August 12, 2013
Weekend Round-Up: 16-17 March
Two Heanor RC men’s team were in action last weekend at the Ed Prickett Relays held on the University of Nottingham campus.
The annual event, which is ran in memory of former student Ed Prickett who was tragically killed in 2004, attracts some of the top university teams in the area and the yellow and blue sides finished strongly with the Midlands 12 & 6 Stage Road Relays just a week away.
Steve Ashmore set the ‘A’ team on its way, finishing just inside the top-20 with an 11:14 effort for the 2 mile route. Paul Clarke followed on the second leg and pulled a number of places back, clocking exactly the same time as Steve. Paul handed over to the latest recruit in a recent influx, Tim Holling. The debutant ran impressively, posting a time of 11:29 but unfortunately won’t be eligible to compete next weekend due to the timing of his move. Tony Weatherson (11:39), in his customary role, completed the team’s efforts, bringing them home in 12th.
The combined efforts of Paul Mercer (13:04), Shane Rice (11:33), Jon Curtis (11:57) and Chris Mellors (11:45) saw the Heanor RC ‘B’ team finish 22nd overall. The quartet, with all four due to take to the line in Birmingham next weekend, also finished 6th ‘B’ team.
Milly Newton and Danielle Smith pulled on the red vest of Derbyshire Schools at the weekend as they competed on home turf in the English Schools Cross Country Championships. At a wet and muddy Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent in west Derbyshire, the youngsters shone in the showpiece school cross country event.
The English Schools XC has been the springboard for future success for a host of top British athletes, including Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe, who finished outside the top-100 in her first attempt at the event.
In the opening event of the day, Danielle placed 185th against the top junior girls (13-14) in the country. Smith was also 3rd for Derbyshire over the 3200m course and helped the team to a 29th place finish.
Milly finished fourth for Derbyshire and 142nd overall in the Intermediate Girls (15-16) 3700m event. Milly was also part of the scoring six that saw the team secure a top-20 finish.
Six Heanor RC runners were in action at the Ashby 20. The 20 mile road race held annually in Ashby de la Zouche in Leicestershire is traditionally used by those in the build-up towards a spring-time marathon.
Dawn Morland continued her preparations for the Virgin London marathon in just five weeks’ time by clocking 3:26:03. Sarah Lewis ran five miles further than she had before to complete the course alongside Dawn in a chip time of 3:25:59. Carl Hughes clocked an impressive 2:22:51 to finish 148th overall whilst Rose Leivers also with London in her sights, ran 2:52:06 to finish 32nd female overall.
Neil Hopwell found the weather brutal as he clocked 3:01:56 and, whilst slower than last year’s 2:48 effort, was all part of a deliberate racing plan for the upcoming Cyril Bean Challenge (40 miles) on 7th April. Jo Potter completed the Heanor Rc efforts with a 564th place finish in 2:55:35.
Chris Rainsford returned to Spain to compete in the 10km de Laredo. The fast and flat two-lap town centre course on the northern coast of Spain was ideal for fast times. However, Chris struggled following recent illness to finish 71st in 32:50.
Lizzie Poole trekked even further afield, flying the yellow and blue flag in the Utah Canyonlands Half Marathon in the US. Lizzie clocked 1:51:57 to finish 683rd overall in the American mid-west.