3 October 2011
Seven go mad at Martlesham 10k
Great Bentley Running Club took part in the 2011 Martlesham Heath 10K which was held on Sunday 2nd October, the hottest October day in history at 28 degrees.
The organisers describe the course as “fast and flat, ideal for personal best times”, and with the extreme heat it would be hard to believe that any one could do a personal best. Vicky Presland had a fantastic run being the second lady home with a time of 44 minutes and 11 seconds and the as well as being first Great Bentley runner home, closely followed by Eric Shaw 47.14, Gemma Camp 51.07 a personal best, Sarah Mumford 52.52, Karen Skene and Sarah Price both had the same time of 59 .01, David Mumford 60.03.
Great Bentley star on the day was Sarah Mumford who on entering her 1st ever 10k and achieved a bronze standard and it was plain to see why Sarah was recently Runner of the Month for September. If you excuse the pun the males are being over run with the talented ladies leading the way to success.
Katie Presland following in her mums footsteps (Vicky Presland) also came second in her first official race for Great Bentley Running Club at Martlesham in the under 11 category, no doubt a raising star.
The spectators can appreciate the four-lap format which gives them lots of opportunity to support their individual runners or club members and watch the race excitement unfold in front of their eyes while eating ice cream and enjoying the unusual weather for the time of year.
International news our very own Barbara Law from Great Bentley running club brings home a well deserved Bronze Medal from the 2011 Gijon ITU Duathlon World Championships on the 25th September.
Taking part were about 640 athletes took part from all over the world. Great Britain, USA, RSA, Spain had the largest teams. The course is the same for all ages from 18 to 85.
The oldest man was 85 and the oldest lady 75. There were 3 ladies older than Barbara. The first run was 10k (4 x 2.5k laps). Then into transition, helmet on, change shoes and out on the bike. Two laps of approx 20k, each lap having a 3 mile climb plus a quick dash up and down the sea front. Into transition again, rack bike, back into your running shoes for the final 2 laps of 2.5k to finish in the stadium
having collected a union jack just before the finish. Barbara was knocked off her bike while racing 8 weeks before the event so she was not fully fit and had missed crucial training time. She was taking a lot of painkillers (and red wine after the race) and was a bit slower than usual on the first run. She thought her bike leg was ok at the time but was disappointed with the time later. Barbara exited transition for the last time and was in 5th place for her age group but tried to run steadily with cramp in her leg she pushed on and overtook an American girl and a New Zealander who had both beaten her in the last year but this time she was determined to beat them finishing 4 minutes in front of them.
The support along the run route and stadium was great.
Barbara said ‘she was quite pleased to get the bronze medal all things considered, it was a great moment standing on the podium to receive her Bronze Medal with the union jack draped round her shoulders.
Barbara Law made the trip with her supporting husband down to Gijon by driving to Portsmouth were she caught the 24 hour ferry to Santander, costing £500.00 then they made their way down. It cost Barbara £140 to enter the race but the whole trip cost over £1,000 now that’s dedication.
Next year the World Champs are in Nancy in France and with a bit of luck
Barbara will be there as a proud member of the Great Britain team.
65-69 Female AG
Rank Bib Name Nat Run1 T1 Bike T2 Run2 Total 1 1230 Judy Richwine USA 51:12( 1) 03:15 1:20:07( 2) 04:09 25:55( 1) 2:44:38
2 1231 Lynda Lemon CAN 53:01( 2) 02:09 1:24:38( 4) 02:48 27:40( 2) 2:50:14
*3 1226 Barbara Law GBR 58:12( 3) 02:43 1:26:12( 6) 03:24 29:11( 3) 2:59:40
