This is the eighth consecutive year that the British Masters have held their 5k road running championships at Horwich. Being in the middle of an unusually (for the UK) long spell of dry weather, the race conditions this year, were ideal.
Although this year, we did not obtain any British bests, (most of them are now exceptionally difficult to surpass anyway), the racing still produced a very high standard. Notably in the overall race, the third finishing positions were by men and women in the o/50 age group.
Overall winner and first o/35 was John Parker (CLC Striders) in a time of 15.37s, closely followed just 2secs later by an o/40 Jason Dunkerley (East Cheshire H) with the o/50 George Thompson (Border Harriers) just 3secs behind in 15.42s.
In the women’s race, first over the line was Sarah Cumber (Halifax H) o/35, stopping the clock at 18.35s with Sally Morley (Ilkley H) just 7secs behind and the o/50 Jill Harrison (Honiton H) clocking 18.48s.
The age group categories were very competitive. In the o/40 section Silver and Bronze medals were decided by just 2secs.with R Palmer (Luton H) losing out to J Herbert (Werrington J). The o/45 Gold was secured by A Woods (Bristol & W) with a 2 second gap from R Alsop (Herne H.H) in a time of 15.57s. Martin Ford (Cheltenham H) was closest to a o/65 British best, missing out by 17secs, behind him just 3secs separated the 3 athletes vying for the two remaining places, with P Hall (Barrow Striders) being the unluckiest athlete in the race, missing the Bronze by 1 sec. P Giles (Hercules W) took Silver in 19.11s with G Howard (Ilkley H) 19.12s.
In the Male Team Competition, Gold medals went to Bingley Harriers in the v/35 section. In the v/40 age group they had to settle for Silver, as Salford pipped them by just four seconds on aggregate for Gold, with Wilmslow taking Bronze. Bristol & West AC took Gold in the v/50, with Salford the Silver and Long Eaton, (Bronze). The v/60 team winners were Oxford City, followed by Clydesdale Harriers, (Silver) and local club Horwich RMI, (Bronze). The v/70 Gold team medals were taken home by Sale Harriers.
The Women’s team competition was sparsely contested with only Altringham v/45 Ladies taking home their deserved Gold Medals.
Finally I would like to thank Horwich Town Council for hosting the race, plus all the officials, marshals etc. involved with the event and yourselves the athletes, for travelling and competing.
I have to offer my apology for the delay of the presentation on the day, we encountered some problems with the results and I am working hard to eliminate these gremlins for next year. I will insist that the problems are ironed out, before we confirm our venue for next year.
Mel James Road Running Secretary