Around 300 join Winchester 5k (From This is Hampshire)

Around 300 join Winchester 5k

1:40pm Thursday 23rd July 2009

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THE Winchester 5km road race remains one of the few surviving city centre races originally spawned during the running boom of the 1980s.

Traffic and safety concerns have since closed the majority of them down.

The race gave runners a close up view of the precinct, all the paths winding around the cathedral and a short run alongside the River Itchen – all in a three-lap circuit.

With an entry of about 300 runners there was plenty for the Winchester tourists to watch – from cover as the rain clouds gathered. Salisbury-based Simon Plummer, running for Woodford Green, converted his track training to good use to completely dominate the field in winning in a quick time of 14 minutes 53 seconds.

Plummer lapped the majority of the field on his final circuit, having to weave in and out of groups as he increased his lead over the chasing foursome. Second, and part of the chasing group, was Andy Greenleaf (Winchester AC), with Stuart Fox (Bournemouth AC) third and Matt Missan (Southampton RC) fourth.

They had fought their own battle until the last kilometre – finishing in a line half a minute behind the winner.

The women’s race had parallels to the men’s in that Amy Campbell (Southampton RC) was stepping up a distance after a summer of running 800 and 1,500 metres track races.

In recording a personal best time of 17 minutes 12 seconds, she also won by a minute from Emma Patel (Winchester AC) and Cath Wheeler (Overton).

On an evening that was remarkably good for racing there were many personal best times recorded on a course that is flat and fast despite the many turns around the circuit.

Southampton RC just pipped local club Winchester to the men’s team prize, but the ladies of Winchester made amends in coming first and second on the night.

FOR A FULL LIST OF COMPETITORS AND RACE PICTURES, SEE THE LATEST EDITION OF THE HAMPSHIRE CHRONICLE, ON SALE NOW

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