Trio of top-ten finishes for Spa Striders at Ilmington

The Spa Striders contingent at Ilmington. Picture submitted

The race also formed part of Striders’ winter series and, with a 2k climb up Larkstoke Hill to take in, it was points rather than times which occupied the minds of their runners.

Striders trio Will Johnson, Victor Garanto and Paul Edwards were tightly packed together for the bulk of the race, finishing within 19 seconds of each other.

Johnson was the first home in sixth place in 38min 48sec, with Garanto a place and nine seconds back and Edwards eighth in 39:07. Andy Graham was the next Strider home in 41:32.

Tom Gotts tracked fellow Strider Carolyn Wilkinson up the hill before striding out on the downhill stretch to finish in 43:07. Wilkinson finished third lady and 37th overall in 43:58.

She was followed by Caroline Whitehouse in 49:24 (3rd FV35, 75th overall), Suzi Graham in 57:16 mins (150th) and finally Maria Koecher in 58:21 (163rd).

Kenilworth Runners’ Wayne Briggs finished 15th in 40:34.

Briggs was followed by clubmates Stewart Underhill (47th in 45:28) and Robert Willis (78th in 50:13).

For the ladies, Justine Willis ran well to finish 64th overall and second LV35 while Pauline Dable was 204th and first LV65 in 63:15.

Andrew Higgins was the sole Leamington C&AC runner taking part, finishing 51st in 45:51.

The race was won by Coventry Godiva’s James Briggs in 34:36.