BANBU RY FIVE
For results see EMGP
For photographs of the banbury 5 runners go to this link Barry Cornelius
The excellent close finishes in both man’s and woman’s results in Tuesday EMGP Banbury Five would have certainly excited recently deceased and former race director Geoff Smith.
The woman’s race produced the closest finish in the history of the race with only one stride between the first two at the line Imogen Norton of Wootton Road Runners and Kelly Barnett of Wellingborough & District AC.
The race attracted a field of almost four hundred for the 5th race in the series of eight in East Midland Grand Prix. The chill wind restricted the chance of any race records but the close races certainly compensated that.
From the start as the field accelerated down the Queensway a group of eight eased away from the field these included a trio from the Warwickshire recently formed club McCarkiss Elite Project, Andrew Siggers of Kenilworth Runners, Andrew Blakunovs of SphinxAC. Mark Woodus of Brackley& District RC and Daniel Peabody Cherwell Runners of the local clubs just sat off the pace.
The leaders turned uphill up-hill heading towards Broughton with McCarkiss trio of Richard Simkiss, Chris Jordon and Chris McCarthy plus Siggers pulling away from the rest. Both Simkiss and McCarthy had having finished in the first three last year looking for another similar placing.
The pace increased as they approached the village and headed up Wykham Lane and back into the country. At this point Jordon and Simkiss eased away from the other two the twists and varying gradients taking effect.
The pair swopped places on this section heading towards the Bloxham Road. They hit the turn and made for home with Jordon increasing the pace and his club mate trying hard to keep with him.
Jordon making his debut in The Five and also the newest member of McCarkiss was determined to make his mark. They two headed into the final 600yards with Jordon upping the tempo more he crossed the line to win in 26minutes 35seconds only 20yards clear of Simkiss who had to settle for second place two years running. McCarthy finished in third showing the talent of McCarkiss, fourth place was Siggers reward for staying with the pace. Woodus finished in 17th place, Peabody in 32nd place and also from Cherwell an excellent run from vet 50 Ian Thomas in 43rd place.
The woman’s race as earlier stated was even more closer for a greater part four were in contention the two mentioned plus previous winner Sue Harrison of Leamington AC and former Banbury Harrier Julie Dixon. These four were locked together right up to the last mile approaching Waller Road junction Norton and Barnett eased slightly ahead and this continued to the line over the final stretch the pair swopped places a number of occasions. On the line Norton took the honours by one second. Harrison took third edging out Dixon by a similar margin.
Locally the best place went to Donna Allen of Hook Norton Harriers in overall 125th and 15th woman.
Thanks to Mike for this report.
