The second fixture of the Dorset Road Race League season brought athletes to the ever-demanding Lytchett 10, after the postponement of the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon the previous weekend. A revised course with around 800 feet of elevation promised to shake things up – and with a stacked field assembled on the start line, it certainly did.

A Quality Field Assembles

There was no shortage of talent on show. Chris Peck of Egdon Heath Harriers – the Dorset Road Race League men’s individual champion for the past two seasons – was back, having narrowly edged out Rob McTaggart for second place here last year. Also in attendance were last season’s individual runner-up Thomas Corbin, third-placed Lewis Clarke (now representing Poole AC), and the ever-consistent Jonathon Churchill, who won the rescheduled Blackmore Vale Half in July and was second to Chris Peck at the Weymouth 10 in October.

Poole AC’s Brian Underwood was also in the mix, fresh from a 2:34 marathon in Valencia and a 1:12:39 at Run Bournemouth Half.

For Bournemouth AC, Rob McTaggart returned after finishing third last year in 54:30. Luke De-Benedictis came in buoyed by 11th at the Broadstone Quarter Marathon and a 33:47 PB at the Stubbington 10k. Barry Dolman had smashed 35:49 at the Chichester 10k the weekend before and previously clocked 1:02:38 here.

Jack Barwick was back at the scene of his first proper race – where he overcame his finish line fears – having since run 1:00:07 for 10 miles at the Great South Run. Katie Gunn, whose 10-mile PB of 1:04:37 came at that same Great South Run, led the BAC women alongside a returning Emma Caplan and Holly Collier, tackling her first ever 10-mile race.

The Race Unfolds

A lead group of six quickly formed featuring Chris Peck, Rob McTaggart, Thomas Corbin, Lewis Clarke and Jonathon Churchill – all the usual suspects. Luke De-Benedictis went with them for the first couple of miles but sensibly eased back on the long third-mile climb.

Then came the decisive move.

Rob McTaggart blasted the descent on mile three to break clear. Tommy Corbin briefly reeled him in on the next ascent, but once the course tipped downhill again, Tag let loose once more. This time the elastic snapped. He opened a gap that no one could quite close.

Chris Peck tried valiantly to bridge it, but Tag had enough in reserve, crossing the line in 55:05. Chris Peck followed 10 seconds later, taking the runner-up spot for the second consecutive year.

It was Tag’s first victory at this race since 2005, when it was known as the Lytchett Manor 10. Remarkably, it was all part of a long run – with 48 minutes of running beforehand (an eight-mile warm-up) and additional miles afterwards to round the day up to 21 miles at an average pace of 6:18 with 1,237 feet of elevation. Not a bad morning’s work.

Tommy Corbin secured third in 55:51, Jonathon Churchill was fourth in 56:12, and Lewis Clarke fifth in 56:30 (5:38 per mile).

Strong Runs Throughout the Field

Luke De-Benedictis ran an excellent race to take 13th in 59:02, averaging 5:53 per mile on a testing course.

Barry Dolman, despite having already logged 10 miles before the start, powered to a PB of 1:01:08 in 25th place, second in the V50-59 category behind Brian Underwood. His trajectory continues upward as he builds toward the Barcelona Marathon in March.

Jack Barwick, managing an ongoing IT band issue, was simply pleased to make the line but still clocked 1:03:01 for 34th – three minutes quicker than last year and averaging 6:17 per mile.

Patrick Kingston completed the scoring team for BAC in 1:06:08 (56th overall), securing fourth place for the men in Division One, with Egdon Heath Harriers taking third. Poole AC claimed the best Division One men’s score on the day ahead of Twemlow Track Club.

A welcome sight was Paddy McCallister, returning after a long injury lay-off. He ran 1:07:15 (65th overall), improving on his previous 10-mile best from Salisbury in 2023 and adding miles before and after to total 15 for the session.

Further down the field, Tom Ralph (1:18:33), Jud Kirk (1:21:28), Max Yao (1:29:50) in what may be her final BAC appearance before returning to China, and the indefatigable Ian Graham – completing the course in 1:46:50 at 78 years young – all demonstrated the depth and spirit of the club. Max’s husband Chris Fay got round in 1:50:15.

Ladies Impress Again

There was a close contest for first female between Katie Gunn and Purbeck Runners’ Isabel Zanconato. Isabel took it in 1:05:24 (53rd overall), with Katie just two places behind in 1:05:53, averaging 6:34 per mile.

Emma Caplan marked her return in style, winning the V50-59 category in 1:09:23 (9th female, 82nd overall). Holly Collier handled her first 10-mile outing admirably in 1:15:03, while Helen Beddoe ran a superb 1:15:23 – three minutes quicker than last year and well inside her previous best from the Great South Run.

The trio of Katie, Emma and Holly secured victory for the Bournemouth AC ladies in Division Two – two wins from two after their New Year’s Day success at Broadstone. Dorchester RIOT and Purbeck Runners look the most likely challengers as the season unfolds.

League Standings Taking Shape

Poole AC lead the men’s First Division after two races, with Twemlow Track Club second and Bournemouth AC currently third. Egdon Heath Harriers top the ladies’ First Division. Poole Runners head the men’s Second Division, while Dorchester RIOT and Purbeck Runners are setting the pace in the men’s Third Division. Lytchett Manor Striders look strong favourites for promotion in the ladies’ Third Division.

With momentum building, attention now turns to the Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon on 22nd March – its first year as a league fixture. With home advantage, Bournemouth AC will be looking to make it count.