Since its’ inception in 2004, the Waddesdon 5k has always attracted a large number of runners keen to push themselves on the long slow climb to the finish line. This year was no exception with 272 runners finishing the race on what turned out to be a lovely summers’ evening.
The race starts and finishes outside the magnificent backdrop of Waddesdon Manor, and as the race got under way, a group of seven, including Vale’s Charlie May, Harri Kane and James Davis broke away and headed off down the hill to the turnaround point. On the return run, Ben Sutherland from Wycombe and James Bolton from Woodstock opened up a gap with the Wycombe junior getting the better of the veteran Woodstock runner to win by 4 seconds in a time of 16.18. Charlie May finished in an isolated 3rd spot in a time of 16.42, to lead Kane, Davis and Martyn Summerfield home to the team prize. Harri Kane (U17), James Davis (U20) and Martyn Summerfield (over 45) were all also age category winners in what was a successful evening for the Vale quartet.
Alex Eykelbosch from Dacorum & Tring won the ladies race in 18.25 finishing inside the top 20 to lead her team to the ladies prize; Vale ladies team finished 2nd. Dacorum & Tring had entered 53 runners and the race included their Club Championships, so it was no surprise that they dominated the ladies prizes. Samantha Usher from Alchester took the short trip up the A41 from Bicester to take 2nd place with Ani Gabb from Dacorum & Tring 3rd just edging out the Vale’s Charlotte Steptoe by a mere 5 seconds. Vale’s Julia Austin was a clear over 50 winner in 20.35 and there was another Club success in the U17s with a competitive Leonnie Glasson in the mix finishing 78th place overall. Martin Nye & Co retained the Corporate team challenge. The race was sponsored by Apex Sports of Farnham Common who continue to support this event and the Club would also like to thank Lord Rothschild and the National Trust for allowing us to hold this event in the grounds of the Waddesdon Estate. Full results can be found on the site’s Waddesdon 5k page.
Thanks to Barry Cornelius for a wonderful set of photographs, including the one of the start on our home page, which can be seen via the following link: http://www.oxonraces.com/photos/. The photographs are free for runners to download, but Barry does ask for a credit if they are used publicly.