Monks takes lead role as Simpson completes Gosport hat-trick

Hosts Absolute Running and the management team Nice Work put on another brilliant edition of the popular south coast event.

Conditions were tricky again with a difficult breeze on the way back after the turn point.

The series has attracted a great crowd of regulars this summer with Stubbington Green, Gosport Road Runners, Fareham Crusaders and Portsmouth Joggers all well represented.

Stubbington’s Simpson has been the powerhouse of the 5k so far.

He has won all three races after completing the hat-trick with a time of 17min 04sec.

Mark Causebrook, of Hardley Runners, finished second in another good time of 17.23.

Pete Collins, who runs for Portsmouth Joggers, crossed the line in third place as he continued his good form with a time of 17.37.

Collins relishes the fast, flat course and crossed the line ahead of the excellent Bayside Tri athlete Tom Barnard in fourth (17.51).

Monks finished next as she recorded a great time of 17.55.

The Southampton racer beat Jen Elkins who finished second to continue her really good series with a time of 18.34.

Elkins has two previous wins in the series.

Gosport won both the men’s and ladies’ team prizes.

There is a medal for all finishers for each race of the series and there is also a children’s 1k sprint prior to each senior race.

James Gould finished first in the third of the 1k races with a quick time of 3.34, just ahead of Joseph Dollamore (3.35).

Race four of the series takes place on Tuesday, August 9 at Stokes Bay Road, Gosport, PO12 2QT.