Watch: Athletes master the mile during Spike Night of the 5000s

Tuesday 29 August 2023

Cow bells, music, cheers and a wave of clapping encouraged runners around the track in a special night at Footes Lane.

There were more than 100 entries in the Spike Night of the 5000s, which for the first time incorporated a Masters Mile to provide a friendly challenge for those over 50.

The second oldest person to take part was 81-year-old Trevor Jefferies.

“It was quite challenging, but it was good fun,” he said after finishing in 9:10.09.

It was something of a family affair too, his daughter Ali Gavey was also in the Masters Mile while his grandson Thomas led home the opening Junior Mile.

“I've got family that are all into running and they're pushing me and keeping me going,” he said.

He would be keen to see more masters runners taking part in running.

“It's a good experience. And the more people get involved, the better it will be.”

Pictured: Trevor Jefferies, Rick Mann, Ali Gavey and Alun Williams at one of the pre-race training sessions for masters runners.

Alun Williams had provided some training sessions to get people ready for the mile.

“It's been an absolutely fantastic night. It's such fun to be out on the track where eight weeks ago we had the Island Games and then it's our turn and it was such a lovely atmosphere.”

The masters athletes were given a taste of the elite treatment as they emerged from under the tunnel and were introduced to the crowd ahead of their races.

With 27 entered for the mile, it meant two races split by age group.

“Don't underestimate how tough it is to go out there. You're giving your best but in a really nice supportive atmosphere.”

The oldest person to toe the line was Keith De Carteret, 83.

Simon Ingroille clocked 5:21.23 to win the M50 category and take the fastest time, while Graham Merfield recorded 5:31.00 in the M60 category.

Sean Galpin (6:01.95) was leading M55, Robert Green (7:03.68) top M65 and Graham Webster (6:49.98) fastest M70.

Gavey (W55) was leading the women in 7:13.13, followed by Lisa Evans (W50) in 8:10.17.

Williams works at the Health Improvement Commission in a role that is about encouraging people to be active.

The recent Public Health report highlighted how many years people were spending in poor health as they aged.

Healthy life expectancies in Guernsey is 64.5 years for men and 63.2 years for women, with life expectancy of 81.2 and 83.4 respectively. 

“One of the ways to avoid that is to remain really active and not be afraid to do that. I was a relative youngster, I’m only 64, and I was caught at the end by Trevor Jefferies, 81, that’s brilliant. 

“Physiologically it’s important, because if you start not doing these things you start to see a reaction and mentally it’s really important and it gives you confidence.”

The night also saw four rounds of 5000m racing, all graded by time to ensure close, supportive racing.

Race one was led home by James Soden (20:52.66), race two by Lorcan Gallagher (18:52.32).

Nix Petit smashed her PB and claimed fifth spot in the All-Time list in winning race 3 in 17:51.99, seeing off the challenge of Merfield whose 17:58.64 ranks him fourth in his age group in the UK this year.

Steve Dawes led home the final race of the night in 15:22.63.

Full results are available here.

Pictured top: Runners set off in the Masters' Mile (picture from ActiveGsy.com).