Poor weather failed to dampen the spirits of runners in yesterday’s Bradley Stoke 10k Run, with hundreds turning out despite the incessant heavy rain that had started in the early hours of the morning.
In contrast to previous years, there were few friendly chats and warm ups on Jubilee Green prior to the race, with most runners choosing to remain inside the Jubilee Centre or under the shelter of its canopy until just minutes before the start.
Town Mayor Ben Walker set the field off promptly at 9:30am – ironically, the start time had been brought forward by half-an-hour from previous years in the hope of allowing the runners to compete in cooler conditions.
The men’s race saw Peter Morton, third in the 2009 Bradley Stoke 10k, claim a pillar to post victory in of time of 35:26. Second place went to Nick Taviner (Devon and Somerset Rescue Service), nearly two minutes behind in 37:09, with Michael O’Donnell a close third in 37:17.
Victory in the women’s race went to Jessie Sanzo, who completed the course in an impressive 39:53, just seven seconds ahead of Elizabeth Smith (Westbury Harriers). Third prize went to Kelly Cripps, who completed the course in 46:21.
Special prizes for the first Bradley Stoke residents over the line went to Robin Phillips (37:24) and Jane Colman (46:30).
Organising club Sole Sisters estimates that around half of the runners came from the local community. Full race results are expected to appear on the club’s website later today (Monday).
The Journal’s photos of the 2011 Bradley Stoke 10k
This year, we’ve split our photos of the event into four albums. The Photo Story gallery shows a summary of the race; there are also albums of pictures taken as the runners crossed the start line, one of the field passing through the nature reserve on the first circuit (a big thanks to Steve Gibbard for taking these) and a fourth of runners approaching the finish line (includes most sub-55 minute finishers).
Sadly, equipment failure caused by the damp conditions meant that we weren’t able to record the presentations.
The official race results are now available on the Sole Sisters website.
Well done to all 457 runners who completed the course in such wet conditions!