The temperatures reaching their highest point so far this year seems fitting on the day of the Gnosall 10k - if any race is hard enough without extreme temperatures thrown in, this is it.
In fact, this race used to have a 2pm start time, and the June date made for punishing conditions when the sun came out. Even now, with a 10:30am start, the race isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Despite the name, the race isn’t actually 10k. Any runner who takes part unaware of this faces a further 1.2km of running after the point they think their experience will end.
As if that wasn’t enough, the terrain is punishing and the hills keep coming back - runners cross open fields, narrow bridleways, canal towpaths and even the boardwalk over the marsh that separates Gnosall from Gnosall Heath.
Despite knowing all of this, Newport & District Running Club were well-represented at this 2023 edition, and had to endure the stifling heat and humidity as they battled the tough course.
Alex Millington was the first NDRC runner to take the finish line, taking 5th position overall in a time of 45 minutes, 36 seconds. Richard Bennett was next, and won his category in 18th overall in a time of 51:53, whilst David Brown was 27th in 53:15. Mandy Purves was the first Novaportan female back, taking 51st place, as well as 1st in category, with her time of 56:59.
Charles Fear ran a time of 57:11 for 53rd place, whilst Kay Wilkinson-Smith finished 104th in 1:04:53, just ahead of John Metzger, who was 1 place and 2 seconds back. Philip Hardy was 112th with a time of 1:05:27, whilst Rik Skingsley was 126th in 1:06:31 and Helen Mason was 140th in 1:08:49.
Ralph Humphries ran a time of 1:09:53 to secure 148th spot, ahead of his Som Matthew, who was 204th in 1:17:50. Simon Taylor was next, 207th in 1:18:03, whilst Helen Holdroyd (227th, 1:22:13) and Anne Strowger (228th, 1:22:16) finished together, with Anne taking the win in her category.
