March's Whitemoor 5 completed as virtual race
Traditionally, the first Sunday in July sees March Athletic Club host its summer five mile 'Whitemoor' race and a family-friendly fun run.
Runners from local clubs and non-club runners alike set off from the club’s base at the Elm Road sports field and complete a mixed terrain five-mile run, incorporating the nature reserve next to the prison and part of the Twenty Foot riverbank at Chain Bridge, before heading back to the club’s running track for the finish line.
This year, of course, the social distancing rules meant that the race could not go ahead, so runners were taken on a virtual race instead. They had to run five miles, with at least part of their run either through the nature reserve itself if possible, or to include an off road section.
The rest of the route they could choose themselves, meaning they could keep their run local to their home. To stagger the amount of runners around the town at any one time, the entrants had a nine-day period in which to complete the run, which included July 5, the date the race was due to be held.
In total, 23 of the club’s runners took on the challenge and submitted their times, without knowing what times their rivals had also submitted. The results mean that the ladies came out on top, with Toni Alcaraz taking first place with a superb PB of 31:37. First man home, and second overall, was Luke Brown, last season’s in form runner, in an equally impressive 31:54. Third home was Kev Bunn in 32:57, with Kanina O’Neil the second lady home and fourth overall in 34:06.
Full results: Toni Alcaraz 31:37; Luke Brown 31:54; Kev Bunn 32:57; Kanina O’Neil 34:06; Andrew Wool 34:39; Barry Head 35:19; Teilo Pearce 35:49; Tim Brammer 37:25; Dean Markillie 38:26; Jon Long 38:54; Hannah Daniel 40:04; Jason Mottram 40:06; James Arran 42:46; Graeme Dedman 42:48; Eleanor Snooks 43:49; James Moon 44:15; Wendy Harrison 44:57; Dawn Veal 46:53; Fay Scrivener 47:17; Nina Markillie 47:28; Mark Darlow 47:43; Pat Norris 53:18; Deb Watts 55:13.
