A party of 12 Kenilworth Runners made the short trip over to Ashby in Leicestershire on Sunday to take part in the Ashby 20 mile road race. Pride of place had
to go to Martin Dorrill who - after finishing 17th in yesterday's Birmingham League race - achieved a career best of 2 hours and 3 minutes for the undulating 20-mile course. This earned
him 10th place overall and 9th in the senior category out of a field of over 700. Considering that his time last year for the same event was 2:14, this was an excellent performance and
puts him well on schedule for a sub-three hour time in next months London Marathon.
Not to be outdone there were other fine performances from Mick Williams, 2:10, 28th place, Roland Smythe 2:14, 52nd place and Simon Vine, 2:17 66th place. Smythe was leading the
trio up to the 14-mile stage when a stop for water enabled Mick Williams to catch him up and pull away. The effects of yesterdays tough
final Birmingham League race in Malvern taking its toll.
Just outside the top 100 was Angus McIntyre returning 2:22, closely followed by Terry Dyer in 2:23. Terry was disappointed with his time
as he aims to achieve a sub 2:45 time in London. At least London won't have the hills especially the likes of that at 17 miles said a rather sombre Terry.
Other runners' results were - Gary Bradbury, 2:32 (who also won the spot prize for being in 200th place at 15 miles); John Woodrow 2:48,
Martyn Carter 2:53 and Steve and Cathy Jones 2:58. Cathy Jones is also in training for London and after a long absence from distance running is making a welcome return to the distance.
Also taking part for Kenilworth was newcomer Matthew Kingston who had an excellent race and finished in a time of 2:27.
The Runners just finished outside the top three for the team prize - 3 to count - finishing in fourth place. Overall it was a very good
day for the Club, and especially for one Martin Dorrill.
26/03/2000
Josh's Last Jaunt
Steve Jones won Josh's last Jaunt on Sunday morning in a time of 34:39. The favourite to win, Richard Steel, made an unusual mistake and took a wrong
turn shortly after the mile mark. This allowed almost everyone to get passed him as he tried to retrace his steps and get back on course.
A spirited comeback from Steel saw him eventually finish in third place, but any chance that he had of winning the league title disappeared once he had gone off the beaten track. In second
place was John Jones, who for a change was not running his customary Sunday marathon, but who still found the going tough over the multi terrain, 5 mile course.
With a lot of the runners preparing for next months' London Marathon, the numbers have been down on the Summer League, but for those who have turned out, meant that there were a lot of points
up for grabs. Gus Davidson who finished in 5th place had just ridden 18 odd miles following some of the marathon runners on their training run, whilst Mick Tranter, competing in next
weeks Grizzly, finished in 11th place. Has he done enough training though is the question that will keep him awake this coming week!
Richard Greenhalf, recovering from last weeks Birmingham League race finished in a creditable 4th place, ahead of main rival Dave Wolfin, who it appeared
went off far to fast to begin with. Jamie Tranter still showed that he has the talent, if only we can show him that there is more to life than wine, women and song! Stef Shillington narrowly
beat Robin Groves whilst Pam Wilkes and Tim Payne - who seemed to be under the impression that he was forever being chased by two small dogs - came in at the back.
So who is in line for carrying off the big prize? The main contenders would appear to be Steve Jones, Dave Wolfin, who finished in 8th place,
Mick Morris, finishing 7th and Richard Greenhalf finishing in 4th place. As is now customary practise, you will have to wait until the presentation evening to find out who won what.
Finally a word of thanks to Roger Wilkes for putting up the mile markers on all of the courses for this Winter League and to Pam Wilkes for supplying
the welcoming bread pudding at the end of each race.
Sunday 19th March