216 runners braved torrential rain to compete in this year's Alresford Rotary 10k (on Sunday 12 June).  The wind and a fresh breeze all combined to help Julian Manning win the race in a new course record time of 34 minutes and 3 seconds, well ahead of all of the competition and also well ahead of PSCO Steve Hull who was leading the runners around the hilly Hampshire course on his Rotary sponsored bike.  Winner of the ladies race was Mish Barlow-Graham from Salisbury; a relative newcomer to road racing Mish was delighted to have led the ladies home.  The rest of the field came home within 45 minutes of the winner and despite the weather there were many happy faces at having overcome both the rolling hills of Alresford and the elements.  12 runners from Enschede in Holland ran for the second year in a row, bringing some colour to the event with their orange shirts and bright good humour.  Race Director and founder of the race, Rotarian Jonathan Read said “As always it was great fun and I’m certain the weather won’t' put them off coming again next year”.  

There were also three fun runs ranging from 500m up to 4km and although attendance for these was down on previous years, largely due to the weather, those that did compete found plenty of energy to run around the park chasing some of the senior students from Perins school.  Sponsorship for the event came from local businesses and helped ensure that the event raised a significant amount for Rotary good causes both local and international.  Many runners complemented the organisers on the event and all agreed that the Alresford 10k has the best marshals around.  Alresford Rotary President David Robinson said “I’m delighted our club has put this event firmly on the Alresford map and we hope to see everyone back again next year”.