Report by Michael Ingham

Race Date: Sunday March 19^th, 2023

An amazingly sunny & warm spring morning greeted runners for the Sherwood Pines Half Marathon & 10K. A big change from the heavy snow and frost of just a couple of weeks ago. Chatting to other runners, most were unsure what the appropriate kit for the day was, many with layers on and gloves at the ready but as it turned out neither were required.

Both races started at 10am. Bib numbers easily distinguished the two sets of runners. Plain white for the half marathon & a very bright yellow background for the 10K. A good job too as there was no sign to indicate a turn to finish the 10K & straight on for the half marathon to start a second lap. I was following a few runners who it turned out were going straight on for the half marathon and out of nowhere someone jumped in front of me to turn me to the finish. Other than that the course was very well signposted with very encouraging marshals at the turn points.

The half marathon was 2 laps of the 10K course plus a bit. The course was typical Sherwood Pines. For those who have taken part in the parkrun there, rough underfoot, stoney ground with very long uphill drags. Surprisingly though, despite recent rain, the majority of the course was very dry with only the odd wet patch so no slip ups. For me despite advancing years and knees worn away by over 60 years of athletics that a surgeon says need replacing but a physiotherapist seems to think a few exercises will resolve, I managed to keep on and running the furthest in one session since the LLHM in April 2022 to finish in 1:15:24. Not quick but a steely reserve to keep on running and the only Steel City Strider in the 10K results finishing 4th in my age category, out of 4 but it still counts, ‘eh ? On the plus side, as it was a demanding course and checking results later I wasn’t lapped by half marathoners ! I had been overtaken very early in the race by another club vest and must have been 1 of the 2 Steel City Striders to complete the half marathon. The 2 female SCS’s in the half marathon results were Hannah Murton in 2:20:48 & Hannah Wright in 2:45:34. All net chip timing results.

The 1st male in the 10K was Rich Bond (RAF AC) in 37:48. First female, Lorraine Beesley (Aldridge) in 46:57. Total finishers 329.

The 1st male in the half marathon was Richie Talbot (Mansfield Harriers) in 1:20:21. First female, Margaret Beaver (no club) in 1:26:18. Total finishers 248.

Link to full results here.

Striders 10k results: