HURRICANE Bertha failed to dampen the spirits of over 200 runners who gathered in a torrential downpour at the Cotswold village of Hook Norton for the annual six-mile ‘Hooky 6′ road race, in which sole Leamington C&AC athlete Sue Harrison claimed second place in the ladies’ race.
Organisers of the race, which has been held for over 25 years, claimed this was the first occasion they had seen rain for the event.
Up with the early leaders at the start, Harrison was overtaken by the defending winner of the ladies’ race – Sophie Carter from Belgrave Harriers – at the one-mile point.
Carter slowly moved away over the two-lap undulating course whilst Harrison, who is supported by Mizuno, X-socks and the Warwickshire Golf & Country Club, had a tussle with local runner Shona Crombie-Hicks for the next two miles before she eased away to consolidate her second place.
Abingdon Club runner Paul Fernandez was first across the line in 32.35 whilst Carter won the ladies’ race in 36.12. Harrison was pleased with 22nd place overall and second in the ladies’ race in 37.12, just 22 seconds and seven places in front of Crombie-Hicks.
