Newsdesk

Running GP Goodwood July 2021

Racers were back on track for the Goodwood GP

Famous old motor racing circuit provides perfect venue for 600+

It was a case of taking your grid positions, lights out and they were off! The famous Goodwood Motor Circuit (lap record 1:09.914 by Nick Padmore, 1984 Arrows in 2020) was the venue for RunThrough's latest Running Grand Prix at Goodwood on Sunday (4 July).

The 600+ athletes could not match the speed of the historic racing cars that so often grace this fabulous 3.8km ribbon of manicured tarmac nestled in the West Sussex hills near Chichester but there was still plenty of high octane action and a few close finishes for the grandstand to savour.    

With race distances from 5km to a full marathon, there was something for everyone on Sunday and runners were keen to adopt the venue's slogan: Addicted to Speed. 

The atmosphere is palpable as soon as you pass through the tunnel onto the racing surface and history abounds as Goodwood Motor Circuit was officially opened in September 1948, when Freddie March, the 9th Duke of Richmond and Gordon and an amateur racer, tore round the track in a Bristol 400.

Burning rubber in a different sense on Sunday were the 5km sprinters, who were led to the chequered flag by Gary Foster (HY Runners, 15:41) and Cassie Thorp (Portsmouth AC, 17:02).

The 10km was popular with 182 finishers in 1:38:54, including our happy photo stars: Anthony Wood (1:09:38) and Jo Thompson (1:11:10). Pole positions were claimed by Josh Chivers (Lordshill RR, 35:32) and Alexa King (Hart RR, 36:12).

The half marathon was even more favoured - 208 finishers in 3:00:05 - and the pacesetters were Simon Heath (Brighton Phoenix, 1:07:10) and Rachel Hillman (Hailsham Harriers, 1:21:24).

There was a time when 20 miles was a regular race distance but these days it is seen more as a marathon preparation run. The small field of 18 finishers on Sunday illustrated that clearly as Dave Edwards (2:00:18) and Kat Owens (2:14:20) went one-two at the front in excellent times.

And so the five-race programme concluded with the full marathon won by almost 10 minutes by the impressive Matthew Phillips (Llanelli AAC, 2:39:47). Miyuki Okubo (3:00:25) won the women's race and was so close to smashing the three-hour barrier!

Results are available via runABC South's comprehensive race listing here

Image courtesy RunThrough on facebook

Previous & Next News

top