Close running throughout the Masters age groups at Bideford 10k
Bideford AAC became the first England Athletics affiliated club to host a Masters programme representative race - and what a 10k race it turned out to be.
Starting on the quay, conditions were cool and blustery as the race commentator counted down the final few seconds before starting the 1,200 runners on their way alongside the River Torridge. They then headed across the Bideford Long Bridge and out to Instow before returning back along the Tarka Trail.
First home was England’s Alex Gibb (M35, Peterborough and Nene Valley AC) in 31:04.2, which also gave him the overall race win. This feat was replicated in the women's race as Christa Cain (W35, Best Athletics) stormed to victory in 35:07.5 which was also a new course record. The M40 category saw a win for Brian Brett (Eastbourne Rovers AC) just ahead of local debutant John O'Donoghue (Bideford AAC) who was cheered home by his clubmates and students.
Races are often decided on the slimmest of margins and in Bideford this was a mere 0.4 of a second. First of all the M45 category saw Philip Cooper (Braintree & District AC) pipping Neil Adams (Norfolk Beach Road Runners) on the line, with Philip’s winning time 33:19.5 and Neil running 33:19.9. Astonishingly, this was swiftly followed by M55 Sean McCabery (Oxted Runners) running 34:59.2 to edge out Matt Weaver (Highgate Harriers), again by 0.4 seconds.
In the M60 category it was a very happy birthday for Tony Wright (Cornwall AC) who celebrated his birthday on race day by racing as a M60 and taking the title with 34:18.7, ahead of Andrew Leach (North Herts Road Runners), with Jon James (Wells City Harriers) third. England’s own Masters Road Running Coordinator Chris Hollinshead came in fourth in 36:34.8, before joining Welsh Team Manager Bernie Jones in presenting the trophies.
In the women's race, Katie Vargeson (Lonely Goat AC) took the W40 title in 37.19.3, marginally ahead of Nichola Evans (Tonbridge AC) in 37:41.0. In the W50 category it was Hayley Gill (Mansfield Harriers) who earned gold with 36:16.2 ahead of club mate Carolyn Hay in 38:10.3. The W70 category saw a win for Andrea Simmons (Hayle Harriers) in 46:21.1, with Jenny Morgan (Saint Edmund Pacers) second in 48:38.1 and Linda Cusack (Thetford AC) third in 49.29.7.
Mike Jurd (Wimborne AC) competed in the M60 category. After the race he said:
"A big shout out to Bideford AC and England Athletics for putting on a great event. For me personally it was very special - something I, with limited talent, would never have dreamed possible. So, I'm very grateful to the Age Group Masters Programme for making it happen. Long may it continue to grow and flourish."
It is another quick turnaround for the England Masters team staff as all roads lead to Swansea for the Half Marathon on 7 June.
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