Podium spots for C&AC duo at the Two Castles but sweet success for Rose

The white, red and blue of Leamington C&AC embraced the atmosphere of a record-breaking field at the Two Castles on Sunday, with 39 athletes helping the club pick up seven awards.
Kenilworth Runners' Stan Doxey receives congratulations after finishing.Kenilworth Runners' Stan Doxey receives congratulations after finishing.
Kenilworth Runners' Stan Doxey receives congratulations after finishing.

Almost 4,000 runners completed the 10k from Warwick Castle to Kenilworth Castle and in the individual categories, C&AC’s women performed strongly with club duo Kelly Edwards (39:15) and Natalie Bhangal (39:59) coming in second and third.

Monica Williamson won the FV55 category in emphatic style, opening up and gap of more than three-and-a-half minutes on her nearest rival, in turn teaming up with Edwards and Bhangal for the team silver.

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In the junior category, Dean Mawby improved on his two successive fourth places at the event, running a personal best of 36:05 to finish second, an achievement matched by John Knibb (36:54) in the M45 category.

The pain shows on the face of Baljeev Kandola.The pain shows on the face of Baljeev Kandola.
The pain shows on the face of Baljeev Kandola.

Mawby, Callum Hanlon (seventh in 34:55) and Guy Allen (35:39) made up the third-placed men’s team.

Sixteen-yearold Baljeev Kandola ran a fine 37:15 to narrowly miss out on the junior bronze medal.

Kenilworth Runners’ ladies, in particular, enjoyed success with Sarah Rose (38:23) and Danielle Bryan (40:04) finishing first and fourth lady, respectively and, along with Wendy Daniels (41:59), winning the ladies’ team event.

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In addition, Bella Doxey had an excellent run to win the female under-20 prize in 48:00.

Race winner Dan Nash.Race winner Dan Nash.
Race winner Dan Nash.

For the men, Stephen Page was third in 34:08 and Steve Marr 12th in 35:31.

The duo combined with Stanley Doxey (14th in 35:41) and Stuart Hopkins (15th in 35:46) to finish second in the men’s standings, with Doxey making it a successful day for the family by winning the male under-20 prize.

Several hills and an overall gain in height over the full distance make obtaining personal bests difficult.

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Nevertheless, in addition to the Doxeys, there were PBs for Anthony Morgan (37:56), Jake Keast (39:35), Fletch Ransberry, (42:15), Gary Craine (42:26), Colin Bailey (42:37), Ryan Baker (47:22), Gail Audhali (47:45), Sam Leadley (48:25), Ivan Wilson (49:33), Jason Newell (51:52), Abigail Collister (52:15) and Michelle Hart (58:09).

First woman Sarah Rose.First woman Sarah Rose.
First woman Sarah Rose.

More than 70 Spa Striders raced, with Will Johnson (36:56) leading the men home and new captain Paul Edwards (37:40) winning the battle against clubmate Chris McKeown (37:50).

Pete Soley (38:43), Steve Taylor (38:46) and Adam Notley (38:50) were all rewarded with 10k PBs.

For Striders’ ladies, Susie Stannard (41:06) equalled her PB to take sixth lady, while Mel Venables and Carolyn Wilkinson (41:38) finished in a dead heat for fourth V35 and first V45, respectively.

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Laura Peake (43:10) ran an excellent PB to lead a string of Striders ladies across the line, including Fiona Edwards (43:18, course-best), Clare Hinton (43:32), Kate Gadsby (43:37), Natalie Carroll (43:54, debut-10k), Bethan Gwynn (44:46, course-best), and Susan Cox (45:08) who placed third V45.

Leamington C&AC's Kelly Edwards was the second lady home.Leamington C&AC's Kelly Edwards was the second lady home.
Leamington C&AC's Kelly Edwards was the second lady home.

Ten-month-old Xavier Fleming crossed the line in his buggy in 46:31, pushed in style by his parents Jo and Dan.

The race was won by Dan Nash of East Cornwall in 32:34.

n Leamington achieved a season-best third in Division Three of the Midlands Track & Field Senior League in Gloucester.

In the men’s event, Lloyd Ellis and James Harris set the tone by winning the 400 hurdles A and B string races respectively, before wins from Josh Guest (110 hurdles A), James Harris (110 hurdles B) and Callum Hanlon (3000 steeplechase) combined with strong performances across the board to help the men finish second.

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In the women’s event, a winning personal best from Rebecca Lord in the 400m complimented victories for Sara Wills (100m hurdles) and Mary Donaldson (shot putt B) to lift the women to a third-placed finish.