The tradition that is our Boxing Day 5k race took place again this year through the streets of Aylesbury; this year with three separate races.
Fortunately, running conditions were quite good this year; dry and mild, though a little windy. The morning began with a new event, a one mile race – the first two home were Vale athletes; James Davis who won in 5:09 with Max Perry (U17) 2nd in 5:28. Third spot went to Kevin Dykes (MV40) in 5:41 and the event’s youngest athlete, Roman Hodgson (U15) from Deeside AC was 4th.
As usual there was an 800m race for U13 runners and younger consisting of 4 laps of the market square. This is always a fun event with cheering from the sidelines by parents; spectators report that the atmosphere this year was excellent and there were a lot of very young runners taking part; could they be future winners of the main event? The 800m was won by Vale’s Lucy Perkins in 3:31 with Antonia Jubb of St Albans AC hot on her heels in 3:32 and Freddie Kane from Vale not far behind in 3:37.
The main event of the day, the 5k, was again run with enthusiasm and an encouraging crowd; especially I understand for the runner who took part on crutches! Almost 200 athletes completed the course, this year with a clear winner, Owain Jones from Bristol and West AC in 15:46, a full minute ahead of Alexander Miller of Belgrave Harriers in 16:46. Never one to shy away from a second event in one day, James Davis, having won the mile earlier in the day, finished the 5k in 3rd place in 17:31. In the ladies race, the winner was Samantha Amend of Belgrave Harriers in 18:55 followed by Joanne Johnson from On the Run Aylesbury in 20:26 and in 3rd, Vale’s Rosanne Iannone in 20:51.
In addition to the prizes awarded in each race, every runner who took part received a commemorative medal. There were also prizes for top performances across the age categories. These were: U15, Jamie Pugh; U17 Harri Kane and Leonie Glasson; in the senior age categories, prizes went to Richard Gould; Sarah Evered; Jim Buttleman; Julia Austin; Paul Roebuck and Sue Barnes.
Vale would like to thank the race sponsors, Up & Running of Oxford, together with The Kingsbury Pub in Aylesbury who give us a great base from which to run the event and generously give a £2 voucher to runners for refreshments afterwards. Last but not least, a thank you to the marshalls without whom the race could not take place.
VoAAC 56th Boxing Day Road Race Results 2015