Dismal start to prom series for athletes

A seafront hosting a world-renowned art show presented an additional challenge last week for the organisers of Weston Athletic Club’s prom run, but one that they rose to admirably.

The extra 2,000 people crossing the promenade meant the five-mile course had to be adapted to a temporary three-lap route, with runners heading north from their new race headquarters at The Bay restaurant to Knightstone and back.

Despite the extra turns, which had the potential to put-paid to any aspirations of personal best times, the record 346 race entrants returned some impressive results.

Looking strong from the start was the club’s own Chris McMillan, who remains on top form. Chris stuck with the leading pack throughout the race before making the break on the home straight to win the race in a new personal best time of 27.11.

Kieron Summers was the club’s next runner over the line in 28.15, followed by Wilf Huxtable in 29.22. It was less clear for the club’s women, who would claim victory with four runners finishing within eight seconds of each other.

Katherine Roberts and Hannah Moore crossed the line together in 36.31, with Camilla Reece-Trapp snapping at their heels in 36.32 and Katie Gormley in 36.39.

An encouraging 23 club members achieved personal best times at the race, setting the bar high for the remaining eight races in the series.

At the junior one-mile race, Jaylan Bacon achieved another superb victory in 5.02, followed by Vaughan Clarke in 5.42 and William Fuller just a second behind in 5.43. Indeigh Winterson was the first girl to finish in 5.55, followed by Maisie Squire in 6.14 and Ellie Redman in 6.17.

Entries for individual races as well as the series are available on the club’s website. The next race is on October 22 with the one-mile race getting under way at 6.45pm, followed by the five-mile event at 7.30pm.

For more information about becoming a club member, as well as the club’s other forthcoming events, visit www.westonac.co.uk