24 keen A&T runners turned up, full of anticipation, for the challenging Smithills Serpent. If anything the windy conditions made the race tougher than last year and there was no hiding place on the exposed part of the course.
Horwich RMI look determined to take home silverware this year and occupied the first 6 finishing positions in the race.
For A&T, Simon Ford revelled in the hilly terrain and came home as our first finisher in 32:04. The battle for the Premiership is well and truly on again and the final outcome promises to be very close.
2nd for A&T was a jaded Peter Chan in 32:30 who left for a week’s rest to his retreat in South Devon after the race, having taken the V45 prize. Close behind was Shaun Moran in 33:15 with Mark Riches, running superbly well and pushing hard in 33:47. These first 4 finishers combined to finish 2nd in the team event.
Perhaps the run of the day was Alan Hilton’s who got round in 35:08 and showed he is past his illness and well on course for a good marathon time later in the year. Terry Gardiner and Steve Coleman battled hard with Terry coming out on top by 4 seconds in 35:38. Craig Bradbury also showed he is getting back to his best with a strong run of 35:50.
Next followed Josie Maley, who crossed the line comfortably as first lady overall in a time of 35:58 and added to her expanding wine cellar as well as taking home a gazebo!
As always, Derek Coop and Mark Lysycia enjoyed a friendly battle with Derek getting the nod on this occasion with 36:41. Mark finished strongly to record 37:08.
Brenda Wane put all injury thoughts behind her and ran a solid race in 39:19, just staving off the challenge of Ian “Bacon Mon” Hamilton in 39:28. Brenda picked up the L45 award and Ian the V55 in the process.
It felt a bit easier for yours truly and I was pleased to dip under 40 minutes in 39:59. Maybe things are just beginning to click again. Ray Taylor and Alan Webb, still on the comeback trail, chased hard in 40:40 and 40:47 respectively and Glyn Thomson crossed the line 2 seconds ahead of the ever-improving Suzanne Gregory in 42:00 dead. Suzanne was the 3rd member of the ladies team who finished 2nd.
Carole Baines did well to knock 3 minutes off her time last year in 42:09. Wayne Babynec ground out a 44:48 time whilst Vanessa Thomson performed her famous sprint finish to cross in 46:51. Dave Crowe nursed a hamstring all the way round and took his foot off the gas for his 47:56.
Michelle Fuller only decided to run the race on Saturday but she, in 48:15,and Laura Babynec, in 49:59, dug in well to complete the A&T contingent.
Another excellent turnout by the club with some encouraging performances.
Next race in the Club Championship is the Lymm 5km which takes place on Saturday 26th June at 3.30pm. A fun run also accompanies this event and so it would be an excellent day out for the family with some of the children maybe entering the fun run, followed by some pub grub.
I would suggest we pre-register. Entry details and forms can be found on the following link:-
http://www.spectrumstriders.org.uk/our-races/lymm-5k
1 comments:
.....and don't forget all pre-entry runners get a FREE cake and a brew so every reason to enter early!
Post a Comment