Walkington 10K: Race Report

Over 500 runners took part in the annual Airkool Walkington 10k last Friday. On a hot and humid summer’s evening they tackled a challenging hilly course on rural roads between Walkington and Little Weighton.

The race attracted a strong field of athletes from running clubs in Yorkshire and a few from further afield but it was local lad Darran Bilton, now running for Leeds City AC, who won the race in 32.09.

Bilton admitted to finding the heat oppressive but after setting a fast pace early in the race he built up a good lead and managed to stay ahead of second placed Steve Bateson of East Hull Harriers. Bateson has an impressive record in this race, always finishing in the top 3, but he was no match for Bilton who also came first the last time the two competed against each other at Walkington in 2006.

Host club Beverley Athletic Club fielded 49 runners and one of their strongest men’s teams for several years. They won the male team prize and several veterans’ prizes. James Pearson, Jonathan Leskiewicz, Rob Snaith and Aubrey Morell formed the team, finishing in fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth place respectively. Steve Peacock, Stuart Little, Pete Fielding-Smith, James McGivern and Steve Jackson formed the second wave of Beverley runners across the line finishing in 13th, 14th, 15th, 18th and 19th positions.

Beverley junior Andrew Harding proved he could compete on equal terms with the men. He finished in 21st position in an excellent time of 39.02 and won first prize in the under-18 category.

Other Beverley juniors competing in the 10k race were Corey, Kendal and Kelvin Arnott, Thomas Hoyle, Jasmine Dalton and Jade Ellwood. All acquitted themselves well on a very tough course.

The first lady to finish was Baronie Drew, a personal trainer from South Cave. She had an excellent run, crossing the line in 40.58, almost 2 minutes faster than last year when she finished in third place. She was surprised when she passed last year’s winner, Laura Holmes of City of Hull, and was delighted to finish as first lady for the first time. Holmes took second place in 41.33 followed by club mate Elaine Storey in 42.01.

Race sponsor, Airkool Contracts Ltd was represented in the race by Company Secretary, Wayne Dawson and Director, Richard Dawson. Wayne was delighted to have beaten his elder brother again, finishing 40 seconds ahead of him in 51.52.

Two members of Beverley Athletic Club used the race as part of their training for the Paras 10 race in September when they will run with a 35lb bergen (rucksack) on their back. Jayne Dale ran the Walkington 10k carrying a 15lb bergen and Charlie Culpan carried 35lb. Dale was very apprehensive about running with a bergen but took it all in her stride. She was pleased with her finishing time which gave a boost to her confidence.

There were 556 finishers. Their results and photos can be viewed at www.beverleyac.com

Prizes were presented by sponsors Wayne and Richard Dawson of Airkool Contracts Ltd and were awarded as follows:
Men
1.   Darran Bilton, Leeds City AC, 32.09
2.   Steve Bateson East Hull Harriers, 32.43
3.   Phill Taylor, Bridlington Road Runners 33.21 for the second successive year
1st male team Beverley Athletic Club: James Pearson 35.19, Jonathan Leskiewicz 35.25, Rob Snaith, 35.32 and Aubrey Morrell 35.44.
1st male under 18 Andrew Harding, Beverley Athletic Club, 39.02
1st MV40 Aubrey Morrell, Beverley Athletic Club, 35.44
1st MV45 John Trelfa, Scarborough AC, 37.13
1st MV50 Ian Husband, Beverley Athletic Club, 40.00
1st MV55 Stephen Kellett, Rothwell Harriers, 41.47
1st MV60 Michael Lalley, Rothwell Harriers, 43.22
1st MV65+ Brian Watts, unattached, 47.27

Ladies
1.   Baronie Drew, unattached 40.58
2.   Laura Holmes, City of Hull AC 41.33
3.   Elaine Storey, City of Hull AC 42.01
1st ladies’ team Kingston-upon-Hull AC: Laura Day 43.57, Nicole Peters 44.20, Hannah Jacobsen 45.14
1st female under 18 Nicole Peters, Kingston-upon-Hull AC, 44.20
1st FV35 Julie Greenwood, Wakefield Harriers, 44.31
1st FV40 Sarah Hurd, unattached, 46.33
1st FV45 Julie Masterman, Goole Viking Striders for the second successive year, 42.43
1st FV50 Sue Haslam, Scarborough AC, 43.56
1st FV55 Shirley Oglesby, East Hull Harriers, 55.09
1st FV60+ Pam Atkins, Beverley Athletic Club for the second successive year, 54.48

Chip timing was provided by Sports Timing Solutions of Brough.
Warners Health offered post-race massage to raise funds for a prostate cancer charity.
Start Fitness of Beverley supplied running numbers and technical t-shirts to all 10k finishers.
Kevin and Melanie Hayward of Simply Running in Hull were in attendance selling running shoes and accessories.
Entertainment was by Roxxolid.

Pictures by: Andy Grainger and Kay Farrow and Dave Gowans.