Chambers and Newman are new Devon Champions

[Cathy in the 2006 Last Chance 10k]

29th April 2007

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Andrew Chambers and Cathy Newman are the new Devon multi terrain champions. The pair, running for Exeter Harriers and Exmouth Harriers respectively, raced to impressive victories in the Arlington Court Canter 10k event that incorporated the county championships.

From a record field of 250 runners Chambers cruised to a clear win finishing 1mins 42secs ahead of Bideford’s Wayne Stephens, although his winning time of 35minutes was shy of John Ward’s course record of 34:13. Stephens had the ample consolation of leading the Bideford squad of Craig Dellew, Steve Gallienne, Don Mapp to the team title.

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Cathy Newman dominated the women’s race to such an extent that she left North Devon Road Runners’ Vicky Skelton trailing by over four minutes. Alicia Leal was third and with Agie Clinch claiming the over 50s prize, North Devon Road Runners claimed the team title.

Organiser Tom McClenaghan was delighted with the turn-out.“Previously the race has clashed with the London Marathon but we got an alternative date this year and while we have been close to 200 runners in the past this was the first time we were well over 200,” said McClenaghan. "We also had 50 youngsters in the fun run. It was a brilliant day.”

Men: 1 Andrew Chambers (Exe) 35:00; 2 Wayne Stephens (Bide) 36:42; 3 Pete Rigler (NDRR) 37:35; 4 Mark Bachelor (SMoulton) 37:51; 5 Craig Dellew (Bide) 39:14; 6 Zac Warwick (SDAC) 39:27.M40: Ian Pang (SWRR) 40:06. M45: Dave Cameron (SWRR) 39:49. M50: John Shapland (NDRR) 41:12. M60: John Perratt (Exm) 47:34.

Teams: 1 Bideford AC (Stephens, Dellew, Steve Gallienne, Don Mapp).

Women: 1 Cathy Newman (Exm, W35) 40:14; 2 Vicky Skelton (NDRR) 44:15; 3 Alicia Leal (NDRR) 45:11W50: Agie Clinch (NDRR) 49:35

Teams: 1 North Devon RR (Skelton, Clinch).

The athlete of the day... let's hear it for Cathy!

More from 'London'

DEVON runner Heather Foundling-Hawker finished runner-up to former World champion Liz McColgan in the Flora London Marathon. Former London winner McColgan has long since retired from international competition but was back in the capital to run the race for charity. She showed that her old competitive instincts are still alive as she won the over 40 veterans’ prize in 2hrs 50mins 38secs with Foundling-Hawker, a member of Honiton Running Club, second in 2:54.56 despite having recently suffered with illness that has curtailed her training. But Foundling-Hawker wasn’t pleased with her run or that she wasn’t allowed on the same start line as McColgan. “I was on the elite women’s start and ended up running the whole race on my own and I hated it,” said Foundling-Hawker. “Liz was on the ‘Good For Age’ start and ran with people, including some of my friends, all the way.“ It was no fun at all and I won’t be doing it again.”

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Wells City Harrier Jennifer Moore was sixth veteran over 40 (3:00.03) just in front of Tiverton’s Caroline Hewitt (3:00.22). To complete a good showing by west athletes in this age group Kathleen Sincock, who runs for South West Road runners, was 10th in 3:02.28.

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Exmouth Harrier Dave Stone was the quickest Devon runner completing the 26.2 miles in a time of 2:42.25 just over two minutes quicker than Rupert Warren of Tavistock AC. From Plymouth Harriers Richard Gannon clocked 2:48.52 while Stephen Sincock, of South West Road Runners, finished in 2:53.27. Fastest Bristol & West AC finisher was Christian Nicholson, though he wasn’t particularly happy with his 2:31.52. Neither was clubmate Phil Parry, who had targeted sub 2:30 but had to settle for 2.36.34. “It didn't really work out and I just got slower and slower in the second half,” said Parry. The club’s women did well with Sian Monahan and Lisa Newing running personal bests as they broke three hours for the first time with Monahan claiming second place in the over 45s age group. With newcomer Camilla Mottram clocking 3:14 the trio should be in with a chance of a top six finish in the team contest.

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(from the Ironbridge Runner website)

London Marathon 2007

Ten Exmouth Harriers fought the sweltering heat in the London Marathon and produced some outstanding performances. The first of the men to finish, Dave Stone, was 177th in 2.42.25, out of the 24815 who completed the race.

Shaun Lock, running his first marathon, came 880th in 3.00.42 and was so unlucky to just miss getting round in under 3 hours. Adrian Kearns was 971st in 3.02.51 and Tony Hatchard was 1424th in 3.09.50. Trevor Cope came 14816th in 4.41.36.

10854 runners completed the ladies event. Camilla Mathison was 384th in 3.28.20, followed by Steph French who was 651st in 3.38.56. Jo Darwood was 667th in 3.39.25 and Emma Dupain was 2417th in 4.16.52.

Spare a thought for Chris Dupain who, despite feeling ill all week, started the race and managed to keep going until mile 12 – a tremendous effort in all that heat! By mile 10 he felt as if he’d done 20. Although feeling gutted, he’s positive and determined about running the London again next year.

Sister Hannah Dupain, another of this super family of athletes, wasn’t able to start the race, but will also be back with a vengeance in the future.

(LT)

Athlete of the day? Has to be Dave Stone. Remarkable time with a minimum of training.!

Bampton to Tiverton

Just a short stroll down the Exe Valley from Bampton to Tiverton... looks great, all downhill (on paper). Hey, but... but... there is a little matter of the three hills on the way PLUS the Bolham/Knightshayes hill in the last mile. Just over 7.1 miles in all -- 61st running of the race.

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Good field of around 200 runners, and a pleasant, if cloudy morning. John fresh from his Helsinki efforts ran his usual 'blinder' (Just look at the age-related percentages)! Andy must have been very close to a PB for the 'unique' course; he and I first ran it 21 years ago!

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Bit of a mix-up at the prizegiving, with a Torbay athlete given the Vet/65 prize in front of John and Ray... but that was soon sorted out. And well, yes, it was a nice Easter Monday bit-more-than-a-stroll!

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Adrian Kearns - 43:07 - 72.78%

Andrew Johnson - 44:15 - 74.01%

Roger Rowe - 46:06 - 83.30% - 1st Vet/60

John Perratt - 48:31 - 86.33% - 1st vet/70

Ray Elston - 49:56 - 81.05% - 1st Vet/65

Jim Wyatt - 57:00 - 68.74%

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Pity there was no over 60s team prize!

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Athlete of the day? Has to be John Perratt.

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(RR)

Races - 1st April 2007

[Les, negotiating the traffic at 14 miles in the Taunton Marathon]

Eight Exmouth Harriers took part in the tough off road Exe to Axe race, four as a team and four as individuals. The team of Paul Champion, who went on to run the full distance as part of his training for the 100 mile race at Mont Blanc in August, Phil Bater, Lee Russell and Steve Merry came 1st vets team and 3rd team overall.

The other Harriers at the Exe to Axe were Cathy Newman, Lorraine and Jon Croome and Tim Gent.

The marathon and half marathon races at Taunton included eight more runners from Exmouth Harriers. In the full marathon, Julie Gellender ran superbly for 39th overall and 2nd lady vet 35 in 3.21.07. Les Turner was 160th overall and 4th vet 60 in 4.19.58. The race was won by Brian Cole of RNAC in 2.43.45 and there were 192 finishers.

The Taunton half marathon was won by Pete Waumsley of Tamar Trotters in 1.14.02 The field of 1098 included Dave Stone, who was 8th in 1.15.56, Shaun Lock 28th in 1.21.01, and Paul Samways 40th in 1.22.52. Duncan Parkes was 346th in 1.42.35 and Sue Wilkin was 655th in 1.57.30. Trevor Cope was 740th in 2.02.29. Some of the Exmouth runners were using the half marathon as part of their preparation for the full London marathon in three weeks’ time.

In the last edition of the Journal it was reported that Dawn Teed had won the award for 2nd lady vet 40 in the Brooks Westward Cross Country League. She was actually 3rd in the cross country series, but 2nd lady overall after her brilliant run in the Falkland Islands Marathon.

Harrier Tony Hatchard, who was omitted from the report on the Bath Half Marathon, had another excellent race, coming 43rd in 1.12.43.

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Athlete of the day: Les Turner for his great first attempt at the marathon... a difficult one too... at the age of 64. What an achievement!