Mixed day for Stratford AC runners at Manchester Marathon
THREE Stratford Athletic Club runners took on the Manchester Marathon challenge alongside 13,000 others, with mixed fortunes.
The fast and flat course helped a delighted James Cusack to a 3.10.04 personal best. David Jones, however, despite an impressive seventh M65 category place and a highly-respectable 3.53.43, was left puzzled and confused.
“I really don’t know why I was 15 minutes slower than last year,” he said.
Third in for Stratford was Tim Owrid, in 4.23, another runner not quite at his best, but finishing in style.
Their day was not improved by long queues at the baggage tent and a degree of disorganisation which really should not happen at such a mass-participation event.
Meanwhile, three of Stratford AC’s best female runners spent a more traditional Sunday in the woods and fields of the Cotswolds near Cirencester for the Chedworth Roman Trail ten-mile race.
The tough course failed to put Sarah Wheeler off her stride, with a fine third female finish in 1.12.16.
Lesley Kirk, on the sort of course she likes best, achieved a fine third in category in 1.29.18, closely followed by Sarah Odell, another trail-running specialist, in 1.30.09.
Even further north, Paul Jefferies took on 200-plus starters in the Fleetwood 10k, with scenic views over Morecambe Bay.
His continued steady improvement, close to his best, resulted in an excellent 15th place overall, second in the highly contested M40 category, and an excellent season’s best time of 42.07. “I’m well pleased with time, and looking forward to my next outing.” he said afterwards.
