Summer Cross Country, QE Park - 28th June 2006
IT was a case of Stubbington's very own version of the double-barrelled shot gun - or the two Gunners - who picked up the silverware at the Summer Cross Country event which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield, writes Ryan "Scoop" Gunner.
Jon Tussler flew back from a break in America after competing in a New York Road Runners 10K, later finding out he had ran in a Gay Pride event.
The course, laid out at QE Park by Portsmouth Joggers, remained the same as last year, twisting and turning around the 5 mile course, up and down hills and across dangerous terrain.
As race time approached the eerie group of runners stood, hands on stopwatches, waiting for the starting horn, only to spot Tim Crumpton off in the distance striding back towards the group after going for a long warm up.
Winner of the race was none other than James Baker of Chichester Runners AC in a time of 27min 44sec.
Ray Gunner looked as if he had pulled the cat out of the hat as he picked up second veteran clocking a time of 30min 29sec, for ninth overall. That was an improvement for Ray who last year placed 16th in 31:13 sec. The first vet was Peter Turrel of Denmead Striders in 38:33 for fourth overall, and third place was taken by Neil Tolfrey who placed 10th overall and finished only 31 seconds behind Ray.
Our second Stub home was Graham James who came in ninth vet and 22nd overall in a time of 33:22. From where I was running, Graham looked as if he had a strong run after leading our group for half the course and pulling away leaving the rest of us struggling.
Next home was Ryan Gunner - me! - who seemed to have recovered from Brading, coming in as the first junior male, and 28th overall in a time of 34:04 sec. Last year, he finished third male junior and 30th overall in a time of 34:17. The second junior to finish was Havant AC's James Marshall, 45th overall in 36:37.
Fourth home for the Greens was Tim Crumpton in 34:42 sec, 34th overall and 16th vet. Last year he picked up 57th spot and was 26th vet in 37 minutes dead. Andy Lee returned to the scene to take 61st place and 27th Vet in a time of 38:41. John Tussler completed the group of Stubs in 40:38 and 81st overall for 34th Vet.
Sadly, no Stubbington ladies took part, but the winner of the senior women's race was Debbie Band of Liss Runners in a time of 37:54, although she finished seventh woman overall.
The female vet category was won by Kim Nelson of Havant AC in 35:15, finishing second woman overall. Winner of the women's overall and the junior woman category was Polly Keen, also from Havant AC, clocking in at 34:00.
First team of three home was Victory AC (35 pts ), second were Liss Runners (42 pts), with Stubbington third (58 pts).
Report: Ryan Gunner :-) Photos: Mike Bell (Who claims he was injured.. )