Derwentwater 10 -Sunday 7th November

A wonderfully clear, cool and sunny day for today's Derwentwater 10 was much appreceated by all, such days having been in short supply recently. The near perfect conditions for the 51st edition of the race contrasted starkly with last year's washout. All this created a perfect setting to celebrate the hard work put in over the last 20 years by retiring race organiser Alan Ritchie this year being his last DW10.

The racing too provided drama worthy of the send off deserved by Alan as two records were broken this afternoon -onlookers witnessed a record entry of runners set off from the town's Main St this year, as well as and one of the most exceptional individual performances for some years; several times winner Rebecca Robinson, who has been in great shape after representing GB at the European Athletics Championships marathon in Barcelona this summer, set a new ladies course record of 56:23, the previous record set by Lorna Irving of Edinburgh had stood since 1986.

The Derwentwater 10 has a history of producing a fast mens race too and today was no different with a strong field of local runners, perhaps the best seen for a road race in the county this year, with fast times at the front end of the field the result, James Douglas (Border Harriers) the winner in a time of 51:56. Ken Stuart's record of 49:15 however, which has now stood for an astonishing 24 years -a testament to the kind of form Kenny was in at the time, remains unbroken for another year.


At five miles; James Douglas is chased by Morgan Donnelly (522), previous DW10 winner James Bulman (309), Ricky Lightfoot (822) and Chris Steele (389), hidden is Wesham's Steve Littler. Photo ©sportsunday

The race was also the final race in the Keswick AC club road-championship. Congratulations to deserved winner Russell Maddams (9th) who took the 2010 mens crown today, waiting until around the seven mile marker to make his move to pass defending champion Steve Hebblethwaite (10th). Congratulations also to Gillian Conroy who took the 2010 ladies championship title and will be presented with the championship trophy at the presentation dinner now scheduled for January 29th. The Keswick AC men failed to keep hold of the 'Workington Rotary Club Team Challenge Bowl' which they won at last year's race, despite a strong showing from Russell and Steve, Dave Birch, Rob Wynne and Jamie Luxmoore -the only consolation being the knowledge that we have an athletics competition of such a standard on our doorstep, which is in no small part down to the many hours of hard work put in by Alan Ritchie over the last 20 years. Well done Alan.


Keswick AC's Jamie Luxmoore holds off Borrowdale FR Mike Cunningham. Photo ©sportsunday

Photographs at www.sportsunday.co.uk and full results at www.keswick-ac.org.uk

KESWICK AC RESULTS:

Well done to all those who recorded pbs, and counters in the winning Keswick AC ladies and veteran teams:

MEN
1. James Douglas (Border Harriers) -51:56
2. Morgan Donelly (Borrowdale FR) -52:58
3. Chris Steele (Borrowdale FR) -53:03
4. Steve Littler (Wesham Road Runners) -53:29
5. Ricky Lightfoot (Blackburn Harriers) -54:09

9. Russell Maddams -54:40
10. Steve Hebblethwite -55:40
18. Dave Birch -57:46
36. Rob Wynne -1:01:32
37. Jamie Luxmoore -1:01:33
57. Graham Kendall -1:04:08
78. Nick Ogden -1:06:15
99. Neil Elsender -1:07:56
147. John Dawson -1:10:59
171. John Horne -1:12:52
193. Derek Harrison -1:14:27
202. Mike Beechey -1:15:03
220. Nick Burrus -1:16:13
224. Paul Titley -1:16:25
233. Juim Downie -1:16:54
242. Patric Gilchrist -1:17:14
252. David Harrison -1:17:41
258. Chris Clark -1:17:54
271. David Harrison -1:18:24
304. Phil Sturgess -1:20:12
316. Jeremy Anketill -1:20:58
455. James Johnstone 1:31:31
478. David Leary -1:33:39
528. Ian Addison -1:39:31

LADIES
1. Rebecca Robinson (Kendal AC) -56:23
2. Olivia Walwyn (City of Norwich AC) -1:00:31
3. Mhairi Duff (Dumfries RC) -1:00:42
4. Pippa Maddams (Keswick AC) -1:02:20
5. Jo Zakrzewski (Dumfries RC) -1:03:15

14. Sam Ayers -1:10:09
21. Gillian Conroy -1:12:49
25. Sarah Bailey -1:13:21
35. Siobhan Brewer -1:16:07
36. Hazel Davies -1:17:12
45. Anne Downie -1:19:12
46. Kim Clark -1:19:30
51. Jo Bright -1:21:23
61. Cath Burrus -1:24:06
65. Lucy Dunn -1:24:44
66. Sarah Thompson -1:24:49
82. Jenny Butler -1:24:04
91. Alison Cutts -1:28:54
99. Lesley Malarkey -1:30:52
102. Kate Frampton -1:31:31
129. Karen Sturgess -1:36:19

TEAMS

Male
1. Borrowdale FR
2. Border Harriers
3. Keswick AC (Steve Hebblethwaite, Dave Birch, Rob Wynne)

Female
1. Keswick AC (Pippa Maddams, Sam Ayers, Gill Conroy)
2. Dumfries RC
3. Keswick AC (Sarah Bailey, Siobhan Brewer, Hazel Davies)

Veteran
1. Keswick AC (Dave Birch, Rob Wynne, Pippa Maddams)
2. Morpeth Harriers
3. Dumfries RC