Whitehead a whisker away from winning

Athletics - A comprehensive round-up of the weekend action for local runners

Peterborough & Nene Valley AC’s James Whitehead placed second in Sunday’s Oundle 10k, missing out on a win by just three seconds as he crossed the finish line in 34:16.

It was a good day for Bushfield Joggers with Jake Norman fourth in 34:56 and Brian Corleys fifth with 35:34. Becky Witton clocked 46:07 to finish second over 45 lady.

Helpston’s Jim Morris finished eighth in 37:52 while Bushfield’s Paul Baxter clocked 42:27 to come home as fourth over 55.

Eric Winstone ran the second quickest over 70s 10k seen in Britain this year, yet failed to claim his age group prize as he was unfortunate enough to come up against one of the few athletes in his age group who’s quicker than him!

The Bushfield Jogger clocked 44:45, his quickest time for two years, but was soundly beated by Corby AC’s Alan Hawkes who went round in 43:54.

In addition to Whitehead, several Peterborough and Nene Valley AC athletes ran well.

Dave Newton was 11th in 38:07 with George Vessey 22nd in 40:29. Joe Horne finished three places further back in 41:01.

There was PANVAC success in the Oundle 5k with Barry Warne finishing 16th and first over 60 in 21:23, while Werrington’s Jim Fell clocked 26:14 to finish as first over 75.

ALTITUDE TRAINING IN ARIZONA Helpston’s Josh Lunn has spent the last few weeks training at altitude in Flagstaff, Arizona with a professional squad of athletes from the Portland, Oregon based Bowerman Track Club.

Lunn’s trip to the USA culminated in a 64.54 clocking as he finished 30th in an incredibly strong Houston Half Marathon field on Sunday.

It was the 29 year old’s quickest half marathon since he ran 64:25 for 15th place at the 2019 Great North Run.

Danny Snipe of Yaxley Runners

James Whitehead