Bullock leads with PB
STEVE Bullock led the way for the South Derbyshire Road Runners in the Uttoxeter Half Marathon.
The event is recognised as one of the toughest road races in the region but that did not deter 22 club runners from taking part in the latest leg of the 2022 Burton and District Summer Road Racing League.
Bullock, last year’s winner of the club’s most improved runner award, showed he has no intention of resting on his laurels as he was first back for the club in a superb distance personal best of 1.23.07 for 12th overall.
Danial Bower also continued his fine early season form for 14th in 1.24.01.
Steve Green took advantage of the aerobic fitness he has gained in training for the recent Brighton Marathon with a chip time of 1.29.15, while John Morgan and Mark Harriott recorded 1.29.07 and 1.30.47 respectively.
Matt Clemson, Chris Hanman and Michael Walters all ran well with good times of 1.31.23, 1.33.24 and 1.35.22, while David Green, someone who has tackled ultra-distance recently, crossed in 1.35.27.
Andy Orme, after a difficult start, came home strongly in a respectable time of 1.38.40 before Katie Dennis, showing no ill-effects from the recent Manchester Marathon, led the club’s women home in an excellent 1.39.40 and a well-deserved second place in her age category.
Steve Leafe was also second in his age category in 1.39.55 before a slight gap to Ross Ballinger, who managed 1.50.46.
A large club contingent also took part in the Wymeswold Waddle 5 in Leicestershire.
Leading the group home was the strong running Rom Chambard in a superb 31.21, with the resurgent Colin Mee rolling back the years to record a chip time of 34.49.
There was then a small gap to a group comprising Lisa Wright, Paul Glover, Mark Nugent, Emily Atkins and Tracey Glover, who finished within 30 seconds of each other in chip times of 37.26, 37.31, 37.43, 37.49 and 37.54 respectively.
For Paul and Tracey Glover, it was an opportunity to get the previous weekend’s Stratford Marathon out of their legs.
Ian Archer and Andy Meadows finished closely in 38.06 and 38.25, with Becky Moult also putting in a robust performance to record 39.39.
Kev Clarke, who recently received the Conkers Parkrun Community Award, showed there is still energy in his legs in stopping the clock in 40.05.
Emma Sharp, who will race in this year’s London Marathon, made a solid start to her preparations for the big day in the capital with 44.38.
Linda Dakin was not far behind in 45.24.