Peace and Matthews relish hilly challenge

The hilly multi-terrain race of around eight miles took in some 1,200ft of climbing as the route weaved through Ribbesford Wood and included several stiff climbs akin to fell racing.

Returning from injury, Pete Matthews was pleased to get his teeth back into some hilly running and set off in second place behind fellow Mercia runner and eventual race winner Daniel Brazier.

Slipping back to third at the top of the first climb, Matthews clicked off the miles fairly comfortably before a lack of fitness caught up with him at four miles, forcing him back to his eventual finish position of fifth (1:01:37).

Imogen Peace made a strong start but was struggling on the downhill sections and Richard Whiting reeled her in at around the three-mile point.

The next three miles saw them switching positions before Peace pulled away on a hill at around six miles to hold position and finish 12th overall.

Her time of 1:09:18 also saw her as third lady and gained her the prize for the first senior woman.

Whiting finished 13th, just 11 seconds behind Peace.

On a warm summer’s evening, 291 runners gave England’s Euro 2012 match against Ukraine a miss to compete in the testing Harbrough 5 Mile Road Race, race six of eight of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series.

Andrew Siggers again ran well to finish in the top ten, coming home seventh in 28:01.

Following Andrew was Tom Dable (40:16) and Pauline Dable (44:36).

The race winner was Gordon Lee of Leicester Coritanian (26:02), with Nicki Nealon of Huncote Harriers AC first lady in 30:20.

The standout run of the evening came from Angela Copson of Rugby & Northampton AC, who ran a British best time for W65 over five miles, clocking 34:13.

The popular Arden 9 Mile Road Race was, for the first time, a round of the Warwickshire Road Race League.

Kenilworth Runners took second and third places overall and victory in the men’s team competition.

Aside from a stiff breeze, conditions were good for racing as early rain gave way to mostly overcast skies and cool temperature.

Fresh from victory in a club race on the Thursday evening, Rich Simkiss produced another fine performance to finish second in 48:44, albeit some distance behind race winner Martin Williams of Tipton Harriers, who crossed the line in 45:36.

Simkiss was followed in third position by Phil Gould, who clocked 49:35.

Jim Sawle ran well to finish eighth in 52:50 and Andrew Holbrook continued his excellent form with an 18th-placed finish in 55:21.

Sara Habib was Kenilworth’s first lady to finish, coming home 141st in 68:41. She was followed by Sally Hicks (69:03).

Fourteen Spa Striders took part, with Felix Langley 22nd in 56:07.

The ladies’ team, led by Jo Kirby (60:37), finished third. Melissa Venables (61:37) and Caroline Whitehouse (68:52) completed the trio.

Other Spa Striders finishers: Trevor Wilkinson (61:11); Nick Adams (65:27); Caroline Whitehouse (68:52); Neil Ford (69:28); Sean Lonergan (70:03); Mick Barrott (70:12); Kate Evans (72:15); Jude Baum (73:08); Mick Stevenson (75:49); Harki Kalsi (76:58); Sandra Stokes (79:58).

Meanwhile, four Striders took part in the Bourton Hilly Half Marathon.

On his half-marathon debut and fresh from winning that morning’s Leamington parkrun, Mark Urbanowski came home in an excellent time of 1:26:33 for 21st place.

Carolyn Wilkinson (1:33:54) took the second ladies’ prize, with Justin Mallard just seven seconds further back after recording his third PB in a week.

Kate Evans, on her return from injury, made up the contingent in 1:51:01.

With the Coventry parkrun on a two-week hiatus to allow for the Coventry Festival, Kenilworth Runners’ Barry Elkington made his second appearance at Leamington parkrun and secured a new course PB of 22:33.

Team-mate Rebecca Smith made her Leamington parkrun debut, finishing in 23:50.

The race was won by Warwick University’s Robert Fryer in 18:18. Leamington C&AC youngster George Loveday was third in 19:09.

Selected others (Spa Striders unless stated): 8, Misael Mecias-Pedroso (19:48); 19, James Glover (21:01); 29, Daniel Stannard (21:37 PB); 36, Barry Elkington (Kenilworth Runners, 22:33 PB); 48, Ian Taylor (23:25); 50, Andy Roach (23:26); 54, Colin Underhill (Kenilworth Runners, 23:42); 55, Simon Mottershead (Kenilworth Runners, 23:48); 56, Rebecca Smith (Kenilworth Runners, 23:50); 61, Michael Crust (Kenilworth Runners, 24:07); 63, Fiona Ferguson (24:17); 71, Ruth Tennant (24:39); 96, Harki Kalsi (25:50); 109, Lisa Kettle (26:46); 133, Helen Tudge (28:35); 127. Pauline Dable (Kenilworth Runners, 28:12). 156, David Jordan (30:42).

Spa Striders’ Jo Kirby returned home to take part in the inaugural Havant parkrun and was first lady back in 20:24