England gold rush at Masters International 10k

This year’s Masters International 10k was staged within the AJ Bell Great North event up in Newcastle with the famous Tyne Bridge as a backdrop. With the addition of both Northern Ireland and the UK Armed Forces, together with traditional rivals Wales, this was the most expansive masters international road race since the inception of the programme several years ago.

After the heatwave of the previous week, the dip in temperatures made for good racing conditions for the athletes as they set off from Town Moor towards Newcastle city centre. At the front of the race there was a great performance by Dean Williamson of the UK Armed Forces who not only took the M35 win in 30:20 but also took the overall race win by just one second.  In the women’s event, England’s Masters were equally strong, with Gemma Steel taking the W35 win in 35:02 and placing second woman in the main race, with Ellen Leggate taking victory in the W45 category in 35:19 and third woman in the main race.

There was an England gold rush in the next few age categories with wins for Barry Stephenson (M40), Erin Wilmers (W40), Jon Hart (M45), Brian Corleys (M50), Suzy Rushforth (W50) Francois Rafferty (M55) and Nicola McBride (W55).

Boyd Park placed second in the M60 category behind Mike Wyatt of Wales with Roslyn Loutit taking gold in the W60. The 65-69 category saw Paul Mingay and Jackie Cordingley dominate whilst Gavin Bayne (second to Welshman Alan Davies) and Dot Kesterton impressed as 70-74s for the white and red vests. Ron Cattle and Jane Ashby flew the flag in the 75-79 category with Tony Rea making it a golden day in the M80 category.

John Shapland (M70) and Keith Shapland (M45) were interviewed by England Athletics earlier in the year as the first father and son duo to represent England in the Masters International events.  Both ran well, with John finishing just outside the medals in his category.  

As well as welcoming the debutants from Northern Ireland there were several in the England team, including Juliet Smith from Rochdale Harriers & AC. Juliet returned to running 2½ years ago after 22 years away from the sport and had set herself the goal of an England vest. Not only did she achieve her goal at Newcastle but she finished fifth W50 in a time of 41:14.

Results

V35
Dean Williamson (UKAF): 30:20
Ben Tyler (England): 31:43
Tom Roberts (Wales): 32:00
Gemma Steele (England): 35:02
Roanna Vickers (UKAF): 37:35
Rachel Hillman (England): 37:40
V40
Barry Stephenson (England): 32:05
Danny Rock (England): 32:25
Mark Cherryholme (UKAF): 33:14
Erin Wilmers (England): 35:53
Davina Ellis (England): 36:49
Clare Thurgood (England): 38:24
V45
Jon Hart (England): 32:30
Dan Nugent (England): 33:21
Andrew Heppell (England): 33:30
Ellen Leggate (England): 35:19
Hayley Gill (England): 36:46
Zoe Oldfield (England): 37:38
V50
Brian Corleys (England): 34:09
Francis Okumu (UKAF): 34:27
Steven Davies (Wales): 34:41
Suzy Rushforth (England): 37:48
Ginevra Stoneley (England): 39:45
Helen Heley (England): 40:20
V55
Francois Rafferty (England): 34:59
Tony Wright (England): 35:55
Wayne Pearson (England): 36:04
Nicola McBride (England): 41:02
Angela Deeley (Wales): 41:29
Caroline Hale (England): 43:26
V60
Mike Whyatt (Wales): 36:27
Boyd Park (England): 37:35
Malcolm Tuff (England): 38:02
Roslyn Loutit (England): 42:20
Fiona Usher (England): 42:54
Ann Barker (England): 44:31
V65
Paul Mingay (England): 36:56
Chris Finill (England): 39:14
David I'anson (England): 39:18
Jackie Cordingley (England): 46:38
Marian Grace (England): 48:26
Maureen Dargavel (England): 49:01
V70
Alan Davies (Wales): 38:32
Gavin Bayne (England): 40:24
Ged Ruffle (England): 42:16
Dorothy Kesterton (England): 49:15
Louise Rowley (England): 50:39
Christine Sanders (England): 52:27
V75
Ron Cattle (England): 43:51
James McGlynn (England): 46:42
Richard Spendlove (England): 48:29
V80
Tony Rea (England): 54:23

More photos on Masters Flickr account