East Midlands - Group Luncheon and Prize Presentation – Sunday 3rd March 2024

East Midlands group held their annual meal and prize presentation in Melton Mowbray at the weekend. Guest of honour local fast man and coach Matt Bottrill, he had raced (and won) his first event of the season earlier in the day. Kevin Wood (Sherwood CC) and Jen Clegg (Team Bottrill) were the two main winners of their respective season long Best all Rounder competitions with Mick Stevens (Melton Olympic CC) taking the Senior (70+) BAR. Kevin Wood had an almost clean sweep of the other trophy’s, The Fred Smith 50 and Hermes 100 and the season long Prestige Points Competition. Ian Guilor (Mapperley CC) was winner of the National 10-mile Championship Mike Twelves (Team Ohten) won the Joe Bains 30, other winners were Julian Ramsbottom (Team Bottrill) and Richard Oakes (Team Ohten). There were plenty of National and Group records, Jen Clegg was the only rider in the country to break national records at three distances (some more than once) Jen who is coached by Matt said Jen was his favourite rider who had taken to racing time trials during lockdown when other sports were not available, she is the best example that you are never too old to start racing. Richard Oakes broke the national ‘10’ (twice) and ‘25’ and a World Masters Hour record at 54 years. Group records for Kevin Wood, Mike Twelves and Mick Stevens Not to be outdone East Midlands most decorated athlete Ron Hallam (South Pennine) recorded a respectable 35:44 the first ever national ‘10’ at 93 years. Event was organised by Mandy Stevens …o7ò