Morris makes light of winds

1:16pm Wednesday 13th December 2006

PURBECK schoolteacher Carl Morris won the Christchurch Christmas 10km road race.

The Wells City Harrier, who clocked 36 min 09 sec a fortnight earlier in Leeds, opened up with a mile in 4:40.

Hopes of challenging the course record were, however, dashed by headwinds in the closing stages and he settled for 30:45 and a 12-second margin of victory over club-mate Andy Hennessy.

Christchurch regular Lee Rodriguez was third in 31:40.

Despite a run disrupted by a loose horse, Bournemouth AC's Mark Hargreaves was fourth and first veteran in 32:42 ahead of fellow M45 Andy Clements of Poole AC (33:09).

Daily Echo reporter Ceri Rees was sixth in 33:16 leading Poole Runners to team honours.

The club packed five of the next seven places with young Ryan Trew seventh in 33:19 and Mike Grist, 11th in 34:19, the first over-40 finisher.

Alan Lewis and Geoff Scott both achieved age group prizes for the club, while Wimborne AC's Derek Evans (37:25) was second over-50 ahead of Bournemouth AC's new signing Simon Hunt (38:01).

A trio from Winchester AC dominated the women's event with Jo Kelsey (36:08) pipping veteran Karen Hazlitt by nine seconds, with former New Forest Runner Kath Bailey third in 36:38.

Bournemouth AC's Alison Barnes was third veteran and fourth overall in 38:09.

Caroline Horder of Bournemouth Joggers (45:38) beat Poole Runners' Sarah Barrett (47:12) to the over-55 title.

Christchurch Christmas Pudding 10km Results - Men:

1 Carl Morris (Wells) 30:45, 2 Andrew Hennessy (Wells) 30:57, 3 Lee Rodriguez 31:40, 4 Mark Hargreaves (BAC) 32:42, 5 Andy Clements (PAC) 33:09, 6 Ceri Rees (PR) 33:16, 7 Ryan Trew (PR) 33:19, 8 Martin Lewis (PR) 33:26, 9 Paul Isherwood (PAC) 33:41, 10 David Caddy (Egdon Heath) 34:00, 11 Mike Grist (PR) 34:19, 12 Matthew Clark (PR) 34:42.

Women:

1 Jo Kelsey (WIN) 36:08, 2 Karen Hazlitt (WIN) 36:10, 3 Kath Bailey (WIN) 36:22, 4 Alison Barnes (BAC) 38:09, 5 Christine Thomas (PR) 39:43, 6 Daveena Tweed (PR) 40:17

Key to Clubs:

BAC - Bournemouth AC, PAC - Poole AC, PR - Poole Runners, WIN - Winchester AC.