GIRL power was the order of the day for Stratford Athletic Club as women made up five of the six-strong contingent at the Fladbury Festive Five.
This five-mile-ish multi-terrain course, mainly off road, is held along the banks of the River Avon through Fladbury Village and Lower Moor and organised and hosted by The Friends of Fladbury community group.
The event has become a popular one in the local running calendar and first home for Stratford AC in 50th place in an impressive time of 42.41 was Karl Harris who showed he is in fine form at the start of the year.
Five ladies from the club followed, led home by Lisa Dallisson who, despite a nasty bout of flu over the Christmas holidays, was still able to finish third in her age group, finishing 63rd overall in a time of 44.25.
Just 17 seconds behind her in 67th place was the redoubtable Sarah Odell who recorded a time of 44.42.
Next was Lesley Kirk who, in a rather short race by her standards, finished 76th with a time of 45.45. This impressive time also ensured she was first in her age category.
Finishing together were two runners who enjoyed a very successful 2017, competing in innumerable races. Both Nic Reynolds and Jean Hill recorded a time of 58.15, with Reynolds just being given the nod, finishing in 142nd place and Hill 143rd.
The race was won by Owen Grant in a time of 30.54. First woman to finish in 11th place in a time of 36.21 was Sian Powell. There were 167 finishers.
