Rose Nicholson battled hot conditions and strong competition to win the women’s race at the Great Yarmouth Half Marathon.
The Waveney Valley AC runner took victory in 1:22:46 at the penultimate race of this year’s Sportlink Grand Prix Series, holding off Humpty Dumpty 10K winner Samantha Jeffries and Katie King after a hard-fought race hosted by Great Yarmouth Road Runners.
Jeffries, of City of Norwich AC, finished second in 1:23:32, with Saint Edmund Pacers athlete King third in 1:26:31.
Nicholson battles the heat
Nicholson’s win came on another warm day at Great Yarmouth, with the August heat once again playing a major part in the race.
Speaking to Sportlink TV after the race, Nicholson said the conditions affected more than just the run itself.
“It’s been hot for a long time,” she said.
“I think it’s not just the heat on the day, but the heat in the evenings as well. It makes sleeping hard and complicates the race preparation.
“It’s usually hot at this race. It’s been in August, and it’s been hot here for 10 or 15 years, to be honest.
“But it doesn’t get any easier, certainly not this year.”
Hard-fought women’s race
Nicholson had to work hard for the win, with Jeffries and King both applying pressure behind her.
Jeffries came into the race in strong form after winning the Humpty Dumpty 10K, while King, who ran 18:41 at the Colchester 5K on Friday evening, also produced a strong run to complete the women’s podium.
Nicholson admitted she never felt completely comfortable at the front.
“I was running scared, thinking the two girls in second and third were going to catch me because I’m used to that happening,” she told Sportlink TV.
But Nicholson held on to take an impressive victory as the 2026 Sportlink Grand Prix Series moved another step closer to its conclusion.
One race left in the Sportlink Grand Prix Series
There is now just one race left in this year’s Sportlink Grand Prix Series, with the Dereham 10 Mile Race bringing the campaign to a close.
Nicholson confirmed that Dereham will be her next target before she turns her attention to longer-distance goals later in the year.
“Dereham 10 is my next race – the last in this year’s Sportlink GP Series,” she said.
“Then another half marathon in Ipswich and Yorkshire Marathon in October.
“That’s the goal. Hopefully, it’ll be a bit cooler by then.”
Sportlink TV highlights and 361° Lynx prize
The Sportlink TV highlights video from the Great Yarmouth Half Marathon will be published during the week.
The video will include action from the race, atmosphere from the day and the chance to win a pair of 361° Lynx shoes.
Keep an eye on Sportlink TV for the full highlights package and competition details.
The Sportlink Grand Prix Series is supported by Sportlink, a Norwich-based running store run by runners for runners, offering expert gait analysis, specialist running shoes and trusted advice for runners across Norfolk.
Article supplied by Sportlink and Mark Armstrong Media.