The early May bank holiday Monday evening saw the first Chiltern Harriers event of 2007. The Pednor 5 incorporated again the Bucks Road Race Championship and the mild, sunny conditions attracted a large field of nearly 200, creating a new record of starters for this increasingly popular race. The club’s runners came out in force with thirty-eight supporting the event which follows the undulating five mile loop around the attractive Vale of Pednor.
Despite a quite strong headwind in the early stages, good times were possible as Chiltern’s runners demonstrated - team winners in both men’s and ladies’ races, with an unprecedented first five home in the men’s race. Leading man on the night was on-form Eddie O’Gorman in 27.01, followed by Tom Beedell in 27.32 with Stuart Ellerby third in 28.18. Completing the winning team was fourth placed Patrick Wallace in 28.52. Just out of the team counters finishing fifth in 29.11, was David Simpson. Vale of Aylesbury AC and Watford Harriers were second and third teams respectively.
First Vet 40 in the men’s race was Pete Summers of Burnham Joggers in 29.37, first Vet 50 was Headington Road Runners’ Neville Baker in 31.48 and leading junior was Aylesbury’s James Benjamin in 30.10. Chiltern’s Elliot Mocharrafie was second junior in 32.02.
The ladies’ race was a more even affair but the Chiltern team of Laura Butt, Barbara Ralph and Isabelle Winter (placing 2nd, 4th and 5th respectively) were still convincing winners over rivals Burnham Joggers who had the individual winner in Claire Pusey in 30.32 and third place with Tamsin Meadows in 32.57. Tring RC were third placed ladies team.
Laura’s 2nd place was in 32.28 and Barbara Ralph, following on from her top ten age group placing in the London Marathon,23 claimed the Vet 45 prize in 34.12. Isabelle Winter was first Vet 35 in 35.46, to add to her 4th place in the earlier Race Walk around the same course.
Steve Perkin