form was Andy Hawtin in 57^th place and a chip time of 38.06. Shane Chapman, the Club’s Most Improved Runner in 2013, continued his upward trajectory, when he stormed home in a PB of 38.16 for 64^th place. Shane’s PB was the first of 6 PB’s recorded by the Club’s runners on the day. Not far behind was elder brother Paul who was pleased to break the 40 minute 10k benchmark for the first time with 39.44. Chris Mason was next home in 39.56 although just missing out on a top 100 overall finish in 101^st place. Stuart Halsey, Colin Mee & Steve Leafe completed the team finishers in the men’s race with solid 40.33, 41.13 & 44.07 performances respectively.
Returning from injury, London Marathon bound Andy Orme, was next to finish in 44.35 with the evergreen Steve Fowler not far behind in 44.47 and a RunBritain PB . Making a first racing appearance for sometime, Chris Gunstone recorded a chip time of 44.42 despite suffering a fall at the crowded start. Christina Cooper was first woman back for the Club in a well run 45.19 and 29^th place in the women’s race. Continuing his racing improvement Ashley Parkes was next home in 46.02 followed by Club debutant Nikki Reeves in a very competitive 46.32 and 38^th place in the women’s race. Tracey Glover confirmed that there will be welcome competition in this year’s women’s club championship as she ran well to record 46.50 for 40^th place. MV60’s Ray Mortlock & Malcolm Moore were next to finish in 48.03 & 48.49 respectively with Sam Skidmore not far behind in a well earned PB of 50.04. Another London Marathon bound runner Gary Price was next in 50.53 with Steve Tempest defying the years to record 52.04. Two runners Chris Morton & Tim Argent, making very welcome racing appearances for the Club, were next back in 53.54 & 55.23 respectively, with Argent’s performance also a PB for the distance.
Another Club debutant Katie Kift ran well for 56.51 with Club Chairman Dave York offering great support when he finished behind in race positions but managed a slightly quicker chip time of 56.34. Marie York, Mark Skidmore & Linda Tempest ran well for 58.01, 59.07 & 63.12 respectively with Mark’s time another terrific PB. Cath Johnson & Roger Barraclough completed the finishers for the Club with times of 72.43 & 75.57.