Halfway through 2018 and the sixth GRC Member of the Month was another closely fought affair, with a very good case to be made for many (Including those not nominated) to be worthy of the ‘prestigious’ accolade. The plethora of outstanding performances is all the more praiseworthy given the tough climatic conditions that prevailed for the entire month of June – most of the month’s races taking place in warm or hot conditions.
Experienced runner Holly Durham was nominated for her impressive 10K PB at Woodhall Spa, which was held on a very warm and humid day for early June. Our Summer Solstice 10K was similarly warm, although arguably more bearable given the evening start. We had many great results – among those nominated for MOM was Stefan Latter, who PB’d at Woodhall Spa then went 15 seconds quicker at Long Bennington; and Kathleen Gray, who sliced over two minutes off her existing 10K PB.
Matt Fryer and Sophie Wingad also took part in the Summer Solstice and were both nominated, with Sophie finishing runner-up in the final vote. Both graduates from our 2018 10 Weeks to 10K programme and now fully fledged club members, both showed commendable effort over the weeks, with Matt running an excellent 46:10 at the Solstice in addition to some impressive parkruns. Sophie not only finished the Solstice, she took on the 10 mile run at our Ropsley Social Run in June.
2016-17 Men’s Club Champion Rob Howbrook was nominated for his 83.10% performance at the Eye round of the Peterborough 5K Grand Prix Series which, for two days, was the best age grade score by a GRC member for 2018 until fellow nominee Julie Braker set the highest age grade of the year so far with her outstanding 87.05% at the Summer Solstice.
Matthew Williamson was nominated for his pleasing return to form following injury niggles, breaking 90 minutes at the Derby Half Marathon and not far from his 2017 personal best. Tony Johnson was nominated for the third time in 2018. Continuing on from his very impressive May, Tony was second GRC runner (and second in his age group) at the Woodhall Spa 10K, in so doing joining a very select group of GRC members to join the 80% Age Grade Club. He then finished third overall (first in age group) in the Melton Mowbray Half Marathon, and then fourth overall and first in age category at the Grimsthorpe Gallop Half Marathon.
The winner of June 2018 Member of the Month was first nominated in January after an impressive parkrun performance so soon after joining the club and just months after he began running. He was nominated again in April after making an impressive marathon and race debut – clocking 3:10 at the Manchester Marathon. After a month’s break he returned with vengeance in June, firstly clocking 38:50 on his 10K debut at Woodhall Spa, then smashing that time with a hugely impressive 37:58 at the Summer Solstice 10K, which moves him up sixth all time in the Club 10K Rankings (Which began in October 2013).
Last seen claiming outright Strava segments at the recent Thunder Run 24 Hour Race, Grant Davies is a very worthy recipient of June’s Member of the Month. Congratulations Grant!