Nene Valley Harriers dominance of this year’s Peterborough 5k Grand Prix continued at Eye with wins in both the men’s and ladies races.
Michael Channing was first over the line in a time of 16.30 with fellow Harrier James McCrae next home eight seconds further back.
On one of the hottest June days for years, the temperature had hardly dropped at all by the 7.30pm start time.
Many of the athletes struggled in the oppressive conditions, and times were generally down.
Shaun Walton and John Pike, both running for Peterborough AC, finished third and fourth. Walton clocked 16.44, finishing three seconds ahead of his rival.
The leading quartet ran together in the early stages and things began to hot up mid-race when Channing made his move.
Channing said: “I got to the halfway point and felt fresh so decided to push on a bit from the pack.
“I only realised with about a mile to go that no-one had gone with me and I had put about 50 metres on James McCrae.”
The heat of the evening played its part on the night and Channing added: “I was a little disappointed with the time as I thought I was running close to 16 minutes, but obviously couldn’t complain with the result.”
Grace Mullins had won the series opener at Ferry Meadows two weeks previously and another fine run at Eye saw her cement her place as clear favourite to win the series.
Though disappointed with her winning time of 18.41 Mullins was delighted with her win.
She said: “Bearing in mind that I aim to run sub-18 minutes this summer, my time was awful, but of course I’m so happy to have won.
“It was also great to see Michael Channing win – he ran a blinder.”
Nene Valley teenager Olivia Mead enjoyed a fine run, taking second place in 19.32 while March AC veteran Toni Alcaraz came in third in 19.50.
The Junior 3k race was also dominated by Nene Valley with Samuel Oakley first in 10.30 and Matthew Dowling clocking 10.46 for the runners-up spot.
The Harriers boasted 11 out of the first 13 finishers and, although Molly Peel of Bourne Town Harriers was first girl, finishing sixth overall, she was chased all the way by 12-year-old Nene Valley starlet Lottie Hemmings who took the runners-up spot 11 seconds further back.
The Crowland based youngster has excellent pedigree as her father Lance won the Grand Prix series 15 years ago.
Philippa Taylor is showing no sign of slowing down after reaching her half-century last week.
In her first outing as a 50-year-old, she comfortably won the ladies race with a 38.43 clocking.
The Nene Valley veteran won by nearly three minutes from Ramsey Road Runner Lisa Marriott who crossed the line in 41.19. Geraldine Larham from March AC finished third in 42.00.
It was a good day for Peterborough AC with Steve Robinson winning comfortably in 33:15 with Ben Heron coming home second with a 33.51 clocking. Dave Connell of Hunts AC was third 17 seconds further back.
Nene Valley’s James McCrae ran a season’s best 1.54.36 to win his 800m race at the British Milers Club meeting at Watford.
Alex Hampson also recorded a season’s best 3.57.67 for third place over 1500m.
Teenager Megan Ellison ran well as she finished third in her 800m race in 2.13.41.
