Amelia Lawrence was leading the charge for the Bournemouth AC women in the Bournemouth Bay 5k
The 5k race at this year’s Vitality Bournemouth Bay Run once again brought the curtain down on a busy day of racing along the seafront, taking place in the afternoon after the half marathon and 10k had concluded. Runners were greeted by near-perfect conditions, with bright sunshine, comfortable temperatures and barely any wind – ideal for fast times on the flat coastal course.
A strong contingent from Bournemouth AC lined up, with a number of the club’s younger athletes eager to test their early-season speed against quality local competition.
Isaac May was leading contender from Bournemouth AC
Isaac May was first home for the club, continuing his impressive run of form with a composed performance to finish 4th overall in 16:25. The talented middle-distance runner, who has previously recorded a 16:12 parkrun and 4:29 at the Vitality Westminster Mile, once again showed his strength across disciplines. His run placed him just ahead of Poole Runners’ up-and-coming youngster Buddy Mitchell, underlining the competitive nature of the race at the sharp end.
Isaac was in magnificent form
Isaac finished 4th in 16:25
Finley Hurst Atkins possesses a great turn of pace
Finley Hurst Atkins also produced a strong display, dipping under the 18-minute mark once again to finish 9th in 17:54. Having run 17:58 at the Run Bournemouth Supernova 5k in October and placed 43rd at the South West Cross Country Championships earlier in the year, Finley continues to show steady progression and consistency.
Finley speeds along the prom to a top ten finish
Finley blasts down the finishing straight
Finley did well to finish 9th in 17:54
Aiden Blagden was also competing in the Bournemouth Bay 5k
Close behind, fellow junior Aiden Blagden made an assertive start and was well positioned through the early stages before the fast early pace began to tell in the second half. He battled on well to secure 12th place in 18:47, adding another solid run to a season that has included appearances at both the South West and Southern Cross Country Championships.
Aiden heads down the sunny promenade
Aiden finished 12th in 18:47
Amelia Lawrence was always likely to be a contender for the women’s win
One of the standout performances of the afternoon came from second-claim athlete Amelia Lawrence, who ran strongly throughout to finish 13th overall and first female in 18:52. With an impressive track background that includes 2:16.59 for 800m and 4:36.97 for 1500m, Amelia demonstrated both speed and strength to control the women’s race and take a well-deserved victory.
Amelia had demonstrated a lot of talent since arriving in Bournemouth
Amelia hits the home straight to record a brilliant victory
Charlie Powell (1301) was another talented Bournemouth AC youngster competing at the Bay Run
Charlie Powell was next across the line for the club, running a well-judged race to finish 15th in 19:06. Having gained valuable experience at the Southern Cross Country Championships earlier in the year, Charlie showed good pacing and resilience to maintain his position throughout.
Charlie battles it out on the prom
Charlie heads down the finishing straight
Jessica Long battling it out with a Poole Runners runner
There was an outstanding run from Jessica Long, who produced one of the club’s performances of the day. Running with confidence and control, she crossed the line 32nd overall and 6th female in a personal best of 20:40. The time represents a significant improvement on her previous best of 21:02 and reflects the strong form she has carried over from a winter that included 37th place at the South West Cross Country Championships.
Jessica heads down the finishing straight
Jessica clocked a terrific PB of 20:40
Lola Thomasson is another promising young BAC star
Another athlete to impress was Lola Thomasson, whose commitment over the winter cross-country season has clearly paid dividends. Having completed all four Wessex Cross Country League fixtures and added appearances in the Hampshire League, as well as finishing 59th at the South West Cross Country Championships this year, she produced a strong run here to finish 51st overall and 10th female in a time of 22:46, continuing her upward progression.
Lola was 10th female in 22:46
Flo Dootson heads down the promenade
Further back, Flo Dootson showed admirable determination to finish 63rd overall and 15th female in 23:45. Although she reported that her legs felt strong, her breathing proved more of a challenge on the day. Despite that, she dug in well to complete the race in a large field of 515 finishers, adding to what has already been a productive cross-country season.
Flo had some breathing difficulties but battled well
Flo got round in 23:45
Nikki McTaggart faced warmer conditions than she would normally prefer
Nikki McTaggart rounded off the Bournemouth AC team with a solid performance in 26:14. Despite usually finding warmer conditions difficult, she coped well with the sunshine to finish 29th female and 4th in the F35 category, placing 99th on gun time and 102nd on chip.
Nikki was 29th female and 4th in her age category
At the front of the race, Poole AC’s highly promising youngster Theo Cobley took victory in 15:51, continuing a season that has already seen him win the South West Cross Country Championships. Littledown Harriers’ Sam Shawyer was close behind in 15:54, with James Fraser of Hercules Wimbledon finishing third in 16:19.
Nikki clocked a time of 26:14
Overall, the Vitality Bournemouth Bay 5k proved to be another successful outing for Bournemouth AC, with a number of high placings, a women’s victory and a notable personal best highlighting a productive afternoon on home roads. With the track and summer road season now approaching, these performances suggest the club’s athletes are in encouraging early-season form.