ATHLETICS

GLOBETROTTING Loughton Athletic Club member Rob Sargeant showed good form in his age-group category, both locally and in races in the USA.

The M50 runner (pictured) contested the Green Valley 10-Mile over a rolling course at Greenville, South Carolina and moved strongly through the field in the closing stages to finish 23rd overall, and third M50, from 220 finishers in a time of 68mins 40secs.

Sargeant then moved on to Arizona to contest his 44th marathon, where he lined up for the Lost Dutchman Marathon at Apache Junction, near Phoenix.

Despite stomach cramps in the early stages, he was eventually able to cope well with the course to finish in 28th place, and third M50, from the 338 finishers in 3hrs 25mins 26sec.

Immediately upon his return to England, he was in action at the British Masters'Indoor Champs, at Lee Valley Centre, where he contested the 3,000m.

The 15-lap indoor circuit was different from the open long runs in the States, but Sargeant returned his best time for five years - and a club M50 record - when finishing eighth in a time of 11mins 28.80secs.