runABC South's news reporter Alan Newman (pictured #379 above) was among 300 competitors in the British Masters 10K Championships that were held within a fully sold-out Chichester 10K at the historic Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit on Sunday 4 February.

With many of the nation's best master athletes adding strength in depth to the 1,272 total finishers in the event, Race Director Gavin Stephens of Runbase Events correctly predicted a course record when he said: “If friendly weather greets the runners on race day we could see something really special. The entry list is top notch and the inclusion of the British Masters Championships brings quality throughout the age categories.”

Race day dawned overcast with drizzle and strong winds, but at least the temperature was ideal at 10C as Dani Nimmock's 33:58 was eclipsed by Lauren Hall (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC, 33:20). Lauren was followed by the 2014 European Cross Country Champion Gemma Steel (Charnwood AC, 33:40) – who swept to the British Masters W35 title – and Emily Moyes (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC, 33:46 PB).

The men's race was also a pretty classy affair as pre-race favourite Jack Woods (Worthing & District Harriers, 30:17 PB) – the fastest UK parkrunner with 14:31 at Worthing the previous Saturday – was a clear winner from the 2024 BMAF M35 champion Simon Heath (Brighton Phoenix, 30:42) and Stephen Derrett (Western Tempo, 30:43 PB). Nick Goolab's 2020 event record (29:01) survived for another year.

Nearly 300 athletes flew around the predominantly flat course – including 5K on the famous tarmac of the Goodwood Circuit with a Grandstand start and finish – in less than 40 minutes.

Notable winners of British Masters gold medals included M40 John Hutchins (Woking AC, 31:32); M50 Adrian Mussett (Colchester Harriers, 31:40); W40 Ellie Monks (Southampton AC, 34:52); W50 Kate Rennie (Dacorum AC, 36:17); W55 Lucy Elliott (Winchester & District AC, 37:11) and W60 Cathy Newman (Exmouth Harriers, 39:21).

As for your correspondent – an enjoyable race finished with a ding-dong sprint for the line with old friend John Tolhurst (M70 Paddock Wood AC). Two 70-year-olds behaving like 7-year-olds! We shared the same gun time (45:51) but wily John edged ahead and had a better chip time, so 5th M70 to my 6th M70. We then shared a shuffle warm-down as we discussed past battles and future plans – it's what it's all about.

Full results and previous reports of Chichester 10K here and the BMAF Masters 10K here.

Photo courtesy Diane Bradley (Tonbridge AC) and course map courtesy Chichester 10K