Chris sets the pace
With almost a 1000 runners completing the event, the Ashby 20 proved its now one of the foremost races for runners preparing for a spring marathon.
Five runners from the Club fell into this category with Chris Gunstone, preparing for the Edinburgh Marathon, continuing his excellent recent form to be first back in 2.21.38 and an excellent 144th place. Not far behind was a resurgent Rob Lower, whose 2.23.04 and 148th place hints at a possible sub 3.15 in the upcoming London Marathon.
Andy Orme was the odd one out in that he’s not planning a spring marathon but he emphasized his excellent endurance qualities and the value of refueling at a well known burger chain with a well run 2.27.26 on his debut at the distance.
Steve Leafe, who has entered the Stratford Marathon, was only 14 places behind his team mate in 2.29.05 with another Stratford Marathon entrant, Mark Coombes also performing well for his 2.42.18. Alison Shearer, a London Marathon entrant, was the Club’s only entrant in the women’s race and her 3.15.12 indicates her training is going well.
Chris Mason prepared for the London Marathon in a very different way by taking part in the British Masters Cross Country Championship over an undulating 8km course at a very muddy Herrington Country Park in Sunderland. At the same venue as the recent National Cross Country Championships Chris competed well to finish 6th in a very competitive MV60 category in a time of 34.47.
