GIAAC
10 Mile Road Race, Pleinmont / Perelle Loop
19th January 2003

Jenny Elliott benefited from Gail Merrien's misfortune to come away with the women's title in the GIAAC's 10 Mile Championship race held over a new course starting and finishing the Imperial Hotel.

Whilst the men's race, won by Mike Doyle in 61 minutes 2 seconds, proved relatively uneventful all the action was in the women's race, which, at various stages, looked as though any one of four runners could claim victory.

Doyle led the race from the start and after climbing the main hill towards Torteval church had extended his lead to over a minute by the Mallard Hotel three mile point.

At this stage Gail Merrien held a forty second lead over Caroline Wickham in the women's race but, after a gentle start, Jenny Elliott was about to catch Wickham.

The course then turned back down Plaisance towards St. Peters and by the five mile mark, near La Hougette School, Doyle's lead over Pete De Bertrand was nearing two minutes. Merriens lead over Wickham and Elliott remained near to forty seconds but Lisa Herve was running strongly and had closed to within 100 metres of the duo ahead.

After turning at La Felconte the runners hit the Coast at Perelle and returned to Pleinmont.

Doyle comfortably held his led to the finish but Merrien missed a turning at L'Eree and lost nearly five minutes.

Elliott drew clear of Wickham in the closing mile and finished 16 seconds clear in 72 minutes 47 seconds but Herve, who had earlier appeared the strongest, was clearly struggling into the strong headwind and eventually crossed the line thirty seconds behind Wickham.

Whilst the strongly competitive women's event gave the Island Games selectors some valuable pointers they were left with few indicators as to possible male Half Marathon selections. With most of the leading island runners choosing to rest after the recent County Cross Country Championships and Doyle has already indicated his wish to compete for Sark.