Bayer-Bayer Newbury 10k 2011

Record number of runners in Bayer Newbury 10K

Start of the Bayer Newbury 10k run 2011

Sunday 29th May, Newbury

It was glory for the second year in a row for Gareth Watkins after winning the 2011 Bayer Newbury 10k.

Gareth, part of the 42 Engineer Regiment GEO, based at Hermitage, won in a time of 34 minutes 10 seconds knocking more than 40 seconds off last year’s race time of 34 minutes 52 seconds.

Gareth came in ahead of Mark Shepherd of Winchester and District Athletic Club (35.33) and Nick Jones of Newbury Athletic Club (35.39) in third place.

Gareth was one of around 690 runners who lined up at the start of Bayer Newbury 10k, which has rapidly become a flagship sporting event for the town, with this year seeing the biggest number of entrants in the race’s history.

Delighted with his double success, Gareth said: “It went very well for me. The first two kilometres were into a head wind and it was hard work, so I took it easy then I turned up the gas and pulled away after about three kilometres to build a nice gap and began to relax. I’m pleased because the course was certainly harder than last year – there was a fair bit of cross country.”

Later this year, Gareth will be turning his hand to cross alpine cycling as he attempts Raid Alpine, a mammoth 740km cycling event from Thonon les Bains at Lake Geneva to Antibes in the South of France.

Meanwhile it was turn of non-club affiliated, Laura Woodley, to win the Ladies’ race in a time of 39 minutes 45 seconds, second was Ellie Barnes of Reading Roadrunners (40.28) and third went to Jessica Franklin of Newbury Athletic Club (40.54).

Laura, who had her third child eight months ago, said: “It’s unbelievable that I live in Newbury and have never run this race before. I started off fairly carefully because I didn’t want to go off too quickly and burn myself out, so I was grateful for the downhill section at around four kilometres which allowed me to overtake the leading woman. I’m also grateful the weather held off!”

The race was a huge event for charity, with runners raising cash for their favourite charities and also for Bayer’s nominated charity, the Newbury and District Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Chairman of the Newbury and District MS Society, John Holt, said: “It has been an amazing day and we have really raised the profile of the Newbury and District MS Society. The money that has been raised through this event will help us to continue delivering our service and adding value to the community.”

As a responsible local employer and a healthcare company, Bayer is committed to activities which improve quality of life, and head of communications, Steve Painter, said the event had exceeded expectation.

“This year was our biggest turnout to date and we are delighted to have seen so much support for the race,” he said. “Due to demand Bayer, accepted 850 entries this year and maybe we will see 1,000 registrations next year. Raising money for good causes is important for Bayer and we were delighted to be able to help the Newbury and District MS Society.”

Bayer Newbury 10k race organiser, Tim Marsh, said: “The event ran really smoothly with 690 runners taking, park and I am really pleased with that. I would like to thank Bayer for supporting the race again this year.”

The Bayer Newbury 10k was also one of the first public engagements for Newbury’s new Mayor, Cllr Jeff Beck. He and colleague Cllr Peter Argyle, chairman of West Berkshire Council, oversaw the event and helped present medals to competitors as they crossed the finish line.

Cllr Beck said: “The Bayer Newbury 10k is a really good event for the town and brings people in for the day. It is also beneficial to charity and the money raised helps them provide the services their users require.”

For full results, please go to http://www.chipresults.co.uk/

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