A reflection on a year of running by an Athene sponsored athlete

Athene Communications recently supported former headteacher Eric Winstone of Ormiston Bushfield Academy and he has had a superb year competing in running and the duathlon.

In 2017,  Eric has impressively run more than 40 races. In 34 of them he has finished 1st vet 65 (age category), in 4 races 2nd vet 65 and was also 3rd vet 65 (bronze medal) in the Perkins Great Eastern Run clocking 99.23, while earlier in the year he ran 99.05 for 7th Vet 60 in the Brighton half.

In addition, Eric was the overall Vet 65 winner in the Peterborough 5K Grand Prix Series and in October at the Fenland 10mile ran 73.20 to win the gold medal in the Eastern Masters 10 mile championships.

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The highlight of Eric’s year was, of course, competing for Team GB in the European Duathlon Championships in Soria, Spain and then, in August, at the World Champs in Canada. He placed 7th vet 65 in Soria and 15th in Canada where he was the 1st GB athlete to cross the line, gaining automatic selection for next year’s worlds in Denmark.

However soon to be the real highlight, and the icing on the cake for Eric, was the recent Doncaster 10k where he ran a 10 year PB of 43.56 and placing 1st vet 65 and 3rd vet 60.

What better way to end the year by receiving 2 Platinum Awards (10k and 10M) at his running club presentations along with the trophy for Male Club Champion of the Year for the 5th year in succession.

You’re never too old and with good health and sensible diet and fitness permitting Eric can look forward to another successful year of running.

2018 will hopefully see Eric compete again for the Team GB Duathlon Team in Denmark and the Europeans in Ibiza, Another target is to run his 13th marathon in Brighton and attempt to gain an England vest. Failing that Eric will be looking to continue to target those good age group times and simply enjoy the fortunate position of been able to run competitively in his sixties.

Congratulations to Eric from all at Athene. It’s great to support local success.

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