Fabulous Baker boy grabs victory!
Tewkesbury AC runners had an action packed bank holiday.
Without any doubt, the big news story is that Clive Baker became only the second runner, within our recent history, to win a road race .
Baker's glorious moment took place at the 12th annual Whitsun 5 mile race staged at Sandhurst, Gloucester on Monday 28th May.
Weather conditions were unkind to the small group of five Tewkesbury runners who took on the event. The rain had stopped in time for the 11.30am start and right from the gun Baker set his race out. Alone at the head of the race with just the lead bike for company, the V40 man pulled away from a chase group of four runners. Despite completing a 12 mile training run the day before, Baker remained unchallenged and hit the finish line in a new personal best (Pb) time.
The chase group, by now fragmented, followed and it was another podium place for Tewkesbury as Luke Antony clocked a Pb time in third place. Jon Mansfield came in 4th followed by Stuart Dudfield and Neville Simpson in 11th and 22nd respectively.
1st Clive Baker 28.14 (Pb)
3rd Luke Anthony 29.11 (Pb)
4th Jon Mansfield 29.38
11th Stuart Dudfield 33.38
22nd Nev Simpson 36.15
Gloucester Triathlon.
The 9th 'Tri Team Glos' Triathlon took place Sunday 27th May .
The event returning to its Brockworth venue after extensive refurbishment.
Two Tewkesbury AC members took part and it was hardly triathlon weather as stormy conditions effected the 200 plus entrants. Barry O'Driscoll made his return to multi-sport racing after sitting-out the previous weekends Tewkesbury Triathlon. Having shaken off a virus, O'Driscoll wasn't going to let the worst possible conditions get in his way. However, his race started badly when his swim counter miscounted his distance and ordered him to swim two extra lengths! The strong swimmer complied with the race official and clocked-up 450 meters of swimming. Obviously, the wet weather affected the cyclists the most as corners became slippery and brakes became ineffective. O'Driscoll's 10 miles of cycling was safe and he went on the enjoy the 6.25km run.
Jon Mansfield raced in his new veteran category. Despite being just 39, British Triathlon rules state the athletes age at the year end governs the category. Mansfield's race went well and it needed to as the Gloucester event was part of the South West race series and two leading Vets from Glastonbury and Exeter were looking for glory. But it was glory for Mansfield as his rivals headed south with minor prizes.
Jon Mansfield 58.15 mins
Baz O'Driscoll 1hr 18 mins