Shepherd produces a cracking display at Moreton Morrell

Richard Shepherd, partially obscured, keeps tabs on eventual runner-up Daniel Villette (229).
MHLC-14-12-13 Christmas Cracker Dec53 — Richard Shepherd, partially obscured, keeps tabs on eventual runner-up Daniel Villette (229). MHLC-14-12-13 Christmas Cracker Dec53

There was 10k success for Spa Striders’ Richard Shepherd at the Moreton Morrell Christmas Cracker, held in aid of the Kids Run Free charity.

On a pleasant but chilly morning, runners ran though the grounds of the agricultural college before winding through Moreton Morrell, Ashorne and Newbold Pacey troubled only slightly by a hill in the last kilometre.

Shepherd was always prominent, overtaking Daniel Villette in the final kilometre to finish 18 seconds clear of the 16-year-old in 35:27.

Leamington C&AC’s Tristan Warren (under-17) was eighth, missing out on a sub-40-minute time by ten seconds.

At the other end of the age scale was 57-year-old club-mate Alex Montgomery who was 15th in 42:28.

This was Montgomery’s 41st race of the year after spending most of 2012 out injured.

New Leamington member Chris Wyburn-Powell (under-17), making his debut for the club, was 29th in 45:31.

Imogen Peace ran a superb race to claim the title of the first lady home (10th overall) in a new PB of 41:15, the fastest time by a Kenilworth lady over the distance in 2013.

Jennie Spillane was first Spa Striders lady and second lady overall in 42:04, with clubmates Richard Sykes and Laura Bowkett finishing in 46:35 and 54:16, respectively.

In the 20k event, Spa Striders’ Paul Edwards was third overall in 1:22:05.

Leamington marathon man Dave Potter was pleased with his sixth place and 1:22:56, especially as the wind picked up for the second lap.

Ben Parkinson who finished 24th in 1:33:52, Rob Nash (27th in 1:35:15) and Stephen Hynes (70th in 1:51:19)completed the Striders contingent.

The race was won by Ben Terry in 1:16:19.

 Richard Steel was the sole Kenilworth Runner taking part in the Hook Norton Christmas Canter, completing the course of approximately seven miles in 48:43 for 14th position.