Taking place in the historic and picturesque city of Lincoln since 1997, the City of Lincoln 10K is part of the Jane Tomlinson Run For All series which helps raise money to improve the lives of people living with cancer.
2024’s event forms part of Grantham Running Club’s own Grand Prix series so attracted a bumper 25 members who joined nearly 4,000 competitors to try their luck on what is a fast and flat course around the north part of the city (thankfully avoiding the hilly bits).
Starting in somewhat narrow pens on Yarborough Road, runners were lucky to race in near ideal conditions with cool temperatures and just enough sunshine to keep things cheerful without getting too hot.
Once through the start, they wound their way around the housing estates where the support and atmosphere was as brilliant as always with large crowds and music to cheer on the proceedings.
Lincoln Cathedral provided the stunning backdrop to the finish which came at the end of an interminable straight up Nettleham Road which sapped the legs and spirits in equal measure.
It was a brilliant day for GRC with lots of personal bests and a great number of new members racing in club colours for the first time.
First back for was second claim member Alex Curtis in 35:06 which gave him a 1:02 minute PB. He was followed by Sam Jepson in 35:58.
New member Brian Hawkins scorched his way round the course to bag a new PB in a time of 36:51.
Club Chairman Andrew Pask was next back in 41:16 followed by running addict Daniel Pearce in 41:35 who found the crowds and support made for an enjoyable event.
Stefan Latter played a blinder having entered the race with very low expectations having not competed since November. He was thrilled to smash a new PB with a time of 41:40, his previous best being set more than 2 years ago at Langtoft 10K.
Clive George was another star of the day, setting a new PB with a time of 42:19 and also scoring his first ever Gold age grading and 6th in his age category, despite having to fight hard in the last mile.
Riley Maksymiw-Magan continues to improve at an exponential rate, with a huge 4-minute PB and a time of 43:31. Even more importantly he is now officially faster than dad and fellow GRC member Russell, so claims bragging rights in the household unless Russell can pull his finger out.
The evergreen Rob Howbrook earned himself a Gold age grading with his time of 43:29.
The first lady of GRC was Catherine Payne who put in a fine run to come third in her age category with 44:51. She also scored a fantastic 85+% age grading, putting her in the Gold+ standard.
New member Ross Warden was running in the club colours for the first time and impressed with a time of 46:55, then Robert Pask who continues to fight his way back to fitness with a time of 49:05.
Simon Allsopp and Andrew MacAllister turned in a solid times of 48:41 and 49:28 respectively. Next back for the ladies was Anna Harding who crossed the line in 49:43.
Following was another new member wearing the green and black for the first time. Alex Yang made an impressive debut for the club with a time of 50:54.
Paul Kelly finished in 51:01 and was followed by Sylv Hull who was very happy to score a 59 second PB with 51:11, her best in more than 2 years.
For Sam Caton, it was his first run as part of GRC and he loved every minute, enjoying feeling part of the squad and wearing the team colours. He beat his previous course by 10 minutes and his 10K time by 4 minutes, setting a new PB of 52:21.
Closely following having run the last mile almost together was Susan Copping who finished in 52:48. This was her first go at Lincoln and she was thrilled to achieve a PB, taking 18 seconds off her previous best at the distance. She loved the supportive crowds and majestic finish at the Cathedral.
Zane Wojtowicz was very pleased to survive the race in 53:04 as her training had not been going well and she felt the wrath of the last mile like many. She has vowed to consume less cheesecake and cider in future.
Stephen Fay added to the slew of PBs with a shiny new best time of 54:59, knocking nearly 3 minutes off his previous record.
Katie Wallace made her debut at Lincoln (and only her second race) and finished in a brilliant 56:34.
For Katherine Thompson, it was her second go at Lincoln and her training paid off, finding it much easier than in 2022, she knocked 20 seconds off her previous time to earn a new PB of 55:44.
Another new member making their debut for the club and at 10K was Martyn Wand who finished in 57:56, followed by another fresh face as Anne Fleming made her debut with an excellent 58:14.
Judi Allsopp came in at 59:10, bagging herself a 2 second PB in the process. She was followed by Jacqueline Anderson in 59:21.
Amelia Britten was making her debut racing for the club and finished in a great 1:01:45. Next were Tracey Gell in 1:04:09 and Julia Hallam in 1:04:46.
Another club newcomer Victoria Wainwright was racing for the first time at Lincoln. She loved the route and was very happy to achieve a time of 1:05:52. Also racing for the first time was Kris Radford who finished in 1:07:07.
Yvonne and Brendon Buckley finished in 1:08:06 and 1:13:25 respectively.
For Julie Gilbert the race was all about “pacing not racing” as it was a week out from London Marathon (normally Julie would not be seen taking it easy in a GP race!). She had taken the spot at the last minute and pacing her sister to a new PB, taking it slower and enjoying the support, the GRC turnout and lovely medal made for a great morning out.
