Sunday 31 July 2005
The Burton and District summer league ended another successful year of races at the Home of the champions elect, Hatton Darts. In a fitting tribute Hatton not only organised the new event, taking place from the Belvedere Club on Sunday 31st July, marshalled the event but also won the event. Having won all seven races in the series Hatton have shown their strength and depth for the second year in a row, though not having it all there own way as individual winners for the series came from all of the competing clubs of Ivanhoe, South Derbyshire, Burton AC, Uttoxeter and the ever more popular Washland women.
This is now Hattons second race they hope to promote on a yearly basis and proved popular with both locals and athletes from further afield. With 210 finishers it looks like being a popular annual attraction and thanks go to supporters and locals who helped marshal on some of the busier streets.
The race itself takes in some of Burtons steepest inclines with the first 6k being a climb to the summit of Burton. Thankfully the final 4k being an easier way of ending a race though as some found even the down hills proved tricky to the ones who had exerted that little too much energy during the initial stages.
Having tried out the course previously Hatton took a steady start and made their way through the field, Paul Stewart showing the youngsters the way with a terrific time of 34m 24s giving him 4th place overall. Next in was the surprising sight of Dave Gilman, running his fastest time for some years and having a stormer for 8th in 35m49s, Chris Fletcher hot on his heals for 9th in 36m 22s. Fletcher having the satisfaction of taking the scalp of team mate Stan Knopik for the first time. Knopik almost jogging the final Km and looking exhausted as he tried to keep fellow Darts at bay in 11th, 36m 40s. Jason Tilley used a slow start to his advantage but left it just too late to catch his team mates but was still pleased to finish 12th in 36m 44s. Pete Wright blazed his way past several other Darts as his comeback takes shape finishing 19th in 38m 11s. Wright pulling around Nigel Elson to yet another PB as his long distance training now starts to come into effect, 21st in 38m 14s. Behind them Steve Clews and Danny Stewart had a fine race, Clews just edging out his younger rival by some 15 seconds in 22nd and 24th respectively. Backing these were the red vests of Tony Press 47th, Dave Taylor 49th, Tim Knopik 69th, Gary Milner on a comeback after an injury lasting 2 years 92nd, Phil Salt 113th, Phil White 121st, P Hancock 123rd and P Sendal 140th.
Two Darts ladies entered as others chose to marshal. Deb Gilman coming Home first in 11th place just over the 45 minute mark. New girl Cathy Cormack having a great race for 21st position in 49m 32s.
Hatton Darts would like to thank the Derby Runner for helping support and sponsor the Summer series, Roland Gibbard for being instrumental in the organization and Stan Knopik for completing all the race results in record time.