Ivybridge 10k

"On Saturday evening 9th May 2009 four Harriers donned their club shirts and joined the other 672 finishers of the Ivybridge 10k race.
.
Those members competing were:-
1] Andy Johnson,
2] Bob Woodall,
3] Lee Russell, &
4] Jim Wyatt.

The evening was bright and sunny and the temperature not excessive so ideal racing conditions. The near capacity entrant of 700 runners lined up noisily at the start in the railway car park ready to launch themselves down the incline to exit the car park before turning a sharp left onto the carriageway. Unfortunately many runners selected an incorrect position at the start,inconsistent with their ultimate finishing times. Much pushing and shoving was necessary at the start to get through the throng.

.

Once on the open road space allowed the competitors to settle into their stride. Just two kilometres into the race along a relatively flat straight stretch the course turned left under the railway bridge to ascend a steep climb for about a further 2 kilometres before descending to the much needed and appreciated drinks station. At this location, of the four Harriers entrants, Andy Johnson was well ahead of the quartet with Bob Woodall and Lee Russell jostling for the front place at the second and third positions with Jim Wyatt bringing up the rear. Lee unfortunately lost ground struggling to cope with drinking from the bottle which allowed Bob to stretch out his lead.

.

After the drink station the course once again emerged onto the main road to head back toward the finish. With about one and one half kilometres to go the course turned left onto the country lanes again with a slight decline before the finishing incline to the rugby club.Andy Johnson finished in an impressive 57th position in a time of 40 minutes 34seconds. Andy felt disappointed with his own performance although his finishing time was impressive.

.
The second Harrier home in 152nd position was Bob Woodall in a time of 44minutes and 24 seconds, just 9 seconds slower than last year which could be directly attributed to the poor start.

.

Lee Russell finished the third Harrier in 157th place in a time of 44minutes and 39 seconds just 5 positions behind Bob. A good strong performance by Lee.Jim Wyatt completed the entry for the Harriers in 319th position in a time of 50minutes and 26seconds. Jim still looked as if there were many miles left in his legs as he crossed the finishing line.

.

The first runner home completed the course in a blistering 32minutes and 44seconds with the last competitor finishing in 90minutes and 7seconds."

(BW)