Grantham Running Club take part in the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough
A mass of green and black clad runners made the short jaunt down the A1 to the AEPG Great Eastern Run, held in the city of Peterborough, on Sunday.
The serenely flat course has enjoyed several revisions over the last few years and follows a largely out and back format, starting and ending in the shadows of the historic Cathedral.
Conditions in the morning were as close to perfect as you could hope for running - cool initially, with temperatures hovering around 10-11 degrees, dry and importantly, not even a hint of breeze, writes Samuel Jepson.
It's no wonder that 11 of the 19 GRC members took full advantage in recording personal bests with solid runs sprinkled throughout.
Leading the charge and adding to his quite frankly outrageous year, Gavin Potter had already showcased red hot form just a month ago in the Great North Run.
If that was good, this proved to be brilliant as a bold run saw quick splits until the 10 mile mark.
A small fade before a late charge in the final 800 metres saw him post a jaw-dropping 76:55, some two minutes and two seconds better than the GNR.
The next trio of Piers Pye-Watson, Joe Clarke and Samuel Jepson all clocked under 80 minutes for the first time, choosing the same modus operandi of consistent splits.
Pye-Watson (79:09) scrubbed some four minutes 25 seconds off his best, surpassing his own expectations and enjoying the balmy conditions in the process.
Electing to attack the early stages as a duo, Clarke and Jepson kept close order until halfway with the former the aggressor in the second half, posting 79:19 and realising a long-standing goal of sub 80 minutes, improving by exactly two minutes.
Pacing it perfectly, Jepson split the race almost in half by posting 40:04 at halfway and 39:51 for the second half. He shaved exactly three minutes off his previous best, set early in the year.
Andy Devine was sadly unimpressed with his own performance, citing a lack of a solid training due to life circumstances. He still posted a good time of 01:21:55 and is aiming to come back for more.
The incomparable Peter Bonner is another enjoying a wonderful year and in these conditions he was not going to miss out.
His 82:17 crushed his old personal best by three minutes and 52 seconds and early indications show an exact 80 percent age grading.
Matthew Atter was gunning for a sub 90 clocking and progressed nicely and meticulously throughout out to more than achieve his target, eventually crossing the line in 88 minutes dead.
Returning for a third bite of the cherry on this course, Balint Beni was ever so shy of his best. He enjoyed the support on the course and ran 01:42:55, again a solid performance at his preferred distance.
Jason Blair was back after a racing hiatus - his last road race was some four years ago - and he clocked 01:43:45 that could spark a renaissance.
Kev Wallace has been battling injury niggles for a few months and perhaps not had the most ideal preparation.
Needless, he still ground out a very competent time of 01:46:26 and aims to come back for revenge on a great course.
The first lady back was Emma Duncan with another impressive improvement of more than five minutes. Her time of 01:48:02 was just rewards for her hard work.
Just eight seconds behind (01:48:10), Jo Grace's long mile summer has obviously paid dividends for her too, as she too nearly knocked an incredible five minutes off her previous best time.
A resurgent Christopher Moore continued his comeback and strive back for the form he had some three or four years ago. Indeed, his sprint for the finish was a sight to behold as he finished in 01:52:05.
Andrea Ward was next, a regular in off road and cross country, she was another enjoying the conditions on the road as she too improved her personal best by two minutes and 26 seconds.
Craig Drury followed one minute behind Andrea, somewhat tired from the first cross-country meeting of the season the day before.
Sylv Hull finally broke the two hours barrier with room to spare. Rallying fantastically well after a slight wobble at 10 miles, she finished in a fantastic 01:58:23.
Switching focus to ultras not even a month ago, Holly Wragg also came in under two hours with 01:59:46 which was another solid run from her.
It was with some delight and sheer will that Katherine Thompson propelled herself over the line some 10 seconds after Holly to clock 01:59:56 and complete a sub two ambition. It was a scarcely believable 12 minute improvement from last year's race.
Rounding out the day, but not to be outdone, Davina Honeywood bagged herself a personal best by the barest of margins of one second as she returned to the GER having raced last year.
All conducted themselves with aplomb amongst some of the regions finest runners and all praised the quick course, fine conditions and the cheering support that dotted the streets.