Ferns grabs victory in top Yorkshire Coast 10k

McCain Yorkshire Coast 10k race director Chris Clayton was once again delighted by the success of Sunday's event.
Winner Jay FernsWinner Jay Ferns
Winner Jay Ferns

A total of 1,626 runners started the race along Scarborough’s seafront, with Whitby’s Jay Ferns wrapping up the win in a time of 32.56.There were also impressive runs from Scarborough entrants, with James Kraft finishing third in 33.26.Christian Mummert and Sacha Butterworth, both from Scarborough AC, were also first Under-18 Juniors male and females back.Clayton said: “The conditions were perfect this year. There was no wind, which is a great thing and led to a lot of personal bests.“It was a great turn-out once again, 1,625 is a record number of finishers, up from 1562 finishers in 2015.”Organisers are hoping to boost numbers further next year, though Clayton is still encouraging runners to get entries in early to make sure of their place.“Places are available from June 1 2017, but we expect them to go quickly once again” he added.“They sold out in 18 days last year, we are expecting something similar next year.“There is a chance we might be able to add a couple of hundred more places to the number, but that would be a limit at the moment.“If we go any further than that then we’d have to speak to Scarborough Borough Council about sections of the race.”Victorious Ferns, who celebrated his birthday the night before the event, said: “I didn’t have a very wild Saturday night, that’s for sure.“Winning the 10k more than makes up for that though.“I beat my time from last year by one second, but wasn’t really interested in a time, I just ran tactically as the plan was to win.”Ferns, who is running in the European Qualifiers later this month, is a big fan of the event, apart from a section of cobbled ground on the seafront route.“The course is great, except I hate running on the cobbles,” added Ferns.“The marshals are well appreciated and the support you get is great.”In addition to providing a number of race marshalls, plus helpers to deal with over 2,000 runners at the start and finish at The Spa, Scarborough Athletic Club had a record total of 91 club members competing in the McCain Yorkshire Coast 10k.The first of the club’s runners this year was James Kraft, who finished in third place overall, which was his best ever result in this event. He also led the winning men’s team with 15-year-old Christian Mummert the next scorer in 14th and most notably the first Under-18 on his event and distance debut. The scoring team was completed by Sam Cullen, who made his club debut when finishing in 21st. Chris Brown, who is now a club member but entered as a non attached runner, finished up in 15th. Chris Duck, who was 17th but ran without wearing a club vest, were both therefore not eligible for the scoring team.Rhona Haslam was the overall female winner when heading 806th in a personal best time, and also led the winning team. Hannah Mainprize followed as fourth female and also achieved a personal best time. The team was completed by 15-year-old Sacha Butterworth, who was eighth and also first Under-18 in a personal best time in her second race over the distance.In addition to the winning teams which included age group winners, Sean Kelly was third of 121 Over-50 men, Neil Scruton headed 26 Over-65 men, Hester Butterworth was third of 144 Over-45 and Lesley Bayes was third of 19 Over-65 women.