ANNABEL Gummow admitted to mixed feelings after her victory in the Great Bristol Run half marathon on Sunday.
Primarily she was delighted to win and give herself an early birthday present – she turned 26 yesterday – but on the other hand the former Bristol & West AC runner reckoned it was also an opportunity missed.
“Mixed emotions about yesterday’s race as I was on for a PB until six miles then had to struggle through the rest of the race with a horrible stitch that wouldn’t budge!” said Gummow, who now competes for Winchester as she is living and working in Hertford.
“But a win is a win I guess.”
Gummow crossed the finish line in 77mins 05secs, just a minute off the time of 76:11 that she ran on her debut to finish runner-up in the Maidenhead half two weeks earlier.
Interestingly she also cited the ‘tough’ nature of the Bristol course, a view shared by many who don’t like the twists and turns, plus small climbs, in the final quarter of the race as it returns to the city centre.
“(Bristol is a) tough course with some tough hills!” added Gummow.
“But onwards and upwards! Can’t wait for the X-country season to begin.”
Also special mention to top Westbury Harriers’ woman Katie Hughes (pictured left) in seventh place while Weston AC’s leading lady Susan Duncan celebrated a PB of 85:08 in 10th place, carving 51 seconds off her Bath time.
GWR’s leading woman was Kelly Dicks in 20th clocking 88:55.
I also noted that in eighth place was former Wells junior international Amber Gascoigne, who 23 years ago finished fourth in the European Cross Country Championships Under 20 women’s race in Belgium when she was one of Britain’s finest young female runners.
Gascoigne never quite hit those heights as a senior but it is good to see her still racing in the veterans’ age group and enjoying the sport.