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

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