Friday 14th August 2009

LEICESTERSHIRE’s rising stars Ashley Sabin and Gemma Steel lived-up to their billing by completing impressive runaway victories to win the penultimate round of the 2009 LRRL Summer League campaign at the Joy Cann Memorial 5 Mile race on Wednesday evening (12th August).

Over a rural course surrounding the Narborough area reigning East Midlands Road-Running Grand Prix champion Ashley Sabin (Notts AC) continued his fine summer season on the roads following his runner-up in the previous league fixture at Hungarton, the 22-year-old representing his second claim club Leicester Coritanians clocked a time of 25mins 13secs outpacing team mate Gordon Lee to lead the rest of the chasing field home completing a dominant victory crossing the line just six seconds outside of his personal best (25:19) set on New Years Day 2008 in Coventry.

Lee held off the challenge of the Owls Mark Powell, winner in Hungarton, securing second place in 25:43 with the reigning Leicester Half Marathon champion Mark Couldwell (Charnwood) fourth.

In the women’s race the ever-improving Gemma Steel, overall winner in 2009 of the LRRL winter league series and the Derby Runner Cross Country League title, secured her second straight victory of the campaign having won over the tough demanding Hungarton course, the 23-year-old set a new lifetime best of 27:41 to secure a solo victory well ahead of fellow Charnwood club mate Clare McKittrick.

McKittrick, a team bronze medallist for Great Britain at last months European Mountain Running Championships in Telfes im Stubai, Austria, finished runner-up in 29:12 ahead of British Masters international Nicki Nealon representing the host club Huncote Harriers (29:38). Nealon also fresh from winning cross-country team gold for Great Britain at the World Masters Championships in Lahti, Finland.

A huge field of 539 runners completed the event this year, a very high turnout for a mid-week race and fine testament to the popularity of the event named in honour of Huncote Harrier Joy Cann.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Photo by Dave Lodwick.

Full results are available on the following link: www.huncoteharriersac.co.uk/

The final fixture of the 2009 LRRL Summer League takes place on Sunday 6th September with the staging of the John Fraser 10 Mile race incorporating the Leicestershire 10 mile championships – entry information is available on the following link: www.owlsac.org.uk/owls10.asp

Wednesday 29th July 2009

TARA KRZYWICKI secured her seventh consecutive race victory of the summer by winning the Notts 5 mile race on Friday night (24th July) as fellow Leicestershire athlete Ashley Sabin lowered his lifetime best to take the runners-up position in the men’s race.

Krzywicki extended her fine winning streak to seven races on the road to add the Notts 5 mile title to the other six wins achieved over 5km (Norwich, Hinckley and Horwich), 5 mile (Long Eaton) and 10km distances (Swithland and Prestwold) as the 35-year-old former British 3,000m Steeplechase record-holder representing Charnwood AC ran virtually solo to cross the finish line on the Victoria Embankment in a time of 27mins 08secs well clear of runner-up, Rotherham Harrier Jenny Blizard (28:59), and Lincoln’s Harriet Canter (29:40).

Shepshed’s Jenni Muston was fourth in 30:25 with Charnwood’s Laura Johnson securing fifth (32:17).

In the men’s race the newly crowned East Midlands Road-Running Grand Prix winner Ashley Sabin smashed his lifetime best for the distance as the 22-year-old representing the host club Notts AC broke the 25 minute barrier for the first time in his career by a margin of just one second with a time of 24:59 to finish runner-up to race winner Andy Ward of Clowne Road Runners (24:40), winner of the Long Eaton 5 last month. Team mate at Notts Matt Blunden was third in 25:18.

Full results are available on the following link: www.cix.co.uk/%7Eneper/notts5/results.htm

2009 European Mountain Running Championships

Telfes im Stubai, Austria

Sunday 12th July 2009

GREAT BRITAIN won triple team bronze at the 2009 European Mountain Running Championships in Telfes im Stubai, Austria.

Team GB gained podium places in the Senior women’s event and in the junior men’s and women’s races.

In the Senior Women’s event Martina Strähl from Switzerland claimed first place with 54.39. The GB team of Kate Goodhead (Stroud) 8th 58.34, Katie Ingram (Horwich) 9th 58.37, Rebecca Robinson (Kendal) 17th 60.46 and on her senior GB debut Clare McKittrick (Charnwood) 28th 62.40.

With three to count in the team event GB were third with 34 points. In the Senior Men’s event Ahmet Arslam from Turkey claimed first place with 58.26. The GB team of Orlando Edwards (Shaftesbury Barnet) 19th 62.05, Gareth Raven (Sale Harriers Manchester) 27th 63.42, James Walsh (Leeds City) 30th 64.00 and Adam Osborne (Leeds City) 34th 64.31. The three to count team event saw GB finish in seventh with 76 points.

In the Junior Women’s event Derya Altintas from Turkey claimed first place with 23.15. The GB team of Gina Paletta (Wrexham) 6th 23.45, Victoria Graves (City of York U20) 9th 24.03 and Loughborough College student Blue Haywood (Lincoln Wellington U20) 13th 24.41. With only two to count in the team event GB finished in third place with 15 points.

In the Junior Men’s event Yusuf Alici from Turkey claimed first place with 50.29. The GB team of Scott McDonald (Central) 5th 53.06, Alexander Hendry (Central) 13th 54.25, Robbie Simpson (Deeside Runners) 14th 54.34 and Ricky Challinor (Liverpool) 42nd 59.14. The three to count team event saw GB finish in third place with 32 points.
Leading Results:
Senior Men
1 Ahmet Arslan (TUR) 58:26; 19 Orlando Edwards (GBR) 1:02.05; 27 Gareth Raven (GBR) 1:03.42; 30 James Walsh (GBR) 1:04.00; 34 Adam Osbourne (GBR) 1:04.31
Teams:
1 Italy 17, 2 France 20, 3 Turkey 32, 7 Great Britain 76
Senior Women
1 Martina Strahl (SUI) 54:39; 8 Kate Goodhead (GBR) 58:34; 9 Katie Ingram (GBR) 58:37; 17 Rebecca Robinson (GBR) 1:00.46; 28 Clare McKittrick (GBR) 1:02.40
Teams:
1 Italy 16, 2 Switzerland 19, 3 Great Britain 34
Junior Men
1 5 Scott McDonald (GBR) 53:06, 13 Alexander Hendry (GBR) 54:25; 14 Robbie Simpson (GBR) 54:34; 42 Ricky Challinor (GBR) 59:14
Teams:
1 Italy 20, 2 Norway 26, 3 Great Britain 32
Junior Women
1 Derya Altintas (TUR) 23:15; 6 Gina Paletta (GBR) 23:45; 9 Victoria Graves (GBR) 24:03; 13 Blue Haywood (GBR) 24:41
Teams:
1 Turkey 3, Romania 12, 3 Great Britain 15

Full results are available on the following link: www.emrc2009telfes.org/resultate.html

Saturday 11th July 2009

TARA KRZYWICKI and Moumin Geele claimed commanding gun-to-tape victories to win the 14th edition of the City of Norwich Lord Mayor's 5k with Krzywicki breaking the course record set by Birhan Dagne by a margin of four seconds to gain the £250 bonus on offer.

Krzywicki, the 35-year-old representing Charnwood continued her unbeaten summer season road-racing winning streak by stamping her class on the race from the first kilometre as the former British 3,000m steeplechase record-holder out paced Helen Decker (Ipswich Jaffa) to cross the line in a time of 16mins 23secs to take the victory an course record and collect a total of £750 for her night’s efforts. Decker secured second place and £300 with 16:57 and Jennie Roberts (Colchester Harriers) earned £100 for third in 17:34.

In the men’s race Moumin Geele, training partner of European indoor 3,000m champion Mo Farah at Newham & Essex Beagles made his intentions clear from the start as Matt Gunby (Woodford Green AC), Darren Deed (Bedford & County AC) and Andrew Hennessy (Wells City Harriers) all gave chase. However, Geele was relentless in his pursuit of the £500 first prize on the undulating course and pulled clear with every stride to win in a time of 14:25. Craig Hopkins (Swansea Harriers) came through strongly in the closing stages to take second in 14:48 with Deed third in 14:50.

The 2009 East Midlands Grand Prix series winner Ashley Sabin (Coritanians) was 8th in 15:43 with dad Craig, 26th in 17:09 and Leicester team mate John Grindley, 43rd in 17:54.

Full results are available on the following link: www.conac.org.uk/downloads/lordmayors/2009LM5kresult.pdf

Hungarton 7 Mile

(Incorp. 2009 LRRL Summer League)

Hungarton, Leicestershire

Wednesday 8th July 2009

MARK POWELL and Gemma Steel claimed impressive victories at the Hungarton 7 mile - the fourth leg of the 2009 Leicestershire Summer Road Running League campaign, with fine solo performances.

Mark Powell (OWLS), returned to winning ways after pulling out of the Edinburgh Marathon back in May due to the severe conditions in the heat wave of the Scottish capital as the 30-year-old, winner of the opening summer league fixture at the Dog & Hedgehog half marathon clocked a time of 36mins 40secs over one of the toughest road-racing courses in Leicestershire to take victory in the men’s event and retain his title of last year.

Powell finished 22 seconds ahead of the 2009 Brooks East Midlands Grand Prix winner Ashley Sabin (Coritanians) with Connor Murphy (Leicester Tri) third in 37:22.

With the inform Tara Krzywicki absent from the event, club mate Gemma Steel continued Charnwood’s domination of the league this year as the 23-year-old having collected the winter league title earlier this year and as with Powell was victorious at Hinckley over the 13.1 mile distance completed a runaway victory in 40:50.

Steel finished ahead of the British Masters duo of Huncote’s Nicki Nealon (43:11) and Kate Ramsey representing Barrow Runners (43:53).

Full results are available on the following link: www.wreakerunners.co.uk/

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Milton Keynes 10km

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Tuesday 30th June 2009

LEICESTERSHIRE athletes underlined their dominance of 2009 East Midlands Grand Prix Series as Nicki Nealon and Ashley Sabin secured the overall individual overall titles at the final fixture over the 10km distance at Milton Keynes.

Nealon’s victory combined with Sabin’s runners-up position gave the duo the overall series titles - and for British Masters international Nealon this was a remarkable 9th championship success, a really credit to the Huncote Harrier’s consistency and ability over the past decade.

In very hot stifling conditions in Buckinghamshire Nealon followed her third place finish at the Mansfield Half Marathon (1:22.28) just 48 hours earlier by repeating her victory of twelve months ago at Milton Keynes as the 41-year-old secured her fifth win of the eight-race campaign crossing the line in a time of 37mins 47secs to take the victory by a margin of 19 seconds ahead of Wootton’s Kirsty Gallagher (38:06) with Coventry Godiva Harrier Myshola Kirkham third in 38:13.

Ashley Sabin (22), representing Notts AC having won at the opening race at Silverstone followed by victory at Rugby and Corby and a runners-up position in Bedford settle for a second place finish in Milton Keynes behind runaway winner Matt Almond to secure his first overall championship title.

Coventry Godiva Harrier Almond continued his good form in the month of June having won over 1500m at the Watford Nike (BMC) British Milers event the 27-year-old raced to victory in a time of 32:16 ahead of the chasing field as Sabin claimed second in 32:47, with fellow county athlete Phil Chritchlow (Beaumont) taking 7th in 34:02.

Chritchlow’s top-ten performance ensured further success for Leicestershire which combined with Craig Sabin (Coritanians) and Graeme Slight (Huncote) secured the overall M40, M45 and M50 category series titles respectively.

Jessica Edge representing Harborough AC won the overall junior four-race title following a stellar series for the teenager with category victories at Rugby and Harborough, consistently finishing in the top five.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Full race results are available on the following link: http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpmkall.htm

Final overall Grand Prix series standings are available on the following link: http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpseries8.htm

Prestwold 10km

(Incorp. 2009 LRRL Summer League & Midlands Masters 10km Championships)

Prestwold, Leicestershire

Sunday 28th June 2009

SAME distance, contrasting weather, same outcome, as Gordon Lee and Tara Krzywicki replicated their victories in the monsoon conditions witnessed at Swithland in the previous fixture of the 2009 Leicestershire Summer League campaign at the beginning of the month by racing to fine wins in the warm muggy conditions at Prestwold collecting the Midlands Masters 10km championship titles.

For Tara Krzywicki the month of flaming June has been more of a case of ‘feet on fire’ as the 35-year-old former United Kingdom 3,000m Steeplechase record-holder has racked-up a fabulous run of form on the road with impressive victory after victory – five in fact over the 5km (Horwich, Hinckley), 5 mile (Long Eaton) and 10km distances (Swithland, Prestwold).

At Prestwold the Yorkshire-born athlete, resident in the county for over a decade, was simply a class apart in the women’s race full of confidence she comfortably out paced team mate and the Leicestershire Winter League champion Gemma Steel in the muggy warm conditions to cross the line at the Everyman motor racing circuit based at Prestwold Hall in a time of 33mins 40secs just four seconds outside of her winning time in Swithland.

Krzywicki representing Charnwood collected a winners cheque for £100 and added the Midlands Masters 10km title to the British Masters Vet35 cross-country championship gold she won in Ruthin back in March. Steel finished runner-up almost a minute-and-a-half adrift in 35:08 with Kate Ramsey (Barrow) third in 37:38, first Vet40.

Gordon Lee in the bright blue colours of the Leicester Coritanians faced a much closer challenge in the men’s race as the 42-year-old battled well with Tim Hartley, runner-up to Chris Davies in the event twelve months ago, to claim a nine second victory in a time of 31 minutes continuing his recent winning streak having won at Swithland and in latest round of the the East Midlands Grand Prix series race at Harborough over 5 miles.

Hartley representing his second claim club and hosts of the event Barrow Runners finished ahead of Notts AC team mate Ian Boneham (31:33) with Charnwood’s James Douglas (32:06) taking fourth ahead of team mate and reigning Leicester half-marathon champion Mark Couldwell (32:30). Lee also collected £100 for his efforts and the Midlands Masters title.

Special thanks go to race sponsors, Tenon, The Royal Bank of Scotland and The Sileby Mill Boatyard Ltd.

Report by Mark Woolley. - Copyright athletics-leics.com

Full results are available on the following link:

www.barrowrunners.co.uk/prestwold/Prestwold10KProvResults.pdf

Thursday 25th June 2009

GERAINT DAVIES completed his first major road-race victory on the county roads by leading home the field of over 320 runners following a very impressive performance to win the Hinckley 5km as the 20-year-old representing the Leicester OWLS crossed the line over the town centre course in a time of 15mins 05secs.

Davies, part of the impressive young squad assembled at the OWLS that won the Under-20 men’s Midlands Territorial Cross Country Championships team title at Mansfield’s Berry Hill Park back in January finished ahead of the more experienced Ian Boneham (Notts AC) by a margin of just five seconds to secure his maiden victory, this having set a personal best over the 3,000m distance of 8:21.13 at the Stretford British Milers Grand Prix meeting back in April. Club mate Mark Powell (OWLS) finished third in 15:28.

Another day another victory was the story of the women’s race as the inform Tara Krzywicki (Charnwood) secured her second consecutive victory over the 5km distance in as many days.

Having won the Sweatshop Horwich Carnival event on Sunday the 35-year-old eased to over the line in 16:44 to win the battle of the Leicestershire British Masters athletes finishing clear of Nicki Nealon (Huncote) and Kate Ramsey (Barrow) to complete her fourth road-running triumph in the month of May, this having won at Swithland (10km), Long Eaton (5 Mile) and Horwich (5km).

In the one mile fun run support race that attracted a huge field of 189 runners Alex Benfield representing Burton AC claimed victory ahead of Beacon Strider Philip Maddocks as Hayley Whitelaw won the girls race finishing in 10th place overall.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Full results are available on the following links:

5km Race

http://hinckleyrunningclub.com/images/phocagallery/2009/other/hinckley5k/hinckley5k09.pdf

One Mile Fun Run

http://hinckleyrunningclub.com/images/phocagallery/2009/other/hinckley5k/hinckley1m09.pdf

Tuesday 23rd June 2009

TARA KRZYWICKI continued her fine run of form on the roads by winning the 2009 Sweatshop Horwich Carnival 5km in Lancashire on Sunday 21st June as Charnwood team mate Clare McKittrick warmed-up for her senior Team GB debut at next months European Mountain Running Championships in Austria by collecting the British Masters Vet35 title in the BMAF Championships support race.

Krzywicki, the former United Kingdom 3,000m Steeplechase record-holder made an immediate impact at Masters level winning the British Vet35 cross-country title in Ruthin back in March, and has been in top form on the road with recent quality performances over both the 10km and 5 mile distances and her run of success continued in Horwich as the Charnwood athlete raced to victory over the fast town centre course in a time of 16mins 14secs - out pacing the opposition finishing ahead of fellow Loughborough University graduate Katie Ingram representing the host club Horwich, second in 16:26, and third placed Salford Harrier Tessa Walker (17:00).

In the Men’s race Blackpool’s Antony Ford edged victory by a margin of just four-seconds clocking a time of 14:30 to finish ahead of Salford’s Andi Jones, the leading British male athlete at this year’s Flora London Marathon.

In the 2009 British Masters 5km Championships support race Charnwood’s Clare McKittrick celebrated her recent call-up to the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the European Mountain Running Championships by winning the W35 title in a time of 17:39 finishing ahead of Jane Clarke (City of Norwich) by just five seconds over the line as fellow Leicestershire athlete Kate Ramsey (Barrow) claimed fourth place (first Vet40) in 18:01.

The event organisers were again delighted to welcome back the BMAF 5K Championships and the BMAF Road Running Championships for the sixth time in seven years and the BMAF Road Walking Championships for the third year in succession. The races also staged the British Cycling National Women's Circuit Road Race Championships for the third consecutive year.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Above photo: Tara Krzywicki on her way to victory.

Photo by Carl Balshaw.

www.rivington.biz/photography/2009/TourOfHorwichRivington.html

Full results of the 2009 Sweatshop Horwich Carnival 5km race are available on the following link: www.race-results.co.uk/results/2009/tour095.htm

Full results of the 2009 British Masters 5km are available on the following link: www.race-results.co.uk/results/2009/bmaf09.htm

Saturday 20th June 2009

GEMMA STEEL completed her second consecutive victory on the county roads over the 10km distance in the space of four days by smashing the course-record in the third edition of the Glooston 10km to add to her win at Rothley on the previous Tuesday, whilst, former British international Gareth Deacon rolled back the years to win the men’s race with an equally fine solo run.

Steel entered the Glooston race full of confidence and with the firm intention of challenging Charnwood club mate Tara Krzywicki’s course-record of 36:27 set at the inaugural event in 2007 and from the first mile the 23-year-old set out her stall powering away from the field following a swift opening mile paced by team mate Glen North as the reigning Leicestershire county cross-country champion gave notice of her fine road racing pedigree storming to victory crossing the line following an impressive performance in a time of 36:10 slicing a significant 17 seconds off Krzywicki’s previous mark to finish in second place overall.

Steel finished clear of Loughborough University graduate Sarah Bull making a solid return to racing as the 34-year-old clocked 39:23 to finish ahead of Headington’s Laura Kyte (39:35).

In the Men’s race Gareth Deacon, racing in the colours of Leicester Coritanians was equally dominant surging away from the pack to complete a gun-to-tape solo victory as the 42-year-old finished in a time of 34:41 taking victory following a very consistent set of mile split times (5.18, 5.25, 6.00, 5.36 and 5.33) over the first five miles including the tough steep climb at the half-way point.

Deacon finished clear of Charnwood’s Glen North (37:36) by a margin of just under two-minutes with Jason Weetman of Wreake securing third in 37:45.

Race director Dave Lodwick commenting on the event reflected: “As this is only the third running of the race, we expected a course record to go, but to be honest we thought that the men’s record was the more vulnerable, Roadhoggs would like to thank the people of Glooston and their sponsors the Leicester Running Shop, Swithland Spring Water and Total Office Maintenance for their support in staging the race.”

Report by Mark Woolley.

Above photo: Race winners Gareth Deacon (Leicester Coritanian AC) and Gemma Steel (Charnwood AC) on their way to victory.

Photos by Dave Lodwick.

Full results are available on the following link: http://www.roadhoggs.org.uk/_private/Glooston_10K_Results_2009.htm

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Harborough 5

Harborough, Leicestershire

Tuesday 16th June 2009

LEICESTERSHIRE athletes completed a fine county double success at the Harborough 5 mile as series leader and eight-time champion Nicki Nealon (Huncote Harriers) combined with Gordon Lee (Leicester Coritanian AC) claimed top individual victories in the penultimate leg of the 2009 East Midlands Road-Running Grand Prix.

The inform Nicki Nealon, winner of the event twelve months ago, went into the race requiring just a top two finish in the final fixtures to claim a remarkable ninth overall series title and subsequently produced a runaway victory to win her fourth race of the campaign crossing the finish line in a time of 29mins 39secs to virtually rubber-stamp her successful title defence.

The 41-year-old British Masters international having won the Midlands F40 5,000m track gold medal in Solihull on Saturday (13th June) finished clear of Coventry Godiva Harrier Myshola Kirkham (30:04) by a significant margin of 25 seconds with Kirsty Gallagher (Wootton) taking third in 30:10.

In the Men’s race Gordon Lee continued his run of good form, having won the Swithland 10km earlier this month in very heavy rain the 42-year-old finished in 25:20 one minute clear of Coventry’s Ryan McKinlay to improve on his runners-up position last year to reigning champion Nigel Stirk to secure his second victory of the series having won at Corby in May.

Full results are available on the following link:
http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpharboroughall.htm

The final next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Milton Keynes 10km on Tuesday 30th June - start time 7.45pm.

Wednesday 17th June 2009

THE Leicestershire Road Running League this year celebrates it’s 25th anniversary - below is listed the role of honour of all of the individual title winners over the past quarter of a century of racing on the county roads.

NB: The role of honour lists includes the club that the athlete represented at the time of their title victory, and the maiden name if applicable of the female athlete.
LRRL – Role of Honour
Men
Summer League
Steve Needs (Leicester Coritanians) 2 titles -1985, 1989
Joey Masterson (Leicester Coritanians) 2 titles - 1986, 1991
Ashley Long (Coalville Harriers) 2 titles - 1993-1994
Richard Mason (Leicester Coritanians) 2 titles - 1995, 2000
Ian Murday (Beaumont) 2 titles - 2002-2003
Mark Chamberlain (Roadhoggs) 2 titles - 2001, 2005
Mick Strange (OWLS) 1 title - 1984
John Offord (OWLS) 1 title - 1987
Tony Walker (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1988
Karl Orchard (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1990
Mike Necak (Nuneaton Harriers) 1 title - 1992
Chris Black (Charnwood) 1 title - 1996
Andy Hart (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1997
Derek Guess (Charnwood) 1 title - 1998
Mike Munday (Roadhoggs) 1 title - 1999
Simon Cotton (OWLS) 1 title - 2004
Ashley Sabin (Charnwood) 1 title - 2006
Tim Hartley (Barrow Runners) 1 title - 2007
Philip Chritchlow (Beaumont) 1 title - 2008
Winter League
Gordon Lee (Harborough/Nuneaton/OWLS) 7 titles 2007-2008, 2000, 2002-2005
Joey Masterson (Leicester Coritanians) 2 titles - 1986, 1995
Andy Tarry (Rutland) 2 titles - 1993-1994
Andy Hart (Stilton Striders) 2 titles - 1988-1989
Steve Needs (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1985
John Grindley (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1987
Karl Orchard (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1990
Ian Higginbotham (Beaumont) 1 title - 1991
Malcolm Elliott (Charnwood) 1 title - 1992
Simon Cotton (Beaumont) 1 title - 1996
Marcus Scotney (Beaumont) 1 title - 1997
Dave Pearce (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1998
Chris Talbot (Huncote Harriers) 1 title - 1999
Ian Murday (Beaumont) 1 title - 2001
Tim Hartley (Barrow Runners) 1 title - 2006
Mark Couldwell (Charnwood) 1 title - 2009
Combined Titles:
Gordon Lee 7; Joey Masterson 4; Andy Hart 3; Ian Murday 3; Steve Needs 3; Ashley Long 2; Richard Mason 2; Andy Tarry 2; Tim Hartley 2; Simon Cotton 2; Karl Orchard 2; Mark Chamberlain 2; Mick Strange 1; John Offord 1; Tony Walker 1; Mike Necak 1; Chris Black 1; Derek Guess 1; Mike Munday 1; Ashley Sabin 1; Philip Chritchlow 1; John Grindley 1; Ian Higginbotham 1; Malcolm Elliott 1; Marcus Scotney 1; Dave Pearce 1; Chris Talbot 1; Mark Couldwell 1
Women
Summer League
Nicki Nealon (nee Lee) (Huncote Harriers) 9 titles - 1994,1997-2000-2002-2003, 2006-2007
Heather Jennings (Beaumont) 3 titles - 1986, 1988, 1990
Dawn Beanlands (OWLS) 1 title - 1984
Rosie Hill (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1985
Julie Blythe (Beaumont) 1 title - 1987
Sue Clarke (Charnwood) 1 title - 1989
Sarah Horsey (Beaumont) 1 title - 1991
Christine Bird (Braunstone Town Joggers) 1 title - 1992
Jane Beardall (Nuneaton Harriers) 1 title - 1993
Julia Gilbert (Huncote Harriers) 1 title - 1995
Sheila Whilde (West End) 1 title - 1996
Vicki Barber (Charnwood) 1 title - 2001
Sula Young (Beaumont) 1 title - 2004
Diane Lobaceskve (Beaumont) 1 title - 2005
Gemma Steel (Hermitage Harriers) 1 title - 2008
Winter League
Heather Jennings (Beaumont) 4 titles - 1987-1989, 2000
Jane Bishop (nee Baker) (Stilton Striders) 3 titles - 1985-1986, 1991
Nicola Clay (nee Misuda) (Stilton Striders) 3 titles - 1995-1996, 2007
Lesley Nutt (Shepshed) 2 titles - 1997, 1999
Kate Ramsey (Charnwood/Barrow Runners) 2 titles - 2005, 2009
Jackie Hall (Beaumont) 1 title - 1990
Sue Humphries (Charnwood) 1 title - 1992
Debbie Shaw (Stilton Striders) 1 title - 1993
Julia Gilbert (Huncote Harriers) 1 title - 1994
Katherine Farquhar (Charnwood) 1 title - 1998
Claire Tomkinson (Charnwood) 1 title - 2001
Nicki Nealon (Huncote Harriers) 1 title - 2002
Sarah Terry (Barrow Runners) 1 title - 2003
Sula Young (Beaumont) 1 title - 2004
Zoe Fleming (Birstall) 1 title - 2006
Gemma Steel (Hermitage Harriers) 1 title – 2008
Combined Titles:
Nicki Nealon (nee Lee) 10; Heather Jennings 7; Nicola Clay (nee Misuda) 3; Jane Bishop (nee Baker) 3; Lesley Nutt 2; Kate Ramsey 2; Julia Gilbert 2; Sula Young 2; Gemma Steel 2; Dawn Beanlands 1; Rosie Hill 1; Julie Blythe 1; Sue Clarke 1; Sarah Horsey 1; Christine Bird 1; Jane Beardall 1; Sheila Whilde 1; Vicki Barber 1; Diane Lobaceskve 1; Sue Humphries 1; Debbie Shaw 1; Katherine Farquhar 1; Claire Tomkinson 1; Sarah Terry 1; Zoe Fleming 1; Jackie Hall 1

Special thanks to Nick Nealon of Huncote Harriers for his excellent work in compiling the lists.

Sunday 14th June 2009

TARA KRZYWICKI continued her fine run of race wins by taking victory in a new course-record time at the Long Eaton 5 mile event.

Krzywicki, the reigning British Masters cross-country champion representing Charnwood AC having won over the 10km distance in the monsoon conditions of Swithland the previous week, took full advantage of a warm, dry morning in the Derbyshire town of Long Eaton, and despite being troubled slightly by her foot that required surgery at the beginning of 2008, the 35-year-old produced a stellar performance to take victory in a time of 26mins 48secs breaking the course record of Claire Woolis (27:29) set last year to collect the £100 prize money and £50 bonus on offer.

Krzywicki finished in 6th place overall as Birchfield Harrier Amanda Wright-Smith claimed the runners-up position in 28:44 with Nicola Bamford (Notts AC) taking third in 28:54 and Stilton’s Nicola Clay fourth in 29:02.

In the Men’s race victory went to Andrew Ward (Clowne) as the 39-year-old, winner of the Golden Gates 10K at Chatsworth House last month, crossed the line in a time of 24:43 ahead of Notts AC’s Ian Boneham (25:36) with Loughborough University student Chris Rainsford (Heanor) taking 5th in 26:42.

Full results are available on the following link: www.longeatonrunningclub.com/results/lerc5-09.htm

Saturday 13th June 2009

NICKI NEALON was in fine form to win the Notts 10 mile race on Friday 5th June at Holme Pierrepont - the seventh time that the British Masters international has broken the hour-barrier.

Nealon crossed the line at the National Watersports Centre in a time of 59mins 58secs finishing 48 seconds ahead of Harriet Canter (Lincoln Wellington).

After going through halfway in 29:50 with Canter dictating and leading the way Nealon held her form before making her move at the water stop as Canter picked up a drink increasing the pace.

By the 7 mile marker Nealon’s lead had increased to 60 metres and the destination of the race title was decided. Emily Rose of Redhill finished third over four-minutes adrift.

In the Men’s race Matthew Blunden claimed victory for the hosts Notts AC in a time of 51:47 with the OWLS Mark Powell making a quick return to racing having pulled out of the Edinburgh Marathon the previous weekend, securing fourth place in 52:23.

Full results are available on the following link: www.cix.co.uk/%7Eneper/notts10/2009.htm

Swithland 10km

(Incorp. 2009 LRRL Summer League)

Swithland, Leicestershire

Sunday 7th June 2009

GORDON LEE and Tara Krzywicki defied the elements to survive thunder, lightning and torrential rain to win the Swithland 10km race held in near biblical conditions in Leicestershire.

In the race run over a new single lap revised course expanded this year to the 10km distance- an event that has in recent years been blessed with sweltering conditions - witnessed heavy downpours and driving rain on the roads surrounding the Swithland reservoir in the heart of the Charnwood Forest.

Leicester Coritanian Gordon Lee continued his fine winning streak by taking victory in the men's race by a margin of just seven seconds over the line clocking a time of 32mins 17secs.

Triathlete and reigning City of Leicester half-marathon champion Mark Cauldwell (Charnwood) pushed the early pace but had to settle for the runners-up position in 32:24 with Tipton Harrier Nigel Stirk claiming third place (32:57).

In the women's race British Masters cross-country champion Tara Krzywicki continued her rich vein of form as the 35-year-old representing Charnwood cruised to a fine solo victory crossing the line in a time of 33:44 to collect the Di Jackson Memorial Trophy.

Team mate Gemma Steel secured second place in 36:11 having come into the race suffering the affects of a heavy cold with Huncote's British Masters international Nicki Nealon taking third in 37.33 - this just 48 hours after winning the Notts 10 mile race at Holme Pierrepont.

Photo by Wallace Baxter.

Full results are available on the following link: www.birstallrc.org.uk/

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Weedon 10km

Weedon, Northamptonshire

Tuesday 2nd June 2009

NICKI NEALON produced a fine solo victory to close in on a remarkable ninth title securing her third race victory of the 2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series by winning the Weedon 10km.

On a very warm evening in Northamptonshire, Nealon, the 41-year-old World Masters half-marathon champion representing Huncote Harriers secured her third win of this season’s campaign finishing clear of Myshola Kirkham (Coventry) by a significant margin of 41 seconds to cross the line in a time of 38mins 40secs.

Kirkham claimed second in 39:21 with Eleanor Greenfield (Nuneaton) finished third in 39:58, Charnwood’s Laura Johnson was 6th in 41:19.

Nealon’s solid performance consolidates her position at the top of the overall standings as she now chases a remarkable ninth overall title success with three races remaining in the series beginning next Tuesday with the Banbury 5 mile (9th June) followed by the Harborough 5 mile (16th June) and the final race at Milton Keynes over 10km on June 30th.

With series leader Ashley Sabin (Notts AC) absent from this event - victory in the men’s race went to Coventry Godiva Harrier Matt Almond in a time of 32:29, this following an excellent runaway victory as the 27-year-old Northamptonshire county cross-country champion finished well over a minute clear of the field as Damian Carr (33:34) and Matt Lole (33:48) completed a clean sweep for the Coventry club.

Leicestershire’s Phil Chritchlow (Beaumont), the reigning Derby Runner Cross Country League champion, was fifth in 34:24.

Full results are available on the following link: http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpweedonall.htm The next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Banbury 5 mile on Tuesday 9th June - start time 7.45pm.

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Corby 5

Corby, Northamptonshire

Wednesday 27th May 2009

GORDON LEE and Nicki Nealon completed an excellent double victory for Leicestershire athletes at the fourth round of the 2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series following convincing individual winning performances at the Corby 5 mile race.

In the Men’s race Lee was an impressive runaway winner of the race finishing well over half-a-minute ahead of the chasing field as the 41-year-old representing Leicester Coritanians simply out paced fellow county athlete and series leader Ashley Sabin (Notts AC) to cross the line in a time of 25mins 29secs.

Sabin increased his overall advantage in the series standings having won at the opening two races at Silverstone and Rugby combined with a runners-up place at Bedford the previous week by taking second in Corby in 26:06 to finish clear of Highgate Harrier Ryan McKinlay (26:31).

British Masters international Nicki Nealon, the eight-time series defending champion, as with Lee in the men’s race, also completed a comfortable solo victory coming home in a time of 30:05.

The 41-year-old running in the bright yellow vest of Huncote Harriers finished clear of Coventry Godiva Harrier Frances Briscoe (30:37) to successfully retain her race title of twelve months ago, a victory that now places her top of the overall standings having won at Rugby and secured second at Bedford she now looks to chase what would be a remarkable ninth championship win.

Four races now remain in the series beginning with the Weedon 10km next Tuesday (June 2nd), followed by the Banbury 5 mile (9th June), Harborough 5 mile (16th June) and the final race at Milton Keynes over 10km on June 30th.

There was a field of 318 runners that took part in the event, which reflected a good turnout of entrants considering that the race clashed with the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona which would have kept many away from entering, preferring to stay at home and watch the drama unfolding at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on television - the venue for the Italian leg of the IAAF AF Golden League athletics series.

Full results are available on the following link: http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpcorbyall.htm
The next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Weedon 10km on Tuesday 2nd June - start time 7.45pm.

Monday 25th May 2009

MO FARAH smashed the British 10km record on route to winning the second edition of the BUPA London 10,000m with a superb breakaway performance.

The 26-year-old reigning European Indoor 3,000m title in March, having previously broken the national record ran away from Kenya's Samuel Kosgei on the scenic central London course in the perfect Bank Holiday weather to cross the line in a time of 27mins 50secs slicing five seconds from the previous national record set by Mark Scrutton over a quarter of a century ago in March 1984.

Kosgei was second in 28:03 after chasing Farah hard for the first 7km with the Ukraine's reigning European cross-country champion Sergey Lebid third in 28:36.

The ever-improving New Zealander Kim Smith was a runaway winner of the women's race with a time of 31:38 breaking her personal best by 40 seconds.

Sheffield’s former British steeplechase record-holder Hatti Dean finished in an impressive second place in 33:52, ahead of the Olympic marathon champion, Romania’s Constantina Dita.

"I knew I was in really good shape," said a delighted Farah, having recently returned from a high-altitude training camp in the French Pyrenees.

"I wanted to win and to get close to 28 minutes so to get the British record is a bonus, Kosgei did hang on for a long time but I knew I could out-kick him. I wanted a decent time so after 7km I thought I'd get clear of him."

Farah set off at the head of a field of over 9,000 running alongside his training partner Boniface Kiprop of Uganda, with Kosgei, Lebid, and former Olympic Marathon champion Stefano Baldini for company. Compatriots Phil Wicks and California-based Andrew Lemoncello were also well placed in the leading group.

Farah made the most of the excellent conditions – overcast skies and a light breeze – as he knocked out consistent 2:40–2:45 kilometre splits. By the 3km mark he led a line of four athletes clear of the rest, with Kosgei already on his heels. These two gradually pulled away from the chasers over the next 4km as the course snaked along the Thames, past St Paul's Cathedral, and through the City of London.

Farah made his move between 6 and 7km as the two leaders went past St Paul's for the second time. With a 2:40 split for the seventh kilometre the Brit finally pulled away from and headed back to the finish line in The Mall.

In the Women’s race Kim Smith ran virtually solo to victory as the 27–year–old Olympic finalist ran unchallenged to win by more than two minutes.

"I'm feeling pretty fit right now and that felt very comfortable," she said. "I wanted to make a good impression out there, I knew Constantina was feeling a little tired after the Olympics so I thought it's a good chance to beat someone who's an amazing runner."

Hatti Dean was also delighted with her runners-up position commenting: "I was hoping for a slightly quicker time," said Dean, who set her PB of 33:40 in Bristol earlier this month. "But I think it's important to look at who I beat. I know she is a marathon specialist but to beat an Olympic champion is really exciting."
Leading Results:
Men
1 Mo Farah GBR 27:50 
(British Record)
2 Samuel Kosgei KEN 28:03 

3 Sergiy Lebid UKR 28:36 

4 Phil Wicks GBR 28:55 

5 Boniface Kiprop UGA 29:00
Women
1 Kim Smith NZL 31:38 

2 Hatti Dean GBR 33:52 

3 Constantina Dita ROM 34:25

4 Emily Brichacek AUS 34:34 

5 Justina Heslop GBR 34:43

www.london10000.co.uk

Sunday 24th May 2009

MARK POWELL was in cruise control easing to an impressive victory at the 2009 Buxton Half Marathon.

Over the tough challenging course surrounding the Derbyshire town of Buxton, Powell, in preparation for the Edinburgh Marathon made light work of the warm conditions on the hottest day of the year so far in the United Kingdom as the 30-year-old representing the Leicester OWLS followed his victory over the distance at the recent Hinckley Dog & Hedgehog race earlier in the month by crossing the line at the Pavilion Garden Promenade to take the win in a time of 1hr 12mins 44secs ahead of Sheffield's Kevin Lilley (1:17:13).

Photo by Mick Hall www.mickhall-photos.com

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Bedford 6 Mile

Bedford

Tuesday 19th May 2009

SERIES leader Ashley Sabin had to settle for second place at the Bedford 6 mile - the third race in this season’s East Midland Road Running Grand Prix as home athlete Neilson Hall, winner of the Aviva Home Countries International & Celtic Universities Match back in March followed his 12th place finish at last Sunday’s BUPA Great Manchester 10km by racing away to victory by almost two minutes in a time of 29mins.

Sabin, representing Notts AC increased his lead at the top of the standings by securing second place in 31:06 ahead of Highgate Harrier Ryan McKinlay.

In the Women’s race Rebecca Newstead completed a double victory for Bedford & County with an equally impressive solo victory as the 19-year-old university student finished clear of team mate Emily Wallbank in a time of 34:57.

The highly talented Wallbank, at the age of just 15, claimed second in 35:17 with defending champion and winner at the previous round in Rugby, Huncote’s Nicki Nealon, third in 35:45.

Full results are available on the following link:
http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpbedfordall.htm The next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Corby 5 Mile on Tuesday 27th May - start time 7.45pm.