Christmas joy (From Stroud News and Journal)

Christmas joy

LEE CHRISTMAS was in good running form as the Stroud veteran finished third at the Cricklade Half Marathon.

Christmas was the first Stroud runner in the half, finishing third in 1hr 16min, to take the V40 prize.

Other Stroud winners were: Alan Pitt 21st in 1hr 26m 31s; Jon Brough 41st 1.30.42; Nick Bell 48th 1.32.15; Louise Little 53rd 1.33.01; Chris Young 100th 1.41; Gerard Newman 236th 2.12.

Veteran runner Peter Brooke scooped the V60 prize in the 10km race, returning to full fitness following a period of injury. Andy Hammond and Nick Holliday also represented Stroud in the 10km.

Meanwhile, Stroud entered a 'mix and match' team in this year's National Fell Relay Championships.

The two specialists who did run made a good impression amongst the elite of the fell running world, with team captain Mike Duxbury 21st on his stage and Martin Humphries 17th out of 90 competitors.

On the pairs stages, which are navigation legs, Simon Barnes teamed up with Phil Dewhurst to come 73rd and Phil Manning paired with Dave Burton from Dursley AC to come in 67th.