Woods adds 10k title for second British gold
Any doubt that Guy Woods is enjoying his best ever season as a veteran runner were emphatically dispelled when he claimed his second British title at the weekend, writes Kevin Fahey. Barely two months after winning the over-55s age category 5k road title at the British Masters Championships in Horwich Woods, he added the 10k title in Stoke on Sunday. Add on a team gold for Great Britain at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Slovenia in June and it is little wonder Woods is believing 2018 is the golden year of his long career in the sport. “It is definitely my best ever year as a veteran runner,” said the 56-yearold. “I had a few silvers and stuff in the over-50s age group but unfortunately was never quite quick enough to win, but at the moment I seem to have hit a purple patch. “I must be getting wiser and better at training as I get older and I have also lasted the course.” Both important factors for success in the booming masters section of the sport and Woods conceded that careful management of his running training allied with cross-training has kept him in top shape, when others have fallen by the wayside. “And I still love it!” added Woods. Certainly the course at Trentham on Sunday played into his hands with a stiff uphill finish. “I had a twinge in my hamstring with 2k remaining so I could not stride out like I wanted on the downhill sections,” explained Woods. “But I knew there was an uphill finish and that’s where I caught the over55 guy who was in front of me at that point.” Woods crossed the line in 15th overall in a time of 37mins 57secs while just ahead of him in 14th (37:39) was brother Alec, who finished runner-up in the over-50 age group. “The times were slow but it was a tough course on a red-hot day and it also proved to be long as well,” added Woods. “Still, times didn’t matter on the day and it was all about winning the title, and I am absolutely delighted to add the 10k success to my 5k one.” Next up for Woods will be the World Masters Championships in Malaga, Spain, early next month when he and Alec will contest the 8k cross country race and the 10k road event. Elsewhere in Trentham, former Bath & Percy international runner Nigel Gates won the over-60s age group category. Representing Wiltshire, Team Bath athlete Jenna Blundell clocked a lifetime best of 14.13secs in the heats of the senior women’s 100m hurdles at the Inter-counties Championships in Manchester. The event also incorporated the England Senior Championships, so was the biggest event Blundell, enjoying a fine comeback season after injury wrecked 2017, has taken part. “It was really good fun and a great experience,” said the 17-year-old. “Also when doing the warm-up I could see for myself that actually what I do as a junior is very similar to the senior athletes, so that was a real eyeopener. “It made me realise that actually we are not so different and I learned a lot from competing in the event.” Sadly, for Blundell, pictured right, her time was aided by a blustery following wind of 3.3mps which is over the legal limit. “Despite the wind it is good progression and I definitely feel I am moving in the right direction,” she added. “I would love to beat 14 seconds by the end of the season but we’ll see. Whatever happens it has been a good season for me.” Former Team Bath thrower Sam Boulton has helped Bristol & West AC clinch the British Athletics Men’s League Division Three title. Ever-present throughout the fourmatch campaign, the ex-bath College student finished third in the discus (36.52m), fifth in the shot (10.95m) and sixth in the hammer B event (20.46m). Entries are still being taken for the inaugural Hullavington 10k on Sunday, August 19, which incorporates the Wiltshire Championships this year. For entry details see the website at www.stampedesports.co.uk. Another event to look at is the Warminster Carnival 10k multi-terrain race on Sunday, September 2. For more visit www.entrycental.com. The Chronicle’s athletics coverage is sponsored by Running Bath, Bath’s specialist running shop. Find running Bath at 18 High Street, call 01225 462555 or visit runningbath.co.uk.