Results from Event #52, 15th May 2021
Wow, it feels like a long time since I wrote a race report. Thanks so much to the fantastic Steve, Ruth, Paul, Kate, Daniela, Rob and everyone else who's hosted Fly 5k over the last few months!
We didn't get the downpours of last week, but it was generally a day of drizzle, mizzle or whatever you might call it wherever you live. Unless you live in Scotland, Bermuda or Australia (and possibly other places) in which case it was a lovely sunny day and what are we all complaining about. In actual fact is was more refreshing than anything, where I was at least!
The jury is out on the best drowned rat prize. I know at least one border collie who was very disappointed not to get rained on so they could enter the competition! Sadly photos of Susan Mansfield climbing out of a river didn't materialise, but Mike's 5k rain dance around a tree was an unexpected bonus - both for us and the residents of his village!!
There was also a bit of running today. Quite a lot of it actually. 230 Fly 5kers, 5 first timers, 17 Fly 5k PBs, and 51 running clubs represented, including a first representation for Swindon Harriers, Rebel Runners Medway and Dunstable Lions Running Club.
Some fantastic performances too. To call out just a few, they included a very impressive 17:49 from 56-year old Colin Kennedy, a massive PB of 26:24 from Phil Dean, a 20:20 from the indefatigable Claudine Benstead, an injured Daniela Petriani still managing to jeff her way around 5k (heal soon!), and a 22:39 from a delighted Max Campbell, on his return after 7+ months out following a serious cycle crash. We had father and son runs, mother and daughter runs, post Friday night drink runs, pre Saturday afternoon drink runs. Even our mascot pig made an appearance!
A special mention to St Albans Strider Roger Murray, who today regained the VM75-79 age category record with a PB of 26:47!
Congratulations to everyone who got out today. I'm sure some of us sprang out the front door but for others it may have been more of a challenge, either due to the weather, or just not feeling it. Thanks as ever to the power of our mutual motivation, support and positivity!
Well done to our race winners, Tom Halling (St Albans AC) coming in first for the men for the third time in a row with 16:25, and to Emma Stepto (Cornwall AC) for her second in a row and 11th win overall, with 19:05. Also again to Claudine Benstead for her age graded top spot (did you know in the last three months there's only been one week when she didn't take 1st place age graded), and to our other podium people:
Men 1) Tom HALLING, St Albans AC (16:25) 2) Alex SMITH, Harpenden Arrows (17:29) 3) James LALLY, Unattached (17:37)
Women 1) Emma STEPTO, Cornwall AC (19:05) 2) Sally ONN, Blagnac Sporting Club Athlétisme (19:26) 3) Joanna PARKER, Unattached (20:06)
Age Graded 1) Claudine BENSTEAD, Okehampton RC (92.30%) 2) Emma STEPTO, Cornwall AC (87.51%) 3) Paul WHEAR, Cornwall AC (84.91%)
Full results are attached and can also be found at www.runfly5k.com/latest-results. Best viewed on a laptop / desktop.
Fly 5k results 2021-05-15
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Finally those all important milestone achievements....
Congrats to Sue EDWARDS and Joanne TANG on their 50th Fly 5k!
A big hand to these fabulous Fly 5kers for 30 Fly 5ks: Gemma CARRUTHERS, Hanni CROCKFORD, Clair DRAGE, Justin JAMES, Mei LI, Andy NORMILE and Michelle WELLSBURY.
To Tonya BABB, Timothy SLY and Eddie SYCAMORE for 20 Fly 5ks.
And well done to Caroline BAILES, Christine BATES, Gary CHALKLEY, Lucy GOODING Philip HICKS, Rob MALTBY and Liz TREBILCOCK for 10 Fly 5ks!
Look out for registration opening for our Fly 5k Bovingdon event. We're hoping it will be this weekend, but just need to confirm a couple of things so it's possible now that it will be next week until we open it up. Either way, do save the date 27th June and hope you can join us!
Until the next time, goodbye, and take care.
Graham