It’s Flat and Fast – Southbourne 10k – 7 March 2010

Nick Solomon reports from a new local race.

The Southbourne ‘Flat and Fast’ was billed to be exactly that. Enthused by the thought of a quick dash along the Prom and fresh from Thursday night time trial a trio of WACers gathered outside St Katherines School in Southbourne for this inaugural race.

Conditions at the start were perfect except for a cold easterly wind that did not bode well for the return leg of this out and back route. The first half of the race I felt I was flying with the wind to my back. With runners running two or three abreast along the Prom I nearly came a cropper by narrowly missing a traffic cone half way along the Prom that marked the turning point for the 5k race which started 15 minutes after the 10k one.

Nearing Boscombe Pier the leaders passed us on their return leg. Up there with them was the red shirt of David Long. Just turned 15 he was making his debut for this distance. Not far behind was his dad, Roy.

Around the roundabout at Boscombe Pier and the start of the homeward leg. I manage to latch on to a group of runners who offer some shelter from the headwind but my pace slows down. We manage to negotiate the odd unpredictable toddler and then catch up to the back markers from the 5k race to reach the Bistro on the beach. No time for morning coffee today only the final road section around to Solent Meads and the welcome sight of the finish line.

This race lives up to its name and wind permitting is a potential PB course. So if you fancy the shorter races keep an eye out for this one.

WAcers results:

13 – David Long – 39:26

21 – Roy Long – 40:25

60 – Nick Solomon – 44:59

Total finishers for 10k  - 333