Mug's Game 5 Results
ALASDAIR EWING and Ray Gunner led Stubbington Green to team honours at the first ever Mug’s Game 5 race at Itchen Valley Country Park.
The dynamic duo splashed their way through the multi-lap course which had taken a fair old drenching during the day and in the preceding week on a fun evening of running at the West End-based park.
A total of 108 runners took part in the race, organised by club member Dave King in aid of the Hampshire Autistic Society. Earlier in the day, an old-style school sports day was also staged at Itchen Valley which was blighted by a couple of heavy showers.
But come race time, the rain clouds had cleared and the sun was shining brightly firstly for the 1km and 2km children’s races, following by the 4.5-mile main race, which followed the grassland track around Itchen Valley and then along a very muddy woodland trail.
Chichester Runners’ James Baker led from the start, and though Ray Gunner had the West Sussex athlete in his sights at the end of the first lap, James stepped up the pace as he entered the woodland section for the second time.
James won in a time of 23min 57sec, and a strong second lap from Liss Runners’ Tom Frost allowed him to take second spot in 25.59.
Alasdair Ewing made ground up on Ray on the final lap for third in 26.05, with the Gunn-meister in fourth with 26.11.
Graham James in tenth with 28.14 completed the Stubbington scoring to take team honours.
Graham will have had half a thought on wife Judith who was running her first ever race. She finished in a time of 48.47 for 35th in the women’s race. And she admitted afterwards that she couldn’t have wished to have chosen a harder baptism for running.
The ladies race was won by Southampton Running Club’s Karen Rushton in a time of 27.58 from Chichester’s Jennifer Harley in second with 30.08.
Margie Pritchard was the first Stubbington lady to finish in sixth place in 35.24.
The event raised over £2,000 for the Hampshire Autistic Society. Dave King said: "Thanks to everyone who came along to support the race. Despite the difficult conditions, everyone had a smile on their face and the atmosphere was great.
"Thanks to everyone who came up to me afterwards to say how they had enjoyed the race, and will there be one next year (!), that meant a lot.
"And thanks to everyone who came along on the day to help marshal, and in particular my top team of Liz, Helen, Nick, Marj, Paul, Malcolm and Eryl."
For a full list of results click HERE. Click HERE for photos.