More festive cheer as Walsh retains his Warwick title

Trevor Wilkinson was the first Spa Strider home at the Coventry Godiva 5 which took place around the grounds of Warwick University. Picture submitted

Fifty-six runners took part in the four-lap race around the footpaths of St Nicholas Park - a run of approximately 3.6 miles.

Walsh, who now runs for Leeds AC, retained his title in a time of 17min 9sec, with Simon Wurr, another former C&AC runner, second in 17:42.

First lady was Leamington’s Zara Blower in 22:15, ahead of Kenilworth Runners’ Marie-Ann Voice (22:32).

Hosts Coventry Godiva dominated the New Year 5 at Warwick University with Stephen Emery winning in a time of 25:06 and Coventry lifting the team prize.

Kenilworth Runners were well placed with Andy Siggers first home in eighth position in 26:42, followed by Chris McCarthy (13th in 27:37) and Richard Simkiss (14th in 27:43).

Dave Pettifer fought an exciting contest in the V60 category with just 20 seconds dividing the first three.

Pettifer lost out in a sprint finish to come home second V60 and 59th overall in 33:59.

Rachael Siggers was the only Kenilworth Runners lady, finishing 68th in 35:19.

Spa Striders’ ladies took the team prize with Dawn Clarke (65th in 35:07) winning the W35 category.

Fiona Ferguson’s recent good form showed no signs of slowing down as she smashed her PB to come home fifth lady in 35:15.

Team-mate Sue Cox (87th in 37:22) was first W45, with Jude Baum (92nd in 37:26) the leading W55.

Striders’ men’s team also put in a strong performance, with Trevor Wilkinson their first male home (19th in 29:01) to take the M45 prize and newcomer Kevin White crossing the line 29th overall in 29:12.

Selected others (Spa Striders unless stated): 20, Neil Cressy (Kenilworth Runners, 29:05); 27, Richard Steel (Kenilworth Runners, 30:30); 32, Paul Edwards (31:01); 45, Neil Sheward (Kenilworth Runners, 32:01); 54, Greg Harris (33:35); 66, Gary Morgan (Kenilworth Runners, 35:10); 105, Barbara Gunter (40:42); 107, Gary Perkins (41:35).

Spa Striders’ Richard Shepherd took advantage of the absence of series leader Paul Andrew to win the third race in the Tempo 10k at Ilmington.

Shepherd clocked 37:38 to finish 33 seconds clear of his nearest rival.

Leamington C&AC’s Dominic Hollingdale was 13th in 41:27.

Selected others (Kenilowrth Runners unless stated): 40, Robert Willis (49:14); 45, Emily Morris (50:00); 114, Pauline Dable (1st W65), 59:14).

There was a strong turnout for Kenilworth Runners in the 199th Coventry parkrun on December 28, with new member Kyza Derby second in an excellent time of 18:06.

He was followed by Matt Dyer (4th in 18:52) and Pete Bryan (9th in 19:14).

On a busy weekend of parkrunning, Richard Broadbent ran a season’s best of 19:32 to come home ninth at the Kingsbury parkrun, with Spa Striders’ Jo Kirby second lady in 20:12 and clubmate Clare Hinton first lady in the Forest Rec parkrun in Nottingham in 22:30 on a very hilly course.

Striders’ Kevin White finished second at Newbold Comyn in 18:42, with Kenilworth’s Alex Atkinson ten seconds further back in third.