Five members of Grantham Running Club joined a field of 14,000 taking part in the 11th annual Cambridge Half Marathon on 6th March.
Having moved to October for the 2021 event, due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, the race returned to its spring home for 2022.
The varied route, starting and finishing at Midsummer Common, takes in the impressive architecture of Cambridge, with many University of Cambridge colleges along the course, and the route passing through the beautiful King’s College grounds. The runners appreciated the great support from the crowds of spectators who lined the route.
The first GRC runner to cross the line was rising star Alex Curtis still finding his way back to full fitness following a Covid illness just outside his PB in a time of 1:25:32.
Second home for the club was Gav Meadows, with an impressive 01:32:46. Gav was pleased to have run his fastest half marathon for two years.
Next GRC runner over the line was Mark Rice. Returning to fitness after injury issues, Mark was pleased to have got so close to the 2 hour mark, with 02:00:10. Mark noted “Closed road races are always a bit special, and, a closed road race in Cambridge city centre was a particularly special occasion. The support from the spectators was fantastic.”
Next home was Kate Marshall. Kate’s time of 02:01:33 was over 5 minutes faster than her previous half marathon personal best, set at the previous October’s staging of the same race. Having struggled with injury in the autumn, Kate had worked hard over the winter to regain her fitness and was delighted with her result. She has her eyes set firmly on breaking the 2 hour barrier next.
Hot on the heels of his wife was Fraser Marshall, who completed the GRC cohort with 02:04:00. Another athlete who has struggled with injury and fitness problems since the first lockdown, Fraser was delighted to see strong progress towards a return to form, finishing within 2 minutes of his personal best, set in 2020.
The race is extremely well organised and resourced, with free energy gels at each water station, a quality medal, a souvenir bag filled with drinks and snacks for finishers, pacers, live runner tracking and free race photos.
The race was won by Nick Bester of Best Athletics, in 01:06:19. First female finisher was Lucy Reid of Tonbridge AC in 01:11:15.