A TOTAL of 26 Tone Zone runners were among the record 25,000 field for the Great South Run in Portsmouth.
In what is regarded the flattest and biggest ten-mile race in Europe, Dame Kelly Holmes set the runners on their way.
Cold winds and icy drizzle made it a challenging start but conditions at least kept runners’ body temperatures down.
Several of the clubs runners were competing in this race for the first time, including Richard Peach, who was running for the Alzheimer’s Society, and Judith Bazeley, who finished in an impressive time of 1hr 21min.
Personal bests were achieved by Jo Langrish, Sarah Baker and Grace Natoli, the latter taking more than four minutes off her previous best.
Jim Simmons was the first male runner home with an impressive PB of 1.10. He was followed by three more Tone Zone members - Ian Bayley, Chris Gallagher and Gary Pidgeon, all finishing within seconds of each other and gaining a brief TV appearance.
The atmosphere was superb as tens of thousands of spectators lined the route. Several Tone Zoners unable to race were there in support.
Meanwhile at the Denmead 10k, veteran Roy Webb secured first place in his age category. Grace Natoli tackled the new nine-mile muddy Misted Stinger in Hampshire finishing in 1.38. Michelle Maxim, after returning from a long-term injury, competed in the Richmond 5k finishing in a great time of 28min.
Tone Zone times: Deborah Hall 1hr 8min 15sec, Jim Simmons 1.10.17, Ian Bayley 1.15.50, Chris Gallagher 1.16.20, Gary Pidgeon 1.16.31, Jason Rae 1.19.55, Sarah Santer 1.20.53, Amanda Worne 1.21.11, Judith Bazeley 1.21.47, Stuart Thompson 1.22.55, Ian Culton 1.27.12, Paul Cole 1.28.17, Grace Natoli 1.30.12, Robert Little 1.30.51, Paul Stevenson 1.35.16, Richard Peach 1.35.18, Paul Westwood 1.38, Jo Langrish 1.38.36, Sarah Baker 1.42.17, Mandy Evens 1.45.02, Melanie Dixon 1.47.22, Sarah Ferris 1.47.26, Claire Robinson 1.55.19, Mandy Ruddock 1.55.19, Derek Winslow 2.00.03, Hannah English 2.04.29.
More ToneZone runners’ results can be found at www.tonezonerunners.org/races.php
IAN BAYLEY
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