Harborough 5 Mile - Tue 15th June
R&N secure series victory with one race remaining
The Rugby & Northampton Senior Men claimed the overall series victory in this years East Midlands Grand Prix with one race still remaining when they took part in the Harborough 5 miles.
Matt Howes was the top man for the club when he finished in 8th place with a time of 27 mins 14 secs. He led home the Mens team for the third time in the series and helped them into 2nd place on the night, but after finishing in the top 3 on five occasions, with two victories, it was enough to seal the overall team title for the first time since 2006.
Ben Malia and Greg Spellman battled it out for the fifth race in a row with Malia producing a fast finish to go past his clubmate and record 28.30 in 15th position. Spellman was six seconds behind in 19th spot, but had the consolation of leading home the R&N veterans for the fifth time. Neil Willsher completed the Mens team in 30.53 for 57th place.
Although the Veteran men failed to retain there overall series title they are still looking good for a top three finish. Aaron Lincoln was the second M40 athlete over the line for the club with a time of 31.33 for 71st position and chasing him all the way to the finish was Adrian White just one place behind on 31.44. Pete Thomas closed off the Veteran squad in 86th on 32.32, which placed the team 3rd on the night.
For the second race in a row Rachel Shaw led home the R&N Ladies, but this time only by 10 secs when she was timed at 34 mins 44 secs for 16th place. Veteran Kate Williams didn’t quite have the finish in her legs to pull back the advantage on the grassy finishing area and crossed the line in 20th spot. Over 35 veteran Jo Love also made the Senior team in 37.50 to claim 33rd and she now lies in second place in her age category for the series. The ladies finished in 6th place. The Veteran women were 7th on the night, but like the Seniors, they are lying in second place overall.
Barbara Parkinson became the overall Champion in the over 60 category when she took her fourth victory in 40.55 to complete the Veteran team. Jayne Partridge must await the outcome of the final race at Milton Keynes to see if she can hold onto second place in the F55 section. She finished third at Harborough in 41.59.
R&N MEN POSITIONS
8 Matt Howes 27.14, 15 Ben Malia 28.30, 19 Greg Spellman 28.36, (M40 5th) 57 Neil Willsher 30.53, 71 Aaron Lincoln 31.33 (M40 20th), 72 Adrian White 31.44 (M45 7th), 79 Steve Dixon 32.12, 86 Pete Thomas 32.32 (M45 11th), 182 Neil Martin 37.13 (M50 17th), 221 Mick McNulty 39.06 (M55 6th), 238 Joe Horsley 39.52 (M55 7th), 321 Jon Wright 49.59 (M50 34th)
LADIES POSITIONS
16 Rachel Shaw 34.44, 20 Kate Williams 34.54 (F50 5th), 33 Jo Love 37.50 (F35 6th), 52 Barbara Parkinson 40.55 (F60 1st), 62 Jayne Partridge 41.59 (F55 3rd), 64 Nicola Durose 42.19 (F35 10th), 72 Lisa Johnson 43.39 (F40 13th), 93 Valerie Cross 49.39 (F60 7th)
