March runners take part in one of the first races since lockdown

Another sunny September Sunday and March Athletic Club runners were once again out in their club running vests and racing shoes.

In honour of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Duxford Imperial War Museum held a Duxford Dash on Sunday, one of the first actual races to be held since the COVID-19 lockdown.

The site was large enough to allow runners to socially distance and to start at what time they wanted on the day due to chip timing.

March had three runners in the 10k race and one in the 5k race. Melissa Neal was impressive, coming in as fifth female overall and first in her age category in the 10K.

Results: 10k – Melissa Neal 44.50, 5th female and 1st V40; James Arran 50.13; Hugh Harris 50.19; 5k – Wayne Stimson 24.39.

Unlike the Duxford Dash, the Great North Run could not go ahead as a physical race. The iconic half marathon had to be held as a virtual race and 71-year-old March runner Pat Norris took part, running around March.

Sadly, the Fens cannot offer the fabulous scenery and atmosphere of the north east run but Pat was spurred on by and met at the end by fellow March AC runners and family members, replacing a run over the Tyne Bridge with a finish line over Marylebone Road Bridge across the Nene and into West End Park. Her time was 2:31:28.