Guernsey Press

Holden boosts confidence ahead of his Easter races

CARL HOLDEN headed home a competitive field in the first ‘Park 5k’ of the season.

Published
Eventual winner Carl Holden (right) alongside James Priest in the early stages of the latest 'Park 5k' event. (Picture by Phil Nicolle, 24353596)

The final event of Guernsey Athletics Club’s winter road series was far from a walk in Saumarez Park, though, and Holden’s 16min. 48sec. clocking gave him less than half a minute on fifth in a close run of finishes.

A familiar rival in James Priest was quick to challenge him on a loop, where the newly-relaid gravel made for tricky going in patches, and the pair led cleanly through the first of four laps.

Sam Lesley, Sammy Galpin and Peter Amy gave chase from behind, with the latter dropping off as the young middle-distance runners worked to gain on the lead duo.

Priest showed signs of doing the same on occasions but managed to keep the pressure on Holden for the time being.

The third lap showed some signs of change, as Holden loped along to clear some space up front heading into the final circuit.

But his fast-finishing pursuer managed to hold the gap to a mere five seconds, with Lesley closing even quicker for a 16-56 PB and the next two falling just over the 17min. mark.

‘I’m happy with that,’ said Holden afterwards, before expanding on his upcoming race plans.

‘I was hoping to try out a shorter race, which I hadn’t done for a while, so it’s a good speed workout ahead of the runs at Easter.

‘The main goal’s going to be the half marathon in June, but I’ve got a 10-mile race [away] at Easter heading towards that and hopefully, if I recover, the 10k on Easter Monday as well.’

U17 Chris Bain ran a progressive race to glide past Isaac Powers as both youngsters enjoyed sub-18min finishes.

The girls’ race was also one of considerable youth, with Summer Woodhead quickly establishing a race-long lead over the remaining contenders.

The youngster won in 19-31 as, aside from a well-paced race from fellow sub-20 runner Mel Nicolle, the remaining top five spots went to athletes in the U13-U15 range.

On the complete other end of the spectrum, septuagenarian Julie Lawlor took the leading age-grade score at 86%.