Stunning half-marathon debut from Edwards
Edwards, clocked 81min 4sec to finish first FV40, claiming several notable scalps including Britain’s second fastest marathon runner Mara Yamauchi who was tenth.
Edwards’ C&AC clubmate Natalie Bhangal battled a head cold to finish a fine 15th lady, with her time of 1:26:15 just a second outside the personal best she set at the Leamington Half earlier in the year.
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Hide AdSpa Striders’ Steve Hession (1:28:54) Ben Parkinson (1:29:12) both went sub-90 for the first time.
Sweden’s Sarah Van Der Wielen was the winner of the women’s race in 72:01, with Ben Cole (Tonbridge AC) first man in 68:37.
Other Spa Striders finishers: Kate Gadsby (1:37:45). Andrew Stone (1:38:12), Ben Cohen (1:39:04), Doug Rattray (1:43:56), Ruth Tennant (1:45:05), Louise Dwyer (1:48:51), Mark Hone (1:50:04) Kathryn Houliston (2:29:21).
Meanwhile, Leamington C&AC’s James Gould celebrated his 11th birthday by debuting in the National Road Relays at Sutton Park on Saturday.
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Hide AdHaving reached the qualifying age by a matter of hours, Gould joined Sam Morrey and James Eatough in the under-13 boys’ relay, which saw runners tackle a hilly 3.8k course.
Morrey clocked 16:56 on the first leg to put the team in 74th place and despite Eatough (17:43) picking up two positions, a number of incomplete teams meant Gould was the last of the runners to leave the start line on the final leg.
Nevertheless, he ran a strong 16:24 to lift Leamington to 59th at the finish.
Gould’s sister, Melanie, joined forces with Ana and Emily Lovett to compete in the under-15 girls’ race where despite conditions being much tougher than the Midlands round two weeks previously, they crossed the line 95 seconds quicker.