Ilminster Lions 10k goes ahead after last minute snow fears! (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Ilminster Lions 10k goes ahead after last minute snow fears!

9:45am Monday 5th November 2012 in Ilminster

THE Ilminster Lions 10k race went ahead as normal on Sunday – although there were some last minute fears that the event may have had to be cancelled due to snow!

A snow shower early in the morning had put the race potentially in jeopardy, but fortunately it did not last long and the show went on as planned.

Tonia White, who ran with the Olympic torch in Ilminster earlier this year, was asked to act as official race starter. It was an emotional day for Tonia as it was the first anniversary of the horrific M5 motorway crash which claimed the lives of seven people including those of her parents and a minute’s silence was held before the race got underway.

Mark Wills, of Yeovil Town Road Running Club, defended his title in a new course record of 36mins 30secs with Stephen Kershaw, of Taunton-based Running Forever, in second just 12 seconds behind and Mike Pearce, of Crewkerne Running Club, third in 36mins and 48secs.

First lady home was Kim Hill, of Quantock Harriers, despite taking a tumble at the start, in a time of 40mins 18secs, while Nina Wagstaff, of Chard Road Runners, was second lady finisher in 42mins 59secs. Elaine Priest, of Crewkerne Running Club, was third female finisher.

Ilminster Lions’ Pete Marshall said: “We would like to thank everyone for turning out. We thought it was going to be disastrous conditions when we saw the snow first thing in the morning and we were even thinking about cancelling, but thankfully things went well.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in helping to put on the event and all the runners for taking part.”

The race received good backing from businesses and sponsors including Branston, Electric Mobility, Gooch and Housego, Tesco in Ilminster, the Chard and Ilminster News, Bradford Building Supplies, Broomhead and Saul, Cottage Flowers, FunAssett Ltd, Ilminster Fitness Centre, Ilminster Warehouse, J. Brake and Son, Richard Carbin Ltd Sonic Systems Ltd, Trophies 247, George Stokers of Ilminster and the George Inn at Donyatt, Results: Men: 1 Mark Wills (Yeovil Town Road Running Club) 36mins 30secs; 2 Stephen Kershaw (Running Forever, Taunton) 36mins 42secs; 3 Mike Pearce (Crewkerne Running Club) 36mins 48secs.

Women: 1 Kim Hill (Quantock Harriers) 39mins 4secs; 2 Nina Wagstaff (Chard Road Runners) 42mins 59secs; 3 Elaine Priest (Crewkerne Running Club) 43mins 6secs.

Age categories: Men 16-20: 1 Alex Rogers 37mins 12secs; 2 George Barnes 50mins 35secs; 3 Elliot Watts 59mins 32secs. Men 21-39: 1 Mark Wills 36mins 30secs; 2 Stephen Kershaw 36mins 42secs; 3 Matthew Lewis 38mins 40secs. Men 40-49: 1 Mike Pearce 36mins 48secs; 2 Julian Ridgley 38mins 2secs; 3 John Glaisher 38mins 6secs. Men 50-59: 1 Paul Masters 42mins 7secs; 2 Martin Bluemel 42mins 13secs; 3 Dominic Schneiders 42mins 30secs. Men 60plus: 1 Clive Harwood 40mins 25secs; 2 Garry Pollard 42mins 15secs; 3 Nigel Key 46mins 33secs.

Age categories: Women 16-20: 1 Laura Coppard 57mins 29secs. Women 21-35: 1 Kim Hill 39mins 4secs; 2 Nina Wagstaff 42mins 59secs; 3 Elaine Priest 43mins 6secs. Women 36-49: 1 Sarah Fogwill 43mins 23secs; 2 Diane Fahy 45mins 26secs; 3 Davina Blanchard 45mins 47secs. Women 50-59: 1 Diane Stewart 47mins 3secs; 2 Sarah Warren 49mins 46secs; 3 Anne Fulton 50mins 50secs. Women 60plus: 1 Patricia Seabrook 56mins 6secs; 2 Jenny Pride 1hr 6mins 53secs.

SEE THIS WEEK'S CHARD AND ILMINSTER NEWS FOR PHOTOS FROM THE 10k.