Rose blooming as Runners secure masters prize in Midlands Cross-country League

Spa Striders captain Bethan Gwynn is given a lift by her team-mates.

Sarah Rose led Kenilworth home, finishing 20th overall and sixth master in 23min 46sec.

Rose was followed by Mel Price, who was 26th in 24:14 (8th master) and Rachel Miller (30th master in 26:57).

The ladies packed well with the next five runners all within 60 seconds of each other.

Kenilworth’s senior team finished tenth and, with a good turnout for the final race at Wolverhampton, should secure promotion to Division One.

Selected others: 97, Tammy Gisborne (27:33); 103, Stef Lunn (27:39); 111, Sara Habib (27:55); 117, Ros Brooks (28:06); 135, Laura Gould (28:57); 142, Sally Hicks (29:13); 161, Michelle Collingham (29:50); 174, Sheela Hobden (30:23); 196, Daniella Apagyi (32:08); 217, Pauline Dable (33:10).

Leamington C&AC produced their best performance in the league this season with their four scoring members all finishing well inside the top 100.

Leading them home was the improving Kelly Edwards who achieved her best result of 23rd place.

Zara Blower was 47th, with Jenny Jeeves (64th) and Angela Chahal (76th) completing the scoring team who finished ninth overall, with the masters’ team second.

Returning to form, Carol Blower provided excellent support by coming home in 188th, with Delia Caruana crossing the line 233rd out of 288 finishers.

Eight Spa Striders took on the fast, flat course, with Susie Stannard (24:52) finishing 40th overall and 11th in the masters’ category.

Kate Gadsby (25:47) also raced strongly to take 17th in the masters’ competition, with Caroline Whitehouse (26:51) completing the third-placed masters’ team.

Fiona Edwards (26:32) was the final counter for Striders’ senior ladies, who finished 13th of 35 teams.