Eastleigh 10K 2015

By the bike shed

I can’t remember when I first ran this race – but it has been a key date in my calendar for a few years now.  

I think it’s one of the best local 10Ks for newbies as it is flat (apart from the hill), it’s known territory for those of us who run the mean streets of Eastleigh regularly and supporters get at least 3 opportunities to see us hurtle™ by.

Couple of changes this year – the t-shirts are now technical fabric (good), with Clare W & 

Karen I  found some almost queue-less loos  (good) but the fruit cake at the end has been replaced with a jaffa cake (not good).  Weather was mild & sunny without getting hot (good) and there was enough water at the end (v.good) - unlike last year.  Start time was technically 1 hour earlier - but as this race has previously fallen on the day the clocks change, not really different this year. 

Meeting up by the bike sheds beforehand, it was great to see so many Running Sisters - 30 I think.  Photo, then off to the start. 

I like to start towards the back but Lou didn’t look impressed.  Got irritated by PA describing us as the more “leisurely runners” – we may not all be fast, but leisurely we are not!

I opted to run with Rachel B who was aiming to do something around 63ish minutes – I’d already written off a sub 60 as my training has been curtailed recently by glutes issues.   We messed up our pacing big time though, doing the first 1K way too fast & then paying the price later.

It was good to hear a runner complain about the presence of the hill on a race advertised as flat – it’s a universal constant.  Tried to reassure her that it would be over soon with a lovely long gradual down.  

Admired the daffs on the verges of Passfield Avenue.  6K water pause.  Derby Road always feels tough, but then it’s onto familiar territory on Desborough and Chestnut.  We played cat & mouse with 2 blokes who we kept overtaking.  

The marshals have a tough job with this race as the roads are closed - which means that they have to keep impatient motorists at bay.  

Back onto Passfield & then through the park.  It was fantastic to see and hear a crowd of Running Sisters as we neared the finish – and we joined them to pass on the favour to those still running.

Kathryn S was the final Sister over the line – her first ever 10K!  I know that Denise, Sue W & Tabatha all achieved  PBs.  

Many thanks to Lindsay, Laurel, Laura, Becky & Sharon for fantastic (and noisy) support & photos (all on this post are Sharon's).  And to Jeff for bringing our flag along.

All the race needs is a medal, fruit cake & it’d be my favourite 10k!

Results:

Astrid Mangel 70:14

Becky Yorke 59:23

Bridget Wells 61:54

Caroline Vasili 61:31

Catherine Curtice 80:16
Chrissie Wall 65:10

Clare World 53:20

Claire Wilson 67:33

Debbie Harvey 68:44

Dee Atyeo 64:15

Denise Hughes 59:20
Gabby O'Brien 48:56

Gin Tidridge 63:49

Glenna Greenslade 63:27

Jo Culpin 57:08
Karen Bolton 53:40

Kathryn Smith 83:29

Lisa Graham 49:06

Louise Hillier-Wheal 56:37

Maria Oinn 57:12

Nikki Skeats 60:08

Pauline Herd 56:18
Rachael Ingram 63:10

Rachel Bradley 63:49

Sam Radford 64:16

Sue Leith 60:38

Sue Wilton 54:40

Tabatha McCormick 48:46

Tina Blackburn 62:16

Wendy Wynne 61:55