Phil Wicks – image courtesy of Franck Crosnier

Husband and wife team Phil and Emily Wicks were again victorious in the Air Products Elmbridge 10k race, organised by Elmbridge Road Runners. It completed a treble of Elmbridge wins for Phil, the Belgrave Harrier, who also won the trophy in 2005 and 2013. Phil also set a new men’s course record of 30.38 minutes for this revised route, now in its third year of operation. For Emily, it was her second win as the Aldershot, Farnham & District athlete set the current Ladies’ record of 34.53 minutes in 2014.

Phil, who has represented Great Britain on the track, cross-country and road, set his sights on the record from the start. He commented; “I went off hard to target the course record but over-cooked it in the first half. I went through 5km in 15 minutes dead. Then I just tried to keep the pace going as I was running on my own.”  It turned out to be a one-man show as Wicks led from start to finish. By the 7km mark he had a two minute lead on eventual second and third place finishers, Joe Croft of South London Harriers and Belgrave team mate Gus Upton who finished in 33.04 mins and 33.23 respectively.

It was a very different story for Emily in the Ladies’ race where she fought toe to toe all the way with Steph McCall of South London Harriers. Wicks trailed McCall until 5km but by 7km the pair were running side by side-by side – 20 metres ahead of Aldershot’s Georgie Bruinvels, who finished the race in third. Wicks forced the pace along the Thames towpath to edge out McCall after 9km and win by just two seconds in 35.05 minutes.

Emily Wicks (left) and Steph McCall – image courtesy of Franck Crosnier

There were two stand-out performances in the age-group categories; Jane Davies of Epsom and Ewell won Ladies 65 plus race in 45.27 minutes, and in the Men’s 60 plus race Bob Bradbury, of Woking AC, ran an impressive 37.47 minutes. It wasn’t Jane’s for impressive feat however, as she still holds the current World Marathon Record for a lady of her age.

The winning Men’s team was South London Harriers and the Ladies team prize was won by West 4 Harriers. The first Elmbridge Resident home was Chris Bundhun of Ranelagh Harriers, and prizes were presented by David Durrant of race sponsors Air Products.

Every year a donation from race proceeds is made to Cross Roads Care Surrey. Alastair Patterson, representing the charity, spoke of their work supporting carers who look after a relative or friend with a significant health condition or disability.  The aim is to give carers regular breaks from their responsibilities. As part of their support in Walton, the charity runs a ‘Saturday Club’ providing children with a regular day of activities, thus giving carers some valuable respite.

All race results can be viewed at www.elmbridgeroadrunners.co.uk

Elmbridge Road Runners meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for a run and welcome new members – see website for details.