Banbury 5 proves a quick stroll for Harrison after the demands of ultras

Steve Waghorn, deputy manager of Sainsburys in Warwick, presents Sue Harrison with a shopping trolley of foodstuffs to help her with her preparation for the World 100k Championship to be held in Durban, South Africa, in October. Harrison, who receives no support from British Athletics, said the support was invaluable. An essential part of my training programme is ensuring that I get a proper healthy, balanced and high-carbohydrate diet to maintain my 90 to 100-mile per week training schedule. To receive this support means a lot to me. MHLC-13-06-13 Harrison 100k Jun41

The five-mile evening race formed the fifth round of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series and was held in near-perfect conditions with cloud-free skies and just a gentle breeze.

Harrison, who went into the race with little expectation after cutting back on her training, recorded a time of 30:10 to take the ladies’ prize and 42nd position overall.

At the head of the field, Chris McCarthy and Andrew Siggers, having finished third and fourth respectively in the Two Castles Run two days previously, again had excellent performances, with Siggers this time finishing third in a new PB of 26:16, ahead of McCarthy, who faded in the last mile to come fourth in 26:28.

Also running their second race in three days, Leamington C&AC’s Brian Miller was 46th in 30:23 (3rdM50), with Chris Hitchman 55th in 31:09.

The race was won by Kieran White from the Hercules Wimbledon Club in 25:58, just ahead of clubmate James Bolton (26:00).

Selected other finishers (Kenilworth Runners unless stated): 110, Alex Montgomery (Leamington C&AC, 33:48); 120, Richard Whiting (15th V45, 34:01); 151, Susie Tawney (Leamington C&AC, 35:09); 160, Dave Pettifer (35:25); 165, Dave Lindsay (Spa Striders, 35:36); 200, Kate Evans (Spa Striders, 37:08); 211, Bert Payne (Leamington C&AC, 37:39); 218, Graham Roberts (38:04); 234, Tom Dable (38:42); 303, Sheela Kennedy (43:07); 313, Pauline Dable (44:22).

Just three days after the second race of the Warwickshire Road Race League, the third race - the Sphinx Summer 5 - took place at Coventry War Memorial Park.

Heavy rain and strong breezes persisted throughout the race but mercifully for the 310 finishers, temperatures were at least relatively mild.

At the head of the race, there was a comfortable victory for Tipton Harriers’ Matt Granger in 25:51, with in-form Leamington C&AC runner Andrew Savery having to settle for his second-runners-up spot in four days with 26:32.

Kenilworth Runners’ Phil Gould came home an excellent third in a new PB of 26:41, outsprinting fourth-placed Siggers, who after racing at Banbury and the Two Castles was understandably a little weary, but still clocked an excellent 26:46.

Eleventh and happy recipient of a big new PB was Stephen Page (28:54).

Matthew Kingston-Lee, launched a trademark attack from the back to clock 29:16 and claim 15th position - fourth counter for the winning men’s team - and just behind the ladies’ winner, Eleanor Fowler of Nuneaton Harriers (29:15).

Neil Cressy knocked more than half a minute from his previous five-mile PB, breaking the significant 30-minute barrier with 29:41 for 18th.

Will Johnson led the Spa Striders contingent home for 19th place in 29:43.

Selected other finishers (Kenilworth Runners unless stated): 26, Richard Steel (30:28); 36, Roger Homes (30:54); 41, Paul Edwards (Spa Striders, 31:03); 42, Dave Ramus (31:11); 49, Graham Andrew (Spa Striders, 31:27 PB); 53,Jack Blakemore ( 31:42); 54, Jonathan Young (Spa Striders, 31:46 PB); 56, Andrew Home (Spa Striders, 31:51); 61, Luigi Frondella (32:09); 65, Dan Stannard (Spa Striders, 32:16); 66, Steve Webb (Leamington C&AC, 32:17); 68, Jimmy Atkins (32:21); 69, Zara Blower (Leamington C&AC, 32:21); 78, Jenny Spillane (Spa Striders, 32:38); 81, Paul Caruana (Leamington C&AC, 32:55); 84, Pete Taylor (Leamington C&AC, 33:11); 87, Chris Simkiss (33:19); 88, Graham McKenzie (Spa Striders, 33:20 PB); 96, Adrian Mawby (Leamington C&AC, 33:42); 98, Mick Williams (33:47); 125, Jenny Jeeves, (Leamington C&AC, 35:33); 128, Martin Broomfield (35:53; 129, Andrew Johnson (Leamington C&AC, 35:55); 131, Caroline Whitehouse (Spa Striders, 35:57 PB); 135, Dave Pettifer (36:09); 143, Sara Habib (36:32); 167, Patrick Recker (Spa Striders, 37:34); 172, Sue Cox (Spa Striders, 37:53); 173, Jude Baum (Spa Striders, 1st F55, 37:54); 188, Sally Hicks (38:28); 201, Simon Mottershead (39:01); 203, Sam Starvis (39:13); 205, Rebecca Smith (39:21); 206, Carol Blower (Leamington C&AC, 39:30); 225, June Johnson (Leamington C&AC, 41:22); 254, Julie Bruce (44:16 ); 260, Pauline Dable (44:34).

Taking part in his third race in six days, Kenilworth Runners’ Kingston-Lee shook off the last vestiges of a hangover to finish sixth in 1:22:57 at the Humph’s Hilly Half Marathon at Bourton-on-the-Water.

C&AC’s Brian Miller was first M50 (13th overall) in 1:25: 49, with Richard Steel (Kenilworth Runners) 23rd in 1:28:30.