Desford 6, Run Derby 10k, Manchester & Brighton Marathons & ‘No Frills’ Duathlon

Clash of the Titans!!!
Sunday was another really busy racing day for the Club with as many as 36 runners in action at 5 different events.
The majority, 26, were in action in the latest race in the Leicestershire Road Running Winter League, the Desford 6.  In good running conditions over a typically undulating Leicestershire course there was a titanic battle at the front of the field with, based on chip times, Chris Pearson just edging Dominic Sharman by a second with times of 35.34 & 35.35 respectively. However, on ‘gun’ times the situation was reversed with Dominic winning by a second in finishing positions of 26^th& 27^th out of 405 finishers. James Cassidy, who before the season is out may well challenge the Championship leaders, was next in a superb 38.05 & 59^th place followed by the tactically astute Chappers Senior in 38.50 & 72^nd place overall. Chris Mason, in a last race before next Sunday’s London Marathon, was next across the line in 80^th place and a chip time of 39.05. In a welcome appearance for the Club, Jack Leafe managed to get the better of Stuart Halsey after a race long battle as times of 39.21 & 39.26 and finishing positions of 87^th& 90^th confirm. The ever reliable Colin Mee completed the scoring finishers for the Club with a very solid 40.30.
Breathing down Mee’s neck for most of the race Andy Orme was only 3 seconds & 2 places further back as he confirmed he is finally over his recent injury blighted spell before he also tackles the ‘streets of London’ next Sunday. There was then another close battle between Steve Leafe & Gavin Horton with Leafe’s experience on this occasion winning out with 41.47 to Horton’s 41.57. Looking well set for the upcoming Stratford Marathon the evergreen Steve Fowler finished strongly in 42.48 with the improving Adrian Middleton close behind in 43.02. Fresh from last week’s Berlin Half Marathon Ashley Parkes ran well for his 44.04 with Kelly Knight, running strongly after an injury spell, to be the first of the Club’s women back in 45.05 & a superb 26^th place in the women’s race. The consistent Roy Mortlock was next with 45.41 followed by the battling Tracey Glover in 46.16. The close inter club rivalry was a highlight of this race with little separating the next two finishers Malcolm Moore in 47.18 & the hard running Sam Skidmore in 47.22 & 44^th place in the women’s race.  Chris Morton was next in 48.42 followed by two Championship debutants, Laura Storer in 49.04 & Heidi Elliott in 52.06. Inge Moore put in her usual hard working performance with 56.56 with Mark Skidmore, who is enjoying a fine run of racing PBs, next in 58.50. Another Championship debutant Lisa Wright & Katie Kift completed the Club finishers with 58.57 & 71.19 respectively.
The Run Derby 10k was the target for 6 of the Club’s runners with again some top performances in evidence. Andy Hawtin led the way with 37.18 and a superb 51^st place out of 4229 finishers. Louise Insley confirmed she is in the form of her life with a PB of 37.54 and a brilliant 4^th place finish in the women’s race. After trying to keep pace with Louise, Shane Chapman finally had to settle for an excellent 38.42 and a place well within the top 100 finishers. Also returning a PB of 43.06, Christina Cooper should be well pleased with her run and the overall improvements she’s making in her running. Others who should be really satisfied with their performances are distance debutant Maria Allen & Cath Johnson who returned 55.51 & 59.46 respectively.
Tackling the classic marathon distance were 3 of the Club’s brave runners. Gerry O’Brien and Nikki Reeves were in action in the Greater Manchester Marathon and acquitted themselves brilliantly. Gerry ran a gritty 3.16.15 while Nikki returned a superb PB of 3.39.59 to be 154^th in the women’s race & 33^rd in her age category.  Wayne Kelleher was in action at the Brighton Marathon and his PB of 3.53.56 rounded off a very productive racing Sunday for the yellow & blue vests.
Meanwhile, fresh from confusing her neighbours as she practiced her transitions in the road, Carolyn Ife improved her performance considerably on last year’s substantial effort in the ‘No Frill’ Duathlon at Bosworth Water Park. Carolyn’s times were 5k Run (30.24), 21k Bike (49.25), 5k Run (31.06) = total time 1.54.32.