A Bridge Too Far

Regular readers (hello, both of you), there was only one headline we could ever have chosen for Wednesday evening's race at Watermead Country Park, although in the end it wasn't a bridge too far as we got to test Leicestershire County Council's engineering department's skills by sending 600 runners charging over a bridge that had only been finished 24 hours prior. The "will-they-won't they" bridge has been the hot topic of discussion for this event ever since the existing bridge was condemned ahead of the Run Leicester Half Marathon last October. Its an oft-treaded joke that the wheels of local Government move slowly, we've been victims of it ourselves recently with TTRO legal applications, and we've watched with amusement as the "Watermead Users" Facebook page posted constant bridge progress updates and speculation as to when the structure may finally be available for public use. To add to all this excitement, as if our events that have taken place this year needed any more drama, just weeks ago Barrow Runners had their storage unit stolen, with all the kit needed to put the race on with it. The plight was shared on local media, including BBC Leicester (we're all ears, if the BBC ever wants to give local running any coverage beyond the Run For All 10k...) and corporate business came to the rescue and credit must be given to Barratt Redrow and TPP Elements for donating the funds required for Barrow to replace all of their lost kit. We're also all ears if any corporate businesses fancy headline sponsorship of the LRRL! Alas, Tuesday afternoon brought final confirmation, and pictoral evidence, that the bridge was finally open meaning the full 10k race could take place on a slightly amended route from the inaugural 2025 edition. This also meant full LRRL County Standards were on offer, which was just as well as after some of the vociferous feedback to initial proposed alterations we're not sure the inbox could have coped with a League race where no standards were awarded! We were met with an overcast but pleasant temperature evening, and Badgers Matt Scarsbrook wasted no time in racing into an early lead and cruised round the course to victory in 32:23, ahead once again of Michael Cheverton from our host club in 33:36. We had a new name on the podium, as Ed Orchard from OWLS was just edged out of 2nd, but placing 3rd in a fine 33:39. Gemma Steel marked her first LRRL appearance of the season by taking victory in the Womens race in 37:50, marking a clear gap ahead of second placed Amy Pizzorno from Birstall in 39:02. Finishing off our podium with a fine third place was Lizzie Borrajo of Wreake Runners in 39:16. The main 1st-2nd-3rd placed prizes for this race were awarded in a First Past The Post manner (as if that hasn't featured enough in the news cycle recently) with the category prizes to be awarded based on chip time. Barrow Runners will be contacting winning athletes with information on how to receive their prize. The draft results for the race are now live and available here. The category results are based on chip time and runners age categories are in line with the category prizes awarded on the night. Please do not email in with "I'm 45 but I'm listed as 40" - we know and this will be reflected in the LRRL specific results when they are published next week. Please note all LRRL placings will be ordered on gun time as always. If you do have any queries on the results please email in to lrrlresults@gmail.com and we will deal with it as promptly as possible. We will have the final results, and updated league tables, published by the middle of next week in time for the West End 8, when it will all change again anyway. Finally, there are still some places open for the West End 8 and any remaining unsold will be available for on the day entries. Link here. Top 10 Men:-

1. Matt Scarsbrook (Badgers) - 32:23

2. Michael Cheverton (Barrow Runners) - 33:36

3. Ed Orchard (OWLS) (U23) - 33:39

4. George Seymour (Wreake Runners) - 34:00

5. Ben Darlow (West End Runners) - 34:06

6. Andrew Quigley (West End Runners) (M50) - 34:08

7. Ryan Preece (Badgers) - 34:17

8. JayJay Rathod (Huncote Harriers) (U23) - 34:19

9. Sam Martin (Poplar RC) - 34:27

10. Tom Hansen (Stilton Striders) (M40) - 34:29

Top 10 Women:-

1. Gemma Steel (Charnwood AC) (F40) - 37:50

2. Amy Pizzorno (Birstall RC) (F40) - 39:02

3. Lizzie Borrajo (Wreake Runners) - 39:16

4. Charlie Austin (West End Runners) - 39:52

5. Sarah Thorp (Beaumont RC) (F40) - 40:32

6. Amelia Cook (Beaumont RC) (U23) - 40:55

7. Grainne Whelehan (Wreake Runners) - 40:56

8. Hollie Elliott (Barrow Runners) - 41:04

9. Amber Lester (Barrow Runners) - 41:39

10. Emily Parker (Ivanhoe Runners) - 41:57