Rothwell 10K 2008 Report

 

The cool grey cloudy conditions did not dampen the spirits of the 600 plus runners in this year's Rothwell 10k, who were greeted by an enthusiastic race commentator.
The course which provides a fast first 5k, left many runners having to dig in deep for the more challenging 2nd half, thankfully by this stage the runners did not have to deal with a head wind.
Comming home in 1st position was Steven Neil of Pudsey & Bramley in 31m39s, recent performances include 4th position in the Thirsk10 (54m02s). In 2nd and 3rd place John Convery M45(32m.50) and Tim Midgley (32m.53s) both of Bingley Harriers, John today gained revenge over Tim who outskicked John in the Northern Cross Country Championships to claim 75th and 78th position.
Bingley Harriers is home to many fine athletes, including the excellent Matthew Watson, winner of the Lincoln 10k showing the clubs strength not only on the road but at cross country.
The first male local runner was Scunthorpe A C Jonathan Maxfield and Mablethorpe 10k 2007 winner to claim 18th position.(34.41) When Jonathan last raced at Rothwell in 2006, he clocked 37m.56s.
The ladies race was won by Melissa Neal of Peterborough A.C,(36.51 49th overall) who used her experience and knowledge of having raced the course in 2006 (2nd) and 2007 (4th) on a faster time than in 2008. Sarah Jarvis of Ilkley Harriers claimed 2nd position(37m.05s 51st overall) Sarah claimed 2nd womens position this year in the very popular Snake Lane 10.Following in 3rd position (51st overall) was Bingley Harriers runner Sue Becconsall who clocked 37m.10s.
Elsewhere in the race Malcom Brine (Lincoln Wellington) claimed 61st position (37m.41s)Daphne Ellmere Wolds Vets F55 showed her true class to clock 38m.30s(86th position 10th lady) and broke her own U K Female 55 record, by 8seconds.Mablethorpe female Marathan 2007 Winner the hugely enthusiastic Andrea Dennison (Bingley Harriers) who despite only racing London the previous week was 12th lady and 97th position overall. (38m.55s) Janine Stones (Mablethorpe Running Club )yet again clocked under 40minutes to claim 118th and 15th womens position.Training collegue and great friend Jane Clarke (Lincoln Wellington) ran a very consistant race to claim 193rd and 25th womens position in an encouraging time of 42m.49m, and coped extremely well with the more challenging 2nd half of the race. Mark Lovett of Mablethorpe finished in 43m46s 215th position.