Again a decent turnout from the Deestriders to tackle this hilly and chilly 5 miler up to Nercwys and back down (and up) again, with roadside support from Jay and Linda, both desperate to take part but unable to as Jay is now three months pregnant and Linda is nursing an ankle injury following an unfortunate kerbside fall in training a couple of weeks ago. But be warned… they’ll be back!
First in for the club was speed king Steve Thomas, who almost didn’t make it to the start line himself with stomach flu, but still managed a very creditable 30.20. Fred Aird has struggled with his new knee but you wouldn’t have thought it today as he was not too far off his best with 30.56. It was lucky Andy Edwards, who will be one to watch in years to come, blagged a spare vest in the nick of time as he looked surprisingly comfortable with an impressive 33.24, while his dad Vince should not be disappointed with a very good 34.04 on a tough course. Another fine performance from Mike O’Brien with 35.34 was followed by Ady Clarke with a terrific 37.10. Sid Bailey and Kev Burns had their usual exciting contest coming in in excellent times of 39.57 and 40.04 respectively, and Mike Norris also did well to anchor the guys in 40.19.
Meanwhile, Lorna Royle led the girls in with a brilliant 39.01. Emily Davies must have had rockets in her new shoes as she fired round in 42.45, not far behind Leslie Ingram who did tremendously in 41.43 despite having only recently recovered from flu coupled with passing her tae kwon do grading just a week before. Jane Evans brought the ladies home with an excellent 46.44.