There was no shortage of drama at Race Three of the Upton Summer Series, with Bournemouth AC runners once again making their mark as the competition began to hot up.

After two races, Kitty Cook had been sitting proudly at the top of the women’s standings, while Helen Beddoe was leading the Female 40-44 category. The Bournemouth AC women were also joint leaders of the team competition alongside Poole Runners, so there was plenty at stake as the runners lined up for the third instalment.

And there was a heavyweight clash at the sharp end of the men’s race too.

Riley Austin was back in action after storming to victory in Race One, but waiting for him was Poole Runners’ Andrew Smith, who had taken second place in Race Two. Ben Shawyer, runner-up in both of the first two races, was also back, alongside Ed Davies of Twemlow Track Club, David Penwarden of Poole Runners and Bournemouth AC man Tom Casson.

Something had to give.

And this time it was Riley who had to settle for second.

Smith took the honours in 19:44, with Riley crossing the line just 12 seconds later in 19:56. Shawyer was only three seconds further back, taking third in 19:59.

Ed Davies repeated his fourth-place finish from Race Two, recording 20:22, while David Penwarden improved from sixth to fifth in 20:26. That also saw him maintain his position as the leading Male 50-54 runner.

After finishing fourth in Race One, Tom Casson secured sixth place in 20:54, finishing just three seconds ahead of Joshua Allnut.

Helen edges out Kitty in another close women’s battle

The women’s race was every bit as competitive.

Helen O’Neile of Poole Runners, who had taken first female in Race Two, was back to defend her position. Bournemouth AC’s Kitty Cook was also looking to continue the excellent form that had seen her finish second and third in the opening two races.

There was just 19 seconds between the pair at the finish, but Helen came out on top this time, clocking 22:25 for 20th place overall.

Kitty wasn’t far behind, finishing in 22:44 and taking 24th overall.

Imogen Thorne of Wimborne AC continued her own impressive series with third female in 23:01, placing 30th overall. Emma Caplan, meanwhile, had to settle for fourth female on this occasion in 23:26, although she had the consolation of being first in the Female 50-54 category.

Bournemouth AC’s Callum Pearson completed the course in 23:52, good enough for 40th overall and seventh in the Male 14-17 category. That was enough to put the Bournemouth AC men second behind Poole Runners trio of Andrew Smith, David Penwarden and Iain Ferguson who finished 9th in 21:03.

Michelle Dorrington was eighth female in 24:26, placing 52nd overall, while Helen Beddoe continued her fine run of form with 10th female in 24:37. Crucially, she was once again first in the Female 40-44 category.

That was enough to give the Bournemouth AC women victory in Race Three over the Poole Runners trio of Helen O’Neile, Lauren Baker-Little and Jo Westhead. That put them top of the overall standings after three events.

Matilde Blagden was also back in action after competing in Race Two. She crossed the line in 28:33, finishing 107th overall and 30th female, while taking fourth in the Female 14-17 category.

Aiden Blagden battles to Junior Series fourth

The Junior Summer Series produced another excellent race, with Bournemouth AC represented by Aiden Blagden, Edward Davies, Marlon Moxey and Imogen Davies.

Aiden had arrived in Race Three sitting fourth in the Junior Summer Series standings and produced another strong performance, finishing fourth overall in 5:20 and taking victory in the Boy 13 category.

Edward Davies followed closely behind, finishing eighth in 5:29.

Further down the field, Marlon Moxey was first in the Boy 8 category, crossing the line in 5:54 for 22nd overall.

Imogen Davies also produced a category-winning performance. She finished ninth female and first in the Girl 9 category, recording 6:34 and placing 49th overall.

At the front of the Junior race, it was Poole Runners’ Seth Holleyman who came out on top. He just managed to fend off teammate Stelios Pavlou, winning in 5:02, with Pavlou four seconds behind in 5:06. Zacary Armitage of New Forest Juniors completed the overall podium in 5:09.

Holleyman’s victory also strengthened his position at the top of the Junior Summer Series standings after three races.

Three down, plenty to play for

So, with three races completed, the Upton Summer Series was beginning to take shape — but there was still plenty of running left in it.

Andrew Smith had now shown that Riley Austin is beatable, while Ben Shawyer continued to lurk dangerously close to the front. In the women’s competition, Kitty Cook remained firmly in the mix after another podium-level performance, while Helen Beddoe continued to dominate the Female 40-44 category.

And with Bournemouth AC’s women still battling for team honours, there was plenty of reason to keep an eye on the remaining races.

One thing was certain; if the first three races were anything to go by, this summer series was likely to provide a few more twists and turns before the final standings could be written in ink.