Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Last weekend's races

Last week, three Exmouth Harriers took part in the South West Cross Country Championships which were held at Bicton College. The race was won by Rob Whalley of Bristol & West A C in 22.19.

Tony Hatchard was the first Exmouth Harrier to finish and came 30th in 25.17. Jimmy Zaple was 79th in 28.44 and Lee Russell came 115th in 35.24.

This week’s events included the 4th race in the Brooks Westward Cross Country League which was held at Bideford. The 44 runners in the women’s race included two Exmouth Harriers. Cathy Newman ran superbly for 3rd place and Dawn Teed was 29th.

Cathy is one of Exmouth’s most gifted athletes and still holds the course records for the Taunton marathon and half marathon which she set as far back as 1985 and 1989, respectively. On 18th February, she will be representing Devon in the Peninsular Challenge which is incorporated in the Plymouth Hoe '10'. In May, she will be representing Great Britain in the 10k in the European Non-stadia Championships in Regensburg, Germany. We wish her well for both events.

Nine Harriers were among the 94 runners who completed the men’s cross country at Bideford. Dave Stone ran well for 14th and Joe Pascoe was 23rd. Hugh Marsden was 25th and Shaun Lock 29th. Andy Johnson came 39th, Bob Keast 67th and Ray Elston 74th. Jim Wyatt was 86th and Les Turner 92nd.

Oh My Obelisk! is a 10 mile multi terrain race from Dawlish Leisure Centre to the Obelisk monument in Haldon Forest and back, mostly on green lanes, forest tracks and country lanes.

The race was won by Mark Cowen of Exeter Harriers in 1.06.14. There were 350 finishers including three Exmouth Harriers. Paul Champion was 66th in 1.23.29. Diccon Haynes was 180th in 1.36.21 and Sue Wilkin came 287th in 1.52.00.

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