Athletics
Success for C & AC

LEAMINGTON C & AC runners were among the prize-winners in Stratford Athletic Club’s annual 12km road race on Sunday.

Winning the ladies race has become somewhat of a habit for Sue Harrison who recorded her fourth victory in five years, while Simon Riley won the M50 age group and Susie Tawney claimed top spot in the W50 category. Andrew Johnson took gold in the M65 and June Johnson was first home in the W65 category.

Harrison and Tawney, along with Zara Blower, helped add to the impressive haul taking the ladies team prize.

The race, which started at Tiddington, attracted more than 600 hardy runners of all abilites from international athletes to those raising funds for their chosen charities.

Once again the event was superbly organised with the course well marked and marshalled and prizes sponsored by local sport shop ‘Simply Run’.

Riley and Harrison were amongst the early leaders in a fast and furious start and the C & AC pair battled together throughout with never more than a few yards separating them.

At the head of the field, Stephen Price (UK Net Runners AC) opened up a big gap and ran home a clear winner in 40.57, some 30 seconds in front of the second man home.

Riley (44.01) and Harrison (44.03), who is supported by The Warwickshire Golf Club and Warwick Sports, kept up their duel to the finish line with Riley having the edge by just two seconds.

Riley finished 8th overall, just one place ahead of Harrison who was nearly three minutes clear of the second lady finisher Ann-Marie Smith (Coventry Godiva) who clocked 46.46.

Other C & AC athletes in action were Michael McBride (31st in 46.28) and Steve Howes (33rd in 46.37) who also enjoyed a personal duel.

Zara Blower, following her excellent run in the county cross country championships, chopped a massive ten minutes off her 2011 time to finish 60th overall and 7th lady in 49.13.

Tawney, running a strong race throughout, finished 115th in 52.16, while Andrew Johnson was 106th in 51.58 and June Johnson was 366th in 62.29.