There are not many rural 10k courses in Wales that organisers can profess to call flat. Magor Marsh, just inside the Welsh border is exactly that. Hosting the BMAF Champs with a barbeque after, in July, sounds like an excellent idea. The only element in the ingredient that could spoil it is the British weather, and it did. Although there were sunny spells, when it rained it teemed and the athletes had to endure these conditions during the race. A flat course is conducive to records and this one produced a British best for Angela Copson o/60, trimming another 37secs off Carol Wolstenholme’s 2007 best. Angela is in a rich vein of form at present, breaking the World 5k track record only 2 weeks before, in Birmingham.
Andy Ward o/35 was the overall race winner, clocking an excellent 31m-44s, with Sarah Gee o/45 taking the first lady home title in 36m-03, finishing in front of the younger age groups.
As usual the the age groups produced some thrilling finishes. In the male o/50, only 23secs covered the first three medallists, with Malcolm Eustace taking Gold from Greg Wilson by only 3secs. The o/55 age group was similar with only 31secs covering the first three, Dave Cox taking Gold. In the Women’s o/40 age group Karen Rushton held off Liz Hartney by 5secs for Gold with Kirsty Gallagher separating them for her o/35 gold.
The teams also mirrored the individuals for exciting finishes. In the 0/50 section, Les Croupiers RC just pipped Oxford City AC for Gold by an amazing 3secs with Bridgend AC just a further 24secs behind for bronze. In the Women’s team section Reading Road Runners took Gold in the o/35s and Les Croupiers were the o/55 winners.
Although total individual entries are plentiful, the interest in team competition in the 10k seems to be waning and it is something that the BMAF may have to look at long term.
On behalf of the BMAF, I would like to offer our thanks to Chepstow Harriers for organising the event. Bill Bewg as Race Director and his team for the results and Derek Williams in his role as Race Referee.
Mel James Road Running Secretary