Stratford AC trio claim White Horse team prize
STRATFORD AC’s ladies team claimed the team prize in the White Horse Harriers Half Marathon in Oxfordshire.
The race is run on a level and attractive rural course through the villages of Grove, Denchworth, Lyford and Charney Bassett.
A great team performance from the Stratford trio saw them claim victory by 14 points. Kate Wright led the way with another superb performance (1.24.12, 21st), coming home in first for her team and fourth lady overall.
Next to finish for the club was Sarah Wheeler (1.26.11, 31st).
Wheeler is returning after a lengthy period without racing and she will be delighted with her performance, finishing as fifth lady and third in her age group.
The third of Stratford’s talented trio to finish was Rachel Pearce (1.31.31, 67th).
This was another excellent performance from Pearce, following on from her recent Goring 10k run.
Not only was it a personal best, but she was also the tenth lady home and second in her age group.
The race was won by Phil Fernandez in a time of 1.13.18. First lady to finish was Jessica Webb in 1.21.20.
Meanwhile, four Stratford-upon-Avon Athletic Club runners were among the 1,500 runners in the BHF Warwick Half Marathon last weekend.
First home for Stratford, in a hugely impressive sub 1.30 time was Tim Tandy (1.29.46, 69th). Pete Wharton (1.45.58, 377th) was next to finish for Stratford.
Wharton was delighted to start his season off with this PB performance and thinks that with a bit more practice and fewer hills, he can get down to 1.40.
Cat Coleclough (1.49.50, 486th) is a recent member to the club and can be mightily pleased with her performance.
Fourth to finish for Stratford and just 12 seconds behind Coleclough was Charlotte Potgieter (1:50.02, 500th).
Potgieter was another Stratford runner to claim a PB in this race.
The race was won by Renou Ludovic in 1.13.52. First lady to finish was Tori Green in 16th place in a time of 1.23.44.
More notable individual performances were recorded by other club members at recent races.
James Lawson is just a few weeks away from his first London Marathon and as such took part in the 20.1 mile Kingston Breakfast Run.
Starting and finishing in the historic Kingston-upon-Thames market square and taking in the river down to Hampton Court, this 20.1 mile route is perfect preparation for the marathon.
Lawson finished in a time of 3.30.57 and said that he found it more of a mental than a physical challenge, but that he can definitely take some positives from the race.
The redoubtable Phil Brennan failed to find running past the Olympic Velodrome and Aquatic Centre inspirational, in the British Masters Athletic Federation 10k.
He found this three-lap race tiring and its course difficult to navigate, with many sharp turns and undulations.
Brennan expressed himself disappointed with his time of 48.20. Jane Duncan raced at the Revolution 5k at Warwick Castle recently, claiming 18th in just 24 minutes.
It was Duncan’s first foray back into racing after a long lay-off and she was surprised yet delighted with her result.
Three Stratford AC members completed the new revised three-lap Massey Easter 5, on a pleasant Easter Sunday morning.
Ruth Calderbank finished the course in 178th position in a time of 42.56, with John Butler in 230th position in a time of 50.23, followed by Chris Seeney taking 238th place in a time of 51.03.
At the Centurion Grand Prix, Luke Aaron Watkins and John Butler represented Stratford-upon-Avon AC.
Watkins finished the course in a time of 39.11 for 55th place, while John Butler completed the course in a time of 47.04 for 85th. It was also Butler’s fastest time in the series.
