Simpson storms to victory

1:28pm Thursday 7th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

South London Harriers had a record turnout of 121 finishers at last Thursday’s Near-as-Dammit 10km trail race.

Numbers were boosted by sizeable groups from local running clubs, including Reigate Priory AC, Striders of Croydon and Collingwood AC.

In the opening mile, the leading group, a trio from SLH comprising Stuart Major, Jason Simpson and Pawel Bal, and Phil Sanger, of Epsom & Ewell, pulled steadily away from the rest of the field, and it was then between this four over who would prevail at the finish line.

With one mile to the finish, Major and Simpson were shoulder to shoulder, but Simpson was able to find another gear that brought him home in 34.10 (also taking first veteran 40 place), with Major 32 seconds behind. Sanger won his battle with Bal to take third in 35.36, with Bal fourth in 35.44.

SLH took the next three places with David Ogden fifth in 37.45, Paul Hone sixth in 37.51 and Ian Kitching seventh in 38.31.

Mark Gregory was eighth in 38.46, with Greg Sherriff, of Oxted Runners, ninth in 39.22.

SLH’s Beckie Woodland ran strongly to take the first women’s place (18th overall) in a time of 41.21.

Reigate Priory’s Meera Siva was second (24th overall) in 42.19, and Ruth Hutton (SLH) was third (26th overall) in 42.53.