Stratford AC's Callum Linforth and Lucy Thomas win their age groups at Midland Schools Modern Biathlon
CALLUM Linforth and Lucy Thomas were in a league of their own at the Midland Schools Modern Biathlon as they stormed to victory in their respective categories.
The duo were part of the four-strong Stratford AC group competing at the Pentathlon GB-organised event at Redditch’s Abbey Stadium.
It was also a qualifier for the British Schools Modern Biathlon Championships that are being held in March next year.
Having dominated the run and swim, Linforth was top of his class with 1,562 points.
Meanwhile, Thomas, competing in the Year 11 girls’ category, was also first in the two disciplines to take the overall win with 2,110 points. This result meant Thomas gained automatic qualification for the British Schools contest next year.
After a nervous run, Henry Thomas dominated the swim to finish just shy of the podium in fourth in the Year 6 boys’ age group with a combined total of 1,772 points.
Josh Harrison did well but was just pipped into fourth place by the finest of margins against a very strong field, amassing 1,845 points in the Year 9 boys’ category.
Harrison, Linforth and Thomas will have to wait until the national rankings are published to find out if they have done enough to qualify for the British Schools competition.
Broadway Half Marathon and Marathon
STRATFORD AC celebrated taking the top two places, as well as first female finisher, at the Broadway Half Marathon.
Around 300 runners descended on the village looking to test themselves against the demanding mixed terrain routes of the two distances.
Weather conditions were perfect and in the half marathon there was a close battle between Richard Liggatt and Adam Evans.
Liggatt eventually prevailed to finish first in 1:40:30, with Evans close behind in 1:41:36.
Peter Sugden was eighth in 1:51:38, more than seven minutes quicker than his time last year.
Stratford success continued when Emmy Orton finished as first lady and 18th overall in 2:01:35.
Clare Weatherhead was 15th lady and 69th overall in 2:29:31.
Meanwhile, Hannah Osborne and Stuart Griffiths decided to take on the full marathon.
Osborne clocked 4:57:54 to finish 54th out of a field of 135 and 11th female, while Griffiths was placed 91st in 5:28.17.
Midland Racewalk Winter League
GEMMA Smith and Paul Hawkins set club age group records at the second round of the Midland Racewalk Winter League.
Held at New College, Leicester, the course was on the cycle circuit which was a fairly flat 1km lap.
Smith lined up for the 5km race and the club’s most improved athlete award winner finished in an impressive 35:58, two minutes quicker than the time she set at the previous fixture in October, to take 14th place overall and win the handicap event.
Team-mate Paul Hawkins missed the first fixture due to illness but was racing in his first 10km walk for two years. He was pleased with his time of 73:31 to finish 11th.
