Runner retains title in record time

A RECORD number of runners took part in the third annual Sonning Common 10km on Sunday.

Affiliated and non-affiliated runners lined up and more than £8,000 was raised for Sonning Common Primary School.

Rob Corney, of the Reading Roadrunners, returned and defended the title he won last year.

He completed the course ahead of 301 other competitors in a time of 31 minutes and 10 seconds and set a new course record.

Second to cross the finish line was Matthew Ploszynski, who finished around three minutes later, followed by Ryan O’Brien, who finished around a minute after him.

The route saw runners start and finish at the primary school in Grove Road.

Runners progressed through Sonning Common to Kidmore End, past Gallowstree Common, Wyfold Wood and Peppard Hill and Bishopswood and back through the village.

Despite the wind, competitors enjoyed clear skies and sunshine. Alan Hayes, 66, attended the primary school when he was a child and returned to the grounds to take part in the race.

Mr Hayes, who now lives in Wallingford, said: “I wanted to take part to raise money for the school and because it started and finished in the same playground I ran around in when I was 10 years old.

“It feels good to be back. I have very happy memories from the school. The quadrangle hasn’t changed a bit and the buildings haven’t changed apart from the windows. Much of it is still the same.”

He said the course was “brilliant”, adding “it’s a very good run right through the Chilterns.”

At 89 years old, Patrick “Tom” Harrison was the oldest runner to take part in the race.

A UK athletics coach affiliated with Reading Roadrunners, Mr Harrison is a keen athlete who has run the London Marathon 17 times. He said: “It was typical British motorway roads, lumps, bumps and potholes all the way — that’s just how it is now.”

He said one of the reasons he runs is the feeling you get when you cross the finish line.

“Particularly the London Marathon, for example, you walk about two feet off the ground for several weeks after the competition because you feel happy,” he said.

The event marked Mel Broughton’s first time completing a 10km. She ran the race with Teamfit, a running group based in Benson.

She said: “It was really good, just completing it was the main thing. I’ve only really got into fitness because of Teamfit. I couldn’t have done it on my own!”

Laura Elliston, another member of Teamfit, lives in Sonning Common and has a daughter who attends the primary school.

Ms Elliston said: “The race went really well. The last two years I’ve been doing it, I was running it as more of a race. I actually trained Mel and this was her first ever race. The plan was not to stop and just to finish it, which we achieved so I’m really proud of her.

“As always, it was a lovely route and we were so lucky with the weather today. My daughter Tilly is in Year 5 at this school and we think it’s a great school, we love it.

“This event is so well organised, the marshals were so supportive, everyone was on top form. There’s a lovely atmosphere here which is why we always enjoy this one.

“I can’t wait to do it next year and the year after that! I look forward to it because it’s definitely a personal best route, it’s a really good run.”

Julie Wing, 75, from Woodley, finished first in the over-70 category. Affiliated with the Reading Roadrunners, Mrs Wing has been running for
42 years and has completed 327 marathons.

She said: “I thought it was a nice course, the only bit I wasn’t so keen on was the off-road bit because it was a bit potholey but it wasn’t too bad — I’ve done worse! I just love being out. It’s hard work but I don’t like being cooped up.”

Those who attended the fundraiser also stayed for a barbecue, refreshments including a coffee truck and a bake sale, playground games and the chance to explore the grounds.

Rachel Salmons, headteacher at Sonning Common Primary School, said: “The race has been brilliant, the atmosphere has been great and we’ve got more runners than ever before.

“There’s lots of previous pupils and parents who are rerunning today. It’s nice to see everybody out enjoying exercise. It’s a good time of year for it as well — lots of clubs have made it their championship races so there’s a really good range of runners here.”

Mrs Salmons said the event will mainly help to fund sporting facilities at the school and staff hope to put a running track around the playing field.

The primary school’s joint chair of governors, Jon Edney, enjoyed taking part in the “incredible” event.

He said: “It just raises so much for the school and, like most schools, it needs every penny it can get. It’s also a chance for people to come in and see the grounds. The school grounds are incredible with all the fields so it’s a nice advert for the school.”

The event was supported by sponsors Shiplake College, Focus at Badgemore Park in Henley and Beville Estate Agency, which is based in Sonning Common.