Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Races... home and away

Over the last few years, some intrepid Harriers have tackled the mighty Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc. This year, there were three optional routes of 61, 66 or 104 miles for individual runners to choose from and a single team route.

This year it was the turn of Harrier Mark Thompson and he opted for the 66-mile “Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie” (TDS) race. With 6,700m of ascent to overcome, the event has a maximum completion time of 31 hours!

The race started in the centre of Chamonix at 5:00 am. The route then passed through Les Houches, Saint-Gervais and Saint-Nicolas de Véroce. The runners then left the gentleness of the Savoyard villages for a rough and magnificent course into the heart of the mountains which took them to Mont-Joly, incomparable balcony opposite Mont Blanc right up to Bourg Saint Maurice passing along some of the most beautiful paths and passes of Beaufortain and of Tarentese. Having savoured the warm welcome from the volunteers of Bourg Saint-Maurice and its neighbour Séez, the long ascent towards the Petit Saint-Bernard Pass, along the Roman Road began.

The runners then entered the Valle d’Aosta and reached the villages of La Thuile and Pré Saint-Didier where, opposite Mont-Blanc, they arrived at the centre of Courmayeur for a triumphant Finish. And how deserving after this great journey around the roof of Europe!

480 runners completed the race that was won by Patrick Bohard of France in 14:01:48. Congratulations to Mark, who came 251st in 24:09:01, on a wonderful achievement!!

Tuesday, 1st September, saw the fourth round of the Exe Summer 5K Series at Exwick won by Kevin Heywood of Bideford A A C in 14:58. Exmouth runner Tom Merson of Bristol & West A C came 2nd in 15:02.

Three Harriers competed in the event and the first to finish was Carlos Payan who came 16th in 17:42. Andy Johnson was 24th in 19:06 and Dave Eveleigh was 54th in 24:05, out of the 70 runners who completed the race.

Over 10,800 runners took part in the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday and the winner was Ezekie Cherop in 1:03:26. Tom Merson was 18th in 1:08:54.

The first of the four Harriers to finish was Paul Samways, 264th in 1:25:58. Chris Dupain was 1253rd in 1:38:19 and Kevin Lingard 3395th in 1:50:36. Lissie Lingard came 6395th in 2:04:31.

The Bideford 10 Mile Race was won by Kevin Heywood of Bideford A A C in 50:47 and the field of 197 runners included three Harriers. Adrian Kearns was the first home, 21st in 1:04:57 and John Perratt was 1st V70 and 79th overall in 1:18:31. Well done, John! Les Turner was 2nd V65 and 135th overall in 1:27:38.
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(LT)

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