Seymour & Frankland Take Opening Honours

After some late drama regarding the hosting venue, thanks to the incredible stoicism and work of Desford Striders we were able to still kick off our 2026 season today at the adjusted Desford 5. It was a fierce battle at the front of the mens race as various athletes battled it out at the front at various points, but victory for our season opener was taken by George Seymour of Wreake Runners, winning his first ever Leicestershire Road Running League race in a time of 26:36. He saw off a challenge from Alexander Adie of host club Desford Striders who took the second place nineteen seconds back in 26:55. Joe Matthews, also from our host club, took third place and first U23 place in 27:06. Claire Frankland took a dominant win in the womens race, mixing it up at the front with the men finishing in 28:15, and tenth position outright. Just under three minutes behind in 31:05 was Anna Munday from Barrow Runners, with Ysabel Drewett for OWLS finishing third in 31:38. Jake Blythe of Barrow Runners was second over the line in the junior mens race behind Joe Matthews in 30:07, with Benjamin Higginbottom of OWLS taking third in 30:51. Amelia Cook of Beaumont RC took the junior female race win in 32:59, and she was followed in by Stephanie Botterill of our host club Desford Striders in 36:38, and a Beaumont RC clubmate Kathryn Parker in 38:09. Neil James of OWLS took the Veteran Mens race win for the day in 27:39, and he was followed in by Lee O'Connor (Poplar RC) in 28:12, with Martin Makin of Hermitage Harriers taking third in 28:27. Amy Pizzorno (Birstall RC) started her season in style in the Veteran Womens race, winning in 31:50, ahead of her clubmate Laura Storer in 35:11, and Clare Wood (Ivanhoe Runners) who took third in 35:22. The full race results are available on our Results page. These are draft results and will be finalised by Saturday 31 January 2026. If you have any queries please email in to lrrlresults@gmail.com as soon as possible. Top 10 Men:-

1. George Seymour (Wreake Runners) - 26:36

2. Alexander Adie (Desford Striders) - 26:55

3. Joe Matthews (Desford Striders) - 27:07

4. Ben Darlow (West End Runners) - 27:29

5. Sam Martin (Poplar RC) - 27:33

6. Neil James (OWLS) - 27:39

7. Luke Ingram (OWLS) - 27:40

8. Philip Cannon (Poplar RC) - 27:41

9. Lee O'Connor (Poplar RC) - 28:12

10. Danny Warren (Badgers) - 28:16

Top 10 Women:-

1. Claire Frankland (West End Runners) - 28:15

2. Anna Munday (Barrow Runners) - 31:05

3. Ysabell Drewett (OWLS) - 31:38

4. Amy Pizzorno (Birstall RC) - 31:50

5. Rachel Haddon (Hinckley RC) - 32:05

6. Amber Lester (Barrow Runners) - 32:53

7. Amelia Cook (Beaumont RC) - 32:59

8. Rhiannon Baxter (Stilton Striders) - 33:35

9. Emily Hal (West End Runners) - 33:40

10. Grainne Whelehan (Wreake Runners) - 34:07