Hussein and Frankland storm to victory in Kibworth road race
MO Hussein, of Roadhoggs Leicester AC, and Claire Frankland, of West End Runners Club, both conquered a tortuous and hilly Kibworth six-mile road race course, writes Gershom Nyathi.
They posted comfortable victories in the men’s and women’s races at the annual event, which counted as the first leg of the 2024 Leicestershire Road Running League series.
Hussein, the reigning league champion, dramatically came from behind in the last two miles to outpace long-time frontrunner Matt Scarsbrook, of Badgers Running Club in Warwickshire.
Scarsbrook, who had raced in the Midland Counties 12-Stage Road Relays on the previous day at Sutton Park in Birmingham, seemed on course to seal a convincing victory against Hussein.
But Hussein made a sensational late charge after four miles and romped to victory in a time of 30:59.
“I was not sure of my fitness. I can’t believe I worked so hard from way back to win the race.
“It’s so good I made it at last,” said Hussein.
Scarsbrook finished in a great second position in 31:30, the same place as last year’s race.
It was in the closing stages where Scarsbrook faltered, allowing Hussein to lift the pace and take a firm grip up front on his way to retaining the men’s title.
Scarsbrook was chased to the finish by accomplished veteran Simon Allen, of Owls AC Leicester, and Hussein, while a big group of
chasers had their own race further back and out of sight of the race leader.
Allen, who was second for the better part of the race before being overtaken Hussein, finished third in 31:45.
Another Badgers Club runner, David Hill, strode home in fourth position in 33:10.
He was trailed by the determined Ben Darlow, of West End Runners, in 33:16 and Luke Ingram, of Owls AC, in 33:34 who placed third overall in last year’s league series. Nobody could beat Frankland in the women’s senior race.
She quickly detached herself from the opposition immediately after the start and held on to record her victory in a time of 35:51.
“Not an easy race. I used this event as part of my preparations for an upcoming event in Manchester,” said Frankland.
Her club-mate at West End Runners Club, Joanna Male, had a superb race to finish second in 37:17.
She had raced most of the way with Chloe Sparrow, of Hinckley RC, and then outsprinted her towards the end.
Sparrow, who doubles as a triathlete, had a good race to finish in third place in 37:20.
Amber Lester, of Barrow Runners, the 2023 women’s league champion and last year’s winner, took it easy to avoid injuries as she prepares to compete in next month’s London Marathon. She finished in ninth position in 38:44.
Rachel Nealon, of Huncote Harriers, finished fourth in 37:44, ahead of last year’s third placed league finisher Grace Tongue, who raced for Hermitage Harriers before switching allegiance to Charnwood AC.
A promising junior athlete, Olivia Bailey, of Hinckley RC, had a commendable performance, finishing seventh in 38:29, adrift of Ysabel Drewett, of Owls AC, who clocked 38:11.
The event had 539 finishers, who braved a tough course in attractive countryside.