Woman gets back on track with victory after 14 years

A RUNNER who returned to the sport after a 14-year break was the first woman across the line at the Wargrave 10km.

A total of 372 runners took part in the race which started and finished at Recreation Ground off Recreation Road, on Sunday.

In addition to a hilly start, runners had to battle with hot weather with temperatures hitting 29C.

Sarah Gee, 61, from Warfield, crossed the finish line in 39 minutes and one second.

It was the first time she had participated in the race after giving up racing in 2010 to juggle caring for her children and her job as a medical writer.

She previously won the race in 2009.

Ms Gee, who races for Windle Valley Runners, said: “I’m actually dripping with sweat.

“When we hit the hills, I picked it up and didn’t drop the pace on that bit. Then, when I realised I was out in front, I just wanted to stay at that pace.

“The heat hit me at about 7km on the out-and-back part, where there is no shade. But then the last 2km are quite easy because they are downhill and shaded.”

Ms Gee was closely followed by Katherine Streams, 56, from Wokingham. She finished the race in a time of 39 minutes and 51 seconds.

Ms Streams, who was the first female last year, managed to shave a minute off her time.

“I was ready for it, but not in this heat,” she said. “It took every bit of mental internal dialogue to keep going. In a day like this, it’s safety and sanity over heroics.”

Tamina Kate Oliver, a psychotherapist and counsellor from Twyford, finished third in a time of 41 minutes and 17 seconds.

Ms Oliver had just returned from representing Great Britain in the World Triathlon Duathlon Championships in Pontevedra, Spain, where she came second.

She described the race as a “real test”. She said: “It was nice to have some undulations on the course, it makes it a little bit more interesting than it just being flat.”

The first man to cross the line was Matt Kimpton, 35, from Wargrave, in a time of 34 minutes and one second.

Mr Kimpton, who was running for Wargrave and Twyford Runners, described the course as tough. He said: “I probably went a bit quick up the hills so I was hanging on at the end.

“I knew there would be some good runners at the front, so it’s nice to win.”

Mr Kimpton, who runs an engineering business, knocked four minutes off his personal best time achieved last year.

He was followed by Will Burrard-Lucas, from Bourne End, who finished in a time of 34 minutes and 32 seconds. In third place was Callum Evans, 26, who finished in five seconds later.

Mr Evans, who is from Purley, said he had enjoyed battling Mr Kimpton during the final stretch of the race.

He said: “We were neck and neck with a sprint finish but I just didn’t have it to take him. It was a really good race.” As well as the 10km race there was a kids’ fun run which included three laps of the Recreation Ground.

Benjamin Beechey, nine, came first, Lleyton Norcott, 11, came second, and Max Williams, 13, came third in the boys’ race.

Benjamin, from Earley, said: “It was challenging. I was thinking in my head ‘Go faster, go faster’.” His sister, Isabelle, came third in the girls’ race. It was won by Olivia Kwit, nine, followed by Freya Gosling, nine.

The event was organised by Barnes Fitness and was supported by Wargrave and Twyford Runners. Cakes and refreshments were provided by 1st Wargrave Guides and water was handed out along the course by 1st Wargrave Scouts.

Sarah Evans, from Wargrave and Twyford Runners, said: “It’s a grassroots event. We have had a great turnout and really good weather. We have been running for more than 40 years and last year raised £1,500 for Daisy’s Dream.”