Local runner Catherine Eddison triumphs in Abbey Dash, marking the resurgence of the KMR series of races

Catherine Eddison raced to victory in the Abbey Dash at Maltby, the latest in the run of annual races organised by Kimberworth Striders, Maltby Running Club and Rotherham Harriers.

It is part of a success story which has seen record fields of runners turning out after the years of lockdown and inactivity.

Series organiser Peter Humphries said: “It has not been easy to return to normal. Natural disaster and environmental threats have forced alterations to what had become routine courses, and the weight of additional entries has made life tricky. But the jump in interest is very welcome.”

Rotherham Harriers’ Eddison, a regular local winner, was the quickest female at the Abbey Dash ahead of Hannah Miller (Worksop) and her Harriers clubmate Samantha Cotton after negotiating tricky underfoot conditions in Abbey Woods. Matthew Daly (Worksop Harriers) won the men’s race from Jordan Street, Darren King and Graham Worsfold, alll from Clowne Road Runners.

Of the other Harriers finishers, Steve Marshall was eighth over the finish line and second MV45 along with Simon Holt (16th overall and fourth MC45) and Alex Fields (30th overall) closely followed by Keith Charles in 32nd). Neil Shaw and Craig Baggaley were with a minute of each other closely followed by Angela Lally, Emma Dutton, Gillian Neal, Tommy Charles and Peter Humphries, who collected his bottle of wine for first place in his age category. Rebecca Marsden, Nancy Banks, Lisa Ryles, Richard Schofield and David Wright also ran.

Runners with five finishes so far in the five-year age groups are: Sally Bulmer (FV45, Worksop), Nathaniel Redcliffe (M senior, Danum Harriers), Euan Carroll (MU17, Doncaster AC), Jordan Street (MV40, Worksop), Stephen Fisher (MV45, Handsworth Roadhogs), Steve Marshall (MV50, Rotherham Harriers), Andrew Roscamp (MV55, Handsworth Roadhogs), Ian Coates (MV60, Rother Valley Swallows), Tom Charles (MV70) and Pete Humphries (MV80, both Rotherham Harriers).

The next race in the series is at Greasbrough on Wednesday.

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