Distance Running News
18 September 2016
Graham Rush and John Parker finished first and second as they dominated the Worcester City 10k. Rush quickly opened up a race winning lead and stopped the clock at an impressive 30:23 for an easy victory. In his first race since January, veteran Parker ran a controlled race on his return to action to take second in 33:27 as he finished fifteen seconds clear of third place. At the same event Ed Grazier also made a welcome return to competition to finish as first wheelchair athlete in 32:36 with fellow wheelchair racer Les Hampton pushing his way round in 46:37. At the Swansea Bay 10k Oli Mott represented the Midland team in the inter-area match where he finished 17th in 32:15. Alex Bampton continued his return to fitness with 34:28 before Mark James ran well for a PB of 35:26. This completed a fine week for James who also set a personal best of 16:23 as finished eighth in the Yeovilton 5k. At the Tadley 10 mile event Will New started steadily and moved up into second place as he crossed the line in 57:15. Andrew Hussey meanwhile enjoyed a win at the Highnam Court 10k in 35:56 whilst Lee Groenewegen recorded a time of 31:06 at the Tamworth 5 mile road race.
Weekend parkruns saw Phil Wylie break his own course record at the Exeter Riverside event with a time of 15:06 whilst Megg Brinley was the first lady home at the Newent event. Brinley’s time of 19:44 for the testing course was just two seconds short of the ladies course record set by 2012 Olympian Claire Hallissey earlier this year. At the Cheltenham parkrun in Pittville Park Matthew Dweeryhouse enjoyed his first win with a PB of 18:16 before Henry James (19:14), Dave Hemmings (20:46) and Ian Giles (20:55) crossed the line. Andy Gardiner contested the Newport event where he place fourth in a time of 17:22.