Esher Church School 10k - Race Report

When we started the running club the idea was always to be participative rather than competitive.  Today we managed to achieve both.

The Esher 10k was our first real outing as a club.  28 runners lined up from Run to Live including a few from the Improvers group, for who this would be their first proper race.

The weather, a glorious respite from the deluges of the past few days, was kind to us.  Overcast and fairly cool but happily no rain.  The race started on time and off we all clipped down Milbourne Lane towards the woods and the mud.  Locals came out to cheer.  One sweet family putting on juice and jelly babies, most welcome especially on the way back to the finish. 

The route is lollypop shaped.  An out and back with one lap around the middle.  Following similar paths to the Claygate Country five it’s a true multi terrain course with road, pavement, stony trails and mud to contend with.  A great proportion seemed to be on well made surfaces so the muddy parts didn’t seem to affect us too badly.  Certainly not Rob Hardwick who was first back for the club, a fantastic 9th overall in a time of 40.40 closely followed by Jon Walters, 41.49 and 13th place overall.  Lilly Griffiths secured a podium position in the ladies race with a 3rd place finish in 45.06 just beating fellow Run to Live(r) Mary Farmer who was fourth lady in 47.58.  Awesome.

A huge well done to all of those who completed today’s race.  You can see the full race results here.