Kenilworth race to county bronze

On a course comprising four laps of a fast but hilly course, Simkiss was the club’s first finisher in an excellent 11th position, closely followed by Hopkins in 14th.

Phil Gould (27th) and Graham Birch (32nd) completed the scoring men.

Sally Hicks was the leading Kenilworth Runner in the women’s race, finishing 51st over the hilly 6k course.

Tina Butler and Mandy Crust completed the scoring for the women, who finished eighth overall.

Results: Men’s senior race: 11, Richard Simkiss (33.50); 14, Stuart Hopkins (34.15); 27, Phil Gould (35.29); 44, Graham Birch (37.22); 48, Pete Bryan (37.52); 76, Roger Homes (40.04); 82, Pete Matthews (40.18); 136, Mark Hall (47.04); 153, Tom Dable (49.36); 163, Glyn Clarke (53.11); 166, Stef Shillington (54.25); 169, Colin Bricher (56.33). Ladies’ senior race: 51, Sally Hicks (32.07); 56, Tina Butler (32.45); 66, Mandy Crust (36.07); 69, Pauline Dable (37.14); 78, Joan Mason (41.33).

Four members of Kenilworth Runners headed to the War Memorial Park in Coventry to take part in Parkrun - the weekly, free to enter, 5k run.

Clive Pearce was the club’s fastest finisher, coming home 17th in 20.37. He was followed by Barry Elkington (21.52) in 26th.

Rod Goodwin knocked 1min 39sec off his previous best to clock 21.58 and take 28th position.

Lucy Beaumont finished her first Parkrun in a respectable 25.04 to take 54th position, and was followed by fellow debutant Sarah O’Toole. who finished in a time of 29.34. Sharon Litterick rounded off the Kenilworth entry, completing the course in 36.24 There were 160 finishers.

Tom and Pauline Dable recovered sufficiently from their cross-country exploits the previous day to take part in the second race of the Centurion Grand Prix Series.

In icy conditions, Tom finished the five-mile race in 39.58, while Pauline was the first female V60 runner in 45.59.

Spa Striders made their mark in the Godiva New Year 5 at Warwick University. The bracing cold and flat course was clearly conducive to speed with five Striders setting personal bests, most notably Melissa Venables and Bethan Gwynn, who knocked more than two minutes off their previous marks.

Trevor Wilkinson led the ten-strong group home in 29.01 (PB and 1st M40), with Rich Shephard (29.12, PB) following closely behind.

John McNally (29.21), Carolyn Wilkinson (32.01, 1st F40), Melissa Venables (32.23, 5th senior lady), Dawn Clark (33.02, PB), Bethan Gwynn (34.59), Rich Sykes (36.25), Darren Gillman (38.22) and Catherine Shephard (45.42) completed the Spa contingent, with the ladies’ earning second in the team competition behind hosts Coventry Godiva.

In festive mood, Kate Evans took in the Staffordshire Moorlands Christmas Cracker where her Wonder Woman attire helped propel her around the 4½-mile multi-terrain course in 40.32.

n Kenilworth Runners are holding a workshop geared towards first-time and novice marathon runners.

The free event will be held on Thursday at Kenilworth Wardens on Glasshouse Lane (8.30pm).

With advice on key elements of marathon running including training, kit, nutrition and how to hopefully avoid hitting the dreaded wall, this workshop will be packed with tips and strategies on keeping your preparations on track and ensure you perform well on race day.

As well as being open to all club members, non-members are very welcome to attend.

To reserve a place for this event, email [email protected]