Holly Hayes XC, Heanor 10k, St Neots HM and Verona HM

Jenny out in front!!!
The Club’s runners were in action on a number of fronts on Sunday with the majority tackling the latest leg of the Derby Runner XC League at Holly Hayes Wood. In perfect running conditions over the usual mix of water hazards, fallen trees and hidden rocks to catch the unwary, the highlight was undoubtedly Jenny Laing’s impressive 1^st place finish in the women’s race. With significant support from Christina Hawtin in 13^th, the improving Katie Dennis in 29^th and Lisa Wright in 53^rd the women’s team should figure highly when the team positions are calculated. Backing this up were solid performances from Hannah Wintrip in 144^th, U20 Emily Atkins in 149^th, Becky Lenaghan in 169^th, debutant Anna Casey in 189^th, Emma Sharpe in 205^th and the determined Pauline Cooper in 226^th. For the men Chris Pearson, who revels in these technical conditions, led the team home in 14^th place with U20 James Farmer in 22^nd, Andy Hawtin in 36^th, new father Ross Clarke in 47^th and the resilient Shane Chapman close behind in 49^th. Mark Harriott, showed no ill effects whatsoever from the recent New York Marathon, as he took the 60^th place token having been pushed all the way by Sam Bassett in 62^nd, with Nathan Fagan deservedly completing the men’s team scorers in 74^th. Again, there was valuable support from another new father, James Gough in 94^th, Christian Glover, taking a well-earned break from an impressive triathlon season, in 118^th, strongman Romain Chambard in 144^th and Chris Mason in 151^st.   Nigel Atkins ran well for 167^th with Ian Archer and Ross Ballinger close behind in 182^nd and 187^th places respectively. Someone who has been so unlucky with injuries in recent season’s Adrian Middleton continued to ease himself back into racing mode with an impressive 228^th with Chris Elsegood in 249^th and Joe Baldwin, MV65 Malcolm Moore and Mark Murkin in close proximity in 262^nd , 268^th and 273^rd places. Tony Richards finished in 282^nd with Robin Thorne in 315^th and John Pegg in 325^th completing the Club’s finishers in the men’s race.
There was another significant Club turnout at the annual Heanor Christmas Pudding 10k with competitors made to work very hard for their Christmas goodies. Leading the way was prolific marathon man Rob Eaton as he stormed around in an impressive chip time of 38:41. Ellie Evans continued her impressive season with 41:41 with Men’s Club Captain, Andy Orme a minute behind in 42:41. MV60 Colin Mee showed his class with 43:26 and Paul Glover battled round in 46:00. Rebecca Moult and Kevin Clarke were virtually inseparable on chip times in 47:41 and 47:42 respectively as were Nikki Reeves and Tracey Glover as they both stopped the clock in 48:28. Gary Price finished in 52:56 with Kelvin Taylor recording 54:12. Father and daughter Dave and Sarah Walters crossed the line together in 55:07 and 55:08 with Helen Clarke continuing her upward trajectory in 66:04 with Julianne Walters completed the Club’s finishers in 68:01.
Glenn and Kat Smith were racing closer to home ground as they tackled the St Neots Half Marathon in chip times of 01:37:57 and 02:03:06 respectively. Steve Leafe was much further afield as he flew the flag with distinction in the Verona Half Marathon as he recorded a very respectable 01:38.