OVER 70 Spa Striders took part in the hugely popular Two Castles run on Sunday with Will Johnson leading the team home.
Warm conditions met runners for the scenic 10km run from Warwick Castle to Kenilworth Castle, although some participants were tempered by rain throughout the morning.
Johnson crossed the finish line in 36.56 with new team captain Paul Edwards winning his battle with team mate Chris McKeown to finish in 37.40, McKeown finished just ten second behind.
Also fighting furiously until the end were Pete Soley (38.43), Steve Taylor (38.46) and Adam Notley (38.50), with all three being rewarded with new 10km personal best times.
There was also personal best times for Keith Wilson (41.27), Daniel Selwood (41.47), Alastair Geddes (42.21), Clive Parpworth 43.03), Mike Cox (48.59) and Adam Newton (49.20).
With race performances going from strength to strength, Susie Stannard equalled her personal best time of 41.06 to finish as the sixth fastest lady overall.
Mel Venables and Carolyn Wilkinson (41.38) worked hard and in finishing as a dead heat placed fourth in the V35 and first in the V45 respectively.
Laura Peake (43.10) ran an excellent personal best time to lead a string of Strider ladies across the line. Natalie Carroll did well to finish in 43.54 on her debut while Susan Cox’s time of 45.08 was enough to place her third in the V45 category.
As special mention must also go to ten-month old Xavier Fleming, who crossed the line in his buggy in 46.31 after being pushed in style by his parents Jo and Dan.
