Leighton 10 2018 – Not a washout!

 

After last year’s large field and “miserable” conditions, this year was even bigger and even more miserable! With a summer of sun a distant memory and a week preceding the Leighton 10 of dry weather it was almost inevitable that Sunday 23 September would be wetter than an otter’s pocket.

The roads were emulating streams as the volunteers arrived to put out the mile markers and set up the drinks stations, but with the runners arriving too, their enthusiasm was not washed away.

 

Everything about this race was wet and as the runners huddled together at the start, I bet they all wondered what they’d got themselves into. However, a bit of rain never stops a good race!

 

Jamie Seddon (MKAC) stormed out of the blocks and never looked back as he took the crown in a time of 56:17. The course includes the main hills up Eastern Way, Brickhill Road, Bird’s Hill and Shenley Hill which certainly make the race interesting and can really tire those legs out! Jamie looked decidedly soaked through as he reached the crest of Shenley Hill and started the downhill stretch with a mile to go about a minute ahead of Adam Bowller (North Herts RR) who finished 57:21. James Olliffee (Buckingham & Stowe), Chris Gay (Newmarket Joggers), Richard Coles (Gade Valley Harriers) and Ross Langley (Tring RC) all finished close together with James coming home to complete the podium and Richard just ducking under the hour mark.

 

The ladies race was won by Kate Rennie (Dacorum & Tring AC) in 63:15 with Sophie Delderfield (Vale of Aylesbury AC) only 2 places behind in 64:53. Lynda Hembury (Tring RC) completed the podium in 72:35.

The team prize was won by Gade Valley Harriers helped out by Richard and two ladies in the top 100.

Only two Leighton Buzzard Athletic Club runners took on the rain and the hills, with Sarah Keane completing the course in 84:51, more than 2 and a half minutes quicker than last year, and Nigel Chesterton finishing in 89:42.

 

A big thank you to all the volunteers who stood out in the rain marshaling and those who were there setting up the course in the early hours. The event wouldn’t have happened without you.

 

Full results for all 313 finishes can be found at http://www.leightonbuzzardac.co.uk/Leighton10 with the LBAC results below:

 

Position	Name	Time
147	Sarah Keane	84:51
197	Nigel Chesterton	89:42