Another hot, humid evening running with the sun in our eyes for this the last of the Hereford Couriers 5k. I prefer the rain, the mud, some hills, some views but knew what I was letting myself in for – I blame Alec, I only entered because I would be going to Hereford for him anyway and participating was more fun than watching.
We were down to six Crofties for this final race – Matt Moffatt opting to not run a hard fast race as part of tapering down for Man v Horse only a few days later. It was a top class field with some really fast athletes travelling from quite a way to compete. The race winner, and series Champion was Stuart Hawkes of Tipton Harriers in 15.25 and first lady – and again series Champion, Alice Taylor of Cheltenham Harriers in 18.01.
All of Scott Jones’ hard work and training paid off and he was the first Croft home in 16th overall and first JMU15, taking home the series prize in 17.14 (1 minute 5 seconds faster than the previous race!). Fabulous result Scott.
Mark T was 20th in 17.31, taking the MV40 prize for the series.
Alec – fueled by chocolate from a school trip to Cadbury World earlier in the day was very pleased with 19.46, 49th overall, 1st JMU17 for both the race and the series.
Kelly continues on top form, looks to me to be improving all the time, in every race she does, to finish 5th lady in 20.31, which meant she took home the third place prize for the series.
Ashley Robinson is another who just seems to keep improving. He was first MV65 home in 23.18 taking home the series MV65 prize.
All those trophies to all those fantastic Croft Runners! A proud moment to be wearing sky blue.
I did let the winning streak of Crofties down, being the only one there not to get a trophy. But I was pleased to finish the series. It seems to me that a short race should be easy but this race is definitely not. I found every race a hard slog and suffered after the first one with a bad cough and after the last with a tender left achilles tendon (slowing my by over a minute from the one before to finish in 25.05 22nd female). The middle one was good though and I will try to remember that as I am sure I will be back again next year, making the same decision to run rather than watch.
