Striders team shines at the Bosworth Half
DESFORD Striders Running Club celebrated the 20th running of the famous Bosworth Half Marathon after a frustrating four-year hiatus on Sunday by claiming a pair of terrific runners-up places.
A combination of the coronavirus pandemic and development work meant that runners had not been able to tackle the challenging 13.1 mile course around the beautiful countryside surrounding Market Bosworth since 2019.
But some stunning performances from county athletes competing in the fourth race of the 2023 Leicestershire Road Running League were capped for Striders by well-earned second places in both the men’s and women’s elite races.
Sunshine and higher than forecast temperatures the day after King Charles III’s Coronation presented the field of more than 700 runners with some unexpectedly challenging conditions.
With a winding and hilly circuitous course taking in Far Coton, Shenton, Upton and Sutton Cheney, not to mention a punishing climb up the gated road into Market Bosworth itself, the warm weather added a new dimension to the Bosworth Half.
Those challenges were met head-on by the men’s overall winner Matt Scarsbrook, of Badgers RC, whose time of 1:10:17 was a clear five minutes ahead of the field and won him a well-deserved winner’s purse of £100.
For Desford Striders, Alex Adie, in only his second season of competitive running for the club, claimed a stunning second place, coming home in 1:15:32, and seeing off the challenge of another Badgers athlete, David Hill, by 16 seconds.
Other notable performances for Striders among the men came from another new kid on the block Jack Robertshaw, his time of 1:21:45 claiming him 19th place overall, with Phil Roberts third home in 56th place in 1:29:22.
Meanwhile in the ladies’ race, Striders’ Catherine Hutton produced another fabulous run to come home second overall in a time of 1:27:55, just two minutes behind Rebecca Randell, of Shepshed RC (1:25:55), who took the £100 winner’s prize.
Among the Striders ladies, second place went to Helen Tunnicliffe in 1:45:51, with the consistent Emily Newton third in 1:50:53.
Striders Chairman Andy Ball said: “This year’s Bosworth Half was a special date in the calendar for us with its return after four long years and it’s been made extra-special by the fantastic performances of two of our runners.
“Alex burst on the scene with Striders in his first race at Stilton last year, coming home fourth, but has had an ongoing battle with injury ever since. He’s worked incredibly hard to get back to full fitness and this runners-up spot is a fine reward.
“Catherine, meanwhile, just gets better and better and everything came together for her, flying home in a super second place.
“Once again we had a strong contingent of 39 Striders out on the course and, as well as feeling enormous pride at the performances of our elite runners, I am also humbled by the camaraderie and team spirit of those further down the field, many of whom ran together and helped each other to the finish.
“One particular man I have to mention is Dave Norman, who took part on Sunday just three weeks after completing the biggest challenge of his life in running the London Marathon. That itself was the completion of a staggering transformation from weighing over 24 stone just two years ago, since when he’s shed nine stone.”
Andy added: “It’s those kind of stories that inspire us as individuals and as a club and make me so proud and emotional. It’s sums up exactly what our late
President Steve Morris, who sadly passed away in January, set up Desford Striders for.”
Race director and organiser Linda Whitelegg added: “It was fantastic to finally see a field of runners set off on Sunday for the 20th Bosworth Half after four years of frustration.
“Whilst we were delighted that the sun shone for us on the day, the unexpected heat caused some problems for the runners and the emphasis for many was on staying well hydrated and being sensible in challenging conditions.
“The winners, those claiming the podium finishes and the runners will take the headlines but it wouldn’t be possible to stage the race without the support of our volunteer marshals from the Hinckley Air Cadets, Bosworth Scouts, Desford Flyers and Striders and Badgers, as well as family and friends. Huge thanks go to them all for a job superbly done!
“We are also indebted to Bosworth Lakeside Lodges, formerly the Bosworth Water Park, for allowing us to use the traditional start and finish to the half marathon, a setting we have all come to know and love over the years, and to our sponsors Paynes of Hinckley for the course car, Hive Hair for prize money, Derby Runner, High 5, Swithland Water and Fyffes Bananas.”