It was a bloody cold night in Leicester as the wind stopped the event team from even setting up their usual base at the Leicester City 5k (race 3 of 4), and the finish area was reduced to just the necessities – all weighted down of course. Genuinely concerned about the toll of Christmas indulgence, lack of race fitness and ever-present injuries, three Striders took to the start line.
Jason Barton (somewhat predictably) was the first home in an impressive 4th place – considering he wasn’t racing, just jogging round – in a time of 19:12. Next in was Shane Sharkey in 10th place (21:28), and Ben Pickard, back from injury, completed the set in a cautiously ran 22:24. This was the first race in the series in which the Striders failed to claim first team award – with 3 series debutantes from Beaumont all finishing within the first 10 (1st, 3rd, 8th). [Shane]