Jon M reports from the final club championship event...
Tewkesbury AC had fourteen representatives in the county's biggest race of the year. The event produced some outstanding performances with Tewkesbury runners securing three top 10 category placings.
The Dudfield household was certain to hold a ‘post-race partying’ after both husband and wife recorded impressive personal best times. Stuart Dudfield started the race quicker than planned, however, he worked hard enough during the later miles to cross the finish line in under 1hr 35 mins, over 2 minutes quicker than his previous best time. Wife Cathy wasn’t going to miss the party as the Club Captain reduced her pb time by nearly 2 minutes. Both athletes had been focusing on this event for months and it paid off with Cathy finishing 8th in her very competitive V35 category.
Bredon’s Carol Cowley successfully defended her V55 title she won last year. A time of 1hr 40 mins gave the gifted runner an overall position of 466th from a starting line-up of 1,600.
Mike Ward placed runner-up in the 70+ cat after timing 1hr 51 mins.
Lottie Mowberry, the club’s youngest athlete, attempted her first ½ marathon. It was a success as the 17yr old recorded 1hr 48 mins.
Tewkesbury’s fastest run of the day was recorded by the club’s No1 runner, Andy Hawkins. A swift time of 1hr 18 mins was off his best, nevertheless, a top 30 placing for the second year in succession for the 35 yr old. Experienced marathon runner, Clive Baker, completed the 13.1 mile course in 1hr 24 mins. Baker had a tremendous final 5 miles to finish 12th in the V40 category. Jason Draper marked his third autumn ½ marathon solidly. The vice-captain capped a fine performance by beating Jon Mansfield to the line in 1hr 26 mins. Draper raced tactfully and displayed no sympathy as he pasted struggling Mansfield during the home straight. Nigel Tillott and Adrian Lavery also had a race to remember. Improving Tillott had the edge on his team mate after a race long contest, finishing just 10 seconds ahead of long distance runner Lavery.
Ultra-distance talent, Phillip Howells raced well although, slightly down on last years time. He came in just ahead of star-man Dudfield in 1hr 34 mins. Wesley Reid completed the Tewkesbury contingent. Reid was hampered by a knee niggle partway through the course. The local rugby star needed to reduce pace and came in outside his target time in 2hr 19 mins. Inside the top 1,500 and with his second ½ m under his belt, the up and coming runner will now be aiming for the popular Tewkesbury GUY FAWKES 5 mile event on Sunday 5th November (11am start)
27th Andy Hawkins 1.18.42
74th Clive Baker 1.24.26
96th Jason Draper 1.26.11
104th Jon Mansfield 1.26.29
178th Nigel Tillott 1.30.09
184th Adrian Lavery 1.30.22
261st Phillip Howells 1.33.58
271st Stuart Dudfield 1.34.27 (pb)
374th Cathy Dudfield 1.38.13 (pb)
466th Carol Cowley 1.40.55
762nd Charlotte Mowberry 1.48.43 (pb)
848th Michael Ward 1.51.31
1,421st Wes Reid 2.19.47