Pacers Pace People To PBs
Eastleigh 10K delivers on its promise again
Azure blue skies greeted the 2,254 entries for the 38th Hendy Eastleigh 10K – self-titled with considerable justification as 'the home of the PB' – on Sunday 19 March 2023. Based at Places Leisure, Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh, the race starts and finishes within sight of main sponsor Hendy Eastleigh's new Leigh Road showrooms.
The Hendy Pacers this year were renamed the Dave Hawkins Pacing Team in memory of a great man and they did a fine job in maintaining the race's reputation as they covered every 5-minute interval from 40 minutes to 70 minutes.
Leading from the start (#2286 above) was Jonathan Cornish (Hercules Wimbledon AC) who operated at 3:01/kilometre pace for a finishing time of 30:11. Jonathan was chased home by William Bryan (Southampton AC, 30:24) and Alex Lawrence (Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC, 30:33).
Four females finished within 35 minutes in a high-quality women's race. Louise Small (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC, 33:34) led the way from Megan Gadsby (City of Norwich AC, 33:52), W35 Helen Hall (Winchester & District AC, 34:21) and Charlie Arnell (MK Distance Project, 34:55).
The depth of performance is always impressive in this race. More than 80 athletes beat 35 minutes; 280 managed 40 minutes and 830 managed 5:00/kilometre pace for a sub-50:00 return.
The Hendy Eastleigh 10K atmosphere has been captured in this excellent video from last year...
Free race photos were provided by Derek Jennings AKA Smug Mug and this year's race charities were Wessex Heartbeat and the Mayor of Eastleigh's Charity Appeal.
Results and previous race reports at runABC South race listing here.
Image courtesy Derek Jennings for Hendy Eastleigh 10K on Facebook