Whilst the weather was cold and windy the racing was blisteringly hot at Saturday’s (26 September) Bassingham Bash 5 Mile Road Race as a field of nearly 100 runners felt the need for speed. Especially after lockdown and the unsettled landscape at present that has affected training schedules and day to day living for many. 

Organiser Bill Taylor and his team went above and beyond to get things up and running for this well established road race that has been in existence for 17 years. In normal times there are no restrictions in terms of numbers and entry standards but these had to be implemented as part of the Covid-19 guidelines to ensure the race would go ahead. Delivering a Covid-secure race whilst providing entrants with a good, hard thrash around Bassingham, Lincolnshire. The race had time limits of 37 minutes for men and 41 minutes for women and used a rolling start – on a motor racing style grid - in a continuous wave based on finish times. 

A quality field set off at 10 second intervals along a pancake flat, fast course and the battles began in earnest. In the men’s race a group of eight were at the front before Alistair Watson of Notts AC went up a gear and led the way, holding onto to the lead to be first across the line in 24:00 – a PB for him and a new course record. There was a duel for second place with Joseph Monk of Preston Harriers sprinting away to finish in 24:05 followed by Tom Straw of Lincoln Wellington AC in 24:09.

A gutsy display of running in the women’s race as Newark AC’s Cloe Hubbard opened up a gap between her and Charnwood AC’s Gemma Steel, pushing through the blustery conditions to win in 27:11 – a PB for her and a new course record. Kiri Marsh of Tonbridge AC was second in 28:11 and Laura Kaye of Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC third in 28:52. Gemma Steel finished fourth in 29:01. 

There were strong performances across the age groups and PB’s a plenty despite the conditions. Thanks to everyone who made it happen in these difficult times and to Sports Clinical for their continuing financial support.

Finally, this is a competitive race and always with a classy line up especially at the front. Hopefully things will be back to normal next year and the race open to all again with no requirement to control its duration.

Image courtesy of Graham Stephenson