2011 10K RACE REPORT

ABERSOCH 10K 2011

The third annual Abersoch 10K took place on Saturday 4^th of June and with no exaggeration was a sweltering hot day.  The morning started early with a flurry of activity to start setting up the event on the beach, with official Race Control opening at 8.30 am for the 3K and 10K competitors.

After watching the 3K Beach Race get off to a flying start down on the main beach, 10K Race competitors made their way down to the start line, which began right in the depth of the village just outside Manana restaurant and although the start time was only 10.45 am the sun was hot hot hot which, although its weather we've all been dying to have, its not the best running conditions.  The temperature was also a slight worry for local competitor Rick Cotter, an Abersoch Lifeboat crew member who decided to raise a bit of extra money for the Lifeboat by running in his drysuit and helmet.  Thankfully there were medics on standby for Rick and all the runners, with marshals situated all the way along the race and Cotter successfully finished the run in just over an hour. 

The course remained the same as previous years so those who competed before knew what to expect, and would possibly have a chosen line to follow.  Like before, all the runners set off through the village, an exciting sight as the race group had yet to disperse off leaving a crowd of 600 runners squeezing their way up through the street surrounded by cheering spectators.  They then made their way (at varying speeds) through the golf course and Sarn Bach, then up and around to the Porth Tocyn Hotel and Bwlchtocyn, where it was around here that it was heard that Bob, owner of Alcatraz, was hosing the garden and was persuaded by the runners to hose them instead, leading to a queue of around 200 runners waiting for a hose down which must have been quite a sight.  After that loop the race carried on down to the main beach, where the tide was fully in, much to the distress of some tiring runners, and was clearly a hard finish to the race.  But its the changing elements like this that makes the course unique and exciting with different challenges along the way that can alter each year, however hopefully some of the amazing views at points on the course looking out at Cardigan Bay were a helpful distraction from the tired aching legs.  Once on to the beach then end flags were in sight and the invitingly sparkly sea helped to cool a few of the runners diving in after completing the race.

For the results the seemingly unbeatable Nick Swinburn came in first again, an excellent time in relation to the hot running conditions of 32:53 but he was unable to beat his own course record of 32.08 which we're sure he will conquer next year.  Laura Chambers also came in first again for the women, her time 40:04 was excellent but also didn't beat her previous time which had gained her the Abersoch Female 10K course record of 38:05.  The Eryri Harriers ran with great results with their runners coming in the Mens Open second to fifth, Matthew Roberts coming second with his time 34:55 and Gwyn  Owen third with 35:10.  Andrew Yapp won the Male 40+ section representing Mercia Fell Runners and Amy Jade Mellor arrived in second place in the Female Open with a great time of 41:51 and Joanna Seymour came in third with a time of 41:55. Taking the Female 35+ title for 2011 was Lisa McPherson with a time of 42:05.  There was £1,500 amount of prize money to be shared throughout the winners with Nick Swinburn and Laura Chambers winning £300 each and all runners that completed the race winning a medal and bag of goodies, an excellent race ran by all whether you were a competitive runner or not and we will hopefully see you all at the next 10K 2012.

With a congratulations to all runners that took part we would also like to thank all the volunteers that helped out to make the 10K 2011 happen, with thanks also to the sponsors RbK, Powerade, Wombat, Running Free, Championchip, Robinson Family Brewers, Totally Abersoch, Mick Hall Photography and special thanks toW&G Williams for their continued support. For full results CLICK HERE.

To view a selection of the best images from the Abersoch 10K then CLICK HERE or for a full range of images from the event go to www.totallyabersoch.co.uk