The first club championship of the 2010 road running season took place this weekend over the picturesque (mostly) course from Sandy Upper School. The event also included the county championships and saw eight LBAC athletes taking part in very pleasantly warm conditions.

Firstly, there were three ladies who ventured out over the 10 mile distance with Louise Flack running a superb race to complete the course in 1:16:49 (which must have been a PB!). In her first race with the club Ann Hirst followed Louise home in a time of 1:27:34 which was an excellent debut performance. Jane Sauer, on her way back from injury completed the team in 1:32:24.

On the men's front there were five eventual participants. First home, in 14^th place, out of over 500 runners was Nick Clay in 61:36 which shows what good form he's coming into over the slightly longer distances. A minute behind, but with no-one seperating them, Pete Mackrell completed the course in 62:28, which was a great run after a long lay-off with a stress fracture. Chris Norman was the third man back for LBAC in his first 10 mile race, and finished strongly in 64:30 for a very commendable time. The final two male finishers for the club are both training for the Virgin London Marathon at the end of the month. Gary Stratford and Fred Watt came home in 67:21 and 72:17 respectively.

 So, well done to all finishers and particularly to Louise and Nick, who are already setting the pace for the club woman and man of the year. The next event is the Flitwick 10K this weekend!