The calm before the storm

Massey Ferguson Tractor 10k.

Report – David Jones.

On Easter Monday, Massey Ferguson Runners Club hosted its ever popular annual Easter race on a fast, flat and traffic free three lap 10k course at the NAEC Stoneleigh.

This is the first race in the annual Warwickshire Road Race League and for our seven club members who took part, there was the added incentive of it being part of the club’s Grand Prix competition.

First of the SAC contingent to finish was Peter Sugden (45.01 – 114th). Peter was followed by Annie Cox, competing just 6 days before taking part in the London Marathon. Annie’s time of (47.56 – 162nd) was a couple of minutes quicker than when she last competed in this race in 2017.

Annie was followed by Yvonne Caswell (49.19 – 186th) and Dave Maundrell (54.46 – 253rd).

Next was Ruth Calderbank, who’s time of 55.45 meant she comfortably won her age category, almost 3 minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

Pippa Abrams (57.34 – 289th) was followed by the our final runner to finish, John Butler (1:14.09 – 402nd)

The race was won by Ben Taylor in a time of 32.59 and the first lady to finish, in 19th place, was Kelly Edwards in a time of 37.32. 428 runners completed the course.

Shipston Nursing Home 10k – Walton Hall.

Report – David Jones.

This race was set in the beautiful 65 acre grounds of Walton Hall Hotel, by kind permission of Sir Andrew Hamilton and Walton Hall.

It is a 10k race designed for all abilities.

Nine of the 117 who completed the course were our club members.

The first of these to finish was John Raby, who completed the race in 41.01, finishing in 3rd place overall. John was followed by Joe Lee in 5th place and a time of 43.07. Joe was the first competitor to finish with a dog !!

Next, in 11th place was Ben Phyall (45.45) followed just 20 seconds later by Graham Hill (46.05) in 13th place.

Ryan Bakewell was 28th, with a time of 51.39 and he was followed by the first of the Stratford ladies to finish, Maggie McLeod (53.18) in 35th place. Maggie was followed by her husband Stuart (58.24 – 57th ).

Finally, the two remaining Stratford ladies were Kimberley Lee (102.49 – 69th) and Clare Eynon (104.48 – 74th).

The race was won by Dean Mawby in a time of 38.25 and the first lady to finish, in 14th place, was Rachel Wigwell with a time of 46.18.