Rachel Cooke wins Holt 10K on Norfolk return

Rachel Cooke made a winning return to Norfolk as she claimed victory in the women’s race at the Holt 10K, Race 8 in the Sportlink Grand Prix Series.

Cooke, who now represents Buckingham & Stowe Running Club, crossed the line in 39:53 on a hot morning that tested runners throughout the field in the North Norfolk Beach Runners event.

She finished ahead of Louise McDonnell of Wymondham AC, who was second in 41:48, with Grace Turner of Norfolk Gazelles AC third in 42:25.

Although Cooke now lives in Buckingham, the race had a personal connection, with the winner born and raised in Norfolk.

“Norfolk born and bred,” she told Sportlink TV.

“I was born in Great Cressingham, actually – King’s Lynn Hospital – but now I live in Buckingham.”

Cooke was back in the county visiting family and decided to add the Holt 10K to her weekend plans.

“I was here to see Mum,” she said.

“I booked it last weekend when it was cold, so I didn’t expect the weather today.

“It was a bit hot out there, I have to say.”

Cooke admitted the race did not quite unfold as she had hoped, with the warm conditions and undulating course making it difficult to hit her original target.

“It didn’t really go to plan,” she said.

“I wanted to do a 37-something, but didn’t quite get there.

“So I’m pleased with a sub-40, but it was hard.

“I think I went off too fast – I think many people will be saying the same this afternoon.”

The Holt course offered more of a challenge than Cooke first expected, particularly after an early conversation during her warm-up.

“When I first started, I went for a little jog on the first bit, and there was this chap who said, ‘Yeah, you go down the hill,’” she said.

“I was like, ‘That’s not a hill.’

“And then I realised that, actually, when you get into it, it is a little bit undulating and bumpy.

“But it was a good course.”

Cooke now runs for Buckingham & Stowe Running Club, but she still has strong connections to the Norfolk running scene.

“I used to belong to Dereham Runners when I was younger,” she said.

“I still go and train with them on occasion when I come up.

“Buckingham & Stowe is a really friendly, lovely club. There are quite a lot of us, and we’re doing a series of races at the moment – cross country and things like that.”

The Sportlink Grand Prix Series now moves on to the Humpty Dumpty 10K, with runners able to grab their place here.

Highlights from the Holt 10K will be available soon on Sportlink TV.

There will also be the chance to win a SAYSKY prize in the highlights video, so make sure you subscribe to the channel and keep an eye out for the film dropping later this week.

The Sportlink Grand Prix Series is supported by Sportlink, a specialist running shop in Norwich run by runners for runners, known for expert gait analysis, specialist running shoes and trusted advice for runners across Norfolk.

Article supplied by Mark Armstrong Media.