Belvoir Challenge

Rushie, Chris, Mark and Penny at the start

The lighter mornings and longer days are a sign that spring is on the way. For members of Grantham Running Club the races which take place around this time are another sign that spring is almost here. One of these races is the Belvoir Challenge a 15 or 26 mile run around the beautiful countryside which we have pretty much on our doorstep. To make things more interesting the route is only revealed within 2 weeks of the event, though the course is always marked well enough to avoid any navigational errors.

Caroline, Sinead and Mark in the early stages

GRC had a number of runners taking part across the two distances which both began and finished in the village of Harby and although the conditions were cold and a bit breezy it was at least dry which for regular runners of this made it an improvement on last years race where the rain later in the morning made it quite the mud fest!

Why the event sells out so quickly

In the 15 mile race there were eight runners taking part. They were led home by Daniel Howson in a very good time of 2:18:45 which placed him 80th out of the 732 that completed the shorter distance. First lady home was Sinead McDonnell who finished in 3:01:13 just outside her 2016 time but still an impressive performance on a course that was quite rutted in places and had its fair share of mud. Next home was Julie Riggall in 3:25:01. Other members embraced the spirit of the event by enjoying the well-stocked aid stations on the course that had lots of local homemade cakes and treats. Finishing together in 3:51:48-3:51:54 were Nicola Cottam, Julie Gilbert, Jacqueline Jacobs and Ros Sadler. They remarked afterwards that about a quarter of the race time was taken up just enjoying the hospitality on route and were full of enthusiasm for what is a great event. Following them in a few minutes later was Paul Durham in a time of 3:57:48.

Eight runners also took on the challenge of the full marathon distance. The longer route went out further to Woolsthorpe and took competitors through long stretches of thick muddy fields, though as with the shorter event the aid stations provided welcome relief and wonderful support. Though it did at least lack quite as many arduous hills as previous editions of the race.

Rob was well inside last year's time

After finishing 3rd last year Chris Limmer was hoping to place highly again this year and was running inside the top 10 at half way feeling comfortable. However disaster struck soon after as the soles of his shoes began coming away. Frustrated and with a few choice words to himself cursing his luck he dropped back but ultimately like others in the race would rather any minor mishaps happen here than in the many races which runners are training for later in the spring. In the end Chris was able regain a few spots in the closing stages finishing in 3:50:58 and in 16th place.
Following Chris closely and in 43rd place was Rob Howbrook who finished in 4:14:33, he was followed by Paul Rushworth in 4:18:54. Mark Hillson followed in 4:35:19 in 74th with Nick Payne soon after but narrowly missing the top 100 as he finished in 101st in a time of 4:46:30. Caroline Davis was next back in Harby in 5;00:37. The final two runners both agreed that the final 5 miles were the toughest as the thick mud that greeted runners for the final stretch stuck to their shoes making them feel like lead weights. They did both do brilliantly though with Claudette Joint in 5:07:12 and Penny Hodges in 5:13:21.
The race was won by Stephen Shanks whom repeated his win from last year but with very little prizes on offer the event is all about just getting a bit muddy and enjoying the treats on route. Paul Durham summed it up by saying ‘Great run...why would you do a road race when you can have food...sunshine....food.....have a laugh...food....mud and more food’.