Busy weekend in tough conditions for Matlock AC

A total of 33 new runners, 24 personal bests added to the day’s success as well as the debut of the Milltown Milers of Ashover, possibly Britain’s smallest running club, who included the event in their Grand Prix meaning their members gained points from their finishing positions.

The race was won by Luke Beresford of Ripley Running Club in 18.19 with Christine Howard of Matlock AC being first lady in 20.07. First Matlock AC runner home was Karl Webster in 19.19.

The monthly run is open to all ages and abilities and goes from strength to strength in popularity. A total of £93.50 was raised for International Cancer Research Charity www.aicr.org.uk. Full results can be found at www.matlockac.org. The next race will be on Saturday, March 8.

Sunday started very rainy, windy and dull for the fifth and final race in the Booths Decorators League (BDL) at Holmebrook Valley Country Park, Chesterfield.

The race featured approximately five miles of undulating parkland, always muddy due to being in Water Meadow Lane, but this time, it really was a mudbath.

However, just after the race started the sun came out and shone throughout.

There are 13 local teams in this hotly-contested event and, being the last race in the series, there was plenty to play for.

Conditions were particularly difficult due to the cloying mud; which for one Matlock AC member, Mick Kuszynski whose footwear totally disintegrated, forced him to retire from the race.

Winner was Joe Rainsford of Heanor Running Club in a time of 33.19. First lady was Lisa Palmer also of Heanor in 38.35.

First Matlock AC runner home was Richard Bradbury, third VM40 in 37.48, followed by new member, Zak Hodgkinson, making a great debut in 38.19.

Alan Pickering was second VM45 in 40.50, while Andy Lessiter finished in 40th place in a time of 40.58. Ed Hoon just missed out on 3rd place in JM category with 42.04, and was hotly pursued by Simon Croft in 42.13 then Martin Lea in 43.25.

First Matlock lady home was another new member, Jade Himsworth, just missing out on a medal position in 44.52.

Kate Hemsley, another debutant in this event ran 45.31, beating team mate Jim Thorneycroft, third VM55, by two seconds. Mick Moorhouse was second VM60 in 45.46, Clive Russell, first VM70 in 50.22, Jan Forrester first VL60 in 52.47, Helen Brunt finished in 53.10, Julie Goodwin as third LV45 in 54.40 and Paul Keetley was 147th in 54.44.

Both the men’s and ladies teams finished in fourth place out of the 13 teams, the ladies team getting the point needed to climb to sixth position in the overall five-race standings, also matching the men’s final position who could not quite overcome the four-point deficit on Ripley.