Conkers 5 Mile Race Report

Despite the weather looking like rain and with strong winds 137 runners turned out on Sunday morning to compete in the South Derbyshire Road Runners annual Run in the Forest which this year moved venue to Conkers.  Those who turned out were rewarded when the weather turned shortly before the start with the wind dying down and the sun coming out, ideal conditions to enjoy a course made up almost entirely of quiet, wooded, off road trails surrounding Conkers in the heart of the National Forest.
Both the men’s and women’s fields produced clear winners who managed to pull clear of the field never to be caught, with Sean Byrne of Tamworth AC winning the men’s race by just over a minute and Emma Gould from West Bromwich Harriers pulling out more than 3 minutes on her nearest rival.
The mens second and third place finishers were also some distance apart with Jamie Fletcher of Hatton Darts coming home 40 seconds in front of Craig Hinds From Hermitage Harriers.  The places were a little closer in the women’s race with Elsie Butler of Charnwood AC finishing just in front of Wendy Mullineux From Heanor AC.
Despite most of it’s members being on marshaling duty South Derbyshire Road Runners put out a small but strong team with all 6 runners finishing in the first half of the field.  As is fast becoming routine Andy Hawtin led the way with a fine 5th place, Andy Orme was then next home picking up a well deserved 19th place finish. A close battle behind them saw Christina Cooper just pip Steve Fowler as they finished in 43rd and 45th places. Next was Gary Price, whose 58th place was a great effort only 7 days after completing the London Marathon.  Not far behind Gary was the teams final finisher Tony Philips, who came home in 64th place.
After the race many runners adjourned to the comfortable surroundings of the Gallery Cafe at Conkers for a coffee, cake and post race analysis.