New course record by Anuradha Cooray (Vale of Aylesbury AC) Time 30:42
Photos of Anuradha Cooray by theracephotographer.com
Jonathan's 2011 Race Report:
As Anuradha Cooray lined up on the start line of Bearbrook Running Club's annual 10k road race on Sunday, there was a strong air of expectation. The Sri Lankan was looking to smash the course record. He didn't disappoint.
With race number '1' proudly pinned to his Vale of Aylesbury Athletic Club running vest, the London 2012 hopeful immediately hit the front of the 561-strong field and got on with the job in hand.
He raced the entire 6.2 miles of the route on his own and arrived at the finish line in a time of only 30 minutes 42 seconds.
When the record books were consulted, it was clear that Cooray had done something special. The 33-year-old had eclipsed his 2009 winning time by a massive 40 seconds and set a brand-new course record.
His trainer Nick Taylor said: "Cooray's in great shape right now and after our training session on Tuesday night, we both knew he was going to do something impressive.
"He doesn't think the Bearbrook 10K course is particularly fast, so to beat his previous record by 40 seconds is really pleasing."
Cooray's nearest challenger was Charles Coleman who finished in 33m 28s. The Windsor, Slough & Eaton AC runner passed rival Charlie May with around half a mile still to run and powered his way to second place finish.
He said: "I only returned to training in April after injury so I'm thrilled. I could have run 10 miles at that pace today, everything felt great."
Charlie May's time of 34m 41s sealed third place, while Derek Brown of Chiltern Harriers was fourth in 34m 59s and also clinched victory in the Male Vet 50 category. Hampshire's Justin Phillips was fifth in 35m 05s, narrowly beating Male Vet 40 winner Stephen Earley of Bedford and County AC by 14 seconds.
In the race for glory in the women's category, Victoria Webster was the clear winner by more than two minutes. The St Albans Strider finished 14th overall in a time of 36m 27s.
"I only had a baby 16 months ago so I'm trying to get back to the pace I enjoyed before that happened," she said.
Katie Meredith was the second woman home in 38m 37s, while third place went to Hannah Howard in 38m 50s.
A total of 561 runners entered the Bearbrook 10K, with 496 registered finishers.
Other category winners included Brian James (Male Vet 60 in 41m 09s), Sarah Mann-Urwin (Female Vet 35 in 39m 53s), Alison Hirst (Female Vet 45 in 39m 32s) and Margaret Moody (Female Vet 55 in 45m 51s).
2010 BEARBROOK 10K WINNERS
Anuradha Cooray (Vale of Aylesbury AC) Time 31:43
Susie Hignett (Bournemouth) Time 34:24 CR
Phil's 2010 Race Report:
Aylesbury's Anuradha Cooray wins the Bearbrook 10k for second year running.
Anuradha Cooray from the Vale of Aylesbury AC won the very popular Bearbrook 10k road race for the second year running with a fine run of 31mins 43secs on Sunday, just under a minuate ahead of 2nd place Richard Phillips of the Serpentine RC clocking 32mins 41secs with local Chiltern Harriers runner Eddie O'Gorman claiming a good 3rd place in 33mins.33secs. The first lady home had a fanstatic run breaking the course record for the ladies when Susie Hignett from Bournemouth AC clocked 34mins 24secs for a great 6th place overall, she was nearly 3mins ahead of last years lady winner Samatha Amend in the colours of Belgrave Harriers clocking 37mins 14secs for 20th place with Reading Road Runner Liz Hartney claiming 3rd lady home in 38mins 05secs.
This very popular road race, which is supported by UP and RUNNING of Aylesbury and Watford, attracted a record 600 maximum entries. It starts at the Aylesbury R F Club in Weston Turville, runs into Wendover and Halton to finish at the Rugby Club and is organised by Aylesbury base running club Bearbrook Joggers. The race attracts runners from all local clubs plus clubs a lot further afield.
Host club Bearbrook do not have any runners in the race as they are all needed to organise the event, which makes it the popular race that it is, but they all have the chance to run the course this Friday as the club's handicap. Other Vale of Aylesbury AC times, Martyn Summerfield 35.09(8th), Phil Corbet 38.30(30th), Jodie Digby 40.13(53rd), Charlotte Steptoe41.06(62nd), Andrew Stephenson 47.47(195th), Sandra Hall 52.46(310th) & Christine Ludlow 57.26(399th).
