Cirencester AC runners in bid for the championship (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester AC runners in bid for the championship

THE third and fourth races in Cirencester Athletics Club's road race championships have taken place over the past month, resulting in Bill Leggate establishing a clear lead in the championship.

On April 17, 15 Cirencester runners competed at the Highworth 5 looking to defend the team trophy won in 2004.

But the team finished third, despite fine runs from Pancho Diaz (15th) and Wendy Jones (16th overall and second lady) separated by one second.

In fact, Wendy recorded a club female veteran 35 record just one week after competing in the London Marathon.

Excellent runs were also recorded by Paul Barlow, continuing his fantastic progress this year, Justin Nicholls, Jon Young and Tony Curry with a Veteran 60 club record.

A recent rarity in the club calendar was a 5k race with the fourth race on May 19 at the Pilot Inn 5km, by the banks of the Gloucester & Sharpness canal on a blustery evening.

Young Chris Illman had another good run on the out and back course, mixing it with the front runners, excluding Olympian Dan Robinson who was out of sight from the gun.

The much anticipated battle between the club's new wave of seniors saw Paul Barlow comfortably beat Bill Leggate and Justin Nicholls.

But these three with Chris give hope for the future of the club at the sharp end of races.

Results at Highworth 5: 15 Pancho Diaz 29.02, 16 Wendy Jones 29.03, 30 Bill Leggate 30.57, 35 Paul Barlow 31.17, 45 Duncan Atkinson 32.17, 61 Justin Nicholls 33.14, 62 Kevin Ferris 33.19, 79 Jon Young 34.00, 86 Bob Ferris 34.26, 124 Tony Curry 36.24, 127 Chris Brough 36.34, 135 Dick Waldron 36.53, 179 Carol Clarke 38.34, 187 Diane Moore 38.44, 279 Lynn Ferris 43.06. 439 runners finished.

Results at Pilot Inn 5k: 1 Dan Robinson (Tipton) 14.55; 8 Chris Illman 16.54 (U20 Club record); 17 Paul Barlow 17.47; 20 Bill Leggate 18.09; 28 Justin Nicholls 18.40; 32 Jane Wassell (4th lady, 2nd FV35) 19.00 - FV35 club record; 46 Duncan Atkinson 19.43; 48 David Wright 19.47, inaugural V45 club record; 53 Chris Riches 20.03; 55 Jon Young 20.17; 73 Kim Ingleby 22.10; 77 Dick Waldron 22.46; 91 David Edelsten 25.24. 96 finished.