Ashby 20 and Reading, Coventry & Stafford Half Marathons

Endurance all the way!!
This time of year is marathon training season so the emphasis is on distance and more distance. Club members were therefore in action at the most popular pre-spring marathon 20 miler, the Ashby 20 and half marathons at Reading, Coventry and Stafford. The majority were at Ashby where Rob Eaton led the Club’s 24 runners in an excellent chip time of 02:03:14 for a superb 11^th place finish overall. Chris Pearson ran well for his 02:08:53 and 31^st place before Shane Chapman, showed again that he is also well on course for a great time in London, with his 02:12:22. Christian Glover, who is training for a long course triathlon later in the year, is in superb form at present as his 02:17:20 and 82^nd place overall finish emphasised. The ever reliable Mark Harriott was very close behind in 02:17:40 before Matt Clemson and Andy Hawtin were virtually inseparable after 20 miles as their chip times of 02:22:25 and 02:22:27 confirm.  Another who should do well in London is Jenny Laing who ran well for 02:25:17 and a 10^th place finish in the women’s race. Club stalwart Andy Orme gave his usual maximum effort to finish in 02:27:54 before Ross Clarke, making his debut at this distance, should be well pleased with his 02:38:05. Nigel Atkins and Nikki Reeves continued the theme of good race performances in what were not ideal running conditions by finishing in 02:46:05 and 02:51:34 respectively. Tracey Glover and Ray Udall are also on schedule for good age group performances at London with 02:57:13 and 02:57:23 showings here. Laura Harper and Rebecca Moult gave each other valuable support throughout and finished in 03:01:12 and 03:01:13. Paul Glover, by his own admission, had a bad day at the office when his body felt every minute of his 03:05:45 with David Lunn overcoming blistered feet to record 03:13:00. Karen Wilks and Seran Bradley also ran together and finished with the same chip time of 03:22:49 with Jenny Tattersall and Hannah Wintrip close behind in 03:25:16 and 03:27:50. Barry Saunders has had a difficult time recently with Achilles problems and he did well to get round in 03:34:00 with Carolyn Ife completing the finishers in 04:01:05.
Five of the Club’s runners tackled the Stafford Half Marathon with an injury hampered Phil Daws leading the group home in 01:51:33. Matt Murkin and Paul Hudson, making their debuts at the distance, recorded 01:55:33 and 02:07:17 before Alison Shearer recorded 02:08:06 in what was probably the contingent’s stand out performance. Gary Price completed the Club’s finishers with a battling 02:17:23.
Simon Reynolds showed great form in recording 01:31:51 at the Coventry Half Marathon. Jack Leafe also ran brilliantly for his chip time of 01:24:36 at the Reading Half Marathon with Steve Leafe’s 01:31:30 probably being the stand out performance on a day of good performances.