Whilst many members where off to explore new territory, on the 8th October Grantham Running Club member Jo Grace returned to home soil to take on the Parento FM Shrewsbury Half Marathon.
Two races were run at the event, a half marathon and also a metric half (8 miles) with the two routes joining together for the finish.
An early start of 8.30 meant that the 719 runners could avoid the higher temperatures of this unseasonably warm October. Starting at West Midlands Show Ground the first mile was more trail underfoot than road. The rest of the run followed an undulating town centre route through the picturesque town of Shrewsbury before returning to the showground to finish.
Planning to bank time early to compensate for slower uphill stretches Jo completed the first half of the race with a surprising 10k pb of 51.30. At mile 8 fatigue was hitting hard, the hills kept coming and pace dropped and a lot of determination was required to keep running. Aiming to finish before the 2 hour mark Jo was satisfied to get in at 1:54:49.
There were water stations at mile 3, 6, 8 and 11 however no water was handed out at the finish which seemed an oversight by the organisers in what otherwise was a well organised event.
Fastest male Jon Bowie (Shrewsbury athletic club) 1.13.14 and fastest female Jemma Brown at 1.30.39
Photo courtesy of Mick Hall photography