Desford 5

Chris speeds home!!!
20 runners from the Club journeyed to Desford on Sunday for the latest round in this year’s Leicestershire Winter League and the latest leg in the Club’s 2018 Club Championship. Following last weekend’s arctic conditions the 560 runners, who completed the typically undulating 5 mile race, were greeted by something they’ve not experienced for some time……a warm, bright morning.  With his understated way and economical running style Chris Pearson led the Club’s runner’s home in a superb 23^rd place in a ‘gun to tape’ time of 29:24. Not far behind was Andy Hawtin in 30^th place overall in a chip time of 30:10. Club stalwart Andy Orme had a close battle with Nathan Fagan and just had the edge as finishing places of 83^rd and 84^th and times of 32:36 and 32:42 testify. Both though failed to make any inroads on Jenny Laing, who is in terrific form at present, and scorched around in 32:12 for a brilliant 5^th place in the women’s race. Next to finish was Chris Mason in 34:11, which was good enough to give him 1^st place in the MV60 category. James Gough and Romain Chambard had that close a battle that they were mixed up in the results but at time of writing it looks like James edged it 34:49 to 34:51 on chip times. Malcolm Moore made a really welcome appearance and ran well to record 39:38 with Gary Price stopping the clock in 40:06. Robin Thorne ran well for his 41:49 with an injury hampered Kevin Clarke completing the Club’s finishers in the men’s race in 59:07.
The Club’s women are mirroring the demographics of running nationally with the turn-out of women at this race almost matching that of the Club’s men. In addition to Jenny Laing, Laura Harper and Rebecca Moult followed up long marathon training runs yesterday with good solid performances of 41:31 & 41:34 respectively. Seran Bradley gave everything to complete the course in 45:47 while Kat Smith made a really welcome return to road racing with an excellent 46:41. Karen Wilks, another spring marathon entrant who is benefitting from the training, stopped the clock in 46:46. Pauline Cooper and birthday girl Helen Clark, both of whom continue to improve with every outing, completed the course in very respectable times of 52:20 and 59:04 respectively