December 27th traditionally sees runners from all over the West Midlands (and beyond!) converge on the Staffordshire village of Wheaton Aston for their annual fix of post-Christmas 10k road racing. This year was no exception, and despite the efforts of Storm Gerrit, over 400 runners took to the start line of the Wheaton Aston 10k in 2023.
Taking place as it does in late December, the weather for this race is predictably variable, and this year saw forecasts of winds over 45 mph, as well as rain to go with it. Fortunately, the worst of the weather saved itself for after the race, but runners still had to battle the conditions on a day when going for records and PBs played second fiddle to just getting around the course and conquering the conditions.
The race is a single lap anti-clockwise course, starting and finishing at Wheaton Aston Primary School, taking in the surrounding lanes, mostly to the north of the village. The route takes runners through the village of Martson, as well as around the outside of the historic RAF Little Onn airfield, which was used for bomber training during World War 2. The race features around 60m of elevation gain, and the final half of the race this year was run into a headwind, courtesy of the storm.
Henry Webb of Dark Peak Fell Runners took the overall victory this year, completing the course in 32 minutes, 33 seconds. He was followed home by Oliver Harradence of Royal Sutton Coldfield AC, who took second place in 33:01. Completing the men’s podium was Finn Churton, who clocked a time of 33:09. Holly Baddeley of Wolves and Bilston AC took the win in the women’s race, taking 34th place overall in a time of 39:16. Hayley Wells was second, clocking 40:03 in 42nd overall, and Sophia Harrison of Swansea Harriers was third in 40:16, taking 47th overall.
Host club Newport & District RC was well represented as always, by both volunteers marshalling the race, and also participants. Alex Millington was the first Novaportan to cross the line, taking 24th place overall in 38:08. Robin Guy was next, 39th overall in a time of 39:37. David Brown took 71st position in 43:02, whilst Alex Cochrane was the first under 20, and 84th overall, in 44:23. Jonathan Pierce was 103rd in 46:22, whilst Neil Fairbrother finished 152nd in 49:23. Richard Bennett was next, 155th overall in 49:20, whilst David Evans was 185th in 51:13 and Amy Hughes was the first female NDRC runner in a time of 52:55 for 204th place.
Phil Hardy finished 212nd in a time of 53:31, whilst Elspeth Blake clocked a time of 54:58 for 235th spot. Peter Johnstone finished 251st in 55:55, whilst Selwyn Plant took 296th in 59:43, just ahead of Olver Stokes, who was 298th in 59:54. Maff Wellman ran a time of 1:03:37 for 329th, whilst Louise Patterson clocked 1:03:40 for 330th, and Matthew Humphries was 380th in 1:13:45.
Full results can be found at https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/32X
Bryan Dale’s photos from the day are available as a free download to all runners, and can be found at his website: http://www.racephotos.org.uk/Wheaton%20Aston%20[2023].htm (photos taken at the start, after 300m, after 9k and at the finish line)
Newport & District Running Club 