The Wilne 10k delivered personal bests galore for Heanor RC last weekend as twenty-one turned out for the race billed as one of the flattest 10k races in the country.

Now in its fourth year, the race has grown to become one of the largest and fastest 10k races in the region. The 858-strong field saw the first four men dip inside the thirty-one minute mark and four women go sub-35 minutes on a perfect early-autumn morning.

Leading the way for the yellow and blue, Joe Rainsford took the Derbyshire title and dropped a huge PB-performance that were just rewards for a year of consistency and hard graft.

The twenty-one year old’s previous best of 32:38 was set at the Telford 10k almost two years ago – although he did post 32:24 to beat that time on the track at the Highgate Harriers Night of the PBs in May – so a personal best was always on the cards.

Going through halfway in 15:40 on Sunday, Joe’s strength told as the group whittled away around him and he crossed the line in a smashing new lifetime best of 31:45.

Big personal bests also came from last week’s Double or Quit 5 mile winner, Laura Beth James-Hutchinson, who chopped a massive three minutes off her best to run 43:15, Lee D’Arcy (39:13) and Rita Fisher (47:56).

Gary Mellors (41:39) also took almost two minutes from his previous best whilst Lesley Smith (47:18) posted a new PB and already has sub-47 minutes in her sights.

Heanor RC’s two regional representatives, Lisa Palmer and Louise Insley, both ran their fastest 10ks since May. Lisa, in the white and green of the Midlands, finished just seven seconds outside her best to clock 36:15 and also took the silver in the V35 Midland Masters category behind Claire Martin.

Louise, representing the North, clocked 38:22 to finish twelfth female and also won V40 Midland Masters silver. The pair were also part of the winning ladies team, completed by Jill Burke (41:22), who ran her fastest time of the year and also secured V50 Midland Masters silver.

The rest of the HRC results:

Dale Annable – 32:02
Stuart King – 33:34
Steve Ashmore – 35:26
Stuart Chadwick – 37:02
Tony Weatherson – 38:02
Stephen Jennings – 39:00
Paul Winfield – 43:57
John Flint – 44:35
Jeff Everitt – 46:44
Scott Wigman – 47:56
Steve Wardle – 49:28
Debbie Hewitt – 55:21

Full results HERE

Race photos courtesy of Ken Hewitt HERE

HRC were represented elsewhere across the UK over the same weekend. Carl Hughes and Dawn Morland were in action at the Great North Run.

Carl ran his fastest half marathon of the year to finish 1136th in 1:32:52 whilst Dawn crossed the line in 2:21:18 – over 7,000 positions ahead of the one millionth finisher (who finished in 3:02:02).

Full results HERE

Matt Bickerstaff warmed-up for the Midland 6 Stage Road Relays with victory at the No Walk in the Park 5k in Chesterfield in 16:07.

Lily Winfield ran her second-fastest time ever over 800m with 2:29.20 at the Charnwood AC Stars of the Future meet in Loughborough.