Savery completes a district treble with Two Castles first

More than 100 Kenilworth Runners and 50 Spa Striders made up a record entry for the 33rd running of the Two Castles last Sunday.
Andrew Savery and Danielle Stewart show off their trophies for first male and female alongside Kenilworth Rotary Club president Richard Martin. Picture: Mike BakerAndrew Savery and Danielle Stewart show off their trophies for first male and female alongside Kenilworth Rotary Club president Richard Martin. Picture: Mike Baker
Andrew Savery and Danielle Stewart show off their trophies for first male and female alongside Kenilworth Rotary Club president Richard Martin. Picture: Mike Baker

However, neither club had an answer to Leamington C&AC’s Andrew Savery, who pulled away from long-time leader Chris McCarthy at the eight-kilometre mark to complete a memorable hat-trick of district victories following wins in the Regency 10k and Warwick Half earlier in the year.

On a day which saw high temperatures and little wind, Savery crossed the line in 33:26 to finish 15 seconds clear of Dom Blake.

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A delighted Savery said: “I set off at the front with a group but at 5k I got away on my own.

“They came back at 7k but I felt I could go again and this time I got away clear to the finish .”

Coventry Godiva’s Daniel Clarke was two seconds behind Blake in third with McCarthy paying for his early exertions to finish fourth in 33:50.

Kenilworth’s strength in depth was rewarded with five runners finishing inside the top ten - McCarthy, Andrew Siggers (5th in 34:13), Phil Gould (6th in 34:18), Stephen Page (7th in 34:55) and Peter Hawkins (8th in 35:02) - to earn them the team prize.

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Leamington C&AC were runners-up courtesy of Savery, Callum Hanlon (13th in 36:10), George Loveday (19th in 37:13) and Dean Mawby (31st in 38:05), while 22-placed Victor Garanto (37:22) led home Spa Striders who were third.

Will Johnson (25th in 37:42), Tim Down (47th in 38:38) and Kevin White (58th in 39:06) completed the Striders quartet.

Coventry Godiva’s Danielle Stewart (38:16) was the first woman home, leading her club to the team prize in the process.

Leamington C&AC’s Monica Williamson was the second female and first FV45 in 39:43, with Zara Blower (43:04) and Angela Chahal (44:20) completing the second-placed team.

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Spa Striders were third with Melissa Venables (41:56) just pipping Jo Kirby (42:03). Clare Hinton (44:18) completed the scoring trio.

Sabra Boldrini (44:23) was the first Kenilworth Runners lady home in 253rd position overall and 20th lady.

There were 3,490 finishers with Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White 3,320th in a chip time of 1:20:16.