Conkers 5, Greater Manchester Marathon & the Derby 10k

First past the post!!!
On a really busy day for the Club the main focus of attention was on the Club’s own race and the first race in this year’s Burton & District Summer League, the Conkers 5. Despite the priority being on marshalling there was still a clear statement of intent from the Club that they won’t easily relinquish their men’s & women’s 2014 team titles as Andy Hawtin ran brilliantly to win the men’s race in 29.05 & Christina Cooper continued her excellent form by finishing 2^nd in the women’s race in 32.34. Packing well and emphasising the competitiveness at the top of the men’s order Chris Pearson was 3^rd in 29.26, James Cassidy 4^th in 29.39 & Dominic Sharman 6^th in 30.03. Andy, Chris & James also had the satisfaction of recording PBs for the distance. Andy Orme followed Christina Cooper home in a well-run 32.45 for 21^st place overall before Lisa Wright & Suki Kaur both performed solidly for 40.35 & 45.10 and finishing positions in the women’s race of 22^nd & 48^th respectively. It was also great to see a racing appearance from ex Club Champion Dave McMillan, who ran a very respectable 36.33.
It was the culmination of a winter’s training for 4 of the Club’s runners as they tackled the Greater Manchester Marathon. All were making their marathon debuts and all should be well pleased with their efforts. Christian Glover confirmed that his excellent effort in the Ashby 20 was a good guide to his form by completing the course in 3.18.23 while Tracey Glover showed her usual grit & determination by finishing in 3.36.20. This is well within the ‘Good for Age’ qualifying time for next year’s London Marathon. Sam Skidmore, despite being quoted as saying ‘never again’ on finishing, completed the course in a very respectable 4.31.17 with Mark Skidmore battling well to complete the Club’s finishers in 5.44.25.
Six of the Club’s runners also joined over 3000 others on the start line for the Derby 10k & it was Louise Insley who showed she is right back to form after an enforced injury break by winning the women’s race in a storming 37.11. Louise’s performance was also good enough to place her in 61^st place overall in a really competitive race. Wayne Kelleher got in some excellent conditioning before his trip to Australia by completing the course in 49.04 with Colin Topliss not far behind in 49.17. Christine Matthews, David Lunn & Maria Allen all performed well to record 50.37, 51.09 & 54.50 respectively.