The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Neal and Morris are the best Over 50s in the race
Great Eastern Run - Local highlights
Peterborough AC’s Steve Robinson’s fine seventh place finish was one of many highlights for the local running community.
Robinson had been hampered by illness in the run-up to the race, but surpassed his expectations with a time of 72.31, just one minute down on his 2016 clocking.
Dave Neal of Nene Valley Harriers and Stamford Strider Jim Morris were the first and second Over 50s home with Neal edging out his rival finishing 66th in a time of 78.15.
Morris had recovered well from a good run in the Berlin Marathon two weeks ago, and was catching Neal fast over the last few miles, but ran out of road, finishing five places and 30 seconds behind the Nene Valley ace.
Ben Heron of Peterborough AC and Nene Valley’s Micheal Channing both made the top 20 finishing 17th and 19th with times of 74.04 and 74.22 respectively.
Peterborough AC had a good day with James Skinner, Shaun Walton and Kirk Brawn all making the top 50, while rapidly improving Bushfield Jogger Martin Gichuhi came in 41st in 76.40.
Ever-present Great Eastern runner Eric Winstone wore the number one vest usually reserved for the previous year’s winner and he rolled back the years running a time of 1:40.05 and finishing as the third Over 65 veteran.
The combative Bushfield Jogger spoke for many of the contestants when saying: “The Great Eastern is growing in strength and this year’s run was blessed with perfect running weather and brilliant support along the route.”
Speaking about his own performance Winstone added: “I’m delighted to run a competitive time and to be able to keep my ever-present record.”
It wasn’t all about the men though. Suzy West, running for Eye Community Runners, was the first local lady home, finishing as 11th lady overall in a time of 1:26.35.
Nene Valley’s Emma Tomlinson-McCrae came home 18th in 1:29.13, just over one minute ahead of 25th place Caroline Woods of Yaxley Runners.
Nene Valley Harriers teenagers enjoyed success in the 5k curtain-raiser with Aaron Hunt finishing second behind runaway winner Dominic Oliver from Norwich.
Sam Oakley was third in 18:16, and Ella Robinson was the first girl home with a 19:08 clocking.