EIGHT Stratford Athletic Club members lined up for the start of the popular Hooky 6 race, which takes runners on an undulating two-lap route around the beautiful village of Hook Norton.
Starting and finishing on the grass at the Hook Norton Social Club, it is suitable for runners of all abilities.
First home for SAC and a familiar face at ‘The Hooky’ was Malcolm Bowyer in 48th place, with a time of 39.50.
Next to finish was Allan Coldicott, another regular, in fact it is debatable whether the race would go ahead without Allan’s participation. He finished in 215th place in a time of 52.13.
Allan was followed by James Wiggington (248th – 54.36) and Robert McCormick (282nd – 58.07).
Three SAC ladies followed, led home by Sue Mothershaw (284th – 58.15). Sue has recently returned to racing after a lengthy break and this performance shows she is obviously enjoying it and doing well.
Next was Tash Watkins, who will have been delighted to dip under the magic hour mark, finishing in 298th place in a time of 59.49.
Unfortunately for Nicola Reynolds, she was just over the hour mark, finishing 39 seconds behind Tash in a time of 1:00.28 and 303rd place.
The ubiquitous John Butler finished in 320th place in a time of 1:03.10. The race was won by John Parker in 32.19.
First lady to finish was Jenny McBain in 34th in 38.10 as 341 runners finished the race.
THE BRAT 5k in Bournville, Birmingham, is part of the Warwickshire Road Race League and is an almost two-lap course on roads but with an off-road finish.
Six SAC members took part in this midweek race and first to finish for the club was Luke Watkins (193rd – 23.53), followed by Ruth Calderbank (218th – 24.57).
Ruth once again won her age group and in doing so maintained her 100 per cent record in the WRRL this year.
She was just over four minutes ahead of her closest rival and this performance puts her in 12th place in the 2017 UK rankings for her age group, just five seconds off a top ten place.
Bev Bridgen was next to finish for the club in 240th place in a time of 27.44, followed by Nicola Reynolds in a personal best time of 28.17, finishing in 248th place.
Next and finishing comfortably within the 30-minute mark was Tash Watkins (255th – 29.26) ahead of John Butler in 31.39 and 260th place.
The race was won by Jarlath McKenna in 15.24 and first lady to finish in 44th place in a time of 18.01 was Francesca Gibbs as 268 runners completed the race.
