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