Elisha De Mello of Rugby & Northampton AC took victory in the third race of the East Midlands Grand Prix when he recorded 26:04 in the Banbury 5 miles. In doing so he defeated the top three athletes from the Rugby 6 two weeks earlier and clinched his second EMGP race victory following his 2016 triumph at Weedon.
Rugby winner Alistair Smith of Coventry Godiva Harriers was 17 seconds adrift with his team mate Harvey Speed just 3 seconds further back in third place. Alistair McDonnell of R&N crossed the line in 4th spot on 26:37 and was followed by Daniel Mould in exactly 28 mins for 11th position. The Senior Men from the club sealed the team victory when Daniel Williams completed the quartet in 28:43, which also saw him win the M40 section in 15th overall.
R&N’s veteran squad had to settle for second once again behind Kettering Town Harriers and backing up Williams in the team were Mike Andrews (19th and 2nd M45) in 29:06, Jonathan Taylor with 30:21 (40th and M40 7th) and Andrew Jacks on 30:59 (54th and M45 7th).
The Ladies race saw a win for Frankie Snare with a time of 30:58 and in second place was Tia Williams from the host club Banbury Harriers who was the first Junior lady in 33:05. In third spot was prolific racer Sue Harrison of Leamington who has won 14 EMGP races since the turn of the millennium, although her last victory came at Banbury six years ago. Now in the F45 category, Harrison recorded 33:07 to win her age group.
This helped Leamington to win both the Senior and Veteran womens team races, which they last achieved at Banbury in 2012.
Alison Cobb led home Rugby & Northampton for the first time in 26th place with 36:59, which also clinched 3rd in the F50 section. Along with veterans Lisa-Marie Phillips ( F45 13th ) in 39:49 and Helen Jones ( F50 7th ) in 40:18 the Seniors finished 9th and the Veterans 8th.
