Foulerton pips Siggers to pole in Grand Prix series

Having run the previous seven races, Siggers held the upper hand going into the final event, but with the best five results to count, Foulerton knew a decent finish would secure him the crown.

Foulerton quickly established himself in a lead group of four and, despite eventually having to settle for fifth, recorded a huge new personal best of 33:23.

Siggers, who had raced just three days earlier at Stratford, finished one place back in 34:18, sealing second place in the series in the process.

Further back, an eager start by Kenilworth Runners’ Pete Bryan led to a difficult second half of the race and he had to be content with 40th place and a time of 37:42.

Leamington C&AC trio Nick Tawney, Dave Potter and Sue Harrison had their usual race within a race, with Tawney coming out on top in 38.20 and 46th place, which was good enough for second in the M50 category.

Potter and Harrison continually swapped places during their personal duel, with Potter edging ahead by two seconds in the last 100m to finish 59th in 38:42.

Harrison was 60th and second lady.

Making her debut in C&AC colours, Elaine Sherwin made a welcome return to racing, clocking 43:33 to finish 128th.

Susie Tawney continued her excellent series to run 44.00 and win the W50 age group.

Like her husband Nick and Potter, Susie’s fine series saw her claim the age group title.

Completing the team was Graham Garlick, who ran strongly to finish around the 43-minute mark.

Back in his native north-west England, Kenilworth Runners’ Chris McCarthy took part in the Sale Sizzler 5k, the first in a series of four runs which have been held for the past ten years on fast, flat and scenic mostly asphalt paths.

McCarthy ran a steady race to finish in 16:29, which was good for 15th place.

The lightning fast course was somewhat slowed by the torrential rain but Matt Barnes of Altrincham sailed over the mud to win in 15:01.

Rich Simkiss claimed a third successive win at the multi-terrain Evesham Vale 10k. His time of 34:17 put him just over a minute ahead of his nearest challenger.

Team-mate Dave Ramus ran well to finish in 41st position, clocking 41:39.

Rich Simkiss’ brother Chris, also managed to break 43 minutes for the first time, finishing in 42:55.

Just two months after clocking 2:56 at the London Marathon, Kenilworth Runners’ Martin Dorrill produced another great run to finish seventh in the Boddington Marathon in 2:57:39.

The race was won by Samantha Amend of Belgrave Harriers, who clocked a hugely impressive 2:44:11.

Tom Foulerton completed all four laps of Susie Tawney’s Pink parkrun at Newbold Comyn, but still had enough in the tank to win the Leamington parkrun - the fourth of the legs.

Foulerton came home in a personal best time of 17:14, with Daniel Holdsworth second in 18:16 and Leamington C&AC’s Eoin O’Flynn (18:37, PB) third.

Kenilworth Runners parkrun performances: Leamington parkrun 64: 8, Pete Matthews (19:28); 33, Ros Matthews (23:07); 41, Michael Crust (23:41); 57, Simon Mottershead (24:28); 60, Colin Underhill (24:43); 75, Tom Dable (25:11); 117, Mandy Crust (29:04); 119, Pauline Dable (29:20). Coventry parkrun 124: 10, Clive Pearce (19:26); 18, Mick Williams (19:59); 33, Richard Hales (21:07); 71, Barry Elkington (23:34); 85, Gary Dilnot (24:32). Northampton parkrun 10: 19, Glyn Clarke (Kenilworth Runners, 21:03).