Worksop, Prestwold, Rugby, Dublin, Snowdonia and Laundes Farm

James and Ellie lead the way!!!!
Club members were in racing action in 3 different Counties plus Wales and Ireland in a very busy weekend. The majority, 28 were in action in the popular Worksop Halloween Half Marathon. In good running conditions, over an undulating but scenic course, mainly around Clumber Park, the highlight was no fewer than 10 distance PBs for the Club’s contingent. Leading the way were 2 of the Club’s youngest runners, James Farmer and Ellie Evans, who both ran significant PBs in chip times of 01.21.04 and 01.28.17 respectively. For Ellie it meant a visit to the podium as her superb performance secured 3^rd place in the women’s race. Next to finish was Sam Bassett in 01.28.18, a performance that showed he has recovered quickly from an excellent debut in the recent MBNA Chester Marathon. Nathan Fagan’s 01.29.54 was also a well-deserved PB as he too retains his form and motivation after a recent marathon. Andy Orme stopped the clock in a well-run 01.32.50 after passing Chris Mason, who finished in 01.34.11, en route. On chip times Tim Rhodes was next to finish in an excellent 01.36.57 just edging out Romain Chambard’s 01.37.04. Again on chip times Chris Hanman was next in 01.39.51 before a glut of well-deserved PBs from Barry Saunders (01.39.58), Katie Dennis (01.41.23), Becky Moult (01.42.13) and Chris Elsegood (01.43.32). Ian Archer, Nikki Reeves, Lisa Wright and Dave Walters all ran solidly in recording 01.44.27, 01.45.26, 01.46.03 and 01.50.27 respectively with debutant Joe Baldwin, Kelvin Taylor and Karen Wilks all ducking beneath the magic 2 hour barrier in 01.58.35, 01.58.52 and 01.59.31. For Kar it was another superb PB. For Andy Lindley and Ellie Dickson Worksop was a warm up for next weekend’s New York Marathon and they showed they are both well set as they finished here in 01.42.14 and 02.18.26. John Pegg gave everything in stopping the clock in 02.07.55 as did the personal best achievements of Sarah Walters (02.10.31), Emily Atkins (02.14.50) and Anna Casey (02.18.25). Battling injury Becky Atkins also recorded 02.18.25 before Emma Sharpe completed the Club’s finishers in 02.27.48.
Nathan Holmes, Kev Clarke, Helen Clarke and Samantha Allsop travelled to Prestwold Hall to take part in the Leicester 10k. All ran with distinction, particularly the debutant Nathan Holmes, as they recorded chip times of 40.26, 68.44, 68.44 and 69.14 respectively.
Paul and Tracey Glover were also in half marathon action this time in Northamptonshire in the Rugby Half. Both should be well pleased with their finishing times of 01.39.32 and 01.45.10.
David Clarke and Jenny Laing faced a much more rigorous test on Saturday as they tackled the Snowdonia Marathon Eryri. In tough conditions both ran superbly to record 03.03.24 and 03.40.23. David’s performance earned him 22^nd place while for Jenny it was another marathon ticked off in her quest to run a 100 marathons.
Another well on his was to running 100 marathons is Rob Eaton and, after an epic performance in Berlin, he took things a bit easier in the Dublin Marathon but still recorded an excellent 02.54.03.
Last but not least 6 of the Club’s runners went almost to Northamptonshire on Sunday to tackle the first race in the Leicestershire version of the Derby Runner Cross Country League. The venue was Laundes Farm with the highlight of the 2 lap race being almost a 1000 feet of climbing. Rich Miller, in a rich vein of form at present, was first back in 54th with Mark Harriott and Christian Glover, after a race long battle, close behind in 71st and 82nd positions. Mark Murkin completed the men’s scorers in 271st with Rebecca Lenaghan and Hannah Wintrip giving everything in finishing in 163rd and 164th in the women’s race.