Worthington 5

Prize night
The Club again dominated the prizes in the latest race in the Burton and District Summer League, the Worthington 5. In wet conditions, the relatively flat, out and back course, also offered PBs for many of the Club’s 35 entrants. Both the Club’s men’s and women’s teams secured victories. The men’s team comprised Alun Thomas, who was 2^nd overall with 28:30, Andy Hawtin breathing down his neck in 3^rd in 28:31 and Chris Pearson in 8^th in 29:27. Chris also had the satisfaction of securing the MV40 prize. The Club’s women, who take some stopping at the moment, featured Jenny Laing who was also 2^nd in the women’s race in a PB of 31:48, Kelly Knight in 35:09 and 1^st WV35, Nikki Reeves in 35:28.
Throughout the field there were some really tight inter-Club battles. Robert Eaton was 11^th overall with 29:50 and Shane Chapman also secured a top 20 finish with 30:53. Mark Harriott, who is the epitome of consistency, ran well in a busy season for 31:50. Richard Miller, Ross Clarke and Glenn Smith are developing a healthy competitive rivalry as finishing times of 32:01, 32:20 and 32:47 respectively confirm. Chris Gunstone ran a well-judged race moving steadily through the field to stop the clock in 33:03 with Andy Orme and Nathan Fagan in a close battle in 33:17 and 33:24 respectively. James Gough followed up a ParkRun PB on Saturday with another PB here of 33:31. Colin Mee, who is rolling back the years at present, finished in 33:48 with Jon Mayman, making an all too rare racing appearance, running superbly for 33:59. Steve Leafe, Chris Mason and Phil Daws finished in 34:23, 34:32 and 34:39 with the returning Kevin Clarke and Tracey Glover having a titanic battle as they stopped the clock in 37:33 and 37:34 respectively. Becky Atkins ran well for 38:40 just edging out Paul Hudson in 38:54 and the improving Tony Richards in 39:07. Lisa Wright, who competed in a long course triathlon over the weekend, recovered well for 39:47 with Paul Glover and David Lunn close in 40:10 and 40:24 respectively. James Cobb gave everything to finish in 42:33 with the improving WV20, Emily Atkins recording 45:28. Karen Wilks recorded a very creditable 45:53 with Pauline Cooper, who is improving race by race, stopping the clock in 52:48. On a night of many prizes for the Club the biggest cheer was reserved for the couple who crossed the line together in joint last place, Cath Johnston and Roger Barraclough, who finished on the same time of 75:33.