In his first race since the London Marathon, Julian Oxborough was finally ready to put it all out there again at the Martock 10k
“Martock is a large village and civil parish in Somerset, situated on the edge of the Somerset Levels, seven miles northwest of Yeovil. The parish includes Hurst, which is approximately one mile south of the village, and Bower Hinton.
The Martock 10k was celebrating its 18th anniversary and is organised by RaceNation, who put on some of the most amazing events at awesome locations. RaceNation are also responsible for the Yeovil Half Marathon, Wessex 10k, Stroud Half Marathon and the Langport Triathlon.
The Martock 10k has been always on my radar and one I wanted to add to the calendar. Consisting of a one lap run route on quiet country roads, the course profile is mainly flat, so over the years, the race has produced super fast times.
Having recently completed the TCS London Marathon 2024 in my 13th participation, I wanted a local 10k race and the Martock 10k fitted the bill. With some good improvements made recently in previous races, it was just a relaxed run to test out a new event that I have never done and my aim was just to run at a relaxed pace.
Julian was pleased to be back in the thick of it and racing again
I was extremely pleased how the race went, with a first mile split of 10:29 followed by the second one in 12:05. The third mile split was 12:44 and the fourth was a little slower with a drink stop, making it 13:28. I then registered a 12:45 for the fifth mile followed by a 13:17 for the sixth.
Julian’s well earned medal from the Martock 10lk
I completed the course in exactly 1 hour 18 minutes which I was very happy with since my goal was to get under 1:19. The next man to finish in my age category was quite a way behind me, going over the line in 1:41:47.
I came in 436th place and 44th in my age category. 457 runners had taken part with six not finishing the event. It was an extremely hot day which caused a number of runners to suffer.
Calvin Hardy-Mullings of Worthing & District Harriers took first place in 34:34, with Daniel Cahill of Wells City taking 2nd in 35:26. Matthew Adams of Running for Time was 3rd in 35:27.
Gill Pearson of Running for Time was 1st female in 38:23 which put her 14th overall. Louise Fox of Dorchester RIOT was next in in 39:51 which put her in 23rd place. Kayleigh Parker was 3rd lady in 39:58.”
Julian fought hard to get under his target time
By Julian Oxborough