Friday 4 July 2008

Bewl 15 report and results

Albert's race report on the Bewl 15 follows:

The 9th running of the Bewl 15 on Sunday was an unprecedented success with two runners beating the old course record, the Ladies race course record plus 11 other category records broken and 6 administrative records broken. 18 records in all.

The race started in perfect conditions with a record entry of 660 bolstered by Bewl 15 being promoted to part of the Sussex Grand Prix Running Race Series of 18 races; hence the tremendous upsurge of entries this year. The Runners World ratings shows that bthe race is now an established event and it may well appear in the top 50 races in the UK.

In all a record 571 runners completed the run, comprising 38 teams from throughout the South. The rain held off until 12:15 but did not dampen the spirits of the runners nor the dozens of marshals who patrolled the 14.2 mile race course of a single lap around the spectacular beauty of Bewl Water.

The race winner, setting a new course record of 1 hour 20 minutes and 25 seconds was Philip Sanger of Epsom & Ewell Harriers. Andrew Green from Dartford Road Runners was second in 1:21:25, also within the old record. Third was Geoffrey Gray of Seaford Striders in 1:21:54.

The ladies race was won by Katie Moore from Brighton & Hove AC in a new ladies record time of 1:29:53. Second was Tina Oldenshaw of Paddock Wood AC 1:31:48 and third was Sam Alvarez of Hailsham harriers 1:31:54.

The team award had some controversy as Hastings AC’s team was disqualified from second place for not wearing club vests. The winners of the men’s team was Istead & Ifield with 51 points, second Blackheath & Bromley with 74 points and third Seaford Striders 81 points. The ladies winners were Paddock Wood with a record of 45 points, second were Hailsham Harriers with 77 points and third Horsham Joggers with 83 points.

The male veteran classes were led home by Mats Gedin Arena 80 in 1:24:38 and the ladies by Tina Oldenshaw. The male and lady senior and vet class winners were each presented with their prize, a Paramo running jacket by Paramo’s marketing Director Catherine Whitehead.

Despite the gruelling conditions the standard of runners was much improved over 200. Michael Mackay, one of the runners, said “the standard is high this year as I was 63rd but on equivalent time I would have been 24th”.

Andy Southern commented “you are mad to run the Bewl 15 but you would be mad not to”. Mackay also commented “Bewl 15 is second only to the Flora London Marathon for its superb organisation”.

The results highlights are based on 1 trophy per winner of the All Senior Men and All Senior ladies:

All Men:

1st Philip Sanger - Epsom & Ewell 1:21:25 - course record
2nd Andrew Green - Dartford RR 1:21:25
3rd Geoffrey Gray - Seaford Striders 1:21:54

All Senior Men:

1st James Tomlinson - unattached 1:22:34
2nd Mick Barrable - Tonbridge AC 1:23:59
3rd Louis Taub - Brighton & Hove 1:26:32

All Vet Men:

1st Mats Gedin - Arena 80 1:24:37
2nd Raymond Pearce - Istead & Isfield 1:27:00
3rd Andy Tucker - Blackheath & Bromley 1:29:41

Male Vet 1

1st Andy Tucker - Blackheath & Bromley 1:29:41

Male Vet 2
1st Mats Gedin - Arena 80 1:24:37 – course record

Male Vet 3

1st Des White - Paddock Wood 1:34:28

Male Vet 4

1st Walter Hill - Crawley AC 1:34:49 – course record

Male Vet 5

1st Clive Beavais - Ranelagh Harriers 1:38:05 – course record

Male Vet 6

1st Mike Foord - Hastings Runners 1:54:24

Male Vet 7

1st John Holdstock - Fittleworth Flyers 1:58:20 – course record

Men’s team

1st Istead & Ifield 51 points

All Ladies

1st Katie Moore – Brighton & Hove 1:29:53 – course record
2nd Tina Oldenshaw – Paddock Wood 1:31:48
3rd Sam Alvarez – Hailsham Harriers 1:31:54

All Senior Ladies

1st Tracy Ranson – Springfield Striders 1:37:21
2nd Sarah-Jane Gaffney – Tunbridge Wells Harriers 1:47:49
3rd Angela Hames – Istead & Ifield 1:48:59

All Vet Ladies

1st Tina Oldenshaw – Paddock Wood 1:31:48 –course record
2nd Sam Alvarez – Hailsham Harriers 1:31:54
3rd Sally Musson – Tonbridge AC 1:40:44

Lady Vet 1

1st Sally Musson – Tonbridge AC 1:40:44

Lady Vet 2

1st Tina Oldenshaw – Paddock Wood 1:31:48

Lady Vet 3

1st Ann Sinnett - Haywards Heath Harriers 1:40:52

Lady Vet 4

1st Jenny Castle – Fittleworth Flyers 1:59:59

Lady Vet 5

1st Sally Musson - Tonbridge AC 1:40:44 – course record

Lady Vet 6

1st Brenda Styles – Crowborough Runners 2:26:18 – course record

Lady Vet 7

1st Greta Goodall – Road Runners Club 3:06:05

Lady Vet 8

1st Judy Burston – Phoenix Striders 2:34:02 – course record

Ladies Team

1st Paddock Wood 45 points – course record

I would like to thank the enthusiasm of the Wadhurst Runners and their friends and family for their tremendous support particularly as the weather tuned wet and chilly. The support from the runners was fantastic and ensured a sell out as well as a quality field.

Many thanks too for the support of the sponsors Ben Greig Motors, Nikwax, Paramo, Wadhurst Physiotherapy, all of Wadhurst and Nice Work of Peasmarsh plus local farmers and residents who all helped made the race possible.

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