Birch beats large field to retain Shepshed 7 title
IT WAS a case of deja vu at the Shepshed 7 on Sunday as Hinckley runner Simon Birch repeated his success of 2018, beating a field of more than 500 runners to take victory in a time of 38:49.
The seven mile, two lap course is run through the grounds of Garendon Park, part of which is usually closed to the public.
The recent heavy rain made parts of the course muddy with runners struggling to choose between trail or road shoes.
An impressive 536 runners finished the course with Birch taking victory ahead of Charnwood AC’s Mark Couldwell, with Simon Allen third.
In the woman’s race Shaftesbury & Barnet Harriers’s Rachel Felton was first home in 42:09 with Charnwood AC’s Juliet Potter seocnd in 42:32 and Charlie Nurse third in 46:14.
The woman’s team prize was won by Nora Batterman, Sarah Purser and Kathy Rolington of West End Runners.
The trio of Jamie Strange, Stephen Snow and Arron Cox of Huncote Harriers won the men’s team prize.
Shepshed Running Club chairman Richard Bibb said the race had been a sellout and thanked the De Lisle family for allowing the event to be staged.
He added: “Thanks are due to Shepshed Camera Club and everyone who helped to make the race a success yet again. The “7” is now one of the most popular events on the Leicestershire race calendar.”
Shepshed RC results: Phil Higgs 51:12, Jonathan Wortley 54:24, Cj Preddy 55:59, Nick Halford 56:38, Richard Bibb 56:55, Paul Tebbut 57:48, Dave Bottomley 1:00:45, Amy Mark 1:00:51, Tom Neath 1:03:06, Chris Ferris 1:05:22, Sally Sherwood 1:05:29, Craig Stinchcombe 1:06:17, Sharon Elliot 1:06:39, Stacy King 1:07:54, Ray Draycott 1:12:19, Helen Stinchcombe 1:16:56, Zoe Heath 1:16:40, Lynn Persse 1:22:27, Nicole Smith 1:28:43, Tail walker Alison Bibb 1:39:04.