ATHLETICS

MEMBERS of Loughton Athletic Club contested the annual renewal of the Club 5-Mile Cross Country Championship, over the tough course through Epping Forest.

The dry underfoot conditions made the course faster than usual, and Caroline Real took advantage by maintaining her fine early season form to win the women’s event in a course record time of 30mins 40secs.

Real not only won the women’s classification, but beat all the male contestants, to take the overall first place.

Lorna Gaffney finished second in the women’s event, and first W35, in 32.05, with Gabrielle Brooks third (second W35) in 34.49, and Fiona Petersen running a fine race for a junior to come home in 36.32.

This performance was selected as the best of the day, earning Petersen the inaugural Steve Hall Memorial Trophy.

Jean Hobbs came home an excellent fifth, and first W55, in 39.14, just ahead of Vicki Morris (39.28), with Irene Petersen (44.00) and Kate Leng (55.26) completing the finishers.

The men’s classification was won by Mick Rolfe, in 30.41, with Dave Tyson second (31.08) and Ian Hollyer third (and first M60), in 34.06.

Joe Halliday was fourth, and leading junior, in 34.30, followed by John Hart (also second M60), in 34.42, Craig Rogers (also second junior) in 35.29, and Matthew Blundy in 35.38.

The other finishers were Scott Hurley (35.54), Jakob Petersen (39.27) and Ted Martin (also first M70), in 42.22.