ONLY two of the five divisional leaders won on the track as many of the 80-plus competitors in the Abacus All-Terrain Challenge donned spikes for the 800m races at Foote’s Lane. Steve Dawes strengthened his grip on Division One with a well-timed sprint finish to take the main race in a time of 2min. 11sec., while Matt Loveridge eased to his fifth straight junior section win with a time of 2-23.5.
Two of the other three divisions produced first-time winners and the other saw Andy Carre outsprint his rivals to take over the yellow jersey from John Stuart in Four.
With each placing worth 10sec. in the overall standings, Stuart lost 30sec. to the youngster who outsprinted Paul Hooker and Dave Hampson to win in 2-36.5.
The Division Two and Three finals produced two more thrilling finishes.
In Two, series leader Ashley Ward set a strong pace but was fading long before Tom Warry and Keith Gallienne went for broke 150 yards out.
Warry just had the edge and won in 2-19.6, while rugby player Jim Wyatt showed a fine turn of pace to almost pip Gallienne on the line. Ward had to settle for fourth and a 30sec. penalty.
Division Three was no less competitive and Carl Holden hit the front 80m out to out-kick Markus West and win in 2-26.1.
Steve Hunt, the divisional leader, had to settle for second place in the B final and with Tony Manning having reached the main final the latter has regained the leadership with this evening’s five-mile time trial and tomorrow’s Herm race remaining.
Tom Druce won an invitation 400 metres in 50.1sec.
Article posted on 12th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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