On the eagerly anticipated 12th of May, excitement filled the air at the brewery as the promised good weather held true for a change. Conditions were near perfect for the two planned races in aid of the firefighters’ charity, spanning distances of both 5km and 10km for the more serious runners. This marked the fourth such event held on the brewery site, typically well-attended, with many enticed by the offer of a free bottle of Batemans beer upon finishing their race, along with a well-earned medal.
The event had been meticulously planned well in advance, aligning with the landmark anniversary of the brewery’s 150 years of existence. It served as a fitting addition to the many celebratory events planned throughout 2024. After much ado, the inflatable start/finish line was finally erected, and runners were called to the start line amidst the sounds of catchy dance tunes, infused with a heavy dose of bass for good measure.
As the 5K runners lined up for the inaugural warm-up, anticipation reached its peak. The countdown began, and with a burst of energy, they were off, racing up Mill Lane and disappearing into the picturesque landscape of Wainfleet. Exactly 15 minutes later, it was time for the elite runners to take their positions. With another countdown, they dashed off, leaving the organizers to catch their breath and prepare a grand welcome for the returning finishers.
Among the 5K runners, Perry Spratt (No.36) from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue based at Kirton crossed the finish line first in an impressive time of 20 minutes and 58 seconds, closely followed by Adam Coffey (No.54), also from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue based at Alford. Sam Hewson (No.15) secured a commendable third place. Among the female runners, Jess Lass (No.20) and Zoe Ward (No.60) tied for first place, with Yasmin Moses (No.25) securing third.
In the 10K race, Jensen Windsor (No.170) from the Skegness and District Running Club clocked in with a swift time of 34 minutes and 52 seconds, clinching the top spot. Moses Mayanja (No.138) followed closely behind in second place, with Ben Evison (No.119) securing third. The first female to cross the finish line was Hannah Oswin (No.142), completing the race in 43 minutes and 12 seconds, followed by Jenny Hunt (No.131) and Jenny Williams (No.172) in second and third place, respectively.
After the event, runners, spectators, family, and friends gathered in the Brewery beer garden to enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious food. The atmosphere was made even more special by local megastar Gavin Willerton, who performed a selection of crowd favourites.
A big thank you goes out to the organizers, timekeepers, marshalls, and everyone else who helped out on the day to make it a big success!
Click here for all the results
