Athletes warm to Abbey Dash

1:12pm Tuesday 25th November 2008

Sunday’s Arctic snap had warmed just enough for the 5,000 early birds in the area’s premier road race, the 10km Abbey Dash from Leeds city centre out and back to Kirkstall Abbey.

An inter-regional championship ensured the best British runners led the pack. Six men dipped under 30 minutes, with Bedford’s Matt Janes taking the honours in 29min 30sec. Preston international Helen Clitheroe ran a world-class 32min 12sec.

Neath’s Martin Rees set a world’s best time for over-55s with a time of exactly 32min. More amazingly, he was chased home by fellow M55 Michael Hager from Tipton Harriers.

Apart from the internationals, the turnout from local club athletes has dropped off.

Eccleshill’s Claire Elener knocked three minutes off her personal best in recording 43min dead – despite starting too far back and slaloming through the hordes. Fellow nurse Kate Naylor knocked a minute off her best with 45min 20sec.

Their training partner Will Kerr, of St Bede’s, was buzzing after running 34min 47sec, his best in several years.

Bingley’s Lisa Mawer was fastest in her category (F40) with an excellent time of 37min 8sec and John Convery’s 33min 6sec was the best M45 time.

Mike Smith returned to the roads with a 38min 33sec performance to lead the M65 finishers.

Pudsey Pacer Ryan Turnbull demonstrated his potential with a tremendous 35min 54sec on his first run at the distance.

The Pacers’ women came a strong 13th in the women’s club competition, while a men’s trio from Bradford Grammar School (Charles Lines, Andrew Galley and Matthew Wilde) secured 35th position among the club teams.

More than a dozen turned out for Guiseley-based Airecentre Pacers, led home by Matt Tupling and Rhona Neilsen; for Baildon Runners, headed by Lorne McNeill and Elizabeth Caven; and for Yeadon-based Dragons Running Club.

The Dragons’ first finishers were Richard Balshaw and an excellent run by Kaye Barney in 42min 9sec to come fifth in her category.