Dennis flies high in Aero road race (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Dennis flies high in Aero road race

IT'S BEEN a busy time for some members of Bourton Roadrunners who raced in two races in three days.

The first was the Aerospace 5-Mile at Cheltenham - an event that was part of the club's Six from Ten Road Race Series and the Gloucestershire Road Race Series, hence the good turnout of 26 Bourton runners out of the 131 on the start line.

Dennis Walmsley, who has been struggling with his form, was the first man home for the club in fourth place and 26.57.

He was locked in a battle with the in-form Alastair Lockey for a while but Walmsley managed to open up a gap and leave his clubmate in a well deserved sixth place in a time of 27.17.

Walmsley's effort was made even better with victory over teammate Mike Smith for the first time

The latter failed to get into his stride and, after the first mile, was behind his colleagues and endured a miserable run to finish 11th.

Lucy Townsend was the first lady in for the club and second to finish but some way behind the winner in 31.29 and 39th overall.

Inaugural

Bourton's second lady was 14-year-old Stephanie Lane who was running her inaugural five-mile road race and finished in 67th place in a time of 34.56. She was second junior lady.

Kate Hall had a double celebration on her birthday as she won the V35 category in 36.01 when coming in 77th.

Other results: 27 Rob Edwards 29.59; 36 Tony Goodwill 31.04; 45 Ben Coles 32.09; 46 Martin Jewell 32.22; 58 Richard Bufton 33.34; 64 Norm Lane 34.40; 66 Robert Humphries 34.42; 81 Brian Hulcup 36.43; 82 Brioney Lloyd 36.49; 84 Bert Jess 37.18; 89 Lyn Spedding 37.33; 92 Ed Rozier 37.55; 103 Johnathon Wilson 38.58; 114 Dennis Abbotts 40.59; 118 Julia Rutherford 41.24; 119 Liz Hulcup 41.32; 122 Derek Wise 41.58; 125 Gill Carrick 42.22; 127 Bonnie Johnson 42.32; 129 Gill Wilkie 45.12.

The Pilot Inn ten-mile road race at Hardwicke saw Smith in determined mood to set the record straight and collect valuable points in his quest for the Gloucester County Road Race Series title.

The hot conditions and longer race suited the Bourton man who, just 200 yards from the start, had a clear lead that he managed to extend and hold, and to win the race for the second successive year in a time of 57 minutes and 15 seconds.

Lockey suffered in the heat but, with confidence brimming over at the moment, he was the second man to finish in 58.36.

Rob Edwards didn't get on with the heat but was pleased to finish in 12th place and claim the V40 prize in 1.07.48. He just managed to hold off a fast closing Tony Spedding who finished next down the order in 1.07.55 to take the V45 prize.

Not to be outdone, wife Lyn was the second lady to finish in 29th place and 1.14.56 to get among the prizes.

Norm Lane was 27th in 1.14.56 to just miss out on the prizes, but his invaluable advice and encouragement helped his club colleagues to glory.