Terrific Taylor steers Nene Valley to Cambs League title

Athletics - Ramsey Abbey 10k

Nene Valley Harriers and Peterborough Athletic Club both enjoyed success at the Ramsey Abbey 10k on Sunday. Philippa Taylor was the first lady home, leading Nene Valley ladies’ charge towards the Cambridgeshire RoadLeague title, while the men of Peterborough AC continued their dominance in the men’s team standings.

The race was won convincingly by Cambridge ace Jonathan Escalante-Philipps in a time of 32:35.

The local contingent were led home by Peterborough AC’s Steve Robinson, who finished second, nearly 30 seconds behind the race winner.

Ben Heron of Eye Cimmunity Runners was a minute further back, just pipping Newham and Essex Beagle John Pike for third place.

Peterborough AC grouped well with James Whitehead, Danny Snipe, Shaun Walton, Steve Hall and James Sadlier finishing fifth, seventh, 12th, 14th and 16th respectively.

Nene Valley Harrier Adam Birch was ninth, while the Bushfield Joggers trio of Brian Corley, Phil Martin and James Fisher all made it into the top 16.

NeneValley’s Philippa Taylorenjoyedherfourth10krace win of the year.

The 49 year-old was untroubledthroughout, crossing the line in 38:26, a full minute clear of runner-upLisaMarriottfromthehostclubRamsey Road Runners.

Laura Grimer, Sophie Wilkinson-Hargate and Louise Blake finished sixth, seventh and eighth on what was an excellent day for the Nene Valley ladies.

Louise Blake came home eight seconds ahead of her father Ray Dowland, who clocked 45:22 and picked up the men’s over 65 prize. Yvonne Scarrott shared the podium with an Olympian when finishing as runner-up in Sunday’s Donnington 10.

The race, which was held on the motor-racing circuit, was won by Sonia Samuels, the Rio-boundmarathonrunner.

Samuels was in a class of herown, but 49year-old Nene Valley Harrier Scarrott kept the rest of the field at bay, to take a well deserved second place.

Philippa Taylor picked up her fourth 10k race win of the year.