Last Chance 10k

[Cathy, one kilometer out from the finish]

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Unfortunately, the results list for the Last Chance did not give clubs, which made it difficult to pick up all members of Exmouth Harriers for the report to the Exmouth Journal. Please let Les Turner know, if possible by 11.00 am on Tuesday, if any names are missing from the list below:-

23 Cathy Newman F45 36:45 1st LV 45
46 Adrian Kearns Sen M 39:07
51 Roger Rowe M60 39:44 1st V60
94 John Perratt M70 42:36 1st V70
101 Chris Dupain Sen M 42:56
156 Emma Dupain Sen W 45:55
157 Nigel Dupain M55 45:55
180 Hannah Dupain Sen W 47:10
215 Jim Wyatt M65 48:53 2nd V65
245 Ben White Sen M 50:33
294 Les Turner M60 52:48
467 Mandy Marvin F40 65:09

(LT)

Les gives SWRR the benefit of the doubt in his report above... but it was perfectly obvious to anyone, that using Chip Timing was a disaster (as well as inflating the entry price). Not even to be able to list the finishers at the Prizegiving is really inexcusable, and not at all like SWRR's normal standards. The lesson? Avoid Chip Timing at all costs!

[Nice action photo of Les just before the finish]

(RR)

A Happy Christmas

Look forward to seeing many Harriers at the Last Chance 10k next weekend. In the meantime the above image makes a great Christmas Wallpaper for your PC!

(RR)

Everest Marathon

Stunning views, but not too much oxygen!! For anyone with a head for heights, how about trying the Everest Marathon – listed by the Guiness Book of Records as the highest marathon in the world. Exmouth Harrier Mark Thompson did just that, along with the 84 other runners (including the backup team of four) who completed the course. The race was won by Lok Bahadur Rokaya of Nepal in 4:12:21. Mark ran an excellent race to come 27th in 6:34:54.

The Everest Marathon is a 25 day holiday in Nepal combining sightseeing in the capital Kathmandu, a hard trek to the Everest region, an ascent of Kala Pattar for the best views of Everest, and one of the most gruelling races in the world.

In order to acclimatise naturally to the high altitude, the race is preceded by a 16 day trek in the Everest region. This allows time for high altitude training under medical supervision. Before the race most people will have a chance to ascend both Gokyo Ri (5483m) and Kala Pattar (5623m) from where there are splendid views of Everest across the Khumbu glacier. After the race competitors are flown back to Kathmandu from the high altitude airstrip at Shyangboche.

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The race starts at Gorak Shep (5184m – 17,000 feet), just below Everest base camp, and finishes in the Sherpa 'capital' of Namche Bazaar (3446m). The course is a measured 26.2 miles over rough mountain trails with snow and ice, boulders, grass, sandy scree, stone staircases, trails through forest and exposed paths which contour the mountain sides. Although it is basically downhill, the trail undulates and there are two steep uphill sections. The race starts at 7 am and there are cut-off points at Tengboche monastery (14 miles - 12.45 pm) and Chorkhung (20 miles - 2.45 pm), just above Namche Bazaar. The last 6 miles, out to Thamo and back, are on an exhausting undulating trail. It is essential to finish by nightfall at 6.00 pm.

(LT)

Brooks Devon Cross Country Championships

The Brooks Devon Cross Country Championships were held at Exeter Arena on Sunday, 9th December. The conditions were very wet and sticky underfoot and at times it was very windy, especially on the uphill sections!

The men’s event was won by Kairn Stone of Newham & Essex Beagles in 29:59, but only by the tiny margin of just 3 seconds over 2nd placed Kevin Heywood of Bideford AAC.

64 runners completed the race including four Exmouth Harriers. The first to finish, Andy Johnson, was 43rd in 39:32. John Perratt was 56th overall and 1st V70 in 42:21, just 18 seconds ahead of close rival Ray Elston, 57th overall and 1st V65. Jim Wyatt came 63rd overall and 3rd V65 in 47:42.

It was unfortunate that there weren’t more Harriers running, because it was also a team event. The men’s team winners were Bideford AAC with 62 points, followed by Tavistock AC with 79 points.

(LT)

Annual Dinner

Last Saturday, Exmouth Harriers held their Christmas Dinner and disco at the Manor Hotel. After the meal, chairman Bob Keast thanked everyone for coming, before moving on to the presentation of awards to the male and female athletes of the year. Everyone on the club can vote for these awards, so they are valued very highly by the recipients.

Female athlete of the year after another fantastic season when her successes included silver and bronze medals at the European Non-Stadia Championships, a popular and obvious choice, was Cathy Newman. Although Cathy now lives in Torrington, North Devon, she has retained her membership of Exmouth Harriers and we are very proud that she still runs for us.

Ray Elston was voted male athlete of the year after his best season ever at the age of 68!! For sheer consistency he has been absolutely outstanding, performing at close to his best in every race he has taken part in.

The president’s award went to Jan Moulton, who will be moving to Australia but will still return to the England version of Exmouth from time to time. Jan is one of those long-serving members of the Harriers who over the years have done so much to help the Club and her fellow runners. We’ll certainly miss her and we wish her the very best of health, success and happiness for the future. We look forward to her cheery presence on those occasions when she returns to run with us from time to time. All the very best, Jan!!

Secretary Jon Bamsey thanked chairman Bob Keast and president Roland Young for all their really hard work in organising and managing the three races hosted by Exmouth Harriers, the Fulfords Five, the Manor Hotel 10 K and the Bicton Blister. These are all important events in the local sporting calendar and there are so many things to get right if they are to be successful.

Finally, lifetime membership of the Club was awarded to someone whose dedication over the years has been and remains unquestionable. Steve Merry, another long-serving member, is not only “always there”, but is also always doing something while he’s there. He can only do everything he does by sacrificing his own personal life / racing potential and we all (apart from his long-suffering wife and family) should appreciate that. So thanks for everything, Steve!!

The third of the six Brooks Westward League Cross Country races was held at Tregorrick Park, St Austell the day after the dinner. Fortunately, the extremely violent rainstorms that occurred during the journey to Cornwall relented for the race and the course itself was much less boggy than expected.

85 runners completed the men’s event including three Exmouth Harriers. Ray Elston shrugged off his thigh injury to turn in another strong performance for 67th place overall and 3rd V60, Jim Wyatt was 79th and Les Turner was 84th.

(LT)