Road race season gets underway in challenging conditions

Tuesday 27 February 2024

Faced with a late change of course and some unpredictable wind, the runners in the Chertsey House 5K took it all in their stride.

The opening race of the road series was switched to the L’Eree to Vazon course after flooding ruled out the scheduled Saumarez Park course.

That meant the shelter of the park was lost, and the swirling wind and cold temperatures took an edge off the times.

Ethan Woodhead took control of the race from the outset, crossing the line in 16:36 to take the wind ahead of Jack Rees (17:00) and the more experienced, fast closing trio of David Emery (17:10), Matt Jamieson (17:11) and Mike Wilesmith (17:14).

Pictured: David Emery (96), Mike Wilesmith and Matt Jamieson (9).

In the women’s field, Nix Petit took off where she left off from the cross country season with a win in 18:04, with Ulrike Maisch second in 18:30 and U14 athlete Grace King third in 19:25.

Pictured: Nix Petit (20).

A total of 111 runners crossed the finish line, with age-graded results also being calculated to add another dimension to the series.

This gives athletes a percentage score for their time based on the world best in their age category.

Graham Merfield (M60 to 64), who finished 17th overall in 18:29, leapt to the top of the leaderboard with 86.56%, followed by Maisch with 86.31% and Jamieson in third with 82.93%.

Pictured: Graham Merfield (61), Ulrike Maisch (25) and Lee Garland.

Next up in the series is the Richard Freidrich Imperial 10 which takes place on Sunday 10 March.

Pictured top: Ethan Woodhead. All pictures by Rob Elliot.