Four C&C masters runners have qualified to represent England in an International 10k race this summer.
Qualification for the team is achieved by competing in a designated qualifying race, running under the set qualifying time for your age group, and, usually the hard part, placing in the top three for your category.
Nicola McBride and Ellen Leggate qualified at the Brighton 10k towards the end of 2024.
Nicola ran a time of 39:58, setting a new F55 club record by close to 2 minutes, and came 3rd in her age group. Ellen also had a superb run, winning her age group in a time of 35:27, absolutely smashing the previous F45 club record by around 4 minutes!
Nicola has qualified for the England Masters team twice before, but injury has prevented her from actually running in the England vest on the previous two occasions. She is really hoping that it will be third time lucky this time.
The last of the three qualifying races was held at Thorney, near Peterborough, in March. Clare Thurgood and Pete Thompson were there alongside the already safely qualified, Ellen.
Both Clare and Pete came 2nd in their categories. Clare did extremely well. Running cautiously, as she was still carrying a niggle from her fine run at the Cambridge Half Marathon (where she finished 3rd in her age group) she still ran a great time of 38:11 to clinch her place in the England team. This summer’s race will be the 4th time that Clare has run for England Masters.
Pete’s time was 40:08, an M65 Club record by almost 2 minutes.
Ellen produced an astonishing performance, not only winning her age group, but also being the 1st Lady home overall. This was the 40th running of the Thorney 10k, and Ellen’s time of 34:42, was a new course record by over 2 minutes!
So C&C will provide 4 members of the England Masters team for the International race to be held in Newcastle on 6th July. They will compete against teams from Wales, Northern Ireland and the UK Armed Forces.
(Photo – Ellen at Thorney, demonstrating perfect running form!)