Jon M reports...
Runners enjoyed a bumper Guy Fawkes 5 event in Tewkesbury. Host club Tewkesbury AC pulled out all the stops to accommodate a record 351 entrants. In fantastic conditions, dry, little wind and warming sunshine, athletes from all over Britain made the trip to Tewkesbury School to enter this popular annual five mile run.The race was also the Gloucestershire five mile championships and featured keen runners from all the local clubs.However, it was two runners from outside the county that took the top honours. Elite veteran runner, Mike Cadman from Birmingham tore through the country lane course at 5.05 minute mile pace to win by almost a minute ahead of Worcester's Chris Wilson. Meanwhile, the ladies race was won by 26year old Hayley Jennings, also from the West Midlands, by a similar margin. Severn AC's Sian Lewis was runner-up.Tewkesbury AC themselves were represented by twelve runners. All of them had fine runs with several life time best 5M times. Simon Hall returned to racing after a paternity hiatus to claim the top spot for the club. Angie Sadler fitted the event in between her six and seventh marathon of the year to lead the club ladies home. Sadler claimed the V45 title and finished 4th overall. Exciting prospect Charlotte Mowbray won the junior ladies title. Clubcaptain Cathy Dudfield was in the prizes as she finished 2nd in the V35 category. Big performances also included Stuart Buchan who ran a personal best time to finish 4th for the club. Lisa Kane, despite running the day before, also Pb'd.Andy Hawkins landed inside the top twenty-five and Phillip Howells finishedthe last mile strongly in the V50 category. Beverly Thomas and Wes Reid held off recent niggles to record pleasing times. Novice 5M runner, Tracey O'Driscoll beat her target time with ease accompanied by husband Barry who's feeling his way back into running after a two month lay off.