Stilton 7: Eggleston excels as County Lague comes to Melton

The Stilton Striders put out a big field of runners as the Melton club hosted round two of the Leicestershire Road Running League on Sunday.
Race winner Tom Whitmore (354) hits the front early on EMN-170228-122613002Race winner Tom Whitmore (354) hits the front early on EMN-170228-122613002
Race winner Tom Whitmore (354) hits the front early on EMN-170228-122613002

The Stilton 7 sold out its 500 capacity in quick time, with nearly 470 runners completing two laps of the hilly course, starting and finishing at the Stute on Asfordby Hill.

Charnwood AC runner Tom Whitmore was a clear winner, finishing almost a minute ahead of runner-up Michael Trott (Hermitage harriers) in a time of 38mins 30secs, while Ryan Bennett (Badgers) completed the top three in 39.41.

Hannah Doran made it a race double for Charnwood as first lady back in 28th overall in a time of 42.50.

The scene at the start at Asfordby Hill EMN-170228-122628002The scene at the start at Asfordby Hill EMN-170228-122628002
The scene at the start at Asfordby Hill EMN-170228-122628002

Several new Striders bolstered the club’s contingent as they experienced their first league race, but the Melton club was led home by the consistent Luke Eggleston who came home in an excellent 34th place in a time of 43min 21secs.

He was followed by Nick Brown who had a great run to finish 45th in 44.28 ahead of Darren Glover just 30 seconds back in 51st in 44.58.

The first Stilton lady was Natalie Teece (46.10) in 59th, and fourth lady, five seconds in front of Mark Ashmore.

Other Striders times: Harris Millar 48.02, Andy Nicholls 49.03, Michael Cooke 51.10, Paul Geeson 51.18, Michelle Farlow 51.48, Julie Bass 52.16, Vicki Lowe 53.17, Rob Beers 53.04, Marc Lupson 53.33, Liz Goodbourn 54.54, Abi Arnott 55.02, Greeba Heard 55.25, Kirsty Black 55.54, Ben Pickard 56.04, Matt Chalmers 55.41, Sharon Eshelby 57.22, David Hall 57.34, Nigel Willat !hr 00min 22secs, Rebecca Forrester 1.00.27, Ray Walker 1.00.58, Sarah Lawrence 1.00.59, Mel Willat 1.01.02, Lynda Harris 1.03.05, John Hudson 1.04.15, Kathy Walsh 1.04.39, Emma Stevens 1.04.17, Vanessa Walker 1.05.05, Celia Brown 1.10.17, Liz Parkinson 1.12.03, Jenny Kent 1.12.27.

Runners climb Asfordby Hill for the first time EMN-170228-122642002Runners climb Asfordby Hill for the first time EMN-170228-122642002
Runners climb Asfordby Hill for the first time EMN-170228-122642002

Several of the group - Rebecca, Sarah, Lynda, Jenny and Julie – also ran the muddy 15-mile Belvoir Challenge just 24 hours before, while Rob and Paul completed the 26-mile distance.

The club would like to thank Holwell Sports and Social Club for the use of The Stute as race HQ, Holwell Works for the use of their car park, and The Grange Garden Centre for supplying refreshments.

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