On Tuesday 27th June 2023, Grantham Running Club achieved some great results as sixteen members took part in the second round of the Lincoln Wellington 5k series. The race formed part of GRC’s Grand Prix Series and expectations were high as the group travelled to Lincoln ready to take part in the fast, flat, four-loop course. Luckily temperatures had dropped to more manageable levels, so participants were ready to compete amongst what is known as a high-quality field.
First runner home for the club, and despite suffering after 3k with a few pains, was Joaquim Jeronimo in a time of 17:27. He was shortly followed by Sam Jepson who found the humidity higher than the May race but still managed to come in 14 seconds quicker than previously, in a time of 17:40. Sam Dodwell came in next and was only 2 seconds away from his 5K PB time coming in at 19:12, giving both Sams a season’s best. Also coming in under the 20-minute mark was Peter Bonner, in a time of 19:42.
The next males to come through the finish were Matthew Atter who found the race enjoyable as he gets back into the habit of racing again and was happy with his result of 20:21, Paul Davis in 23:44, Robert McCardle in 24:11 and Paul Jepson in 24:28.
First female back was Naomi Rivers who felt the struggle of four laps but intends to return at the end of the season for another bash and improve on her time of 24:39. The next runners to complete the course were Zoe Wragg (25:10) and Sarah High (25:20) who ran most of the race together. Zoe was pleased to walk away with a new twenty-seven second personal best. Sylv Hull, who despite finding herself running alone for much of the race and not enjoying the repetitive nature of the course, came in in a great time of 25:34.
Marjorie Spendlow finished in 25:45 and was happy with this result after recently being unwell. Back for another go, even though the course isn’t her favourite was Julie Gilbert, who crossed the line at 26:24 and was shortly followed by Rosalind Sadler who achieved a season’s best, completing in 26:58, in which she was happy with. Ros was closely followed by Caroline Davis who completed in a time of 27:01.
Lincoln Wellington AC dominated the top of the results table with Tom Straw winning the race in a time of 14:52 and Sophie Wallis being first female back in 16:14.
Photos by Ed Mayes Photography
