Almost a fifth of the starting line-up at The New Years Day five mile race near Gloucester was made up of Tewkesbury AC runners. Ten athletes started 2007 running through the unexpected morning sunshine along the country lanes near Hardwicke.
Toeing the start line too was GB junior star, Emily Pigeon with two of her training partners. With Tewkesbury's best runner of 2006, Andrew Hawkins housebound with a cold virus, Pigeon was never troubled by the TAC contingent as she starred. Nevertheless, the Tewkesbury club also produced star performances...
Ever improving, Nigel Tillott ran an outstanding personal best (Pb) time. Tillott recorded a sub 32 minute time. A real boost as the progressing runner starts his training plan ready for the Prague marathon later in the year.
Stuart Buchan made the short journey to meet the start line. Buchan also covered the 'out and back' course in Pb time.
Helena Turner started the year with a delightful performance. 2007 looks like being a year to remember for the Bredon runner.
The first runner to finish for the club was Jon Mansfield. Mansfield, laden with trifle from the previous night was pushed all the way by team mate, Jason Draper. Draper finished in just under 31 minutes; almost exactly as he has done on the last three occasions on twisty lane course. Angie Sadler, having just ran a testing 19 mile training run, made short work of
the morning by scooping her category prize. Fellow ultra-distance runner, Phillip Howells ran in the comfort zone while Neville Simpson made a welcome return to racing after a short hiatus. Barry O'Driscoll followed Roger Bennett over the finish line as both runners had well planned runs.
10th Jon Mansfield - 30.26
13th Jason Draper - 30.56
19th Nigel Tillot - 31.51 (Pb)
20th Angie Sadler - 32.23
21st Stuart Buchan -32.37 (Pb)
25th Roger Bennett - 32.53
34th Barry O'Driscoll - 34.48
40th Neville Simpson - 37.07
53th Helena Turner - 45.22
54th Phillip Howells - 45.23