A TRIO of Stratford Athletic Club runners experienced mixed fortunes when they took on the big city challenge of the Manchester Marathon as part of a 13,000-strong field.
The flat and fast course helped a delighted James Cusack to a 3hrs, 10.04mins personal best.
David Jones, however, despite an impressive seventh place in the M65 category and a highly respectable 3:53:43, was left puzzled and confused.
“I really don’t know why I was 15 minutes slower than last year,” said Jones.
Third in for SAC was Tim Owrid in 4:23, another runner not quite at his best, but finishing in style.
Their day was not improved by long queues at the baggage tent and a degree of disorganisation which really should not happen at a mass-participation event like this.
THREE of Stratford AC’s best female runners spent a more traditional Sunday in the woods and fields of the Cotswolds near Cirencester when they competed in the Chedworth Roman Trail 10 Mile.
The tough course failed to put Sarah Wheeler off her stride and she finished an impressive third placed female in 1:12.16.
Lesley Kirk, on the sort of course she likes best, achieved a fine third in category in 1:29:18, closely followed by Sarah Odell, another trail-running specialist, in 1:30:09.
PAUL Jefferies took on 200-plus starters in the Fleetwood 10k which offered scenic views over Morecambe Bay.
His continued steady improvement, close to his best, resulted in an excellent 15th place overall, second in the hotly-contested M40 category and an excellent season’s best time of 42:07.
“I’m well pleased with my time and looking forward to my next outing,” said Jefferies afterwards.
