Rhys races to first ever victory on his comeback from injury

Nene Valley Harrier Rhys Goddard stormed to his first ever race win on Sunday, despite not having competed for five months.
Harriers cross-country runners who did well at RAF Cranwell. From the left are Imogen Woodard, Denzel Mposu, Olivia Ozkan (holding Under 15 girls trophy), Ollie Bowling (holding Under 17 mens trophy) and Beth Goymour.Harriers cross-country runners who did well at RAF Cranwell. From the left are Imogen Woodard, Denzel Mposu, Olivia Ozkan (holding Under 15 girls trophy), Ollie Bowling (holding Under 17 mens trophy) and Beth Goymour.
Harriers cross-country runners who did well at RAF Cranwell. From the left are Imogen Woodard, Denzel Mposu, Olivia Ozkan (holding Under 15 girls trophy), Ollie Bowling (holding Under 17 mens trophy) and Beth Goymour.

The 23 year-old has been troubled by a knee injury, and despite being some way short of his best, controlled the Canterbury 10k, winning in a time of 35:23.

Goddard started tentatively, but feeling comfortable at 5k accelerated to win by a margin of 46 seconds.

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PACTRAC’S Paul Lunn was the leading local in Sunday’s North London Half Marathon.

The race, which finished inside Wembley Stadium, was won by Kenyan ace Josphat Kemei in an eye-catching 62:41.

Lunn, who has a half-marathon best of 75:00 set at Reading last year, ran well finishing 11th in an impressive 75:20.

Mike Chapman of Nene Valley continued with his London Marathon preparations finishing 72nd in 81:50. Chapman’s team-mate Steve Harknett completed the course in 93:05.

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Several Eye Runners travelled to London and the pick of the bunch was Lee Whitton with a PB of 91:22.

It was a good day for the Short family with Andy running a season’s best 93:46, finishing 10 minutes ahead of his daughter Leah, whose 1:43.41 marked a PB.

Roy Young completed the Eye contingent with a 1:53.54 clocking.

Werrington Joggers vests were in evidence at Ashby De La Zouch on Sunday for the Ashby 20, a popular event for runners testing their form before the London Marathon.

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Regular marathon man Martin Stevens led the Werrington challenge, finishing 98th in 2:19.10.

Kayleigh Garzia was placed 999th, completing the testing course in 3:26.16, while Mark Morris crossed the line in 3:31.33, two minutes behind Bushfield Jogger Rebecca Witton. Helen Carbon of Eye Runners completed the local contingent with 3:49.32.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Nene Valley Harriers once again provided the opposition at the annual Air Training Corps National Cross-Country Championships at RAF Cranwell. And, as usual they picked up plenty of awards.

The day could not have started better with Amber Park leading the way in the Under 15 girls race ahead of clubmates Josie Fortune and Hanna Ray to complete a Harriers 1-2-3.

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The Under 17 boys also did well with Ollie Bowling winning, Austin Herbert finishing second and Denzel Mposu fourth.

The Under 17 and Under 20 ladies combined race was won by Megan Ellison by over half a minute. She was well supported by Beth Goymour (4th), Imogen Woodard (6th), Alice Callcut (7th), Olivia Ozkan (8th) and Beth Howells (9th).

James McCrae dominated the Under 20 men’s race to win by 59 seconds and Michael Cawood was fourth.

Ethan Ellison was first Harrier home in the Under 15 boys race in third place with Mapesho Mutukuma six.