Walsh enjoys a perfect Christmas at St Nic’s

Warwick’s international cross- country runner James Walsh (Leeds City) came home first in an excellent time of 16min 42sec, followed by Simon Wurr (Thames Hare & Hounds).

Myshola Kirkham (Coventry Godiva) was the first lady in 21:28, with Leamington C&AC’s Zara Blower second in 21:56.

Kenilworth Runners finishers: Richard Green (20:46, first veteran); Richard Steel (21:05); Matthew Keal (21:23); Rod Goodwin (24:18); Sarah Stein (24:58); Colin Underhill (25:10); Martin Broomfield (26:11); Mike Crust (28:05); Tom Dable (29:22); Pauline Dable (29.30); Paul Buchan (29.50); Julie Newman (30:11).

Meanwhile, four Kenilworth Runners took part in a special Christmas Day edition of the Coventry Parkrun.

First Kenilworth Runner home was Matthew Kingston-Lee who passed Patrick Roddy (17:56) during the second half of the run, finishing just six seconds outside his PB (17:43).

Mick Williams (19:35) finished 11th and 19th-placed Glyn Clarke produced a superb best of 21:18.

Roddy was again in action three days later, leading home four Kenilworth Runners in the Massey Ferguson Runners Christmas Pace Race over 3.55 miles at Coventry War Memorial Park.

Runners were asked to predict their finishing time and proceeded to run as close to it as possible without the aid of “watches, phones or portable sundials”.

Ashley Miles (Sphinx) won the actual race (three seconds off predicted) and Kenilworth’s Roddy was second (six seconds off predicted).

Unattached runner David Goodwin was nine minutes slower than the winner but won the event having been just one second outside his predicted time.

Runners’ Pete Matthews finished sixth in the 36th Leamington Parkrun with a time of 19:39, while in the New Year’s Eve edition, Phil McCorquodale won in 17:38 to set a new record time there for a junior.

Matthews also ran a fine New Year’s Eve 5k at the Brueton Parkrun, taking seventh position in 18:32.

Huncote Hash (seven country miles): Tom Dable (69:11), Pauline Dable (76:44).

Kenilworth Runners’ Phil Gould finished the year with his first overall race victory, winning the Threshold 10k at Ilmington in a time of 36.35.

Kenilworth Runners finishers: Richard Green (41:04, 1st over 45); Richard Steel (43:52); Nicki Dove (56:03); Tom Dable (58:46); Pauline Dable (60:19); Colin Bricher (62:11).

Pipped at the post seemed to be the theme for Spa Striders competing in parkrun events during the festive period.

Will Johnson on his home turf for Christmas was second in the Bolton event in 18:36, with Tom Foulerton filling the same position at Eastleigh in 17:46.

Keeping the trend going at Leamington Parkrun 37, Mark Urbanowski finished second in 18:43.

Near-perfect conditions greeted runners for Coventry Godiva Harriers’ traditional start of year race - the New Year 5.

The five-mile race is based at the home of Coventry Godiva at Warwick University and incorporates one small lap and two larger laps of part of the campus.

Leamington C&AC athletes were to the fore from the start, with Richard Harper going with the early pace.

A strong run saw him come home in a fine sixth place in 25:21.

In the ladies’ race, two-time winner Sue Harrison found herself back in third place after the first mile but she did not panic and soon moved up into second behind leader Danielle Stuart (Coventry Godiva).

Going past her rival at the half-way point, Harrison applied the pressure and by the finish had opened up 37-second gap to finish 18th overall.

Training partner Steve Hundal declared himself satisfied with his performnace after coming 35th of the 184 finishers in 30:40.

Husband and wife Andrew and June Johnson benefitted from their warm-weather training at Club La Santa in Lanzarote, finishing high up in their respective masters age groups.

Andrew came home in 85th place in 35:23, while June was 142nd in 42:37.

First of the ten Kenilworth Runners home was Connor Carson, who finished 12th overall in 27:03 (first V40 runner).

He was followed by Matthew Kingston-Lee, who ran his fastest five-mile race since 2000 with 28:42, which was good for 19th position and first M35 finisher.

Other Kenilworth Runners finishers: 21, Patrick Roddy (28:57); 39, Clive Pearce (31:11); 43, Richard Steel (31:28); 71, Stan Alexander (33:59); 82, Glyn Clarke (34:54); 96, Martin Belcher (36:16); 144, Ivan Wilson (42:42); 159, Joan Mason (46:21).

Spa Striders had 17 entrants, with Rich Shephard (28:25) leading them home in 17th.

Trevor Wilkinson finished in 25:58 for a PB and 1st M45, while Mark Urbanowski was 28th in 29:30.

Other Spa Striders finishers: Nick Adams (33:29); Jennie Spillane and Justin Mallard (34:48); Darren Gillman (35:48); Caroline Whitehouse (36:04); Jo Butler (36:45); Kate Evans (37:02); Ben Parkinson (37:12); Sue Cox (37:57); Jude Baum (38:53); Carolyn Wilkinson (39:35); Sandra Stokes and Harki Kalsi (40:49); Fiona Salmon (42:19).