BROMSGROVE & Redditch Athletics Club racewalkers Sharon Tonks and Dave Henley were both selected to represent the Midlands in an inter-area full athletics match.
The event at Solihull involved teams from the South, North and the RAF, as well as the Midlands.
The timing was a little unfortunate for both athletes.
For Sharon it was at the end of an intense week's training in Wales and Henley only discovered the invitation on his return for holiday a few days before.
Sharon's team-mate for the 3000m event was Britain's Olympic qualifier Lisa Kehler, who went on to equal the UK record of 12mins 50secs to come first.
Sharon took second place in 14:23.
In the men's race, Matt Hales went away straight from the gun to give the South first place, followed by Guy Jackson, Midlands, second and Henley put in a superb performance to finish third in 14:59.
Bromsgrove & Redditch AC's Kevin Worth was first guest athlete to finish in a time of 16:33.
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