Jamie Arnold and Kelly Butler christened the new Trentham 10K (Sunday 7 August) course with victories. They and the rest of the field tackled the many ups and downs with marshal support keeping them going to the end. 

It was blue skies and sunshine at Race 12 in the NSRRA league programme that was organised by Trentham RC which started and finished at Wedgewood Cricket Club. Warm weather had been forecast and the organisers advised participants to stay hydrated – there was a water station at 5K and more available at the finish in paper cups as part of Trentham RC’s sustainability ethos. No plastic, car sharing recommended and pre-ordered medals to be posted out afterwards were the measures put in place at their environmentally aware event.  

NSRRA Chairman Ken Rushton conducted a race briefing at 9.25am, reminding everyone to be aware of traffic as this was held on open roads before sending the runners on their way at 9.30am. The action began at  the first uphill section of the race and continued throughout.

The route was moved to Barlaston for safety reasons and whilst the change meant everybody’s favourite – the ascent of Beech - had disappeared there were enough challenging sections to keep people on their toes.     

City of Stoke AC’s Jamie Arnold flew off the start line, the Coles sponsored athlete raced away from the rest of the field and remained in the lead around the hilly course. Up and up for the first 5K followed by long downhill stretches to turn the legs over at speed then a final burst into the cricket ground and the finish. 

Jamie Arnold won the 2022 Trentham 10K in 32:41. Carl Moulton of Boalloy RC followed in 33:51 with VeloRunner’s Danny Soltys third in 34:40. 

There was another win for City of Stoke AC with Kelly Butler finishing in 40:23. Amanda Kelly of Stoke FIT was second in 41:40 and the host club’s Joanne Stanfield third in 41:57.

All the results are available via the runABC Midlands Race Listings page. 

There were prizes for the top three men and women, age group winners and two spot prizes generously donated by sponsor Brian Cole (Coles Injury & Rehab Clinics).

Next up ... It's the Dave Clarke 5K this Thursday 11 August at 7.15pm. The second race from Trentham RC is held on a multi-terrain course. Enter via the Trentham RC website.

Image courtesy of Bryan Dale (Race Photos)