STRATFORD AC’s Ben Kruze set a new course record in winning the Alcester 10k.
Founded in 2014, the rolling route starts and ends in the village.
Kruze powered roun the course to win in record time of 31mins 55seconds.
There was further notable Stratford AC performances from Alex Adams, who was fifth and first in his category in a time of 33:57, and Matt Burdus-Cook, who finished sixth in 34:22.
Richard Liggatt (35.59) impressed as always, and Kate Wright (39.04) finished first in her category too.
It was also a memorable day for Kate Sergent and Rosie. Rosie is one of Stratford AC’s members who has learning difficulties and, like a lot of people, has struggled in parts of lockdown but she has been an avid Monday track star and she has a running coach once a week.
Kate followed her London Marathon exploits with a great 57.01 but Rosie stole the show. Rosie entered Alcester 10k as she now lives in Alcester and wanted another challenge after completing Stratford 10k. She said, “I really enjoyed it and thought I did well until I got stitch at mile 5 but Emily and Alex helped me keep going by shouting encouragement.”
She was really pleased to clock 1.13.08, which was nine minutes faster than the Stratford Big 10k and has been inspired to enter the Stratford half marathon in April.
Emma Parkin crossed the finish line in 48:10, as 26th female and ninth in her category.
“Alcester felt like a race of two halves for me,” she said. “The first 5k felt good and within my comfort zone.
“It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces at the start and then enjoy the scenic and relatively flat road route until the halfway point. From then on my legs seemed to have other ideas, so much so that I even walked a bit and made the most of one of the water stations, though I did decline the cider.”
Hannah Osborn clocked her fastest 10k in six years with a time of 44:10 while Peter Sugden took a great 16th place in his category in 44:46. John Peacock in the M60 category finished in 45:06, despite his recent Achilles problems.
Other results included Edward Tolhurst (48:02); David Maundrell (55:57). Alan Coldicott (M60,1:03:55), Jill Wilson (1:05:02) and the unstoppable John Butler in the V70 category finished in 1:12:14.
