Peterborough and Nene Valley Athletics Club
2015
Our athletes competed in a number of events over the weekend, including Sean Beard at the Berlin Marathon. Here's how they got on.

Weekend update

27/09/2015
Our athletes competed in a number of events over the weekend, including Sean Beard at the Berlin Marathon. Here's how they got on.

Nene Valley Harrier's 49 year old golden oldie, Sean Beard, and Werrington Jogger, Thomas Musson travelled to Germany to run The Berlin Marathon last Sunday. Both athletes performed well at what is considered to be the world's fastest inner city race over the 26 miles 385 yards distance.

Beard competing in only his second marathon came home in a time of 2:52.28, taking 4 minutes off his clocking from London in 2013. The club stalwart also achieved the unusual feat of completing the 2nd thirteen miles quicker than the first, albeit by just 16 seconds. This achievement was aided by the size of the field, causing some congestion in the early stages, and keeping the Bretton postman relatively fresh for the later miles. After the race Beard enthused that his task was made slightly easier over the last few miles were aided by the astonishing size of the crowd and the magnificent atmosphere that they generated.

Beard has been a fixture on the local running scene for over 25 years, and is showing no signs of slowing down as his 50th birthday approaches. Thomas Musson however is a relative new comer, but has made giant strides over the 15 months in which he has been racing. The 31 year old's time of 2:48.38 represented the high point of his running career to date, and was achieved despite carrying a niggling injury over the past month, which restricted his preparations at a vital time.

Closer to home, 2 10k races were held on hugely contrasting courses on Sunday. The West Pinchbeck race is run on a pancake flat course. and has a reputation for producing fast times when the conditions allow.

Nene Valley ace, Lloyd Kempson, took full advantage of the benign weather coming home first in a time of 33.03, a new PB for the 21 year old former Spalding Grammar School pupil.
John Pike, who now runs in the colours of Newhan and Essex Beagles, after a successful stint at Nene Valley was not at his blistering best, but ran steadily coming home 2nd with a 34:32 clocking, whilst 3rd place went to Nene Valley's Drew Warnes who finished 19 seconds down on Pike.

The 1st lady across the line was the impressive Rebecca Hall from Corby AC, whose time of 37.45 was good enough for 6th position overall. Hall was followed in by Nene Valley Harrier Philippa Taylor and Maggie Skinner of Stamford Striders, creating the highly unusual situation of there being 3 ladies amongst the 1st 8 finishers.

The Oundle Magnificent 10, a hilly 10k off road race was held further west in the region, with the start and finish at the picturesque Lyveden Newbield. The race was won by Yaxley's James Mogridge who came home in 34:23 a minute and a half ahead of runner up Phil Martin of Bushfield Joggers. Nene Valley youngster Alex Hampson took 3rd place, as he embarked on his preparations for what he hopes will be a fruitful cross country season. The 1st lady in was Samantha Cullen of Eye Community Runners with 44.44, whilst Yaxley veteran Roslin Loutit was not far behind. Stamford's Claire Maxted finished 3rd .

Barry Warne