It's a Dupain World

Harrier Emma Dupain was very excited when she completed the Cardiff Half Marathon in 1:38:20, coming 938th out of 5796 finishers and beating her PB by 4 mins. The winner was Simon Jones in 1:07:47. Emma and Ben White have continued to fly the flag for the Harriers in Wales. Recently they competed in the Swansea 10k and finished in 52:08. Rather slow, but they completed the race pushing a wheelchair all the way! Rog, the teenage boy who is severely disabled that Emma looks after in the evenings, was thrilled to go so fast in his chair and to get a medal and t-shirt. They started half way back in the starting pack (all runners, not just those with wheelchairs) and were proud that they got all the way round without being overtaken by any other runners!!! Congratulations, Emma, Ben and Rog! You can push me any time you like, I could do with a new PB!

Chris Dupain’s birthday treat was to run the Guide Dog Gallop (organised by Axe Valley Runners) at All Saints near Axminster with his dad!!! It was 7 miles, mainly on roads, finishing across some wet fields. Chris came 6th in 46:14 and Nigel 12th in 51:54. A new run for them both and good except for the rain!!

The organisers of the Snowdonia Marathon are extremely proud of all those runners, supporters and staff who took part this year and braved the horrendous weather conditions (the worst in the 26 year history of the race with 60 m.p.h. winds, rain, hail, etc.) to produce a memorable event. The race was won by Martin Cox in 2:44:37 -- the 1183 finishers included hardy Harrier Mark Thompson who came 265th in 3:49:42. Well done Mark, and all the other runners!

For Steve...

The Exmouth viaduct (seen from the opposite direction on my posting of the 24th September). In 2008, virtually the same view can be seen -- without the viaduct of course -- from my mum-in-law's sitting room in Hometor House (see below)! The building on the right is, of course, still there and hardly changed.
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Dartmoor Vale Races

The Dartmoor Vale Races consist of a fun run, 10K, half marathon and marathon. All the races start and finish at Newton Abbott Racecourse. This is Devon’s only marathon and therefore incorporates the Devon Championship for this distance.

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Jenny Timms became the new Devon marathon ladies champion by winning convincingly in 3:28:03, and it was another 18 minutes before the second lady crossed the finish line. Jenny said “That was quite unexpected. I felt pretty strong all the way around and I’m delighted to win”. Congratulations, Jenny!! The new men’s champion is Alan Ryder of Erme Valley Harriers, who won in 2:48:39. Adrian Kearns was 14th in 3:17:18 and Peter McKeown was 18th in 3:24:04. 107 runners finished the marathon.
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The half marathon was completed by 289 runners. The winner was John McFarlane of Thames Hare & Hounds in 1:10:50 and Exmouth runner Tom Merson of South West Road Runners was 2nd only 33 seconds later in 1:11:23.

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Two Harriers took part in the 10K race that was won by Wayne Stephens of Bideford A A C in 34:12. Mark Thompson was 22nd in 40:25 and Jim Wyatt was 96th in 48:30 out of the field of 357 finishers.

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(LT)

Exmouth Station (RIP)

Where the Sports Centre now stands (and possibly Asda in the future) was once an impressive Southern Railway Station. Demolished to make way for both Marine Drive (the old line to Littleham) and the aformentioned SC together with the roundabout, the old Station was an impressive sight. I remember laughing crowds of Exonians pouring out of the forecourt on the way to the beach -- no-one, unless they were 'rich' could afford a car! We certainly couldn't.

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More of the station when no races to report upon.

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Honiton 12k

This year’s Honiton 12K race was the last. Next year it will be replaced by a new 10 mile event over an “undulating” one-lap course on quieter roads, with a lot more beautiful rural scenery and a couple of long, flat sections where “enthusiastic” competitors can make up for the more undulating parts. This year’s winner was Adam Carlson of Torbay A A C in 41:02 and the field of 142 runners included two Exmouth Harriers. Adrian Kearns was 14th in 48:38 and Lee Russell was 72nd in 59:23.

Westward League - St. Austell

Last weekend also saw 107 runners complete the men’s category in the first of this season’s Brooks Westward League Cross Country series of six events, at St Austell in Cornwall, including eight Exmouth Harriers. The senior men’s event was won by Tom Merson of South West Road Runners in 31:44 and Exmouth’s Jamie Pearson was 21st in 35:16. Hugh Marsden was 44th in 37:13, Bob Woodall was 93rd in 44:45, Ray Elston was 3rd V60 and 99th overall in 46:15 and Terry Oldham was 102nd in 47:57.

The winner out of the field of 64 runners in the ladies’ event was B Alston of Cornwall A C in 22:35. Exmouth’s Lorraine Slight was 41st in 29:04, Stef French was 3rd LV35 and 42nd overall in 29:17 and K Smith was 64th in 38:15.

Parrett Trail Relay Race

Saturday, 11th October

Results available at:http://www.parrettrace.btik.com/p_Home.ikml

Exmouth Harriers took what must have been their biggest squad in any event for many a year to the Parrett Trail Relay, a well-established six leg trail relay from the mouth of the River Parrett on the North Somerset coast, across Somerset to just over the border in Dorset, close to the source of the river at Winyards Gap. The route is approximately 53 miles long.

This year, Exmouth fielded a men’s team, a ladies team and two mixed teams (out of the total of 28 teams), twice the number the club had last year and they again produced some brilliant results.

The ladies team was awesome and they won their category in only 7:03:18, taking 36 minutes less than they took in winning it last year and increasing their margin of victory from 32 seconds last year to over 42 minutes over 2nd placed Honiton this year!

Their victorius team comprised Julie Gellender (leg 1 – 10.5 miles), Emma Dupain (leg 2 – 7.9 miles), Lorraine Croome (leg 3 – 8.5 miles), Dawn Teed (leg 4 – 8.6 miles), Hannah Dupain (leg 5 – 8.6 miles) and Cathy Newman (leg 6 - 8.6 miles). Julie Gellender, Emma Dupain, Lorraine Croome and Cathy Newman all won their legs and Dawn Teed and Hannah Dupain were both second. Well done, Exmouth Ladies, on a fantastic team performance!!

Twelve teams contested the men’s event and Exmouth, while unable to match the ladies, still produced a great performance, coming 2nd in 6:04:46, only 5 ½ minutes behind the victors Yeovil Town (5:59:17) and over 24 minutes ahead of 3rd placed Trull Troggers. Hugh Marsden (leg 1) and Dave Stone (leg 5) both won their legs and Adam Miller (leg 2) was 2nd. The other Exmouth runners were Jamie Pearson (leg 3), Jon Croome (leg 4) and Tony Hatchard (leg 6). Congratulations to the men’s team.

The first of the Exmouth mixed teams to finish were 2nd in the category. It comprised Adrian Kearns, Terry Oldham, Stef French, Jim Pyne, Paul Champion and Camilla Mathison. Their time was 7:00:55 and the category with 10 teams was won by Crewkerne in 6:49:16. Adrian Kearns, Terry Oldham, Jim Pyne, Paul Champion and Camilla Mathison all came 2nd in their legs.

Exmouth’s other mixed team were 4th in the category and they, too, produced a leg winner (Pete McKeown – leg 6) and a 2nd place (Chris Dupain - leg 3). The other runners were Andy Johnson, Nicky Crook, Lorraine Slight and Sue Wilkin.

All in all, it was a great day out for the club. Well done, everyone!!

(LT)

Portland 10k

South West Veterans 10k Championship

Sunday morning saw the SWV 10k at Portland with Jim, Roger and John representing the Harriers. Jim beat all comers in the V65s (48:14) for the gold (the second gold in the photo was from the SWV 5 mile championship a fortnight ago), Roger the silver in the V60s (40:56) and John the gold in the V70s (47:07). A beautiful, warm day with the Island looking its best. A treat.

(RR - photos MR)

A train... for Ray & Phil

... and anyone else with a memory. Not exactly an unusual picture, you might think, ah, but! This is a photo taken in the early 1960s of a two-carriage train working up the incline from Tipton St. John towards the Bowd and Sidmouth. This stretch of line is now a footpath on which many of us have run. Only around a mile-and-a-half from Tipton to the Bowd, but a treat.

Brixham 10k

The Brixham 10K race on 5th October was won by Kairn Stone of Newham & Essex Beagles, in 33:44. The field of 198 runners included two Exmouth Harriers. Dave Stone, the first to finish, was 8th in 37:12 and Jamie Pearson was 15th in 38:13.

Exeter Arena 3k (Race 1)

Results from a damp and cold evening at the track:

Andrew Johnson - 11:25
Roger Rowe - 11:29
Lee Russell - 12:11
John Parrett - 12:44
Ray Elston - 12:46
Jim Wyatt - 13:37

Our friend from Exmouth (who runs for SWRR) Tom Merson, won the 'A' race in 8:58, lapping some of the cream of the evening's crop.

The second evening of races will take place on Wednesday, 5th November.

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