Bourton runners tackle Draycote Water five-mile race with gusto (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Bourton runners tackle Draycote Water five-mile race with gusto

BOURTON Road Runners headed off to Rugby in Warwickshire last Saturday to compete in the Draycote Water five-mile road race.

This event saw a strong turn-out of seniors and juniors with members competing for points in the club series.

Run around a reservoir and over a slightly undulating course, weather conditions were anything but favourable as a gale-force wind almost stopped competitors in their tracks on their round this one-lap course.

Rob Edwards, who is in good form at the moment, was the first Bourton Road Runner home in 31 minutes and 24 seconds.

He finished an impressive 16th overall to secure his first maximum ten points which catapults him into the lead in the series.

Next in was John Rapier in 31st (33.34) but unaware that John Gibson was in sight of him throughout and only nine seconds behind as he crossed the finishing line in 35th place.

Less than a minute behind was Roger Woodley in 43rd (34.39) while Brian Hulcup with another consistent run was 68th (36.05).

Sarah Clemo was ten seconds adrift and the first Bourton lady home in 70th and under pressure from Ed Rozier in 73rd (36.20).

Jim Lunney, in his first road race for a while, was 78th in 37.01 and ahead of Lyn Spedding who surprisingly managed a personal best by a minute - 37.27 and 80th.

Kate Hall clocked 38.34 in 93rd well clear of new member Steven Hibberd in his first race for the club to finish in 96th and 38.52.

Lyn Hudson (101st in 39.18) and Pauline Teague (104th in 39.57) did well to hold off John-athon Wilson (105th in 40.01).

Robin MacDonald was 113rd in 41.19 ahead of Liz Hulcup (115th in 41.29) and Julia Rutherford (116th in 41.33). Carolyn Coleman was 123rd in 42.18.

Dennis Abotts was 139th in 44.04, Gill Wilkie 151st, 46.45 and Gillian Carrick 177th, 52.19. Clare Rozier (185th in 55.09)with daughter Gemma in her first race for the club 186th in 55.51 and Patsy Howe 200th in 63.35.

The ladies' team of Sarah, Lyn and Kate were rewarded with the second team prize and were not too far off the top spot.

With three races completed to date, the leading positions in the club series are as follows:

Men: R Edwards 27, M Smith 20, R Woodley 19, J Rapier 16, J Gibson 14, E Rozier 14; women: S Clemo 29, K Hall 25, L Hudson 20, L Spedding 17, P Teague 13.

In a two-mile fun run, Connor Teague showed that he can do as well on the road as he does in cross-country with an impressive sixth spot in 11.15.

Ellie Pudifoot was not far behind, finishing strongly in eighth place in a time of 11.50.

Her sister Beth and Ellie Peters pushed each other the whole way with Beth just ahead in 11th in 12.28 and Ellie five seconds behind in 12th.

Chris Lunney worked hard for 15th in 14.07, well ahead of Peter Carrick 17th in 15.18. Natalie Rozier, also in her first race for the club, finished 21st in 15.40.

Thomas Coleman was 29th (16.50) while Elizabeth Ruther-ford finished 30th in 17.22.