Rugby & Northampton ladies secured a second placed finish in the senior women’s race in the Banbury Five Miles, which was the sixth race in the East Midlands Grand Prix Series (EMGP).
Leading them home was Rachel Shaw in 12th with a time of 34mins 7secs with Louise Thompson finishing next in 34.42 to claim 14th spot.
Kate Williams (35.03) completed the team in 17th position and also led home the veterans, which gave her third in the over 50 section.
Although Tricia Garner was defeated by her closest rival for second in the over 45 race it was still good enough to hold onto the overall lead in the series with two races remaining.
Garner was timed at 35.58 for 22nd overall. Making up the veteran team, which finished third, was Jo Love in 34th with 38.51.
Barbara Parkinson clinched her third victory in the over 60 category with 40.24, but she still needs to complete one more race to win the series, while Jayne Partridge kept her overall lead when she finished second in the over 55 race with a time of 42.06.
Matt Howes had an excellent run to finish fourth in the men’s race to lead R&N into second place on the night when he recorded 26mins 51secs.
Veteran Greg Spellman came home next in 15th place with 28.30 to finally get the better of clubmate Ben Malia, who was seven seconds behind in 16th spot.
The team was completed by another veteran, Vince Carroll (22nd in 29.26), and backing him up in the vets team, which finished fourth, were Adrian White (63rd in 31.36) and Neil Martin (180th in 38.32).
Heather Cooke continued her run of good form for Silson Joggers to clock up yet another personal best and club record with her 33min 40secs being good enough for fifth in her category.
The improving Ellie Lock was Silson’s second woman home in 41.28. Also competing for the women were Rosie Moffat (45.02) and Juliet Hanson (49.50).
Chris Wood once again led the men’s team home with a new personal best of 28.09 for tenth place, equalling his best ever EMGP finish.
Veteran athletes Andy Pacey (28.47) and Kev Reboul (30.23) were close behind, finishing fifth and third in their respective categories.