Jack’s back with a victory at Meerbrook
A satisfying win for the Wolves & Bilston runner on his comeback.
Jack Pickett was on top of the world after winning the Meerbrook 15K (Saturday 19 November) against stiff competition. He battled his way to the front at race 19 in the NSRRA League Programme for 2022.
The Meerbrook 15K is not a race to underestimate with over 1200ft of elevation including everyone’s favourite climb – Gun Hill. The penultimate event in the NSRRA series it also incorporated the Inter-Area match where teams of runners proudly represented Cheshire, Derbyshire, North Wales, Shropshire and Staffordshire. Points, placings and prestige were at stake.
It was cloudy and wet in the Staffordshire Moorlands – murky at the top of Gun Hill - as around 150 runners started at 10am and quickly got up to speed ahead of the ascents and descents awaiting them. A tough race was on the cards with little respite until near the end and the chance to run flat out to the finish.
At the front, Jack Pickett (Wolverhampton & Bilston AC) was running for Shropshire along with Daniel Husbands and Matthew Costello (both Shrewsbury AC). Alongside Lee Gratton (Rugeley Runners) and Jordan Thomas (City of Stoke AC) wearing the green and white vest of Staffordshire.
They continued to push the pace when with two miles left to go Jack Pickett kicked and took the lead. He managed to hold onto this as he sped downhill and across the finish line to win in 51:06. Lee Gratton followed in 51:24 with Jordan Thomas third in 52:45.
The flying feet of Emma Thomas (City of Stoke AC) propelled her to first female and a win for Staffordshire in 59:33. A second and third for Cheshire with Diane McVey (Wilmslow RC) and Nicola Reece (Wilmslow RC) finishing in 1:02:22 and 1:02:52 respectively.
The last runner crossed the line in 2:22:37.
There were new course records for Boalloy RC’s Carl Moulton (M40) in 53:40 and Trentham RC’s Alan Lewis (M80) in 1:38:48.
A complete set of results is available to view via the runABC Midlands Race Listings page.
Saturday 26 November is the Cheddleton 10K at 2pm – the final race in the NSRRA programme to end the season on a high note.
Image courtesy of Bryan Dale (Race Photos).
