All the weekend races : 27-30 May [Press Report]

A long and busy weekend for Exmouth Harriers started on Friday night when a team of seven took part in the Women's 20 mile track relay at Exeter Arena, an annual charity event in support of cancer care in Exeter. Running legs of 400 metres each, Exmouth finished second behind the Women's Running Network in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 19 seconds. The 80 laps were shared between Hannah Dupain, Nicky Crook, Sasha Newman, Dawn Teed, Mandy Marvin, Hannah Jones and Jo Darwood, with the whole team running together on a celebratory final lap.

On Sunday, six Harriers were amongh the 2,183 runners taking part in the Plymouth Half Marathon. The benefits of a cool, but humid day with little wind were offset by climbs at half way, through Saltram Park and the final miles, which include cobbles on the Barbican and a final climb to the finish on The Hoe - although this does present a final 200 flat metres for those ready for a sprint finish.

Hugh Marsden finished 22nd overall, and 2nd Vet 45, in 1:17:07, followed by Anthony Yates (64th, 1:23:07), who outsprinted Roger Rowe along The Hoe. Rowe, however, picked up first in the Vet 60 category (1:23:12). Hannah Dupain recovered from her Friday night efforts to finish 10th Senior Lady in 1:33:45. The other Harriers who took part were Shaun Lock (1:27:43) and David Woodley (1:55:08).

Finally, on Bank Holiday Monday, the 175 runners who took part in the Chagford 2 Hills race included Anthony Hatchard, who finished second in 26:19. As the name suggests, this is a very hilly event, with a bog between the two hills. Jim Pyne of Exmouth was 10 in 29:23, followed later by Dawn Teed (81st, 43:13) and Dave Eveleigh (83rd, 43:21).

Finally, Journal readers are reminded that it is possible to enter next Sunday's Graham Sykes 10K on the morning of the race. The race headquarters is the Deer Leep and the event starts at 9:30am from behind Elizabeth Hall.

(Andrew Johnson)
Andy's final report (thanks Andy)... Jon Bamsey takes over from 1st June.