Grantham Running Club turned in an impressive array of results on Tuesday 31 May 2022 as sixteen members took part in the first round of the Lincoln Wellington 5K series and supporting Memory Mile, which made a welcome return to the local running events calendar after a two year hiatus.
The race formed part of Grantham Running Club’s Grand Prix Series, the seventh event in a series of twenty-three official fixtures, where members’ top six age grade results contribute to an overall score. Expectations were high as members travelled to Lincoln to participate in the fast, flat, four loop course, known for its high quality field of participants. Driving rain hampered the runner’s journey’s to Lincoln, miraculously clearing in time for the start of the Memory Mile and the near perfect race conditions continued throughout the evening, facilitating a mammoth ten Personal Bests, and six Seasons Bests from members.
The first of the sixteen runners home was Samuel Jepson, continuing his upward trajectory in a mind-blowing 16:49 and 14th place overall. Sam was closely followed by teammate Joaquim ‘Flash’ Jeronimo in 17:08, with another PB and impressive age grading of 79.67%. Sam Dodwell came in next in 19:10 securing a 1:09 personal best against his 2019 5K time. Two of the most notable performances from the male club members came from Stewart Pick, achieving his first sub 20:00 5k time and an age grade of 79.13% and club stalwart Rob Howbrook achieving an awe-inspiring 80:61% age grading and an age category win. Stefan Latter and new club member Daniel Pearce also enjoyed continued success with sub 21:00 personal bests with Peter Bonner, Robert McArdle and Paul Jepson all securing seasons bests and 70% plus age gradings. Club Chairman, Andrew Pask ran an impressive 19:43 time, but couldn’t quite match his performance at the Nos Galan Races in 2019.
The Club’s ladies also enjoyed remarkable results, with all four female runners achieving personal bests and upwards of 70% age gradings. First home was Holly Durham in 20:34, who ran a difficult race, achieving a hard fought three second PB. Holly was followed by sister Penny Hodges with an unexpected 41 second personal best of 20:59 and highest age grading to date. Third club lady home was Michelle Parczuk who acquired a hard fought 25 second personal best. The performance of the day arguably came from the irrepressible and ever improving Sarah High, securing another age category win and 1:07 minute personal best of 25:25.
Lincoln Wellington AC dominated the top of the results table, with Ronny Wilson winning in a time of 14:50 and Lindsay Skinner from off the Coach Fitness winning the ladies race in 17:15.
The Memory Mile attracted three GRC runners in a field of nineteen, with Peter Bonner coming in as the first club member in a time of 5:46, just ahead of teammate Robert Howbrook in 5:59. Resilient Robert McArdle was third club member home in an impressive 6:43.
The mile was won by Cameron West of Lincoln Wellington AC in 4:43m with unattached Selina Scott the winning lady in 5:39.
5K GRC Results:
| Time | Name |
|---|---|
| 16:49 | Sam Jepson-Rivers |
| 17:08 | Joaquim Jeronimo |
| 19:10 | Sam Dodwell |
| 19:32 | Peter Bonner |
| 19:43 | Andrew Pask |
| 19:45 | Stewart Pick |
| 20:00 | Daniel Pearce |
| 20:04 | Stefan Latter |
| 20:26 | Robert Howbrook |
| 20:34 | Holly Durham |
| 20:55 | Alan Carley |
| 20:59 | Penny Hodges |
| 23:02 | Robert McArdle |
| 23:17 | Michelle Parczuk |
| 24:08 | Paul Jepson |
| 25:25 | Sarah High |
Memory Mile GRC Results:
| Time | Name |
|---|---|
| 05:46 | Peter Bonner |
| 05:59 | Robert Howbrook |
| 06:43 | Robert McArdle |