A NEW North Staffs Road Runners Association series got under way on last Sunday with the annual Alsager five mile race.
His time was a personal best, one of 19 posted by the Harriers, with Phil Hilsdon second club finisher in 30.10 (108th) ahead of Mark Bridgwood 30.53 (126th).
Overall race winner was Matthew Hynes of North Yorkshire Moors AC, who pipped Ben Fish (Blackburn Harriers), both being given the same time of 23.57.
In third spot was Patrick Mann of Sunderland Harriers who covered the distance in 24.01.
The ladies’ crown went to Charnwood AC’s Gemma Steele in 26.34, who edged out clubmate Juliet Doyle, who had won the Midland cross country title on Stafford Common the previous weekend.
Among the prize-winners for Stafford Harriers were the ladies trio of Sally Gray 32.06, Steph Clayton 34.06 and Chris Skellern 36.14 who were a superb third out of 41 clubs in the team event. On the individual front, Paul Douglas was 2nd M60, with Skellern 2nd W50.
Other Harriers times were, Douglas 32.06, Alan Cook 33.37, Ian Hodkinson 33.38, Alan Griffin 33.39, Mark Orchard 33.58.
Dave Payling 34.24, Joe Atherton 36.11, Jeff Martin 37.47, Shelley Burns 38.50, Bill Chidlow 39.13, Angela Brookes 39.20, Mark Oliver 39.31, Steve Turner 40.05.
Sandra Smith 41.21, Liz Stanyer 41.23, Gill Hodkinson 42.01, Karen Murray 42.34, Mick Jones 43.04, Liz Cook 43.39, Joanne Oliver 44.39, Julie Nokes 45.13.
Gael Earp 45.17, Chelsie Cook 45.57, John Hateley 48.24, George Singh 48.41, Amanda Dunn 52.36.
Bobbie Phillips 52.57, Valerie Stuart 53.05, Carly Bryan 54.54, Nicola Bridgwood 57.22, Helen Clarke 57.40, David Kumar 57.41.
Next two races in the NSRRA series are both in the Stafford area.
The Stafford 20 takes place at Beaconside on Sunday, March 10, with the Stafford half marathon the following Sunday, start 10am in the town centre.
