Grantham Athletic Club’s annual Newton’s Fraction Half-marathon took place in freezing cold conditions on Sunday.
Despite the weather, 401 of the 470 entrants started the course which started at South Kesteven Sports Stadium and went out into the Vale of Belvoir, taking in big climbs at Woolsthorpe and Casthorpe. With the biting wind and threat of snow, well-lagged runners’ performances were down on normal.
First town runner to finish was Grantham Running Club’s David Kay who finished in just over 85 minutes for 11th overall. Grantham Athletic Club veteran Arthur Short was three minutes adrift.
GRC’s Scott Jones scooped his second half-marathon personal best in eight days, Phil Hall (GAC) improved to a season’s best and GRC’s Cathy Caley finished sixth in her age group.
Results: 11 David Kay 1.25.18, 20 Arthur Short 1.28.07, 31 Ben Hatherley 1.30.19, 58 Iain Brown 1.33.57, 63 Scott Jones 1.34.16, 71 Thomas Williamson 1.35.36, 78 Ben Mason 1.36.37, 105 John Ellerby 1.39.09, 171 David Gregory 1.45.46, 201 Sophie Hunt 1.47.56, 213 Louise Taylor 1.49.01, 275 Phil Hall 1.58.00, 348 Ruth Dunstan 2.13.48, 349 Anna Littlecott 2.13.49, 380 Yvonne Taylor 2.24.10, 385 Cathy Caley 2.25.39.
Ropsley Road Runners results: Tony Johnson 1.33.36, Paul Jepson 1.56.30, John Flaxman 2.14.04, Alan Bird 2.31.10.
Ninety-four competitors also ran the 3km Little Apple Fun Run with GAC’s William Tucker and Sophie Tucker winning their classifications in 10.22 and 10.45 respectively.
+ Grantham RC’s Mark Wilson was their sole entrant in the Grindleford Gallop 21-mile multi-terrain event in Derbyshire on Saturday.
Veteran runner Mark finished 61st in 3.14.59.