Davies delivers record as GFDR host Stebbing 10
Liz Davies set a new women's course record at the Stebbing 10 - Credit: Archant
Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners organised this year’s Stebbing 10 mile race, which produced a new course record.
James Connor in action at the Stebbing 10 - Credit: Archant
Before setting out on the course, the 461 competitors joined the local congregation at the village war memorial for a two-minute silence.
And when the race – which doubled up as an Essex Championship event and won the Howard Williams Trophy as the county’s best road race in 2016 – got underway, Liz Davies beat the women’s record by 43 seconds.
Davies, who runs for Springfield Striders, came home in 59 minutes seven seconds for her historic win, with Witham Running Club’s Rachel Sweatt (1:02.30) finishing runner-up.
Springfield’s Jackie Stretton completed the women’s podium in third place in 1:05.21.
Athletes observe a two-minute silence before the Stebbing 10 - Credit: Archant
The men’s race was won by James Connor of Kent Athletic Club in 52.15, ahead of Thrift Green Trotters’ Ryan Prout (53.40) and Woodford Green’s Angus Holford (55.03).
James Bosher led the way home for GFDR in a new personal best of 57.22.
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Unsurprisingly, record breaker Davies took the F35 age group prize, while Harlow’s Carinne Jay (1:14.57) and Flyers Southend’s Anne Purdham (1:26.53) claimed first place in the F45 and F55 categories respectively.
The men’s M40 winner was Russell Davies (58.34), of Springfield Striders, and the M50 prize went to Woodford Green’s Gareth Cavell (59.25).
Tiptree Road Runners’ Paul Mingay was first among the M60 athletes after clocking 59.33.
Saffron Striders won the women’s team award, while Springfield Striders took top honours for the men, while GFDR made a donation to the Royal British Legion from the proceeds of the race.
