Around 220 runners started the new month on solid footing at the Thursday evening (1 September) JCB Lakeside 5 Mile. There were victories for Andrew Miles and Nia Nokes and monies raised for children’s charity NSPCC. 

Around 250 runners took part in the 37th JCB Lakeside 5 and 2 Mile Fun Run, starting the new month on a solid foundation whilst supporting the work of this charity. Amongst the field were organiser Mick Grindey and Charles Bevan, both former JCB employees who have toed the line at every race since its debut in 1983. The event was sidelined due to the pandemic and rescheduled from 14 July.  

Both races set off together at 7pm from the JCB World HQ at Rocester, Staffordshire on a warm, late summer evening. An undulating course, there were two laps for the 5 mile and one lap for the 2 mile fun run.  

The 5 mile runners continued around the JCB grounds then headed out on to village roads. Onwards they went, digging in before returning to HQ where they raced around the lake and across the finish line on the sports fields.

Andrew Miles of Vale Royal AC was the winner in 26:13 nearly two minutes ahead of Harry Bond of City of Stoke AC who finished second in 28:06. Martyn Taylor of Ashbourne RC was not far behind, finishing third in 28:20. 

City of Stoke AC’s Nia Nokes was the women’s winner in 33:03. Emily Merrison was second in 35:03 and Carol Higgs of Trentham RC third in 35:16. 

Mick Grindey finished in 46:55 and Charles Bevan in 1:05:03. 

In the 2.2 Mile Fun Run, Murphy Hamilton (U15) of City of Stoke AC was the winner in 11:52. Caitlin McCarney (U15) of Burton AC the female winner in 12:53. 

View all the results from both races via the runABC Midlands Race Listings page.   

This popular event raised £2,000 for the NSPCC.

Image courtesy of Bryan Dale (Race Photos)