Templer Ten One-Mile Fun Run Race Report, Sunday 3^rd November 2019

After some Biblical amounts of wind and rain preceding the Templer Ten, there was some concern that the race would have to be cancelled. In the event, the sun came out and the day itself was quite glorious. Westcliff Primary Academy Running Club put forward twenty-five runners this year – an almost threefold increase on 2018, such is the response of children who have done it before. We had a complete mix of competitors, from the speedy elites to those who run for the pleasure of it and those who like a challenge.

In a repeat of last year, Riley Payne raced in to win his age-range, but also into second place overall after a last second tussle to the line with an older girl. He trimmed a neat 20 seconds off his 2018 time, so well done, Riley. Jayden Diplock sped in next (am I writing last year’s race report?) with a cool 21 second advantage on last year.

The rest of the team finished thick and fast, with grit and huge smiles, with the loudest cheers and encouragement coming from the enormous bunch of parents, relatives and friends that had come to support them – after all, our runners accounted for more than a quarter of the race! This is why I love running – no matter who you are or what you are capable of, there are only ever winners as each individual gives their all from start to finish. Well done Westcliff – another amazing Templer Ten.