Bourton Mile - 10th May 2024
Ben Robinson returned to the Cotswolds to win the Bourton Mile for a third time and was thrilled to receive his winner's prize from the former 5,000 metres world record holder and two-time Commonwealth champion, Dave Moorcroft.
Robinson, from the Bristol & West athletic club, crossed the line in 4min 21.4sec to win another County title and was more than two seconds clear of his training partner and long-time friend and rival, Richard De Camps.
“There’s never much separating us,” said Robinson. “It was always going to be close. We heard about the cash bonus for a course record while we were on the start line but we were probably a bit too cagey because today was all about winning.”
“It was awesome to have Dave Moorcroft here and it was excellent for the race to have someone of his stature. It was an honour to receive my winner’s prize from him.”
In a near repeat of last year’s race, both runners were in contention throughout the race, chased hard by Witney’s Matthew Lock, who finished third in 4min 27.5sec.
More used to running longer distances, he was beaten for speed. “That was proper tough, just as a mile should be,” he said. “We went through the first 400m in 63sec, which was a bit quick. An extra gear would have been useful.”
The race proved to be a triumphant return for 22 year-old Bristol University student, Emily Field, a former member of Bourton Roadrunners, who won the women's race in 4min 52.7sec, ahead of Stroud’s Georgina Greenwood and Catherine Hill of Reading AC.
Now representing Stratford upon Avon AC, Field was thrilled to be back in the village where she ran as a junior. “I loved it. It was so nice to see everyone again,” she said. “Mile races are hard to find and this course is ideal, fast and flat.”
Thomas Harvey, one of the promising young Bourton Roadrunners won the Junior Mile in an impressive 5min 19.5sec. Poppy Oliver, from Newport Harriers took the women’s Junior title.
Bourton Roadrunners running included Danny Hannig (4:55.6), Alex Pye (4:59.9), Rebecca Townsend (6:09.4), Claire Cox (6:13.9), Iain Cox (6:42.2), Noelle Morgan (7:41.8), Julie Smith (10:19.0) and Liz Hulcup (tail-runner 12:00.1).
A total of 179 runners of all ages and abilities completed the mile, along the flat course which starts on Rissington Road and ends with a spectacular sprint into the centre of the village. Among them was Moorcroft himself, running with his wife, Linda and crossing the line with a smile. The man who clocked 3min 49sec for the mile in 1982 was delighted to be part of this event, in the same week that the sport celebrated 70 years since Roger Bannister became the first athlete to run the distance in under four minutes.
Said Moorcroft: “We loved the whole experience. It was a lovely atmosphere and such a good event to be part of. We managed to get ourselves into a good rhythm and I was very happy with my season’s best for the mile.”
Gill Carrick, the Race Director, was delighted with a successful evening for the club and the village, where the sun shone on a crowd boosted by tourists from all over the world. She said: “The Bourton Mile is fast and furious and a wonderful challenge for everyone who takes part, whatever their pace. Dave Moorcroft was a very special guest and it was a real thrill for the winners of all the age groups to get their prizes from one of this country's greatest athletes.”
Sherborne 5 Miler - 12th May 2024
Having successfully delivered another Bourton Mile race, it meant the team was free to enjoy the Sherborne 5 Miler this weekend, organised by Sherborne School as a fund-raiser. 22 members took part in this multi-terrain race, treating it as a weekend club social event with distinct feel-good buzz.
Birmingham Running Festival Half Marathon - 12th May 2024
Also racing this weekend was Susan Hunt an official pace-runner at the Birmingham Running Festival Half Marathon. Susan enjoyed a beautiful day, with a stunning park, and surrounded by many happy runners, guiding them to their target-time of two hours 30 mins.
Oxford Town and Gown 10k - 12th May 2024
Meanwhile, Kate Price and her sister Jess, battled through the heat and crowds at the Oxford Town and Gown 10k, where they pleased with their 73 minute finishing time.
Parkrun events - 11th May 2024
No weekend would be complete without parkrun, and club members were to be found at the following locations:
Chipping Norton School: Edward Hare - 18:33 (2nd Overall and JM11/1).
Evesham: Megan Ratcliffe - 24:14 (VW55/1), Alex Wilson - 27:07.
Grove Fields, Swindon: Susan Hunt - 26:25 (VW55/1).
King George V Playing Field, Cheltenham: Chris Dry 27:48 (VM60/2).
Kingsway, Worcester: Claire Carroll - 27:18 (VW60/3), Liz Hulcup - 27:29 (VW70/1), Louise Hamilton-Smith - 27:54.
Peckham Rye: Eva Shoemark - 25:38 (SW20/1).
South Bank Parkrun, Brisbane Australia: Tom Hitchman - 21:08.
Highlights
Triumphant return for Mile Winners Robinson and Field.
Winner of the 2024 Bourton Mile, Ben Robinson of Bristol & West AC in a time of 4:20.8. Click on the image for a larger copy.
Winning lady at 2024 Bourton Mile, Emily Field of Stratford Upon Avon AC, in a time of 4:51.5. Click on the image for a larger copy.
First Bourton finisher at 2024 Bourton Mile, Danny Hannig, in a time of 4:55.6. Click on the image for a larger copy.
Dave Moorcroft with Thomas Harvey winner of the Bourton Junior Mile. Click on the image for a larger copy.
The Bourton team at the 2024 Sherborne School 5 Miler - 12-05-2024. Click on the image for a larger copy.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.