SUNDAY 22nd May 2005

Today saw the start of a new era in local running. After years of there being little in the way of good old fashioned local rivalry, the Burton and District Summer League was resurrected with the help of old hand Roland Gibbard and cross-country co-ordinator Dave Mann.

Consisting of several local races throughout the year, the league brings together Hatton Darts, Burton AC, South Derbyshire Road Runners, Uttoxeter Road Runners, Ivanhoe Runners and the Washlands Women.  In each race, the first six men and four women Home count for their team.

With the first contest being held on the infamous undulating half marathon course at Uttoxeter, it seems the red vests of the Hatton Darts have taken an early lead in the men's division. Indeed, they also took the overall team prize on the day, with their first four counters being presented with cut glass trophies.

Jason Tilley, running off the back of his fast paced London Marathon, showed his fellow Darts the way with a terrific and well paced run in the intense heat. He came in for 20th place overall from the 365 finishers in just 1 hour 23 minutes 10 seconds.

Chasing Tilley down was the in-form Mark Fontana, who crossed the line in 1:24:07 and had the added bonus of yet more glass wear for winning the vet 45 category. Chris Fletcher took 27th place in 1:24:48 and was well pleased to even finish with the conditions not to his liking.

 Steve Clews (1:26:31) also faded in the heat but still managed a fine 31st.  Next in was Jim Londesborough, a little disappointed to be just 14 seconds over the 90-minute barrier, but with the right conditions and a flatter course, will surely go well under this marker. Over two minutes behind Londesborough was a dejected Dave Gilman.

Normally expected to do battle with the frontrunners, Gilman suffered a runner's nightmare with ill-fitting new shoes and was forced at times to jog as he finished 62nd in 1:32:34. Nigel Elson ran well and made up ground towards the end to finish 72nd in 1:33:43 while stalwart Tony Press managed just under 1:35 for 83rd place.

Having not run since Christmas, Simon Elliott threw himself in at the deep end but still managed a creditable return performance to finish 124th. Geoff Mulcahy completed the Darts team with 141st place in 1:42:29.

The only lady Dart taking part was ever-present runner Kath Coulton. Taking the hills in her stride, she easily got under the two-hour mark to finish the 37th female in 1:56:34.

by Jason Tilley