Success in Sunny Spain

Viva España! It was off to sunny Los Alcázares in the region of Murcia where soon-to-be first-time father and roving reporter Sam Fairhurst strode out in club colours. The 5k race is a standout feature for the region’s athletics and boasts the title for the fastest time over the distance, with this year’s winner setting a new benchmark of 14:22. Against this incredibly strong field, Fairhurst secured an outstanding 7th place with a PB time of 16:39. Colin Gregory also showed great form, timing in at 19:49 for 4th in his age group.

And now for something completely different. Jack of all runs and master of them all, Marcus Taylor, showcased his versatility at the Coniston 14. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Lake District, this is not a fell race but a classic hilly road race. While many of the thousand-plus runners may have been too busy enduring the 13.875 miles and 900 feet of ascent to admire the view, Taylor stayed focused to finish 56th overall and 5th in his age group with a time of 1:33:35.

Veteran runner Richard O’Reilly travelled to the capital for his debut in the mixed doubles at London Hyrox. Sporting uncharacteristically long shorts and the almost compulsory bare-chest look, O’Reilly and his partner had a solid race, crossing the line in exactly 73:00. At the time of writing, they sit 2nd in their age group.

In the weekly parkrun roundup, Richard O’Reilly took 1st in his age group at Bolton (10th overall) in 21:41, where he was joined by Tony Hesketh (30:10). At Witton Park, Chris Charnley finished 10th (23:05) and Paul Murray clocked 48:04. Over at Peel, a recovering Robert Jackson showed he is getting back toward his best, placing 21st (19:05) in a massive field of 693 runners, while Steve Jackson finished in 29:37.

Further afield, Simon Bruton took 2nd at Rothay (20:11), while international representation continued in Edinburgh with Michael Salmon and Linda Webb both crossing the line in 25:07. In Derry, Jodie Adamson was the 1st lady finisher (21:59). Other results included Adele Lever at Preston (32:48), Andrew Crickmore at Clitheroe Castle (28:43), Janet Middleton at Alexandra Park (29:47), and Jamie Rockcliffe at Worsley Woods (28:52). Finally, a veritable army of red vests invaded Haigh Hall, led by Leo Orrell (24:10), followed by Andrew Storey (27:24), Sophie Orrell (27:36), Jeanette Lewis (27:57), Lawrence Pinnell (29:03), and Gillian Smith (37:33).