CBN article

FOUR-MIDABLE

Local running club Costa Blanca Striders added another four prizes to their already overflowing trophy cabinet at the XX Volta A Peu A Xàbia on Saturday. Paul Fletcher, running is his first event of the 2009 series, was runner-up in the Men’s Vets B category in 38:34, not to be outdone, his wife Amanda also took second spot in the Ladies’ Vets B class in 45:53. Carol Hoare improved last week’s third spot in Teulada, by taking second place in the Vets C group in 57:22 and in the Men’s Vets C category, Jeff Whittington finally managed a win coming home in 42:24. In the five races thus far, the Striders have now taken home a dozen trophies, which is pretty impressive, is it not?

Another expat, David Edwards, also picked up an award by finishing third in the Men’s Vets C class in a time of 46:28. The other Striders who both manfully and womanfully completed the comparatively flat but taxing 10K race, run in extremely hot and sticky conditions, were Brian Boobier (47:06), Paul Elliott (48:03), Louise Ambler (49:53), Phil Welch (50:25) and Ron Hoare (55:45).

There was a new name on the winner’s list this week; C A Franc Beneyto’s Mounir Hourma was first past the post in the men’s race, winning in a splendid time 32:36. He was closely followed by Juan Ramon Pous Perez of C T Prodesport (33:30) in second and third was Juan José Martinez Diaz (33:39).

It was three wins in a row for Maxine McKinnon  of C A Dianium, who finished 34th overall in a time of 37:43. Patricia Lopez Vicedo of C A Xeresa, who has achieved a top three place in of each of the five races, was second in 39:30 and third home for the ladies was Sandra Diaz Hernandez of C A Runnersworld (39:41). For more information, and a complete list of all the finishers, visit the Som Esport website at www.somesport.com.

Whilst the 1,000 runners were ‘pootling’ around Xàbia, all in under 75 minutes, a couple of thousand miles away in the Canary Islands, another C B Strider was on the last leg, the marathon, of the 2009 Lanzarote Ironman triathlon. Former fire-fighter Jim Stanners swam, cycled and ran the demanding 140.6 mile (226 km) course in an incredible time of 13 hours 26 minutes and 21 seconds. Fifty-three-year-old Jim, taking part in an Ironman competition for the first time, completed the 2.4 mile (3.8 km) sea swim in one hour 20 minutes, then, despite suffering two punctures he spent the next seven and a quarter hours in the saddle for the 112 mile (180 km) bike segment, finishing up with the 26.6 mile (42.2k km) marathon in four and a half hours. What an achievement, congratulations Jim on a superhuman performance, take it easy for a few days, you deserve it.

The next race in the series takes place in the Costa Blanca’s ‘wickerwork’ capital, Gata de Gorgos. The youngsters start at 17.00, and the old stagers at 19.00.