A BARNSLEY man is set to represent England at three different distances next year following a successful return to running.
Gavin ‘Woody’ Felton, from Monk Bretton, has been a stalwart runner on the Barnsley scene but spent several years out of action due to an injury which required an operation.
But the 56-year-old has returned to the roads this year, winning the International 5k Championship in May in Shrewsbury.
His recent performances at the Redcar Half Marathon and Chester Marathon, in which he won his age category, earned him a place on the England team for those distances.
He will represent England over all three distances in 2026, including at the Manchester Marathon and the European Masters Championships.
He said: “Being selected for England is a minor miracle.
“It put it all down to the supportive comments I often get from often complete strangers around town.
“I am always seen running around town and putting in the hard work.
“But I couldn’t have done it without my previous coaches namely Dave North and Dave Bennett of Barnsley AC.”
Meanwhile, Penistone Footpath Runner Suzanne McGill had a stand-out performance at the New York City Marathon.
She finished in 3-13-49 to place in the top six per cent of her age category at one of the world’s premier road races. She placed 4,457th.
In Lincolnshire, Penistone’s Olivia Clough continued her good autumn form with 57-22 at the Brigg Poppy 10k.
She finished 625th.
Penistone’s Dawn Godley tackled the Oldham Halloween Half Marathon, finishing in 2-04 and taking second in the women’s over55 category on a course described by organisers as ‘a gruelling challenge pushing runners to their limits.’
Eight Penistone athletes took part in the Kimberworth Striders Canal Race.
The approximately five-mile course starts and finishes at Blackburn Meadows Nature Reserve and runs out and back along the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation and the River Don.
Ian Neville led the team home to win the men’s over60 prize, followed by Rory O’Sullivan, Mandy Mallinder, Keith Gordon, Stu Smith, John Howsham, Steve Dommett and Ray Brown.
Barnsley AC’s Chris McNicholas took 38 seconds off his course PB, finishing 20th in 33-57.
He was followed by Faye Lund (44-10), Dave Allemby (48-29) and Laura Mills (50-42).
Four Barnsley Harriers took part.
Jerry Fisher was the first Harrier back, while Beverley Pendleton completed the race for the first time.
Barnsley Harriers fielded two teams at the National Cross Country Relays at Berry Park in Mansfield.
The women’s team of Georgi Newton, Nic Wilkinson and Jess Gadsby finished in 106th place.
The men’s team of Simon Newton, Rich Spooner, Jay West and Jon Barker were 114th.
New Barnsley Harriers member Lindsey Wilmott ran the Leicester 10k, her first 10k for the club.
Despite a last-minute route change making it measure more than 11km, Barnsley AC’s Gail Colville finished as second woman in 48-39 at the Mojácar 10k.
