Devon Schools and SW Vets XC Championships

Harrier Jamie Pearson ran superbly at the Devon Schools’ Cross Country Championships, Staddiscombe Playing Fields, Plymouth. Jamie, an Exmouth Community College member of the Exeter & East Devon squad, took the gold medal in the Senior Boys’ event with a magnificent 6-second victory in 22:56 over second placed Elliot Buckner of South Devon in 23:02. Well done, Jamie!

Two of Jamie’s training partners, Adam Cornish and Matt Sharp, also took part in the championships. Adam was 14th in the Senior Boys’ event in 25:23. Matt came 35th in the Inter Boys’ race in 19:00. As a result of their achievements, Jamie and Adam will go on to represent Devon Schools at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships.

The South West Veterans’ A C Cross Country Championships were held simultaneously with those of the Sidmouth Running Club at Pinn Barton Farm, Muttersmoor, Sidmouth. Fortunately, the extremely strong winds and heavy rain the previous night had relented to leave an ideal morning for racing. And although some parts of the course were very wet and slippery, most of the ground was reasonably firm.

Five Harriers took part in the Championships and three of them won medals. 26 runners completed the three-lap (6K) event that was won by Daniel Clapp of Axe Valley Runners in 25:44. Ray Elston produced an excellent performance to come 2nd V65 and 12th overall in 29:50. John Perratt was at the megaphone to start the race and presented the awards at the Sidmouth Sailing Club afterwards. In between, he decided to win the V70 category and came 14th overall in 31:33! Les Turner was 3rd V65 and 17th overall in 33:57. Congratulations to the three of them.

There were 24 finishers in the four-lap (8K) event that was won by Graham Hill of Sidmouth Running Club in 30:58. Exmouth’s Andy Kennedy was 14th in 38:40 and Lee Russell was 17th in 42:32.

(LT)

First Chance 10k

[Rog nearing the finish]

Last Sunday, eleven Exmouth Harriers took part in the First Chance 10K in Exeter, that hugs the river and canal along the paths and cycleways. The runners were very fortunate that the heavy sleet a couple of hours earlier did not return, and the race was completed in blue skies and sunshine. They did, however, have to put up with the fresh breeze that often blows across the plains and slowed them down on the last half of each of the two laps involved in this event.

The race was completed by a field of 486 runners and the winner was Jim Cole of Tavistock A C in 32:20. The first Exmouth Harrier to finish, after an outstanding performance, was Adam Miller, 40th in 39:22. Well done, Adam! Paul Samways was next, 45th in 40:02 with Chris Dupain 63rd in 41:27. Congratulations to Roger Rowe, who is still producing the goods and was 1st V60 and 70th overall in 42:02, after another excellent performance.

Andy Johnson came 83rd in 42:31, Duncan Parkes 107th in 43:50 and Emma Dupain 112th in 44:09. The evergreen John Perratt was 1st V65 and 131st overall in 44:53 after another solid performance. Well done, John! Nigel Dupain came 160th in 46:19, Jim Wyatt 229th in 50:18 and Les Turner 315th in 55:36.

(LT)

Kellie in Oz

Hi to everyone who remembers me. Hope everyone is running and training well. Also I hope you all had a great Chrissie and have a safe and Happy 2009. My training has had a bit of an interruption as I have just had my first child. We had a little boy, Tyler Joseph Macknamara, born on the 6th December weighing 6pd14 or 3.1kg. He is now 6 weeks old and growing fast....too fast!

.

I managed to run through my entire pregnancy and was out doing run/circuit training session the night before my waters broke. When I say "run" it was more like a glorified waddle. I think it was taking my over an hour to clock up 10km, but it was still good to be out there. With all the training I was certainly fit and strong enough to cope with the birth.

.

Tried to get back into running a little too early.....darn athletes, too keen. I attempted to jog about 2.5 weeks after having him....don't recommend it. So I am waiting until the 6 week mark and should be back into it. Life back in Oz is good, although I do miss Exmouth and the long Sunday runs with the Harriers. That run up over the cliffs is one of the most beautiful in the world. Well best fly have "mum" stuff to do.

Lots of love, Kellie and Tyler

Bideford XC

Sunday 11th saw the fourth race in the Brooks Westward Cross Country League at Bideford. Due to the warmer conditions the off road sections of the course on grass turned slippery making the choice of footwear more important than at other recent events. Just five men from the Exmouth Harriers entered the races: Jamie Pearson, Hugh Marsdon, Bob Woodall, Ray Elston and Jim Wyatt. Unfortunately the women from the club were unrepresented.

.

The course started at the river estuary and made its way along roadways fronting riverside houses before taking to the lanes. The first obstacle was soon reached, namely the orchard, where the ground rose steeply. Between the trees the grass underfoot was slippery and was difficult to obtain purchase. At the top further lanes were encountered before a steep decline lead back toward the river estuary. Again purchase was difficult on this downward stretch. Further undulations followed along the side of the river before the turning point was reached and the runners continued their second circuit at the top of the orchard, fortunately missing the slippy steep incline. Back once more and the final push was again along roadways affronting riverside houses and into the finishing park.

.

Jamie Pearson continued his challenge to top the under 17 category by finishing this race in second place in a time of 19 minutes and 13 seconds just 15 seconds behind the race winner.In the senior men category Hugh Marsdon finished in 24th place in an impressive time of 29 minutes and 55 seconds. Bob Woodall finished further down the field in 71st place in a time of 37 minutes and 24 seconds. Ray Elston finished just behind in 77th place in a time of 39 minutes and 54 seconds. Jim Wyatt completed the Harriers contingent in 81st place in a time of 42 minutes and 12 seconds. There were 86 finishers in this category.

.

(RW)