Cath Reader (now Duhig) of Ryston Runners smashed the 11 year old course record held by Guernsey walker Jenny Tostevin (now Elliott) when she came home in 3 hours 06.39.
It was a lonely race for Cath, as women are given a 30 minutes start on the men and Patrick Murphy, the mens winner could “only” muster a 2.39.25 clocking, leaving him a few minutes adrift at the finish.
Cath passed the 5 miles point in 47.19, 10 miles in 94.40 and 15 miles in 2.23.10, to finish well clear of second woman home Jill Green from the Isle of Wight (3.31.41), whilst local Rose Drückes finished third in 3.39.01.
Murphy was out on his own from early in the race, with Rob Elliott settling into second place. At the five miles point Elliott had been joined by Guernsey walker Carl Thomson and visitor Colin Bradley, as they clocked 43.13. The trio stayed together for the next five miles passing the 10 miles point in 86.06.
Bradley was to soon open a gap within a mile, closely followed by Thomson, with Elliott starting to struggle. Thomson hit a bad patch and Elliott made the effort to get away from him and close the gap to Bradley. Thomson called it a day at 13 miles and Elliott having caught Bradley soon left him behind to pass 15 miles in 2 hours 9 minutes.
Elliott took second place in 2.49.11, his quickest Church Walk since 1986. This was due to Elliotts long training sessions earlier in the year as he made his debut at 50 kilometres in England.
Bradley stayed the course to come home in third place in 2.54.46, ahead of 1964 Olympian John Paddick, who slipped under the three hours barrier in 2.58.19.
Cath Reader, whilst on holiday in Guernsey, ended up with a new course record for the Church to Church. This was a week after clocking 95.47 in the annual 10 miles Sarnia Walking Club v Royal Air Force match and a 3000 metres road walk clocking of 16.09 mid week!
Cath returned to Guernsey for the 2001 Church to Church and again came home as the first lady in 3.27.17.
