Olympian Robinson feels Kenyans' heat (From Stroud News and Journal)

Olympian Robinson feels Kenyans' heat

WHILE it may have been a somewhat frustrating day for Nailsworth's Olympic marathon runner Dan Robinson, it was a trio of Stroud Athletic Club youngsters who earned the local plaudits at the 23rd Griffiths Marshall Accountants Stroud Half Marathon on Sunday.

Robinson, 29, had hoped to make a winning assault, but was eventually beaten into fourth place by a trio of Kenyans.

"I'm pleased enough with my performance," said Robinson, who finished in a time of 65 minutes and 38 seconds- just over a minute outside his personal best.

"I almost ran a personal best for the first five miles, but I paid for that later and probably went off too quickly."

The 13-mile course had earlier seen Simon Tonui hold sway, but the Kenyan misjudged the pace and was caught at Ebley by eventual winner Zak Kihara, who came home in 64 minutes and 43 seconds. Tonui finished third with Erik Kaplagat second.

Meanwhile Stroud Athletic Club claimed the team prize with three teenage running sensations finishing 16th, 17th and 18th respectively.

The trio were led by 16-year-old Marling school boy Iain Whitfield led the way in 16th place in his first Stroud Half-Marathon.

Iain was followed by 19-year-old former Marling pupil Seb Duffy, and making up the trail was 18-year-old Tom Russell.

Veteran Mike Davis secured the team prize by finishing an excellent 25th.