Another excellent turnout, in favourable running conditions, for the second event in the 2012 Handicap Series with a string of notable performances. It was a treat to see Kim back wearing the Croft Ambrey sky blue colours. We have missed Kim whilst she has been busying herself setting up a new home south east of Hereford and underlining her loyalty by resisting the persistent approaches of more local clubs to commandeer her running services. The move has obviously inspired her as she knocked a big chunk from her course PB, with the only attentions to resist on this occasion coming from Alison who was easing her way back gently after suffering from a troublesome sciatic problem. Kim’s fine run brought her across the line nearly 3 minutes ahead of the next counting runners, Paul and Rob, who both illustrated their vast development by improving considerably on their first appearances last month.
Sue Powell, despite having endured the St. Michael’s Half Marathon 2 days previously, was next over the finish line and again took a big slice from her PB and just failed, by 2 seconds, to enter the all-time Top 20 Female listings. Sam seems to improve with every run as she carved nearly a minute from her best time and a battling Jon B. continued his progress with another spirited run.
It was rewarding to see Jim testing himself out after a lengthy injury layoff and there are signs of much more to come. Great to see Stacey back running, though he is still troubled by his unrelenting foot injury. Hopefully, that will soon be cured.
The star performance of the evening, however, came from course debutant Irina who flew over the 5 mile distance in an impressive time of 37.14 to enter the all-time listings at no. 10.
Thanks to Paul for the quality photography after he had recovered from the trauma of your increasingly absent-minded and dopey correspondent expecting him to take pictures with a battery-free SLR. Luckily, the aforementioned dope redeemed himself by producing a reserve camera. Can you all remember to smile next time – some of the shots are quite scary !
The next handicap event, and the last on the roads this season before we head for Croft Woods in July, will take place on Tuesday 5th June.
RACE 2 | 15th May 2012 | |
RUNNER | TIME | |
KIM WOOD | 44.10 | P.B. by 1 min. 46 secs. |
PAUL PRICE | 33.21 | P.B. by 1 min. 54 secs. |
ROB LLWELLYN | 33.54 | P.B. by 1 min. 31 secs. |
SUE POWELL | 42.30 | P.B. by 54 secs. |
ASHLEY COOKE | 35.06 | |
NIGEL MASON | 32.50 | |
ADAM KENNERLEY | 37.39 | P.B. by 23 secs. |
SAM HARPER | 40.06 | P.B. by 54 secs. |
NEIL TAYLOR | 35.32 | |
JON BRIGGS | 35.05 | P.B. by 43 secs. |
TOM DAVIES | 37.27 | |
FRANK LUSCOTT | 37.46 | |
SIMON NORWOOD | 30.36 | |
RACHEL NELSON | 42.40 | |
GARY GUNNER | 35.25 | |
PATRICK PEARSON | 33.48 | |
RICHARD HORNSBY | 32.59 | |
MARK LAMONBY | 31.27 | |
MARTIN WILLIAMS | 34.21 | |
GAVIN WRIGHT | 31.21 | |
DAVE GEORGE | 32.14 | |
RUTH STAFFORD | 40.07 | |
GLYN WILLIAMS | 32.33 | |
STACEY MORGAN | 30.55 | |
DAVE ROUSE JNR. | 34.18 | |
JIM SMITH | 35.59 | Debut |
IRINA DALE | 37.14 | Debut |
ALISON COOKE | 44.18 | |
CAZ GEORGE | 52.51 | Debut |