On Sunday 14th October, a menagerie of green and black clad runners made the short jaunt down the A1 to the AEPG Great Eastern Run, held in the city of Peterborough.
The serenely flat course (<150 ft over the 13.1 miles) has enjoyed several revisions over the last few years and follows a largely out and back format, starting and ending in the shadows of the historic Cathedral.
Conditions in the morning were as close to perfect as you could hope for runing; cool initially, with temperatures hovering around 10-11 degrees, dry and importantly, not even a hint of breeze.
It’s no wonder that eleven of the nineteen GRC members took full advantage in recording Personal Bests, with solid runs sprinkled throughout.

Leading the charge and adding to his quite frankly outrageous year, Gavin Potter had already showcased red hot form just a month ago in the Great North Run. If that was good, this proved to be brilliant. A bold run saw quick splits until the 10 mile mark, a small fade before a late charge in the final 800 meters saw him post a jaw-dropping 76:55, some 2 minutes and 2 seconds better than the GNR.
The next trio of Piers Pye-Watson, Joe Clarke and Samuel Jepson all clocked under 80 minutes for the first time, choosing the same modus operandi; consistent splits.
The ‘silent assassin’ Piers (79:09) scrubbed some 4 minutes 25 seconds off his hitherto PB, surpassing his own expectations and enjoying the balmy conditions in the process.
Electing to attack the early stages as a duo, Joe and Sam kept close order until halfway with Joe the aggressor in the second half, posting 79:19 and realising a long-standing goal of Sub 80 minutes, improving by exactly 2 minutes.
Pacing it perfectly/cutting it fine, Sam split the race almost in half posting 40:04 at halfway and 39:51 for the second half.
He shaved exactly three minutes off his previous best, set early in the year.
Andy Devine was sadly unimpressed with his own performance, citing a lack of a solid training due to life circumstances. He still posted a good time of 01:21:55 aiming to come back for more!
The incomparable Peter Bonner is another enjoying a wonderful year and in these conditions he was not going to miss out. His 82:17 crushed his old PB by 3 minutes and 52 seconds and early indications show an exact 80% age grading.
Matthew Atter was gunning for a sub 90 clocking and progressed nicely and meticulously throughout out to more than achieve his target, eventually crossing the line in 88 minutes dead.
Returning for a third bite of the cherry on this course, Balint Beni was ever so shy of his best. He enjoyed the support on the course and ran 01:42:55, again a solid performance at his preferred distance.
Jason Blair was back after a racing hiatus; his last road race was some 4 years ago. Clocking 01:43:45 could spark a renaissance for Jason.
Kev Wallace has been battling injury niggles for a few months and perhaps not had the most ideal prep. Needless, he still ground out a very competent time of 01:46:26 and aims to come back for revenge on a great course.
The first lady back was Emma Duncan, her trajectory of late know no bounds and this, again, was another impressive improvement of over five minutes. Beaming with pride, even at the end, belied the obvious and constant effort that she poured so effectively into the race. Her time of 01:48:02 just rewards for her hard work.
Just 8 second behind (01:48:10) Jo Grace’s long mile summer has obviously paid dividends for her too, as she too nearly knocked an incredible five minutes off her previous best time.
A resurgent Christopher Moore continues his comeback and strive back for the form he had some 3-4 years ago. Indeed, his sprint for the finish was a sight to behold as he finished in 01:52:05.
Andrea Ward was next, a regular in off road and cross country, she was another enjoying the conditions on the road as she too improved her PB by two minutes and 26 seconds.
Craig Drury followed one minute behind Andrea, somewhat tired from the first XC meet of the season the day before.
Modest and self-depreciating normally, it was delight and gay abandon that lit up Sylv Hull’s face as she finally broke the 2 hours barrier with room to spare. Rallying fantastically well after a slight wobble at ten miles, she finished in a fantastic 01:58:23.
Switching focus to Ultras not even a month ago, Holly Wragg also came in under 2 hours with 01:59:46. Another solid run from her.
It was with some delight and sheer will that Katherine Thompson propelled herself over the line some 10 seconds after Holly to clock 01:59:56 and complete a sub 2 ambition. It was a scarcely believable twelve (12) minute improvement from last year’s race!
Rounding out the day, but not to be outdone Davina Honeywood bagged herself a PB by the barest of margins of 1 second as she returned to the GER having raced last year.
All conducted themselves with aplomb amongst some of the regions finest runners and all praised the quick course, fine conditions and the cheering support that dotted the streets.

A fantastic day for GRC!
Jonathon Escalante-Phillips of Cambridge and Colridge Athletics Club the victor in a scintillating 63:55. The First Lady was Georgina Schwiening, unattached who stormed through in 70:42.