Bognor 10k turns into Tone Zone triumph

A large proportion of these were new runners who had joined at the turn of the year. Many had made this race their goal and with the support of the club’s coaches, most managed to meet their aspirations.

Others were back to challenge themselves on improving their previous bests or were simply happy just to be taking part.

As reported last week, 2012 overall winner Tadele Geremew once again stormed to victory - this time in 30min 31sec.

First for Tone Zone’s men was Simon Gill in 36.13. Just over a minute behind was 18-year-old Conrad Meagher, competing in only his fourth 10k and the first time at Bognor and rewarded with a personal best.

Several new young Tone Zone runners were competing in their first Bognor 10k. Louis Mahoney finished third for the club in 40 minutes, nearly a minute ahead of his dad, Danny Mahoney.

Harry Annals finished seconds behind Mahoney in seventh in 41 minutes, eight minutes ahead of dad Mark Annals.

Jack Penfold record 42 minutes, nine ahead of dad Glenn, who also gained a personal best.

Arron Packer was another of the young runners and finished in 49.04.

Debbie Ward, in her first season with the club, was first home for the women in 42 minutes. Anna Kari Ennes and Karen Harrison were second and third for the club and their finishing positions won Tone Zone the ladies’ team prize.

Tone Zone head coach Keith Hardwell was a big inspiration at the event. As featured in the Observer two weeks ago, Hardwell ran the race while halfway through chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Running for his chosen charity, Fordwater School. Hardwell raised hundreds of pounds and gained huge cheers around the course finishing in 54 minutes.

Rachel Tomkins was another inspiration, running on behalf of her daughter Sophie, who had bravely undergone treatment for cancer. In her first 10k she ran a steady race in just over an hour and raised more than £700 for the CLIC Sargent charity.

The club had invested in eye-catching pace-setting flags and pace runners Mark Annals, Viv Baker, Amanda Newton, Sam Yates and Amanda Sheppard provided perfect timing guides for runners attempting to run in sub 50, 55 and 60 minutes.

In other races, the Trundle 10k near Chichester took place three days after the Bognor 10k with eight Tone Zone runners involved. Debbie Ward again was the first home for the women in 47 minutes. Luke Simmonds was the first man in 52 minutes.

At the Hampshire 10k race in Portsmouth, six Tone Zone runners took part. Daniel Hughes was first to finish for the men, Amanda Wayne for the ladies.

In the Portsmouth Lakeside 5k race series, Tony Hancock finished his second of three races. Hancock had completed the first race in 21.33, sixth in his category. Improvement was his target in the second and he recorded a faster time of 20.26.

IAN BAYLEY