Cannock & Stafford athletes run into form

The seniors got underway in their second league match of the season in Gloucester, edging out their rivals to emerge as winners with a points total of 365.

Notts AC narrowly lost out as they totalled 354 while Bristol & West/Yate were third with 346.

Cannock & Stafford's masters headed to Nuneaton to compete in the Midland Masters championships and they enjoyed a successful day across the age ranges as all their athletes emerged with medals.

Terry Faulkner (mens' age group 70-75), won gold in the 100m before bagging two bronze medals in the 200m and 400m.

Paul Edwards struck gold in the 200m (mens' 55) and Stephen Terry-Short (mens' 40) claimed a bronze in the 100m, silver in the 200m and then went one better to grab gold in the 400m.

In the middle distance, Paul Lester (mens' 40) claimed a superb gold in the 1,500m, before setting off to compete in the Staffordshire half Iron Man event later that day.

Emma Hollinshead (womens' 40) struck gold in both the 200m and 400m.

At the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, two Cannock & Stafford 4x100 teams were in action.

The Under-15's girls finished a close second to hosts Birchfield Harriers while the Under-17's grabbed a close victory, beating the Harriers outfit by two-tenths of a second.

Short distance athlete and club spokeswoman Hollinshead was delighted with her achievements and had a word of praise for Lester's efforts on a gruelling day..

She said: "I was really happy with my golds, particularly in the 200m. I regard myself more as a 400m runner.

"But it was my first race of the season, so it made all of the training feel worthwhile.

"Paul was crazy, he did very well in the IronMan event, finishing 294th in five hours and 20 minutes.

"He did the half marathon in one hour and 44 minutes – that's quicker than I could've done it without a leg of swimming and cycling!"