Distance Running News, 14-17 December

18 December 2017

Shona Crombie-Hicks enjoyed a win at the Evesham Festive 10k multi-terrain race as she finished 27 seconds clear of Stratford’s Sarah Wheeler to cross the line as first lady home in 42:51. In the same race Alex Doherty was the fourth man home in a time of 37:33. Graham Rush meanwhile raced in the Cross Internacional de Venta de Banos in Spain where he completed the 10.5km course in 33:32 for a pleasing eleventh place. The race was won by Ethiopian Selemon Barega Shirtaga with Rush the second member of the England team home as he finished behind Nick Goolab (3rd), but ahead of Liam Burthem (24th) and Dan Scholfield (25th). Closer to home James Wilkinson and Gareth Edwards finished second and third respectively at the Rudolph’s Rampage multi-terrain race in Painswick as unattached runner Steve Kenyon took the win. At the Weston Prom 5 mile race Mark James was third veteran runner and seventh overall in a time of 27:54 on a windy night that was not conducive to fast times. Despite easing off and jogging in to protect an injury concern, Naomi Eaton was still the fourth lady home in 32:49. Also competing in Weston-super-Mare was Russell Forsbrook who finished ninth in the Chrsitmas Cracker 10k race. Weekend parkruns saw Andy Gardiner win the Kingway event in Gloucester in a course PB of 16:58, whilst Tom Lowe (16:54) took second place at the Kingston event. In Pittville Park Gwenael Blank (19:03) took fifth in the Cheltenham parkrun where Dave Francis (19:35) also had a run out. Hannah D’Ambosio finished as fourth lady in 21:40 and V50 athlete Dave Hemmings recorded 22:03.