It might be overrun with fairground rides this week – but there was still room in Stamford for more than a thousand people to stretch their legs yesterday (Sunday, March 10).
The Burghley 7 race features an impressive first half mile, leaving the stately home’s parkland through Bottle Lodges to come down High Street St Martin’s and across the town bridge, which had been closed to traffic.
Running on home soil were 42 members of Stamford Striders Running Club, 18 from Rutland Running and Triathlon Club, and seven Helpston Harriers.
Mark Edmondson-Jones from Rutland Running and Triathlon Club finished 18th overall and second in his age category
Helpston, a competitive club, fielded the first four runners across the finish line – Scott Cameron in a time of 37min 47sec, Ben Heron (38:35), Aaron Scott (38:36) and James Gelsthorpe (39:33).
First woman over the line was Helen Pape in 43min 55sec, followed by Abi Kefford from Yaxley Running Club (45:54) and Claire Lewis from Rutland Running and Tri Club (45:58).
First Stamford Striders was Max Ranson (ninth, 41:03) followed by Mark Popple (41:59). Team mate Victoria Cooke was fourth woman (46:23).
Max Ranson, wearing a Stamford Striders vest, looks delighted as he stops his watch
While support on the streets and around the course through Burghley Park was reduced by rain, the runners were supported by the 2nd Stamford Scouts, who helped with the event’s marshalling and water stations.
The event was established in 2020 and is one of the largest in the town’s sporting calendar. Ben Simpson and Harriet Mcilwaine were first boy and girl in the under 18s category.
Helen Pape from Rutland Running and Triathlon Club was the first woman to cross the finish lineAndrew Taylor from Stamford Striders (1678) comes down High Street St Martin'sGareth Williams in the blue and yellow Stamford Striders top, left, with Daniel Yendall (1833) and Jono Greenwood (611)Max Ranson in the Stamford Striders colours was ninth overall, with Kirk Brawn who came sixthMark Popple was the second Stamford Striders to cross the finish line. His parents, Helen and Simon, also took partRace winner Scott Cameron from Helpston HarriersStamford Strider Nicolas Bertrand and Rutland Running and Tri Club's Saya SheridanIt was a wet morning for supporters but they still had a smile for mumParticipants came out of Burghley Park's Bottle Lodges gate and down High Street St Martin's in StamfordThird-place woman Claire Lewis (964), Stamford Strider Adam Fenn (2212), second-place woman Abi Kefford from Yaxley, and Stamford Strider Simon CarrTony Sharp from Stamford Striders (1431) was second in his age categoryLewis Hyde checks his watch ahead of Helpston Harrier Martin RandallMartin Stansfield (1648) keeps the rain offJames Marron and Dougal PattersonClaire Adams from Rutland Running and Triathlon Club, and Craig Tilley from Stamford StridersCaspar Smithson gives a cheerComing down St Martin's High Street in StamfordSophie Bluff (2604), and Stamford Striders Elaine Allwood (22), Helen Popple (2855), and Abbie Mann (993)Stamford Striders Emma Gower (593) and Carly Greetham (613)The race crossed Stamford Town Bridge in both directionsHarry Longfoot (2624) Alison Dyche (2613), Ellie Sandall (1411) and Mark Ilsley (876)Elaine Allwood from Carlby gives the camera a wave, with fellow Stamford Strider Abbie MannThe Burghley 7 was a sell-out event this year, with 1,330 people taking part on the dayMark Nenadic (1241), Stephanie Wooldridge (1824), Gemma Bancroft (50) and Maryn Hayward (810)Turning after the town bridgeThe Burghley 7 began in 2020Nice to see some smiles from the runnersStamford Strider Craig Tilley after crossing the Lion Bridge in Burghley Park, near the end of the raceMatthew Gunns checks his watch, with Carolyn Sayers from Rutland Running and Tri Club (1417)Runners cross Burghley Park in a haze of rainKevin Wyde knows he's not far to goStamford Strider Sean EglinGreat encouragement from this creative supporterHeading back through the parkRace winner Scott Cameron clocked 37mins 47secsSecond place Ben Heron (2265) and third place Aaron Scott (2235) both run for Helpston HarriersNinth-placed Max Ranson is a young runner with great potentialRace winner Scott Cameron, centre, with fellow Helpston Harriers Ben Heron, left, and Aaron Scott, right, who came second and third, respectively
Age category winners were: Scott Cameron and Eleanor Pike (18-24); Robert Dunne and Hannah Burgon (25-29); Max Masters and Abi Kefford (30-34); Ben Heron and Helen Pape (35-39); Ben Wall and Alexandra Goldstraw (40-44); Kirk Bawn and Nicola Browell (45-49); Paul Snowden and Saya Sheridan (50-54); Miguel Cann and Philippa Taylor (55-59); Clive George and Christine Costiff (60-64); Aubrey Form and Sarah Bentley (65-69); Murray Walne and Julia Mannering (70-74); Pete Courtney and Angela Archer (75-79).
