Four seconds cover the lot in all-Striders lead quartet
The first four places in the latest Havant parkrun were all filled by Denmead Striders members – and just four seconds covered the quartet.
PaulSaundersclaimedvictory – his first in 149 Havant appearances over a 10-year period – at Staunton Country Park on Saturday morning in a time of 19 minutes and 39 seconds.
Michael Harrison was just two seconds adrift in second place, with Gary Armstrong a further second back in third, closely followed by fourthplaced Mark Bicknell.
Jane Harrop was the leading woman – and 10th overall – in 21:35, with Claire Netley (Chelmsford AC) second in a PB of 24:04 and Kirsty Aked (Denmead Striders) third in 24:17. There were 195 finishers in total.
The Southsea parkrun also produced a close finish, with four seconds between the leading two competitors in a field of more than 480.
Ross Partridge, of Portsmouth Triathletes, secured his fourth win in 53 Southsea outings with a time of 17:23, narrowly beating first female Megan Davis (Newquay Road Runners).
Clapham Chasers RC’s Samuel Banner completed the top three in 17:36, while Abigail Jones was the second woman in a PB of 20:45.
Things were slightly more clearcut in the Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun, which produced 262 finishers.
Peter Newman recorded his 14th victory in 38 Lakeside outings with a time of 18:25, finishing 34 seconds clear of runner-up Luke Brocks (Haslemere Border AC).
Nicola Thomas, of Denmead Striders, led the women home in a PB of 21:09. Sue Sleath (Romsey Road Runners) was second in 21:58.