Red Kites Soar Whilst Runners Seek Shade

First up, a confession (although in reality we suspect at least 95% of people who read these know this already), the writer of these blog posts is deeply involved within West End Runners and is therefore always going to be defensive, and biased, toward their own club's event. All our races in the League face challenges in being able to go ahead, and especially in this year which has thrown up more issues than most, but its fair to say the West End 8 probably has more than most. From requiring extra stringent road closures compared to other races (the race would now be unlikely to get permission to go ahead if the 60mph stretch from South Croxton to Queniborough was not shut in full) which leads to some eye-watering TTRO costs which unfortunately have to be incorporated into the race entry fee, to a seemingly never ending number of new housing estates popping up on the route every time someone visits Syston Rugby Club for a race update as Westminster races to reach its housing targets and make the housing crisis somebody else's problem, West End do have a list of challenges longer than it feels South Croxton hill takes to run up just to get runners stood on a start line. To add to all of this, marshals this morning were also being informed by a patrolling car that an ex-Royal was visiting the area and would quite like to get their extremely expensive horse through the road closures, before being disappointed by our TTRO officials that Royal status made no difference in ability to drive on a closed stretch of road. However, stand on a start line we did, with 631 of the 765 sign-ups (for some reason year after year the drop out rate for this event is stubbornly high compared to other League races, particularly as one of the few League events who allow on the day transfers) and we eventually saw 626 finishers making up the draft results, with 384 male finishers compared to 242 female. Congratulations to the West End Runners race team and all of the volunteers who ultimately saw a successful event. We have heard one runner was unfortunately taken to hospital today and they have all of our best wishes for a swift recovery. A hot sticky day on a course with little shade, we saw the beautiful red kites soaring and circling over the exit of South Croxton on Three Turns Lane (beautifully named as it contains...three turns...) ready to swoop down and scoop any flailing runners into the sky to turn into baby red kite food, or at least that was what we feared as we scampered underneath them and took the welcome downhill three miles back to Queniborough. With the entrance list, it should be little surprise that victory was once again taken by Matt Scarsbrook, running out of superlatives to describe his dominant performances as the standout runner in the League, and the Badgers man took victory in a gun time of 42:38. The ladies race victory was taken by Claire Frankland of the host club West End Runners. Not content with being one of the race organisers and taking a tour of the course first thing in the morning to ensure it was clear of any hazards, Claire demolished her competition finishing in 47:13, a time good enough to finish 14th outright. The male podium today was finished off with Michael Cheverton taking another second place for Barrow Runners in 44:38, with Ben Darlow from the host club taking third in 44:52. Ysabel Drewett from OWLS took second place in the female race in 50:40, finishing just ten seconds ahead of third placed Amy Pizzorno from Birstall who finished in 50:50. The full draft race results can be seen here. Any queries should be emailed to us at lrrlresults@gmail.com as always, preferably as soon as possible and will be finalised along with updated league tables by Friday 5 June in time for the Swithland 6 when we reach the halfway stage of the season. Any requests from this date for amendments will not be accepted. Have a great week, and we'll see you all again in a week's time. Thank you to Gemma Steel who was the photographer of the picture we've used for the header. Top 10 Men:-

1. Matt Scarsbrook (Badgers) - 42:38

2. Michael Cheverton (Barrow Runners) - 44;38

3. Ben Darlow (West End Runners) - 44:52

4. George Seymour (Wreake Runners) - 45:32

5. Sam Martin (Poplar RC) - 45:35

6. Philip Cannon (Poplar RC) - 45:37

7. Simon Allen (OWLS) - 45:39

8. Tom Hansen (Stilton Striders) - 46:08

9. Neil James (OWLS) - 46:12

10. Andrew Meston (Hinckley RC) - 46:14

Top 10 Females

1. Claire Frankland (West End Runners) - 47:13

2. Ysabel Drewett (OWLS) - 50:40

3. Amy Pizzorno (Birstall RC) - 50:50

4. Rachel Haddon (Hinckley RC) - 51:36

5. Charlie Nurse (West End Runners) - 52:58

6. Grainne Whelehan (Wreake Runners) - 53:24

7. Kirsty Hillier (Barrow Runners) - 53:45

8. Amelia Cook (Beaumont RC) - 53:57

9. Misha Pankhania (West End Runners) - 54:35

10. Lizzie Borrajo (Wreake Runners) - 55:25