With no real focal point at the weekend for athletes from Wolverhampton & Bilston AC to point their efforts towards there were few pulling on the vest in competition, and one in particular pulling on someone else’s vest.
In previous years the Stourbridge Stagger has generally seen a sizable number from the club compete however only one club member, Pete Hood, had entered, but as Sunday morning approached he was forced to withdraw due to a positive Covid test meaning for the first time in years the Stagger was devoid of Wolves entries.
However, we did have a sole competitor in the Alsager 5, a fast road race in Cheshire which always seems to attract a quality field. Rob Cartwright clocked a rapid 29.02 to finish in 63rd place. Paul Marson competed in his first race as a Wolves athlete taking part in the Icing on the Cake half marathon, a testing off road adventure over the classic 13.1 distance up and down Carding Mill Valley. Paul came home in 1.55.19 to take 12th place surprising his partner who was still in the cafe as he crossed the line. Lee Groucutt finished in 70th in 2.37.38.
Dan Maskew was also out and about in the hills with a fine 4th place finish in the Titterstone Clee Fell Race tackling the 4.1k distance, which included 750 feet or 279 metres of total ascent, in a time of 21.08.
And in an alternative vest of Cardiff Met University Harry Dyall took part in the BUCS cross country short race over 8k coming back in 3rd place for the team. Placing 155th overall in a quality field of 497 athletes and crossing the line in 32.30.