West End 8

Chris sets the pace!!
Races come thick & fast at this time of year & the last race in this year’s ultra-competitive Leicestershire Road Running Winter League, the West End 8, was the latest challenge facing 22 members of the Club on Sunday. In good running conditions, over a typically undulating Leicestershire course, it was another epic battle between Chris Pearson & Andy Hawtin that was the highlight at the front of the race. On this occasion only 4 seconds on chip time separated the two with Chris edging it in 48.58 to Andy’s 49.02 & 37^th & 39^th places respectively. The performance of the day though was undoubtedly Jenny Laing-Brierley’s superb 2^nd place finish in the women’s race in a time of 53.01. Showing the fitness benefits of a good performance in this year’s London Marathon, Jenny was only 10 seconds behind the race winner. Christian Glover, another showing significant benefit from a spring marathon, also performed well over this unusual distance to finish in 53.11 & 91^st place before the ever consistent, Andy Orme, stopped the clock in 54.06. The improving Tom Eyre was next in 57.24 before little separated Adrian Middleton, Paul Glover & Tracey Glover as they battled to chip times of 59.16, 59.28 & 59.49 respectively. Club debutant Glenn Smith had a great start in Club colours in completing the course in 62.21 before Club stalwart’s Gary Price, Tim Argent & MV60, Steve Tempest gave everything in achieving finishing times of 63.07, 64.35 & 65.37 respectively.  Battling for Club Championship points with Richard Ward, David Lunn edged it on this occasion 68.55 to Richard’s 69.31 before Karen Wilkes in 74.01 led home Chris Morton in 74.39 & Suki Kaur in 74.45. Kerry Ward wasn’t far behind in 76.41 before Linda Mason (80.55), Katherine Smith (82.35) & Linda Tempest (83.34) gave everything they had in completing a good day for the Club’s runners.
On the other side of the world, in a much warmer climate & in total different scenery Wayne Kelleher wore his yellow vest with pride in completing the Sydney Half Marathon in 1.50.00.