Nathan Mearns was hoping the Apple Plod 10k.ish would prove fruitful for him at the Cider Weekend
Looking to add another win to his growing collection, Nathan Mearns lined up for the Apple Plod 10k.ish at the Cider Weekend event.
There’s obviously something rather agreeable about winning races. Nathan Mearns seems to have discovered this recently and, having already picked up victories at the Starburster 10 and Larmer Tree 10k, he arrived at the Apple Plod 10k.ish hoping to get another taste of success.
As it turned out, there was no shortage of sweetness.
Nathan stamped his authority on the race early
The event itself was held on an undulating farm-based trail course at Cranborne Chase Cider, with the organiser describing the terrain as fields, grass, wildflowers, crops and dusty tracks.
Nathan had clearly been working on his core strength and the fruits of his labour were there for all to see when he produced a a performance good enough to take the win in 46:51. That put him a healthy 1:22 clear of his nearest challenger, Peter Wright, who crossed the line in 48:13. He’s was in the 50-54 age category.
Nathan led the field with impressive speed and style
It was a comprehensive victory from the Bournemouth AC man, He didn’t just win it – he won it rather convincingly.
The Apple Plod was the Sunday finale to a busy Cider Weekend at Cranborne Chase Cider in Minchington. There was a 5k.ish on Friday, the Cider 24 Solo Challenge and Cider 12 Night Challenge that evening, followed by the 12-hour Day Challenge on Saturday before the weekend eventually reached its climax with the Junior Apple Plod and the Apple Plod 10k.ish on Sunday.
Nathan was in cruise control as he progressed round the course
So there was plenty going on, although Nathan was clearly more interested in getting his hands on the cider-themed spoils than sampling the full running menu.
Nathan was first to arrive at the finish
Alex Phillips completed the podium in 49:20 and there was also an excellent performance from Gemma Russhard, who finished fourth overall in 50:21 and took the honours as first female.
Stu continues his comeback
It was great to see Stu Glenister was back out there racing
A familiar face amongst the Bournemouth AC fraternity, Stu Glenister was next home for the club and produced another encouraging performance as he continues his comeback to full fitness.
Stu finished fifth overall in 53:39, a result that represents another positive step forward.
Stu heads through the field demonstrating some good speed
Stu has been through some tough times, but running has once again started to provide that familiar solace and, perhaps more importantly, the feeling that he is beginning to rediscover himself as a runner.
Stu has always been a fan of trail racing
There is still work to do before he’s back to where he wants to be, but performances like this suggest the comeback is very much heading in the right direction.
Stu ran well to finish fifth overall
Behind him, Marion Frewin finished sixth overall and was second female in 54:45, while Kelvin Ward produced another age-category performance of note, finishing seventh in 55:01 and taking first place in the over-70 category.
Stu got round in a time of 53:39
Stu’s wife Sharon also had a good run, finishing 18th overall and sixth female in 1:09:36.
Sam Taylor-Mearns crossed the line in 24th overall and 11th female in 1:17:05.
Riley gets the weekend started
In the Cider 5k.ish on Friday, Riley Albin, who had been participating in the the Upton Summer Series, got the win.
Riley took first place in 22:45, after what has been a productive period of racing
Montague goes the distance – and then some
It was another trophy in the bag for Nathan
While Nathan was putting together his winning performance over the Apple Plod, others were taking the concept of endurance to a rather different level.
In the 24 Hour Solo Challenge, Justin Montague completed an astonishing 30 laps, covering 105 miles.
Yes, 105 miles.
Stu also took home a trophy for his troubles
That’s quite a lot more than Andrew Lennon, who finished second after completing 18 laps for a still-impressive 63 miles.
Justin wasn’t the only Montague putting in the mileage either. Melissa Montague completed 25 laps in the women’s competition, covering 87.5 miles.
It makes the Apple Plod suddenly seem like a rather short trip to the cider barn.
Night runners refuse to sleep
There was also plenty of mileage accumulated after dark in the 12 Hour Night Challenge.
Jason Woods completed 12 laps, covering 42 miles, to lead the way, while Clemmie Kerridge completed nine laps for a total of 31.5 miles.
That’s an awful lot of laps when most sensible people would have been thinking about getting into bed.
Weston AC duo share the honours
The Solo Challenge also produced a rather unusual outcome, with Weston AC’s Kevin Bale and Sophie Bennett both completing 17 laps.
That equated to 59.5 miles apiece and was enough to see Kevin finish first male and Sophie first female.
There was of course time for a celebratory cider afterwards
Carys Gallagher of Westbourne RC was second female after completing 16 laps, covering 56 miles.
All of which made for a suitably exhausting Cider Weekend.
For Bournemouth AC though, the headline belonged to Nathan Mearns.
Another race. Another victory.
And with the Starburster 10, Larmer Tree 10k and now the Apple Plod 10k.ish all safely in the trophy cabinet, Nathan is clearly developing quite a taste for winning.