Producing exactly the performance she needed in Race Five of the Upton Summer Series, Kitty Cook took the women’s victory and put herself in a commanding position at the top of the overall standings with just one race remaining.

There was plenty riding on this one for Kitty. She had taken a crucial win in Race Four to move to the top of the women’s standings, but Helen O’Neile had beaten her in the first two races of the series and was still very much in contention for the overall prize.

Kitty also came into the race at the end of a particularly busy week. She had produced a superb new 5k PB of 19:04 at the Bournemouth AC Track 5k the previous evening and then had the Stur Half Marathon waiting for her the following Sunday.

Her boyfriend Tom Casson had the same schedule, also racing at the Track 5k before heading to Upton. Tom had produced a huge PB there as well, clocking 17:02 – a performance which gave a good indication of just how much potential he has over the shorter distances.

Neither Kitty nor Tom seemed particularly interested in allowing a busy racing schedule to get in the way of their Summer Series aspirations..

Riley Austin was back on the start line after being edged into second place last time out and this time he was determined to get back to winning ways.

There were plenty of other familiar faces in the field as well. Callum Pearson was making his fifth appearance of the series, while Michelle Dorrington was also back for another race. Matilde Blagden was lining up for her fourth event and even Bournemouth AC president Tim Hughes made an appearance.

Helen Beddoe was still leading the Female 40-44 category having recorded two wins and two second places from the first four races.

The senior race was once again competitive at the sharp end and it was Riley who came out on top, crossing the line in 20:04.

Ed Davies of Twemlow Track Club was just eight seconds behind him in 20:12, while Joe Wilson repeated his third-place finish from the previous race with another podium appearance, this time recording 20:38.

Tom Casson was next. Considering he had blasted a 17:02 5k only the night before, his 20:41 for the 3.5-mile Upton course was another very good effort. That put him fourth and represented an average pace of 5:57 per mile around what is a fairly undulating course.

Josh Allnutt followed in fifth in 20:54, with Colin Byrne recording 21:02. David Penwarden of Poole Runners was only a second behind him in seventh.

Then came the moment that mattered most for Kitty Cook.

Following up her fantastic Track 5k PB with another strong performance, Kitty took first female place in 22:40. More importantly, she finished 22 seconds ahead of Helen O’Neile.

That was a massive result in Kitty’s quest for the overall title.

It still wasn’t quite done though.

With the best four results counting towards the final series standings, Helen still has a route to the title. She now knows exactly what she has to do in the final race, which is finish ahead of Kitty and be in the top two.

Kitty, meanwhile, knows that if she can finish ahead of Helen again, the overall victory will be hers.

It sets up a very exciting finale.

Lauren Baker-Little of Poole Runners was third female in 24:16, while Michelle Dorrington produced her fastest time of the series so far, crossing the line in 24:21.

Carys Gallagher of Westbourne was fifth female in 24:27, followed by Donna Pearce of Lytchett Manor Striders and Vicky Rutter of Littledown Harriers, who was seventh in 24:36.

Callum Pearson was 43rd overall in 24:38, which put him seventh in the Male 14-17 category.

Helen Beddoe was next for Bournemouth AC, finishing ninth female in 24:59 and taking another age-category victory. It was her third win in the Female 40-44 category this season.

That result was particularly valuable for the Bournemouth AC women because it helped them secure another team victory. It was their fourth team win of the series and, with only one race left, that was enough to confirm them as the overall winners of the women’s team competition.

So while Kitty still has one final battle to fight for the individual title, the Bournemouth AC women can already celebrate a series victory.

Tim Hughes completed the race in 26:57, finishing 74th overall and sixth in the Male 55-59 category.

Matilde Blagden was also in good form, recording her fastest time of the series so far. Her 28 minutes exactly put her 85th overall and third in the Female 14-17 category.

Aiden makes it five from five

The Junior Summer Series also featured a Bournemouth AC regular making his fifth appearance of the campaign, with Aiden Blagden lining up for every race so far.

Aiden ran well again to clock 5:25, finishing third overall and topping the Boy 13 category.

Seth Holleyman took the win in 5:01, with Stelios Pavlou second in 5:10.

Jacob Warren of Poole Runners was fourth in 5:28, while Imogen Beisley of Poole AC was the first girl home and fifth overall in 5:35. Florence Robbins was second girl and sixth overall in 5:46.

All to play for in the senior standings

With five races now completed, Ben Shawyer sits at the top of the senior Summer Series standings. He has been remarkably consistent, with three second places and a third to his name.

Ed Davies is second after three fourth-place finishes and a second, while Tom Casson is currently third, just ahead of David Penwarden, with Joshua Allnutt completing the top five.

Bournemouth AC star Riley Austin could still take the series win though if he wins the last race. Andrew Smith of Poole Runners has a better record, winning all three of his races so far, including Race Three when he beat Riley. But Riley has recorded a faster time with that 19:36 he did in first race. It looks set to be an enthralling final day.

The women’s battle could also be dramatic.

Kitty Cook leads the way, but Helen O’Neile remains within striking distance. In fact, Helen knows that a victory in the final race would be enough to deprive Kitty of the title.

Kitty therefore knows exactly what she needs to do.

Carys Gallagher is currently second overall, with Lauren Baker-Little and Vicky Rutter third and fourth respectively. Imogen Thorne of Wimborne could still move into second if she produces a big performance in the final race.

Sophie Beisley of Poole AC is fifth, followed by Michelle Dorrington and Helen Beddoe.

Helen has already wrapped up the Female 40-44 category after an excellent campaign which has now yielded three wins and two second places.

Matilde Blagden is currently third in the Female 14-17 standings after five races.

Junior title races

There is also plenty of interest remaining in the Junior Summer Series.

Adam Ewen Matthews of Poole AC could still win the overall competition or at least draw level with current leader Seth Holleyman. To do that, he needs to win the final race. He already has two first places and also holds the quicker time after producing a 4:53 in Race Four.

Aiden Blagden is currently third overall, but he has already done enough to secure the Boy 13 category title. His five races have yielded two wins and three second places, an impressive level of consistency.

Imogen Davies has been the quickest runner in the Girl 9 category, winning all three of her races so far. If she lines up for the final race, she should have enough to take the category title.

There is no such uncertainty for Imogen Beisley of Poole AC. Three wins and a second place from her four races have already secured the overall Junior Summer Series title.

For Bournemouth AC, though, the focus will be on that final senior race.

The women have already secured the team prize, Helen Beddoe has wrapped up her age category and Aiden Blagden has done the same in the juniors.

But Kitty Cook still has one job to finish.

After beating Helen O’Neile when it mattered most in Race Five, she heads into the final round with the series title firmly in her sights.