This report on the 2013 Perivale 5 was sent in by Fiona Kennedy, Membership & Press Secretary, Ealing Southall & Middlesex AC:
Conditions were perfect on Sunday morning for the 16th Perivale 5, a road race hosted by Ealing Southall & Middlesex AC at Perivale Park. There was a record entry of 400, and many took the opportunity to improve their 5 mile times on the fast, flat course.
The first three men all set personal bests. 2012 winner Rob Thompson of Hillingdon AC knocked 40 seconds from his previous best, winning in a very impressive 25:29, the 6th quickest in the history of the race. Second-placed Jonny Laybourn of Highgate Harriers worked his way through the field to finish in 26:26, while Perivale 5 regular Matt Woodman of Staffordshire Harriers took third spot in 26:43. These were followed by a trio of ESM runners who landed the team prize: Jamie Taylor-Caldwell (26:52) managed to sprint away at the finish from Max Wells-Pestell (26:57), with Chris Hepworth just a few seconds adrift in 27:07. A further 21 men broke the 30 minute barrier.
In the women’s race, Leigh James of London Heathside, winner for the last two years, took an early lead and maintained this until the start of the second lap. Fiona Kennedy of ESM then went past, opening enough of a gap to win in 30:37. This is a British age best for a woman of 55+. Leigh followed 17 seconds later, shaving two seconds from her PB. Third-placed Cathy Jeremiah of London Heathside also achieved a PB in 31:46. Women’s team honours went to Ealing Eagles, courtesy of Amy Cope-Balchin in 4th (32:12), Jennifer Laughton in 6th (33:50) and Jennifer Watt in 9th (34:22).
There were some notable performances in the veteran ranks. Margaret Moody of Vets AC ran 36:12 to place her 7th in the British W60 rankings for 2013, while W70 Angela Duncan of Hillingdon AC ran 43:22 to rank 2nd in her age group for the year. John Butcher of Ware Joggers ran a season’s best 48:21, which is remarkable for an M80, and ranks him 4th in the country in 2013. The youngest runner was 15 year old Harry Morris from Ealing, who ran a creditable 33:34.
The race always attracts a wide range of runners: one in three were Ealing residents, but many others had travelled from across London and the Home Counties to take part. There was good support from the local running scene: 56 Ealing Eagles, 21 from host club ESM and 18 from D3 Triathlon, based at Gurnell Pool. However, more than one in three were casual runners. The fastest male in the Borough unattached to a club was Santosh Rai from Northolt in 32:03, and the fastest female was Malgorzata Kucharska of Ealing in 38:51.
The 5 mile race was followed by a 2km Fun Run for Under 15s, participants ranging from 8 to 14 years of age. There was a fierce battle to the line between winner 10 year old Matteo Lamagna, who was timed at 8:13, and nine year old Maxi Steel, only a second later. 12 year old Sarah Freegard was the first girl in 9:35. Eight year old Sean Kerr was the youngest in the field, and did well to finish in 9:11.
Race Photos
2013 Perivale 5 Start. Photo: Jean King
Race Listing
Click here for more information on the 2013 Perivale 5 in Middlesex, UK.
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