Veterans’ AC, Belgrave, Surrey, Middlesex and Herts 10,000mChamps

Battersea Park, 25 April 2001

The entry of only 15 competitors for this race was probably the result of a rival attraction in Malta where the non-stadia championships were taking place. John Hall led from the second lap to the tape, leaving a group of four which held together quite well at first. At the half way stage Steve Allen overtook Steve Allwood and kept clear but with only a 15 seconds margin at the end. Carl Lawton held back at first but after 10 laps decided to put daylight between himself and Peter Hannell who slipped back to fifth. Shaun Lightman walked his own race in sixth and a minute behind was Paul King and Chris Flint who were glued together until Paul, who had walked the London Marathon in 4-40 the previous Sunday, broke clear about two laps from home. Ron Powell was first M60 home dipping under the hour in the process. The small gap between two Bels, Eric Hall and Doug Fotheringham stayed pretty constant for most of the race with Eric finishing half a minute ahead of the older man on this occasion. Kath Crilley, the sole lady in the race, kept company with Ken Livermore for most of the way. There were no disqualifications but cautions were plentiful with the Chief Judges colourful board showing eight competitors with single or double 'raspberries'.

1 J. Hall (Bel M50) 51:29; 2 S. Allen (Ilf M40) 53:23; 3 S. Allwood (Enf M40) 53:38; 4 C Lawton (Bel M50) 55:32; 5 P Hannell (SyWc M55) 56:17; 6 S Lightman (SyWc M55) 57:04; 7. P King (Bel M45) 57:51; 8 C Flint (L Vids) M50 58:09; 9 R Powell (Enf) M60 59:30; 10 K Ballam (VAC) 61:00; 11 E Hall (Bel) M65 61:46; 12 D Fotheringham (Bel) M70 62:22; 13 J Borgars (Lough) M50 67:20; 14 K. Livermore (Enf) M65 70:21.

Middlesex: 1, J.Hall.

Surrey: 1, C.Lawton