Darts: Darts^ women four-midable
HATTON Darts enjoyed great success in the National Forest Race at Rosliston, with their women taking the first four places and the men finishing second to a strong Tamworth team.
Darts were well represented, with 18 runners taking part in the first fixture in the Burton and District Summer Series.
Conditions were perfect for running, with sunny weather and a cooling breeze greeting the athletes as they took on a mainly dry, six-mile multi-terrain course.
Leading the Darts women out was new signing Claire Matchette, who produced an impressive display of front running to claim victory in 38mins 12secs.
Next in was Jane Godfrey, who put in an eye-catching performance to take second place in 41:50.
Wendy Freeman produced a usual determined run to take third place in 42:55 and was followed by the ever-improving Alison Collins, who scampered over the line in fourth place in 43:39 as the final team counter.
On her race debut, Harriet Walsh put in a promising performance as she finished in 1:06:17.
Duncan Stewart and Gordy Smith led the Darts men out, both running strongly as they benefited from intense marathon training.
It was Stewart who had the edge as he put in a late surge to take fifth place in 34:24 — just 15 seconds ahead of the in-form Smith in eighth.
There was a welcome return to the race circuit for veteran athlete Paul Stewart, who put in a solid run for a top-10 place in 35:18.
Nigel Elson gave his all to take 13th in a time of 36:07 and was quickly followed by the ever-dependable Jim Londesborough in 15th (36:20).
The final counter for the men was Danny Wilson, who put in a fast finish to claim 25th place in 37:47.
There was the usual back-up support from Chris Fletcher (30th), Ian Jackson (35th), Andrew Grigg (40th), Tony Press (42nd), Jonathan Greggson (48th), Andy Gadsby (59th) and Colin Scattergood (63rd).
NIALL Temple continued his impressive form when becoming the first finisher for South Derbyshire Road Runners at Rosliston.
Temple took advantage of the absence of a number of his rivals to record a very impressive 18th place finish in a time of 37:02.
Age group rival Gavin Horton, after leading Temple in the early stages of the race, had to settle for a creditable 22nd position and a time of 37:21.
Making his first racing appearance for the club, the long-striding David Owen ran well to be their next finisher in 24th place and a time of 37:51.
It was equally close to be the next club finisher, with Steve Leafe continuing his good recent form to edge out Chris Gunstone and Jon Mayman in times of 39:52, 39:56 and 40:25 respectively.
Again, in this ‘race within a race’, Leafe had to make up an early deficit to win this particular duel.
The evergreen Eddie Walker, making a welcome appearance in the club’s own race, completed the Road Runners finishers in 107th place and a time of 1:18:14.
WASHLANDS Women Runners were out in force at Rosliston Forestry Centre.
A change in route and the drier conditions were much appreciated by the Washlands runners, who are normally used to road running.
Mandy Rogers was first home for the club in a time of 45:30 — a great preparation for her London Marathon attempt.
Rogers, Sylvia Franklin, Mandy Scott and Chantelle Spedding were the first four home for the team.
Cynthia Carter crossed the line in a great time of 57:55 in what was her final race in Burton before she moves north.
Carter has been a regular on the Burton race circuit for many years and will be sorely missed by both Washlands Women and other local runners.
The club was well represented in the race, with 17 members helping to establish a good position in the Summer Series.
The next race is the Uttoxeter Half-Marathon.
Two Washlands members went international at the weekend as they tried an alternative to the London Marathon.
Tina Grist and Pam Smith took part in the Paris Marathon and finished in 4hrs 24mins and 4:30 respectively.
Story By: Burton Mail
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail-sport/displayarticle.asp?id=406440