The latest round of the Grantham Running Club’s Grand Prix took place on Sunday at the Retford Half Marathon with nine GRC members joining almost a thousand others on the start line at Retford Oaks Academy. A favourite race for many it can provide a fast time despite the steep climb at 11 miles. The weather was sunny with only the high wind which could hamper the runners.
First home for the club was Gavin Potter in 80:24 who finished in an impressive 37th place overall. Next home was Alan Carley also impressing in his second half marathon in two weeks to clock 95:09 and came forth in his age group and notch up another Silver Plus score in the GP.
The only female runner from GRC finished in 97:18, her fastest half since 2018 to win the FV55 prize and finish as 30th lady. Matt Williamson close on her heels on his return to the distance finishing in 97:43 some seven minutes faster than his pre-race target. Rob Howbrook took second in his age group with 1:41:14 smashing his 2025 time of the same course by over six minutes.
Kevin Wallace as part of his Manchester Marathon training had done an eight mile training run before the race and made use of the crowds to enjoy what was to him, a tough training run but still manged to finish in 1:42:25.
With much longer races this spring Alex Yang had a confidence boosting PB of 1:47:22 before tackling the Shakespeare Marathon and the Snowdonia Ultra. It was Tony Hart’s first time at Retford and enjoyed his run to the extent he planning to come back next year to see if he can better his time of 2:21:59.
The final runner was Paul Davidson, acting as a Visually Impaired Guide and standing in at the last minute when the original VI Guide had to withdraw Paul had to guide a gentleman he had never met before round the 13.1 miles which was made particularly tricky as the over enthusiastic PA music at race HQ made it impossible for him to be heard at the crowded start.
Gavin Potter: 01:20:24 (cat pos 8)
Alan Carley: 01:35:18 (cat pos 4)
Catherine Payne: 01:37:18 (cat pos 1)
Matthew Williamson: 01:37:43 (cat pos 91)
Robert Howbrook: 01:41:12 (cat pos 2)
Kev Wallace: 01:42:25 (cat pos)24
Alex Yang: 01:47:22 (cat pos 44)
Tony Hart: 02:21:59 (cat pos 34)
Report c/o Robert McArdle