In what has now become an annual pilgrimage, two Grantham Running Club members joined the field of 663 runners for the Adnams Southwold 10k 2024 edition. This very popular race sells out every year and this year was no exception
In a change from previous years it was not wet, instead this year Storm Bert was in charge, with a constant wind of at least 25 to 30 miles an hour gusting up to 50-60 miles an hour which made conditions absolutely ridiculous.
The course is circular route, involving two-and-a-half laps, starting at The Harbour Inn, and taking in The Common. On the third and final circuit, runners are diverted further up the hill to the finish line on the Green by a very welcoming public house. The harbour can be challenging with its shingle surface and lakes (not puddles), and then to finish with the incline on the way to the finish, but a warm welcome and an intriguing goody bag awaited when you crossed the line including a can of the local Adnams Ale.
The race, as always, was very well supported by spectators and plenty of enthusiastic and encouraging volunteer marshals, especially in last 200m rise up to the finish outside the Red Lion.
Stuart Baty (MV50) was the first of the GRC friends home in a little disappointing time for him of 0:51:28.
Simon Hartley (MV50) running his first 10k of the year finished in 1:11:09.
Despite the conditions, the overall winner was Samuel Stevens of City of Norwich AC in 0:34:15 with the first female, Jo Andrews of Bungay Black Dog RC finishing in 0:38:40.
