The Tewkesbury AC runners took on their most local event over in Bishops Cleeve. The AeroSpace 5 mile takes in an undulating course through the villages Southam and Woodmancote. However, due to the recent downpours the traditional starting line was water-logged and therefore avoided. This meant the racing distance was reduced to 4.6 miles. Good news for some as the start used to be over rough grass. Ten runners set off for the club and two finished with category titles. Angie Sadler made the return to shorter distance racing after taming the huge Comrades ultra-marathon. Sadler's two closest rivals had both hoped the recent 54 mile energy sapping challenge would have left her beatable, especially over a shorter distance event. Sadler left them both disappointed as she had plenty of speed to take the veteran ladies title with comfort. Carol Cowley won the 50+ title after a recent succession of nearly wins. Even more satisfying on such a chilly, wet evening .
First to finish for Tewkesbury was Luke Anthony. He ran well to place 15th just ahead of Jon Mansfield. It could have been a different story had it not been for the leading bunch of seven runners realising that they had gone 'off course' and having to double-back on themselves. Most bizarre as four of them were from the organizing club Cheltenham Harriers!
Nigel Tillott came in at 41st in his final preparation race before Monday's Frampton 10km. Stuart Buchan came in just ahead of the two veteran ladies winners and Phillip Howells was followed home by Mike Ward and Mick Morris. Anne Robinson completed to ladies team with a reassuringly smooth performance. Robinson later became more popular as she treated club mates with some homemade chocolate cakes.
15th Luke Anthony 25.55 minutes.
17th Jon Mansfield 26.08
41st Nigel Tillott 28.25
52nd Stuart Buchan 29.34
54th Angie Sadler 29.50 (1st LV)
75th Carol Cowley 32.09 (1st L50)
95th Phil Howells 34.13
116th Mike Ward 36.03 (2nd V70)
119th Mick Morris 36.22
131st Anne Robinson 38.43