Race report from Mike Blenkinsop
Time to strap in for the annual in-house skirmish as Croft team mates battle against each other for the Bryan Markham Handicap Trophy over a series of summer races. The month of April heralds the welcome return of the agile swallows from their winter break in southern Africa and also the reappearance of the lesser spotted Croft Ambrey swallows to Leinthall Starkes after their varied eccentric winter pursuits and challenges. Apparently the collective noun for a group of swallows is a “gulp”. Croft runners may not take kindly to this less than flattering description so we will refer to them as a “flight” of Crofties as they lined up enthusiastically for what I believe to be the 133rd run over this historic course – Tom would have provided me with the definitive figure. The event was first run on 12th April 1989, and the accurately measured 5 mile course (calibrated by the officially qualified course measurers Tom Davies and Bryan Markham – both of whom were in our thoughts as we commemorate their massive influence on our illustrious running club) remains exactly the same to this day.
So spring was in the air and there was a spring in the steps of the 51 enthusiastic runners as the eyes of the sporting world were focused on the start of the prestigious 2026 CARC Handicap Series. We were not disappointed as there was an explosive start to the season as “Leinthall Lightning” himself, Sam Juson, obliterated his own course record to lower the best recorded time by 35 seconds with a stunning performance and a new course record of 24.50. Sam was flying so fast that the M.O.D. was on standby alert for a suspected missile invasion. I am hearing that news of Sam’s record breaking exploits have already spread far and wide. The Chinese athletic authorities are threatening to send over their own record breaking running android to challenge the Croft cannonball. My money is on Sam. He was the worthy winner of the Mick Ligema trophy, and I feel honoured to have witnessed such a magnificent show.
2nd across the line was previous course record holder Eric “the Antelope” Apperley. Keith Hiley’s course record of 26.18, set way back in 1991. had stood unrivalled for over 20 years until these 2 speed merchants started burning up the north Herefordshire tarmac. Great stuff lads – keep it buzzing. Completing the top 3 was Grant “the Wildebeest” Womack as the leaders all ran solo races for almost the whole course. My apologies for the feeble attempt to try to give the runners speedy alliterative nicknames – feel free to dish out any deserved punishment. Special mention must go to Nigel “Typhoon” Taylor, who finished 4th, just a couple of days after completing an arduous ultra, and knocked a whole minute off Guy Whitmarsh’s MV60 course record that had stood for 22 years.
The winner of the women’s version of the Mick Ligema trophy was a sprightly Nina “the Whirlwind” Warmsley, who was making her debut on the historic course with an impressive display to finish 9th overall in a time of 36.33. Nina led home a trio of quick quinquagenarians, who dominated the women’s race. 2nd across the line was a dynamic Emma ‘the Javelin” Jones with a robust run in a time of 37.19. Completing the women’s podium places was a delighted Sam “the Harpoon” Harper who improved her p.b. by a massive 1.48. Sam is in the form of her life and illustrated this by setting this notable time of 37.35 after 15 years of competing in the Leinthall Starkes 5. As in the men’s race, there was a remarkable run by a sexagenarian as Steph “the Kingfisher” King sliced a substantial 1.29 off her p.b. after many years of running around the course. The biggest p.b. of the night was set by an ecstatic Reachel Kenny as she annihilated her own previous best by a colossal 7.57 – woweee !!
It was rewarding to see11 runners making their debuts in the club’s long-established event and they all now have a target to try to improve their times in the next event when the handicap system will kick in. The 2nd race in the 6 race series will be held on Tuesday 19th May. See you there
