Rochdale 10k road race

Team Rochdale

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Ian Stainthorpe was Rochdale Harriers first runner back last night (Tuesday 6 July) finishing the annual 10k road race in a time of 37:56, earning him 11th place. 

However, it was Ian Grime of Newham & Essex Beagles who raced home to victory  in a time of 32 minutes 38 seconds, completing a hat-trick of victories at the event in as many years.

Mr. Grime was just under a minute clear of his closest rival, David Lockett of Salford Harriers & AC, who came home in 33 minutes 36 seconds.
The top three was rounded off by, David’s Salford team mate, James Williams who completed the undulating course in 34.53.

The conditions were, thankfully, dry and warm allowing 232 runners to complete the course.  The runners stretched and warmed up for the 7.15 start from Springfield park and made their way through Bamford, past Queens Park, up through Heywood before completing the 10k loop back to Springfield park.

Mr Grime’s winning time of 32.38 was still two and a half minutes out of the longstanding record set by Dave Singleton of Bolton United Harriers in 1981 when he completed the course in 30.06.

Hayley Kuter of Manchester YMCA Harriers was the first female back in a time of 39:06, which also placed her 18th in the overall standings.

Junior male, Ben Johnson was Rochdale’s first junior representative home in a time of 39:00 which gave him 17th place along with 2nd junior.

The oldest competitor to finish the race was Brian Hurst running for Royton Road Runners in the male 70 category. Brian completed the race in a time of 1 hour, 29 minutes, 54 seconds.

The men’s team prize went to Middleton Harriers, beating Salford by just one point, with Belle Vue Racers taking home the team prize for the ladies. 

Phil Roberts, Chairman of Rochdale Harriers and last nights race organiser, said: "The race went well and numbers were similar to last year.

"We did have more unattached runners this year though, this might be down to peoples perception that clubs are elitist but this is not the case, everyone is welcome at Rochdale Harriers."