Boston Community Runners battle through the storm

The Saturday had teased everyone with a fine day and, as it turned out, the Monday after the event was also warm and sunny but that Sunday inbetween will go down as one of the wettest ever making it a challenge for organisers and runners from the outset.

The heavy rain that was forecast duly arrived during the early hours and lasted into the afternoon with the wind building up during the day too.

Boston Community Runners had 40 members taking part across all the distances with others helping out by volunteering around the course. The full marathon was the first away at the early time of 8am.

Five members took part with Martin Tebbs being the first club runner back in 3.52.27 he was followed by Marcus Staff with a PB time of 4.52.41 and Micheal Corney, who ran with him, in 4.52.42 and Clare Teesdale with a PB run of 5.38.49.

Shiela Vasquez also took part but took the brave decision to stop at mile 20. Shiela said “I have no regrets pulling out. I prepared best I could for the weather, but soaked from the start line and I just knew my body was getting colder.

"It was best to go home rather than passing out and end up at the back of an ambulance needing more serious assistance. Weather was relentless! Wind and rain was awful.

"Today was more than character building, I was put to a test in all aspects. We try again next time”. It is always a difficult decision for any runner but Shiela knew it was the right one.”

The half marathon was away at 8.30am with 15 runners setting off in the pack. Dan Clark was the first club runner back only 40 seconds off his time from last year and he was followed in by Steve Roberts who took 2nd in his age category with a time of 1.28.12 just ahead of Tom Lomas in 1.28.26. Nick Turner had a good run in 1.46.09 and he was followed home by Nathan Saw in 1.47.15 who was running with John Burton (1.47.26).

Jill Rymer was just outside her best time, stopping the clock in 1.50.42 and next home with a new PB time of 1.57.29 was Claire Jennings in 1.57.29. Ben Fenwick also secured a sub 2hr PB with a time of 1.59.46. Neil Goodwin was next home and another PB was recorded, crossing the line in 2.04.36 just ahead of Sarah-Jane Eggleton in 2.06.33.

Tracie Charles was next home in 2.08.39 just ahead of Sharon Houghton in 2.09.05. Jayne Wallis was pleased to finish in 2.14.21. Joanne Gostelow was having her first official race finishing in 2.22.05 and Lewis Chirimuuta secured a PB with a time of 2.31.06.

The 10k started from the park gates with 14 club runners taking part. Lee Conway lead the charge for home taking 3rd in his age category with a time of 48.13 and was followed in by wife Rachel who also took 3rd place in her age category in 49.00.

Sim Corke was another club runner taking 3rd in his age category with a new PB time of 56.32. Another sub hour time of 59.04 saw David Cobb also take 3rd in his age category. Louise Clayton was just over the hour in 1.01.16 and was followed in by Dianne Houghton, who was also part of Team Asda, in 1.03.58. Mary Turner had a super run in 1.06.16 and Peter Mittertreiner was pleased to finish in 1.07.19. Marion Clark took 1st place in her age category with a time of 1.11.20. Sally Bridgeman ran a 1.15.13 and she was followed in by Marcia Johnson in 1.16.48. Claire Corney ran a 1.17.01 and Dawn Cobb recorded a time of 1.20.06. Final runner home, and tail runner for the 10k event, was Sarah Burton in 1.40.27.

The 5k run saw Karilina Ratkeviciute take a sub 30 time of 29.31. Debbie Petley finished in 46.28 and Kim Vamplew stopped the clock in 46.29.

Boston Community Runners are a running club for all abilities and distances. They also offer a RunWalkRun group and a Walking with Purpose group. They meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at about 6.50pm for a 7pm start from Peter Paine on Rosebery Avenue. You'll find many at Saturday parkruns and members also arrange weekend social runs. For further information about the club and it's activities visit www.bostoncommunityrunners.co.uk or search Boston Community Runners on Facebook.