Harrison’s return gathers pace while Kenilworth show strength in depth

Sue Harrison is edged out close to the line by Sarah Wheeler at the Arden 9.

The event, part of the Warwickshire Road Race League, attracted 400 entrants for the undulating one-lap circuit which is run over roads and a short length of gravel footpaths around Barston Lakes.

Ed Banks of BRAT was first across the line in 47min 32sec, with Kenilworth’s Chris McCarthy some way back in fourth position in 49:39, followed by clubmate Stephen Page (7th in 50:32).

Dave Pettifer was the leading MV65 and 61st overall in 60:45.

Kevin White was the first Spa Strider home, coming 19th overall in 55:10.

He was followed by Will Johnson (56:58), Luca Tomaselli (57:55), Paul Edwards (59:08) and Greg Harris (1:01:18).

Craig Bower led home Leamington C&AC’s men, finishing 38th in 57:05.

Bryn Morgan narrowly failed to dip below the 60-minute barrier, clocking 60:13, with fellow C&AC athlete Chris Hitchman (60:39) close behind.

At the front of the women’s race, Leamington C &AC’s Sue Harrison was an early leader as she continued her comeback from an eight-month injury lay-off.

Harrison, who said she is “still at least six weeks off being race-fit” was overtaken at the two-mile mark by eventual ladies’ winner Jane Evans who went on to win in 54.14.

A tussle then ensued between Harrison, Coventry Godiva’s Sarah Rose and Stratford AC’s Sarah Wheeler.

At the seven-mile point, Rose opened a slight gap and held on to finish second lady in 56:29.

She was closely followed by the other two women who battled right to the line to fill the next two places, with Wheeler squeezing past a tired Harrison five metres from the line to record a time of 56:42, just a second ahead of the Hatton-based athlete.

However, despite Harrison’s fourth-placed finish, it was Kenilworth’s strength in depth that proved the difference in the team event, with Marie Ann Voice (60:54) leading home Louise Andrews (97th in 63:41) and third counter Sabra Boldrini (101st in 64:04).

The first Strider lady was Clare Hinton, who was 79th overall in 1:02:00.

Fiona Ferguson (1:05:47) and Susan Cox (1:08:25), made up the third-placed ladies’ trio.