Stratford AC members dominate Big 10k race
THERE was a huge turnout of Stratford AC members for the the town’s Big 10k race last weekend.
Forty-two club members competed, with many of them enjoying considerable success, with seven of the top 30 finishers coming from Stratford.
The first of these was Josh Newman, finishing in fifth place in 36:12, 37 seconds quicker than his time last year. Just 38 seconds behind Newman was Ollie Senior in seventh place and a time of 36:50.
Next to finish for the club was Dan Lynch (12th, 37:45), who just edged out Matt Burdus-Cook (14th, 37:51) by six seconds, this despite Burdus-Cook having run a competitive parkrun just 24 hours previously.
Tim Hutchinson (17th, 38:00) has made a fabulous return to form following a long period of injury and this superb run followed hot on the heels of his great run in the Kenilworth Half Marathon last weekend.
Hutchinson was followed by James Cusack (25th, 39:21) and then just 13 seconds behind him, Owen Goschen (28th, 39:34) who was a couple of minutes quicker than last year.
Another runner who competed in the Kenilworth Half last weekend was David Smyth (64th, 42:02). Just seven seconds later he was followed by 18-year-old Seb Hopper (67th, 42:09).
Ryan Bakewell (78th, 42:26) recorded a superb PB, some three minutes quicker than his previous best. Adam Evans followed his good run at Kenilworth last week with a 101st place finish and a time of 42:52. Pete Sugden (111th, 43:41) was a minute quicker than last year and three minutes quicker than 2016. Damian Wheeler (117th, 43:59) was successfully graduating up from a number of local parkruns and was followed by the first two female SAC members to finish, both of who competed at Kenilworth last weekend.
The first of these was Sarah Boundy (155th, 44:50) followed just 23 seconds later by Lynne Hinson (163rd, 45:13).
Hinson also finished fourth in her age category and was more than a minute quicker than last year.
Just under a minute separated the next three SAC members to finish; Karl Harris (196th – 46:29), Sam Nicholson (204th – 46:51) and Craig Millard (239th – 47:24). Millard is currently in training for the Berlin Marathon next month. Just 20 seconds behind Millard was Emily Adams (243rd, 47:44) who was delighted to have run exactly a minute quicker than last year.
Spesh Maloney (247th, 48:07) was followed by Hope Lawton (356th, 50:31) and Suzi Graham (358th, 50:31).
Dave Maundrell followed his Kenilworth Half of the previous week with a 390th place finish and a time of 52:03.
Ruth Calderbank (491st, 54:25) finished second in the F65 category despite a recent injury.
1,278 runners completed the race which was won by Cirencester’s Dave Bell, retaining his title in 33:17. Leamington’s Natalie Bhangal was the first woman to finish, placing 31st overall in 39:40.
Other Stratford AC times: Sarah Vernon 53:21, Bev Brigden 54:17, Allan Coldicott 56:32, Sophie Hewitt 56:46, Jane Fradgley 56:29, Nic Reynolds 57:14, Christine Habel 59:33, Alice Baxendale 59:50, Michelle Bartlett 1:08:08, Anna Threadgill 1:07:50, John Butler 1:09:42, Gemma Smith 1:12:14, Richard Hadley 1:12:41, Linda Mazey 1:12:41, Sheryl Buckland 1:13:53, Rebecca Wass 1:14:51, Cindy Brittan 1:19:28, Karen Harris 1:25:57.
