Hinstock 5K & Fun Run September 27th 2009

It used to be the Hinstock Fun Run but, in one of the pre-race publicity papers, someone called it the Hinstock Hurtle and the organisers thought it a good name !

Sunday, September 27th, dawned grey and a little cool. But there was no rain. Ideal running conditions, I was told. There was a great turnout - crowds of people were congregating in the Memorial Hall to register for the races. Once the 2k Run had departed  - started wonderfully by Lord Handsworth, Mr. Bill Morris, who said that all proceeds from both races would go to Hinstock Tennis Club and Air Ambulance, the real runners emerged. They were running up and down the road outside The Falcon ( it wasn't open, after all ) which made a few of us quite jealous. After all, running three yards to the bar before it shuts is about our measure. 

Jo, in her pre-race speeches, made sure that people knew that the first hundred yards was uphill and they should take care. I've never had any problems  - I'm usually in third gear by the time I've left the Falcon car park and reached the right turn down the snicket onto the A529.

So, once again inspired by Mr. Bill Morris' speech, off they all went. 5k obviously isn't much of a challenge to seasoned runners. The sort of thing that most of them would do before breakfast.  I mean, it's only 3 and a bit miles. Just look how far Jo had run in Berlin !   People were coming in after 19 minutes  - that's less than the time it took me to walk to the shop, buy my papers, drive home, then get back to The Falcon.

At least, when I got back, The Falcon was open and serving refreshing beverage ! And there were things happening  -  music by Running Wild, Bouncy Castle, and a BBQ  organised by The Falcon. Loads of people stayed for the afternoon's entertainment  - and some stayed in the pub to watch the Singapore F1 race.

All in all it was a brilliant day, very well organised by Jo Coombes who gives her huge thanks to RGS, Hinstock Marquees, Maine Marketing, Newport Running Club and many, many more !  At the time of writing, over £900 has been raised with more to come..

The winners were :

2k Boy's Race         1st. Joe Corbett 9 min 20 sec ; 2nd  Richard Bevan 9 min 43 sec

                                3rd  Jordan - Lee Stamp 10 min 26 sec.

2k Girl's Race         1st  Abby Guy 11 min 34 sec   ; 2nd Abbie Gough 11 min 35 sec

                                3rd  Rebecca Williams 11 min 40 sec                

5k Men's Race               1st Tim Beckett 19 min 2 sec ; 2nd Cameron Steep 19 min 19 sec

                               3rd Gary Postins 19 min 25 sec

5k Women's Race 1st  Sarah Bentley 20 min 21 sec  ; 2nd Helen Skelton 21 min 26 sec

                               3rd Karen Harvey 23 min 4 sec.

There were 76 entrants for the 2k race and 73 for the 5k. A magnificent turnout indeed !

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

The Hinstock Hurtle was the latest in a line of events that Hinstock has seen this year. We've had The Big Lunch, The Beer Festival and The Fun Day. All events were well attended, albeit the Beer Festival was held on the same week-end as the V Festival at Weston Park.

The number of people who turned up to these events is proof positive that there is a strong community spirit alive and well in Hinstock. And our thanks must go to everyone who organised these events  - and to Paul and his team of helpers in The Falcon who have provided excellent hospitality for everything.

Hinstock is a lucky village. It has a church, a chapel, a thriving school, a shop / Post Office and a pub. You can play tennis, snooker and 5 a side football. There's a playing field. There's the Memorial Hall which is hired out for events. So please do use them all !