The Somerset Pharmacy ten-kilometre handicap was run Sunday on a tough hilly course utilising Somerset’s Back Cam Road.
The race became more difficult when an icy southerly squall arrived just prior to the start and while the wind dropped, the event took place in freezing conditions.
Still, cross-country runners are a hardy lot and forty-four still gathered to hear the starter’s orders.
Sisters Beach runner, Kathy Franks, in her first season with the Club, ran brilliantly to record a narrow win, finishing just eight seconds in front of Josh Febey with the still-improving Greg Malley just one second further back.
She took the lead from recent winners Dale Lancaster and Ken Williams, now running from tougher handicaps, after about three kilometres and then was not headed.
Franks has moved back to the North-West Coast after living away for forty years and having heard how enjoyable competing with the PCCCT was, joined at the start of the season and hasn’t looked back.
She has been running for just four years and also thoroughly enjoys parkruns and trail running. Her aim now is to successfully complete the Triple Top run in November.
Other eye-catching performances were recorded by Troy Reader and Paul Pilkington, while pre-race favourite Gerard Lowry finished very strongly into sixth just ahead of the fastest woman, Lyn Saint-John (41:55).
Jason Scott, Tony Abel and Nigel Baptist rounded out “The Ten”.
Fastest man was Bryan Tuit (36:58).
Nominated time winners were Sophie Reimer, Alex Reimer and Libby Crispin.
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