Record turnout for Beverley's 22nd 10k race

A record turnout of over 1300 runners completed the 22nd Hall Construction Beverley 10k road race in May.

Runners experienced a fantastic sprint to the finish line along Toll Gavel as hundreds lined the finishing straight from Saturday Market to Wednesday Market. The scenic route took participants over the Westwood to Walkington, and then back into town and to the finish line.

Completing a hat-trick at Beverley, the race was won by Phillip Tedd of Thames Hares and Hounds. Tedd completed the course in 33:03, a little slower than the time he recorded at the previous year’s race. Second place was taken by well-known local runner Phill Taylor, of Bridlington Road Runners in 33:49. Taylor was followed ten seconds later by Jonathan Carter, who completed in 33:59.

In the women’s competition, the winning athlete was Carla Stansfield (City of Hull AC), who was last year’s runner up. Taking an impressive 16th place overall in the race, Stansfield crossed the line in 36:40. In second place was Sara Rookyard (East Hull Harriers), who finished in 38:36, and in third place was Ellen Harrison finishing in 39:10, 47th overall in the race.

Organised by Beverley AC, the race has acquired a deserved reputation for being a friendly and well-organised event and for providing a great atmosphere at the finish. As well as representatives of many local running clubs and club runners drawn in from further afield, many local runners use the race as a target to spur them on to completing their first 10k, or achieving a personal best time over the distance. For the first time Beverley AC supplied pacers to help runners hit their target 10k time, something many found useful to spur them on.

Beverley AC fielded 18 runners, with many other club members volunteering to marshal the event. Several put in noteworthy performances, and it is encouraging to see that the club can field strong athletes at both ends of the age spectrum. At the younger end, Becky Briggs has graduated from the fun run to the 10k race and  finished as 5th female runner overall, was first in her female U18 age group, and second finisher for Beverley AC. She finished the race in 39:58, demonstrating great potential for the future. Similarly, Edward Prew was 4th in his male U18 group, again showing future potential with a finishing time of 43:24. Towards the other end of the spectrum, Frank Harrison was first finisher in his V75 age group, finishing in a commendable 1:06:25.

The men’s team competition was taken by last year’s winners, City of Hull AC, with East Hull Harriers taking second place. The winning team included James Pearson, Jim Crisp and Peter Baker, and the East Hull runners up were Alec Gibson, Lance Kirlew and Nigel Sisson.

City of Hull AC also won the women’s team competition with team members including Carla Stansfield, Keri Pearson and Corinna Turner. In second place were Beverley AC’s women’s team, consisting of Ellen Harrison, Becky Briggs and Eleanor Boyd.

First and second prizes were awarded for all the standard age categories, with Beverley AC runners taking two awards through the achievements of Becky Briggs and Frank Harrison.

Other male age categories were won by Jim Crisp (City of Hull AC, V40, 35:47), Darren Bilton (Leeds City AC, V45, 34:35); Mark Colling (Scarborough AC, V50, 35:42); Steve Mason (unattached, V55, 35:54); Martin Booth (Bridlington Road Runners, V60, 40:11), Neil Scruton (Scarborough AC, V65, 41:56) ; Robert Eyre (Bridlington Road Runners, V70, 48:10) and Robert Thomson (Haltemprice Road Runners, V80, 1:10:23).

The women’s age group prizes were taken by Zoe Parkin (unattached, V45, 43:05); Tracey Haigh (unattached, V50, 44:51); Amanda Dean (West Hull Ladies, V55, 44:32); Hilary Burkitt, Cleethorpes and District AC, V60, 46:06); and Susan Heywood (Saddleworth Runners, V65, 53:04).