Mablethorpe Running Club: Hawse family join elite field overseas

Mablethorpe Running Club member Rob Hawse produced a top performance at one of the fastest five-mile road races in Great Britain.
Rob Hawse produced his five-mile PB at Alsager EMN-170227-100546002Rob Hawse produced his five-mile PB at Alsager EMN-170227-100546002
Rob Hawse produced his five-mile PB at Alsager EMN-170227-100546002

Rob gave one of his strongest performances of his career at Alsager, near Stoke-On-Trent, finishing in the top 10 per cent of the 954-strong field.

He finished 55th after recording a personal best time of 28min 43secs, with Jack Martin (Stockport Harriers and AC) crossing the line first in 23.44.

* Rob and Shez Hawse then flew the flag for Mablethorpe with their daughter Ella among hundreds of athletes from all over the world at the Armagh International, in Northern Ireland.

Ella Hawse after finishing 12th in Northern Ireland EMN-170227-100534002Ella Hawse after finishing 12th in Northern Ireland EMN-170227-100534002
Ella Hawse after finishing 12th in Northern Ireland EMN-170227-100534002

Rob was competing after several years of trying to get the sub-17-minute qualification time for the elite 5k race.

He was a little disappointed with his time of 17min 02secs, but enjoyed the great experience of running in an elite field of competitors from the United States, Scotland and Finland with several more running in national vests from other parts of the world.

The winner ran an astonishing 13.55 as 77 finished in under 15 minutes.

Shez ran in the SW (ladies) 3k and produced a new personal best of 12min 20secs for 88th overall.

Ella Hawse after finishing 12th in Northern Ireland EMN-170227-100534002Ella Hawse after finishing 12th in Northern Ireland EMN-170227-100534002
Ella Hawse after finishing 12th in Northern Ireland EMN-170227-100534002

Ella was happy to have taken part in an International 1400 metre race, finishing 12th.

* Paula Downing was on the long-distance trail once more as she completed her 77th marathon in Norfolk.

The inaugural running of the Marriott’s Way Marathon was along a long-distance foot, cycle path and bridleway between Norwich and Aylsham.

The event was open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders who took the route of two former railway lines, including Tarmac, compacted gravel and mud.

From the start at Aylsham Station to the finish at Sloughbottom Park, in Norwich, the race was well marshalled, supported and spectated.

A total of 95 runners successfully completed the marathon and there were 141 finishers for the half-marathon.

Paula took the miles completely in her stride, enjoying the race and finishing 12th overall (second female finisher) in 3hr 31min 09secs.

Chris Mickleburgh (Norwich Road Runners) won in 2.50.51, and the first lady back was Susan Matthews (Ryston Runners AC) in 3.26.42 (eighth overall).

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