Results from Event #10, 8th August 2020
Justine Anderson thought she'd got a new lifetime PB last week, but actually it was 4 seconds slower than her fastest time, which was at Fly 5k #1. This week she was determined to beat that time and guess what - she took a minute off her PB! 31:44. Determination, positivity and that feeling good factor. "IN THE BAG!! So proud". You should be!
The same pattern played out at Merchant Taylors track as Alex Paul, who is in the form of his life, was looking to go sub 17. Did he do it? Yes, but he also saved some time with future targets by going sub 16 too!! An incredible jump in performance for both of them.
We had three other lifetime PBs to my knowledge, from Sarah McGrath (18:51), Elaine Tuit (32:14) and Mark Sanders (29:23). I don't know if it's the lockdown training or the focus on one event a week and not racing too much otherwise, but something is working!
Many of the rest of us were more than happy to get out there and just run in the sun and get it done, and 125 of us did just that, in temperatures that were pretty sapping.
Four age group records were broken today, by Sarah McGrath of St Albans AC (JW15-17), Alex Paul of Chiltern Harriers (SM25-29), Lean Ni Chiobhain of Chiltern Harriers (SW30-34) and Janice Nisbet of Harpenden Arrows (VW65-69). There are still empty age category records for JW10, SW18-19, VW75-59, and we're yet to have any octogenarians. They're there for the taking!
The full results are on the website here: https://www.runfly5k.com/latest-results
Before I move on to the top three, I would also like to say a massive congratulations to Claire Cannon who was married today and ran a 5k with us this morning before the ceremony. I don't think anyone is likely to meet their future partner at Fly 5k so this is as close as we get to a Fly 5k wedding! Congratulations to you both!!
And now on to the podium.
It was a very close competition for the women, with only seven seconds separating the top three, and well done Lesley Locks of Aldershot, Farnham & District for her second consecutive win, with Sarah McGrath and Emma Stepto right behind. Sarah and Emma also made the podium by age grade, joined by Emma's club mate Zelah Morrall.
For the men, Alex Paul's (Chiltern Harriers) lifetime PB and first ever sub 16 deservedly gave him victory, ahead of very decent times from Paul Adams and Tom Halling.
Men
1) Alex PAUL, Chiltern Harriers (15:57)
2) Paul ADAMS, St Albans Striders (16:50)
3) Tom HALLING, St Albans AC (16:51)
Women
1) Lesley LOCKS, Aldershot, Farnham & District (18:50)
2) Sarah McGRATH, St Albans AC (18:51)
3) Emma STEPTO, Cornwall AC (18:57)
Age Graded
1) Emma STEPTO, Cornwall AC (87.16%)
2) Zelah MORRALL, Cornwall AC (85.06%)
3) Sarah McGRATH, St Albans AC (82.32%)
And finally, I know this isn't parkrun and we have no T-shirts to offer (yet!), but I'd like to say well done and thanks to the following people for being a big part of the Fly 5k community and having run 10 Fly 5k events. Consistency and commitment get results.
Rachel ALDRIDGE Ruth BENNETT Peter BLESSING Will BOWRAN Steve BOWRAN Colin BRAYBROOK Fergus DALTON Sue EDWARDS Mark FAUGHNAN Graham HARPER Pat HIGGINS Paul HOLGATE Donna IRWIN Jenny MAGINLEY Andrew MCKILLOP Julianne NIGHTINGALE Richard OLNEY David SAUNDERS