Silver Strand Half Marathon - San Diego, Sunday 13th November 2005

Stay at home Rog, stay at home!

It looks inviting... a 13.1 on a dead flat, dead-straight course (well 9 miles of it), in Southern California in November. Someone forgot to tell me that the humidity can be nearly 100% and the sun, when it comes out, very fierce.

We waited 30 minutes before we were able to start... the Coronado police would not 'release the course' to the organisers, and what was a chill, very foggy morning started to warm up. Instead of starting at 7:20am (yes really), we got off at 7:50am, with the sun just burning off the fog. What was 'cold clammy' quickly turned into 'hot clammy'. So I decided to run conservatively, and start at around 6:20 pace. Fell in with a lad from up-the-coast (Los Angeles I think) from the Navy, and felt quite comfortable for 5 miles (32:04), just a bit off the pace, but good.

My friend pushed on at a feeding station, and I could not respond, so gradually felt myself flagging without the help of a 'pacer'! Basically that was the story of the race. Each mile was slower than the last... 10 in 66:39... and the last 3k in 22:31 (I go faster in marathons).

Actually all this is a blind... the real problem for me was that this was a 'race to far'. After the 6k SEAA relays in September, my training has gone to pot, and worse, my achillies on both legs have been VERY sore. With that I found I was not able to get up on my toes and push... the achilles 'screamed' at me every time I tried to do so.

Anyhow, finished in an all-time personal worse of 1:29:11, 2nd Vet/60... but...

Funny, at the (chaotic) prizegiving, my time was announced as 1:27:04. I don't believe it even if we were wearing timing chips. The winner completed in 1:14-odd, but again at the prizegiving the Vet/50 1st place was announced as 1:08!!!! So what the actual times were is anyone's guess.

Help, I need a rest, and my face resembles a beetroot.

Mandy's parents (Chuck and Beverley) were a wonderful support... I will treasure Chuck's "Pip pip, old chap" when I saw him at the 11 mile marker.

All the best for now,

Roger
San Diego, off to new Zealand on Thursday!

A hiatus...

Sorry that there will be a bit of a hiatus during my absence in 'foreign parts'. Hope both the AGM and the Dinner & Disco are real successes.

Roger R.

Honiton 12k and Redruth Westward League

Times and places of the first XC in Redruth

under 13 girls - Sammy Merry 30th 15.38

snr ladies - C.Sharpe 3rd 19.27
D.Teed 36th 23.33
S.Wilkin 49th 26.04
J.Moulton 57th no time

snr men - T.Hatchard 16th 29.07
H.Marsden 26th 30.06 2nd 45
N.Hatchard 31st 30.41
A.Kennedy 52nd 33.10
P.Hatchard 40th 31.32
P.Champion 66th 34.37
T.Gent 67th 35.00
A.Yates 74th 36.16
L.Turner 91st 39.55
D.Eveleigh 100th 45.10

Jon B.

Honiton 12k

Adrian Kearns 46:14
Roger Rowe 47:16 (1st Vet/60)
Shaun Lock 50:18
John Perratt 50:58 (3rd Vet/60)
Jim Wyatt 58:41

Adrian went like a train, the wheels came off Roger's race due to an achillies strain at around 9k.... sort of limping quickly for 3k. Shaun and John locked in a private battle, and Jim giving us 3 Vet/60s - pity no team prize.

Roger R.

Sunday 2nd October - Clarendon & Christow

On Sunday 2nd October two Harriers traved to Winchester for the Great Clarendon Way full and half marathon. The race started at Winchester college in the city centre, running through some stunning countryside and finishing at Wyvern College, Laverstock in Salisbury.

In the full marathon Paul Champion running his first marathon -- and to pick an multi-terrain marathon was going to be hard -- Paul put his hard training to some good use by finishing in a time of 3hrs.18mins, 3rd Vet/50. Overall he finished in 18th position. In the half marathon starting in Broughton, the mid-way point of the full marathon course, Sue wilkin finished in a time of 2hrs. Both were very happy with their performances.

On the same day two more Harriers travelled the short way to Christow (near Exeter) for the Teign Valley Toddle an 11-mile road race. Dave Stone, still not yet back to his sharpest after a summer of injury, came home in 1st place in a time of 59:53, Hannah Dupain coming home 2nd lady overall in a time of 1:14.

Sunday 25th races...

Autumn Trail Run (Plymouth)
This 8-mile trail run in Plympton is a highlight of the West Devon autumn season. This year, just 3 months after the birth of second son Sam, Jenny Reay returned to the competative fray. This was really a just a 'long quick run' for her, but she finished as 3rd Lady Vet/45 in 1:05:02. Without doubt, carefully easing her way back.

Musbury Hill Challenge
The Challenge is a pretty tough 7-mile multi-terrain race, taking in the top of Musbury Castle. Hugh Marsden who is running at his very best at present finished 3rd overall and 1st Vet/45in 51:50, just 1 minute behind the winner Gerry Perratt of Axe Valley Runners, and 2 seconds behind the 2nd placed athlete. Newly married Camilla Mathison ran a superb race finishing 8th overall and 1st lady in 59:02, around 10 minutes clear of her nearest competitor. Married life seems to suit Camilla!

SEAA Veterans Road Relays

What a beautiful day... and the Rushmoor Arena is a stunning place to race. Built in 1922 to host army tattoos, the Arena has been used for 17 years as the venue for the South of England (SEAA) Veteran Road Relays. Inevitably competitors include many famous names from the past 40 years of English Athletics, including this year London Marathon winner Mike Gratton and Bruce Tulloh a European Champion on the track from the 1950s.

The intrepid band from East Devon which comprises the Exmouth Harriers Vet/60 squad made the 300-mile round trip with high expectations. Could they improve on their 4th place in the UK Road Relays in May? Spirits were high as each squad member completed his warm-up routines. 120+ teams (of 4) of Vet/40, 50 & 60 athletes toed the start line... some with serious demeanour, some sharing in the friendly banter between opponents of long standing. Each leg being of 6k.

Our final team results -- 4th Vet/60 team:

Rog Rowe 22:04
Les Turner 26:57
Ray Elston 26:11
John Perratt 24:23

RR won the individual gold for the fastest leg on the day, with JP with 11th fastest. Great to have both Jim Wyatt and Hugh Marsden supporting the team. Well done everyone... just 9 seconds over our forecast time!

Roger R.  

Doone Run - Sunday 18th

Call me crazy if you like, but I decided to run yesterday's Doone Run. And I coped okay - although all the steep downhills were rather painful (Andy has an injured foot - RR). So I just slowed down, and was passed by runners who were soon overtaken when we started climbing again.

This is a wonderful race - just a shame that you can't take your eyes off the paths to look at the views! I expected to run close to two hours because of the foot and the fact that I was feeling that the energy tanks were more than a bit low, and as I've mentioned I slowed down to a very slow jog on the many descents... but I still finished in 1:39:16 for 42nd.

I reckon I could pick up close to five minutes simply by running the descents, and I certainly wasn't pushing hard on the climbs, except in the final mile.

I certainly recommend this one for future years!
(AJ)
PS Well done to Marvin for her race yesterday!;

Newton Abbot Ladies 10k - 18th September

Just three Harriers at the 10k:

66th 52:33 Jane Bateman (running as WRN)-(4th over 50)
141st 57:51 Sasha Newman
204th 65:01 Mandy Marvin

Even though there were 110 (out of 257) from the Womens Running Network, Newton Abbot ladies won the team prize with Nicky Hill (2nd), Carrie-Anne (6th) and Sue Hewings (10th).

11th September races

Devon Half Marathon Championship - Seaton Half
Team results

Female Open - 1st Overall
98 Hannah Dupain
150 Steph French
156 Lorraine Croome
(Three to count)

Male Open - 1st Overall
8 Dave Stone
30 Adrian Kearns
49 Andrew Kennedy
52 Jonathan Croome
(Four to count)

Individual results

Dave Stone in 8th 1.17.13
Adrain Kearns 30th 1.23.54 a PB
Andy Kennedy 49th 1.27.26
Jon Croome 52nd 1.27.45
John Perratt 90th 1.32.19 and 1st vet 60
Hannah Dupain 98th 1.33.11 a PB
Chris Dupain 124th 1.36.04
Steph French 150th 1.38.35
Lorraine Croome 156th 1.39.09 a PB
Dawn Teed 202nd 1.45.20 a PB
Trevor Cope 297th 1.58.24 {his 217th? Half-Marathon)
Denise Kennedy 318th 2.02.08 a PB

Five Personal Bests in one race... phew!

Ivybridge Beacon Challenge
Three Harriers completed this years challenge in good weather but very slippery conditions under foot. It is a tough race and don't let the " It's only 9 miles " fool you -- it's basically a fell race!

Paul Champion 11th 78.32 1st vet 50
Tim Gent 22nd 86.56
Sue Wilkin 72nd 117.45

The Final Winslade 3k - 2nd Sept 05

Great action photo of John P taken by Mary at the Winslade 3k on Friday.
Provision results of the Series:
Winslade 3k Series
2.85k 3k 3k
Hannah Dupain SL 10:14 12:22
Nicola Crook SL 15:35
Mandy Marvin VL37 15:40 19:31 17:42

Shaun Lock SM 11:06
Tim Gent SM 12:20

Bob Keast VM48 11:01
Adrian Taylor VM49 10:42 11:35 11:47
Dave Eveleigh VM51 12:41
Nigel Dupain VM53 11:24 13:03 12:23
Roger Rowe VM60 09:56 11:17 10:52
Les Turner VM62 13:03 14:00 14:23
Ray Elston VM66 10:47 12:34 12:27
John Perratt VM68 10:26 12:03 11:42

. 

Torbay 10k - 7:00pm 21st August 2005

Welcome back Dave Stone. Dave's first proper race for a couple of months saw him starting VERY circumspectly before 'opening up', overtaking a great deal of the field before finishing in a creditable 11th place overall; and in a pretty decent time considering.

Large field - some 500+ entries - so the first mile was rather frenetic weaving in and out of the traffic. Roger went off fast hoping to get clear, but was surprised to find Dave S and Adrian overtaking him around the one mile point, run in 5:32. Shaun and Andrew were having a little battle all of their own, whilst John Perratt, starting more conservatively waited for the crowd to thin before really getting into his running. By the second mile, Ed had managed to get clear and into some steady running, whilst Diccon and Dave E were having problems of their own with the crowds.

The slow second mile, taking in the gasworks hill, saw the field string out rather, but the double lap of Paignton Green brought confusion for the faster runners on the second lap - just whom were they chasing, and whom could they safely ignore.

Just before the double circuit, Roger managed to get past Adrian and close up on the leading lady, Helen Parkinson from Bideford.

Back up over the gasworks hill, the gaps were steadily growing, but the aformentioned Helen P quickly regained the initiative over Roger, finishing a place in front.

The final stackup:

Position - Time - Name - Category - Pace
11th 35:04 STONE, Dave M35-39 05:38.5
41st 37:57 ROWE, Roger MV60-64 06:06.3 1st Vet/60
45th 38:23 KEARNS, Adrian M35-39 06:10.5
56th 39:30 LOCK, Shaun M30-34 06:21.3
63rd 39:56 JOHNSON, Andrew MV40-44 06:25.5
83rd 41:00 PERRATT, John MV65+ 06:35.8 1st Vet/65
140th 44:12 SHUTT, Edward MV50-54 07:06.7
223rd 48:59 HAYES, Diccon M30-34 07:52.8
356th 56:00 EVELEIGH, David MV50-54 09:00.6

Great run in warm conditions, pretty well ideal. But those hills really kill the legs at pace!

Roger R.

Simouth Festival 10k - 14th August

Great run, good weather. One hill !! A real test of knees. The course consists of a flat start, and then a long-long climb up Peak Hill to High Peak. The first man and woman up the hill receive the accolade 'King' or 'Queen' of the Hill. (and they deserve it belive me). There is then a flat tour of Mutters Moor before plunging back down the hill to Sidmouth Sea Front. A mad dash down if ever there was one.

Harriers results:

Jamie Palmer 9th 42.37
Jim Pyne 12th 43.16
Hannah Dupain 30th 48.00 (2nd Lady and Queen of the Hill)
Tim Gent 55th 50.24
Chris Dupain 58th 50.50
Nigel Dupain 82nd 53.42

Well done everyone,
Tim Gent

Yeovil 5k - 10th August

Well... about the fastest 5k course I've ever seen. Even with a wind it is quick. The three of us were very pleased with times and places! All the times were recorded a second slower than we had on our watches... and 17:59 would have been nice!! Ho Hum...

26th 18:00 Roger Rowe Vet60+ 88.00% (5:47.5 pace)
1st Vet/50&60 Course record

46th 18:56 Andrew Johnson Vet40+ 71.70% (6:06 pace)

59th 19:43 John Perratt Vet65+ 87.30% (6:21 pace)
1st Vet/65

The final race in the series is on the 14th September... a PB course if ever I've seen one! It starts off flat and gets flatter (is that possible)? Run on a wedge-shaped course around the lanes from the Yeovilton Airbase through Podimore and back around the perimeter. Having run it, one can easily see how such fast times have consistently been run during the 6-race series each year. Organised efficiently by Yeovil Town RRC.
 

Totnes 10k - 7th August 2005

6 00:37:22 HATCHARD, Anthony Exmouth Harriers SM
15 00:38:57 MARSDEN, Hugh Exmouth Harriers M45 (1st V/45)
21 00:40:23 PALMER, Jim Exmouth Harriers M35
33 00:41:54 LOCK, Shaun Exmouth Harriers SM
35 00:42:00 KENNEDY, Andrew Exmouth Harriers M45
56 00:43:32 KEARNS, Adrian Exmouth Harriers M35
69 00:44:53 MERRY, Steve Exmouth Harriers M50
72 00:45:11 CHAMPION, Paul Exmouth Harriers M50
75 00:45:17 PERRATT, John Exmouth Harriers M65 (1st V/60)
82 00:46:17 DUPAIN, Hannah Exmouth Harriers SF (4th Lady)
98 00:47:20 DUPAIN, Christopher Exmouth Harriers SM
109 00:48:13 ELSTON, Ray Exmouth Harriers M65 (2nd V/60)
209 00:53:23 BAMSEY, Jonathon Exmouth Harriers M35
252 00:55:48 TEED, Dawn Exmouth Harriers F40
299 00:58:50 WILKIN, Sue Exmouth Harriers F45
360 01:02:15 KENNEDY, Denise Exmouth Harriers F45
464 01:14:10 MOULTON, Jan Exmouth Harriers F55

Not sure anyone else noticed, but Ray Elston beat Peter Tabenor (Plymouth Harriers) by over a minute. THAT is a real scalp to take... well done Ray.

... and Sam Merry was first 'lady' in the fun run!

Pewsey 5 - Wednesday 3rd August

A long way to travel (by train!), but I had been seeking a five-mile race for a while and it was the only one within reach. Pewsey is halfway to London on the Paddington line, so an easy trip both to and from.

The race is of long-standing, but as they said to me... not flat! Actually it was a typical undulating circuit of the lanes around the town; not unlike parts of Devon. The first two miles having some climbs, and the last three a bit quicker, but with a (very) twisty half-mile at both start and finish.

I managed 30:02 for 9th in the field, and had the pleasure of breaking the course record for a Vet/60 -- previously held by Bruce Tulloh - 30:04 in 1996. As you can imagine I was pretty happy with that on such a course, but a very close run thing; I even managed a sprint at the end with my eyes on the clock (and I can't sprint for toffees); experiencing the reason we all run at the end -- relief and joy!

 

Univ Hilly 5k - Friday 29th July 2005

They said it was hilly! Not only the 'up' that were tough, but the 'downs' too. Hannah won the ladies by a country mile, with Andy in 9th overall. There were 71 finishers. For the complete results click in the date line above....

Harriers:
8th Andrew Johnson 19:48 (4th Vet/40)
15th Hannah Dupain 21:03 (1st Lady)
18th John Perratt 21:25 (1st Vet/65)
45th Jim Wyatt 25:00 (1st Vet/60)

Roger R.

Erme Valley Relays - Friday 8th July

Six and three quarters (27 Harriers + a guest) completed the Erme Valley Relays on Friday. You will find below all the photos 'that are fit to print'... some were out of focus and a few too dark... sorry if we did not get you!

The 'guest' was young Carrie-Anne Hewings from Newton Abbot (a young lady with real talent), who completed a ladies scratch team which also included Denise Kennedy, Mandy Marvin and in her first (?) outing in Harrier colours, Sam Merry.

Well done everyone on a pretty difficult course in unenviable conditions... hilly, hot and humid.

Roger R.

Remember racing Jamie? Second leg for the 'A' team, Jamie Palmer (14:18) finding the going hard. Sorry we missed Dave Stone (13:23) on the first leg for the 'A' lads. 

Hugh Marsden (13:48) in typical form on the flat before the hill. 

Anthony Hatchard (13:17) anchoring the men's 'A' team to 5th overall. 

Lorraine Croome (17:28), toward the top of the hill with Nigel Dupain (17:23) in wondering when to pass. Both running first legs for their respective teams. 

Hannah Jones (18:27), running the second leg for the ladies. On the flat towards the finish. 

The 'ups' were a bit of a struggle for us all. Here's Dawn Teed (18:58) deep in concentration. 

Camilla Sharpe (15:34) overtaking Sue Hewings from Newton Abbot in the underpass. 

Missed Andy Kennedy (15:22) on the first leg, but here's Tim Gent (16:00) striding out for the changeover or the 'B' team. 

Jon Croome (14:07, phew that's quicker than Hugh) just avoiding the brown stuff on the flat in the second mile. 

Adrian Taylor (16:50) anchoring the 'B' team to a solid 14th place overall. 

Jim Wyatt (18:40) in hot pursuit of Hannah J. Unfortunately we missed Les Turner, who turned in a great 17:42 for his leg. 

The strain clearly showing as Richard (14:47) crests the rise on the first leg for the victorious Vet/50 team. (... sorry we missed Phil B (17:06) running the second leg for the team). 

Paul Champion (15:46), finding the going easier, on the flat at around a mile-and-a-half. 

Steve (15:44), anchoring the Vet/50 winning team, working hard with 400 metres to go. 

The victorious Vet/60 team: Roger R (14:41), Ray (16:52), Roger C (17:53) and John (16:04). 

Harry and Sam...

Hi Roger - please could you pass my thanks to everyone at the club for the card and wonderful flowers - club colours too, magnificent!

Sam is settling in well - nights not brill, but early days yet. He's already put on five ounces, so doing well.

Can't wait for my first run - the doc says to wait a few weeks, so I'm itching to get my running shoes back on.

Many thanks again, and best wishes to everyone... happy running...

Jenny, Andy, Harry and Sam Reay 

The Portreeve Challenge - Tuesday 28th June

My fears of a PW were unfounded... but only because the deluge shortly before we arrived in Ashburton - there were fire engines clearing out a flood that had just run down the main street! Forced us off the traditional course.

After a long delay, it was announced that the Portreeve's Challenge would be replaced by two laps of the fun run. I had a word with the Cigarette-Smoking-Man, suggesting that two laps was too short and wouldn't it be better to do three. He had a word with young Stephen Waldron and the three of us went off to talk to the organiser - well, I followed a metre behind. After extensive discussions and arguments, the organiser caved in - actually, he agreed immediately. So it was then announced the race would be three laps. (Each lap is about 2.5 miles)

Feeling the pace at the end of the second lap, I regretted my intervention but I hung on to finish 8th (out of 30 to 40) and I felt it went quite well. I ran with C-S-M for the second half mile but couldn't keep pace with him, but I did overtake someone near the end who beat me in the Michelmores race - the first time he had beaten me in years.

Andrew Johnson

 

Jo's adventure in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Marathon

Had a fantastic weekend. The course had been changed significantly this year with Arthur's seat and some other hills taken out, although this meant more cobbles and a long climb from mile 24 to the finish.

The conditions were not great - very windy at the start and quite heavy downpours at intervals, but the atmosphere was great - bagpipes and hundreds of spectators along the route - good turnout considering the conditions !!

It was one lap... however the cycle track and the stretch along the beach was a little tedious as we had to double back - a bit demoralising. Then we were sent through an industrial estate, yuk!

There was a relay event going on at the same time so the change overs had to be well managed to filter the marathon runners from the relay teams. Water and energy stations were well stocked, but there were some problems with the mile markers as some were missing and others completely out.

The finish was a little cramped we were ferried to collect - medal - then T-shirt - then goody bag - then banana - then drink - still needing your hands to collect your kitbag and remove your timing chip - too many people in a small space to do too many things.

I am pleased that I choose Edinburgh as my first marathon - 3 hours 56 minutes and 40 seconds was my finishing time - did not know when and how hard to push myself - so looking for a much better time in my next one. Hope to see you soon...

Jo Darwood

Torbay Half Marathon - 26th June

Dave returned after his long lay-off with what looks like a careful run. Be a great time for must of us, but for Dave it shows he was looking after the injury. Paul and Gill providing good support.

16th 1:22:08 Dave STONE
105th 1:34:21 Paul SAMWAYS
562nd 2:02:50 Gill SAUNDERSON (LV/40 - 15th)

Roger R.

Killerton Kanter - 19th June

On Sunday morning 10 Harriers ran the Killerton Kanter, a 6.5 miles 'off road' race which starts and finishes at Killerton House. This is a tough course running along stoney paths and fields, and the hot weather made it hard going. A total of 133 finishers, saw a Harrier winning the race -- Tony Hatchard in 39.17.

Other results: Shaun Lock 12th (44.14),Andy Kennedy 18th(46,14), Paul Champion 22nd(48.06), Hannah Dupain 23rd and 3rd senior lady (48.21), Nigel Dupain 37th(53.41), Dawn Teed 67th (57.37), Jon Bamsey 69th(57.47), Hannah Jones 73rd (58.55) and Denise Kennedy 105th (65.47) completed the line-up. 

Bampton 10k - 18th June

90th Ian Wright 55:50
85th Jim Wyatt 53:22
84th Dave Eveleigh 53:13
45th Ray Elston 45:24
28th Andy Johnson 42:13
15th Roger Rowe 39:14
9th Hugh Marsden 37:09

VERY hot, VERY hilly, VERY humid... and the showers had been vandalised! What a wonderful place Bampton and the lanes toward and around Morbath are. Twisty little hills and dales in the most beautiful scenery one could desire. Nice to see Mandy there from Taunton to support. All the times a couple of minutes down... just leave me to sit in the shade for a while.

Roger R.

Ian I think finding the conditions just a bit too hot/humid. Great run Ian, it'll all seem easy after this! Must get him a Harriers vest... 

Jim hanging on to Dave like a limpet.