Ropley 10km
HE may not have been the first runner over the line, but veteran Stubby Michael Aimable received the red carpet treatment at the Ropley 10km road race.
Now in his 80th year, Michael won the Vet80 category with a time of 1hr 25min 28sec and was presented with a magnificent bottle of wine.
Conditions were perfect for the race, said Michael, with a little wind and a touch of rain. “The people were lovely too,” he said. “It was a totally enjoyable race!
One lady marshal was so impressed with Michael that she gave him what he thought was a glass of water, but was in fact a brandy and lemonade!
In spite of the threat of bad weather, 403 competitors started this year’s race in the North Hampshire village.
Matthew King of Winchester & District AC was the first man home in a respectable time of 33min 18secs, followed by Stuart Fox of Bournemouth AC and Ronnie Adams of Portsmouth Joggers.
Cath Wheeler of Overton Harriers was the first woman across the line in 39. 23, with Erica Fogg of Belgrave Harriers and Lynne Whitaker of Romsey Road Runners taking second and third places.
Bournemouth AC triumphed in the men’s team and Alton Runners in the women’s team awards.
For Stubbington, Alasdair Ewing was the first green vested runner to finish in 12th place with a time of 37.08, followed by father for just a week, Darrell Milner whose time of 39.19 earned him 20th place.
Jon Leigh had a steady run-out for 41.42 and 42nd spot, with the Kimbernator, Nick Kimber, just behind in 42.45 for 58th. Marcus Lee, the third member of Stubbington’s Holy Marathon Trinity was 69th in 43.16, well in sight of team-mate Robert Blackmore whose time of 43.28 claimed 73rd on the day.
Other results:
105th Richard Simms 45.35.
172nd John Blake 48.59
173rd David Langrish 49.02
191st Paul Hailwood 49.54
206th Derek Balsdon 50.46
223rd John Fairhurst 51.59
224th Terry French 52.02
235th John Vose 52.33
304th Peter Hailwood 56.43
314th John Randall 57.34
365th Jane Adlard 1:03.10.
389th Anne Fairhurst 1:07.02
403rd Michael Aimable 1:25.30