There may not have been many performances this week to report on, but it was more about the quality rather than the quantity this week, the difficult part is knowing where to start. So let’s start with the shortest distance first and move up.
A trio travelled north to Manchester to take part in the Trafford 10k and of the three competing in the event two had been called up to represent the Midlands, so wearing the white vest with the green hoop rather than their club colours. Both did the region proud recording personal bests over the distance. Dan Turner finished in 144th in a stacked field in 32.21 and Lucy Calrow was 410th in 37.17. Sabrina Thomas was in her more traditional colours and again was knocking on the door of a sub 40 clocking, finishing agonisingly on the wrong side of that magic number with 40.05 to take 574th place.
Closer to home a small group travelled towards Lichfield for the Fradley 10k, a two lapper and advertised as pancake flat – though for a flat course there were an alarming number of gradual inclines, not hills, but just a slight gradient to make you work. Dave Norman was first back for the club just missing out on that sub 40 finish with 40.43 to take 63rd spot, Emily Simmonds was 154th and 23rd lady with 45.16, Mark Perry finished in 48.59 to take 242nd, Vanessa Landreau was 254th in 49.37, Ruby Buggins claimed 1st in her age group with a 50.26 showing in 274th overall and Craig Buggins was 296th in 51.39.
Jay Patel was putting the finishing touches to his marathon preparation by racing in the Oundle 20. Advertised as being ideal for those training for Spring marathons, following a scenic course around the gently undulating wide, quiet country lanes in and around the pretty Northamptonshire villages of Fotheringay, Nassington, Yarwell and King’s Cliffe, – so most definitely PB potential. And Jay proved the organisers right with a PB, clocking 2.18.15 to cross the line in 23rd place.
And less scenic but no less tough, our marathon duo of Dave Joynson and Gill Mitchell took part in the Groundhog Day Marathon on the track at Telford. That’s right, on the track; that’s 106 laps, round and round in circles. Dave managed a podium finish in 3rd place recording a time of 3.19.50 and Gill Mitchell was 30th in 5.06.47. They are both rapidly closing in on their 200th marathon.
Dave Norman
