Ironbridge Runner Santa Run 2010...

... and a great time was enjoyed by all !

Cathy with the President of Tigray

Wukro Devon Running Project

This is what we are supporting as a club -- through Peter and Cathy Newman working in northern Ethopia. have a look at the web-page on the Ironbridge site:

http://www.ironbridgerunnerevents.co.uk/wukro/

there are some great photos, plus you can 'click through' to Pete Newman's site which contains loads more photos.

Templar 10 & Westward XC League

On Sunday 7th November 2010 at 10.00 am, a fine dry day for racing, Adrian Kearns, the lone Harrier entrant, lined up amongst the other 218 eventual finishers for the start of the Templer Ten. The race which is always well organised by the Teignbridge Trotters is actually 9.5 miles in length, started at the Passage House Inn at Kingsteignton and returned along the river bank to finish. The course was multi-terrain and followed approximately two miles of road, five miles of fields and paths around Stover Park, and returned across the fields. The route then went back on the road for two miles or so and finished with half a mile on off-road paths. There were also a number of stiles along the course that had to be negotiated and gates that were obligingly opened by marshals.

The eventual winner was Lee Turner of Torbay Athletic Club in a time of 53 minutes and 35 seconds. The first female to complete the course, in overall 16th position, was Caroline Hewitt of the Tiverton Harriers in a time of 1 hour, 1 minute and 11 seconds. Adrian Kearns finished in 25th position in an impressive time of 1-04-49.

Later the same day five Harriers took part in the Brooks Westward Cross Country League at the Plymouth venue. For these Senior Males the course was 9 kilometres in length and consisted of three loops of Central Park Plymouth alongside the Plymouth Argyle Football Stadium, with conditions underfoot, in places, suitable wet and muddy for a cross country race.

The first male runner, M. Jenkins of Bideford AC, completed the course in a time of 30 minutes and 10 seconds.

For Harriers Dave Stone finished in 7th position in a time of 31-35 followed by Jamie Pearson who finished in 43rd position in a time of 35-01. Just two places behind in 45th position was Adam Miller in a time of 35-17. Dave Backway finished in 101st place in a time of 41-27 with Jim Wyatt completing the team in 126th place in a time of 46-38.

With these five results Exmouth Harriers are currently standing in 6th position in the league rankings.

(RW)

Exeter Arena 3k (race 2)

Monday evening 1st November 2010 saw the second round in the Ironbridge Winter 3k Series held at the Exeter Arena Athletic Track. The Harriers fielded a squad of six runners across the varies races, namely, Andy Johnson, Lee Russell, Dave Eveleigh, John Parrett, Jim Wyatt and Les Turner. Of the six running on the night four of those athletes took part in the first round. On a night ideal for racing Dave Eveleigh, John Parrett and Les Turner all clipped several seconds off their first round times.

The Harriers contingent faired well with Andy Johnson finishing in a time of 11-42. Lee Russell finished in a time of 12.46. Dave Eveleigh finished in a time of 12-52. John Perratt finished in a time 13-02. Jim Wyatt finished in a time of 14-26 and Les Turner completed the Harriers squad in a time of 15-02.

The first runner to finish the distance was James Denne running for Exeter Harriers in a time of 8 minutes and 57 seconds, but some 7 seconds slower than our own Tom Merson's first round time. Unfortunately Tom was unable to compete in the second race.

The first female athlete was Charlotte Davies, running for Exeter University, who finished in a time of 10-33.

The third round of the series is to be staged on Monday 6th December at the same venue.

(RW)

One Day Ultra - and an important notice

On Sunday 23rd October 2010 a lone intrepid member of the Harriers, Mark Thompson, joined the "Might Contain Nuts" fraternity to participate in the One Day Ultra Series in the Black Mountains. This was the first event of the series that started and finished in Castle Inn, Pengenffordd, in the shadow of the Brecon Beacons. The route of over thirty miles took in just two miles of tarmac surface with over 1840 metres of ascent. Much of the course took place on land over 600 metres in height that on a clear day would provide spectacular views over the area. However on this occasion the weather provided sleet and rain but occasional clear periods to allow the scenery to be enjoyed. Mark seemed to think that this was an enjoyable experience, but everyone to their own opinion. The first runner to complete the course was Luke Moseley who finished in a time of 4 hours, 24 minutes and 33 seconds.

Mark finished in an impressive 11th position in a time of 5-13-05. The first female runners, in overall 19th position, was Julie Gardner in a time of 5-33-10. The last runner home was Steven Marlborough who finished in a time of 9-42-245. Of the one hundred starters sixteen unfortunately, due to injury or other reasons, failed to complete the course.

Not only does industry and commerce suffer in these times of recession but sport and leisure also. It is with much regret and sadness that after many happy and successful years located at Exmouth Rugby Club the Exmouth Harriers are moving their training base to share the facilities with Withycombe Tennis Club, [Leisure East Devon, LED] in Withycombe Village Road, Exmouth. As of Tuesday 2nd November 2010 the Exmouth Harriers will assemble at the Tennis Centre at 6.45pm before setting off at 7.00pm for a run out about the town. It is hoped that the move will also see the enlargement of the club by attracting new members. Any runner will be welcome at any session on either a Tuesday or Thursday to give running a try. There is also a ladies only night, on a Wednesday evening, for those of the fairer gender who feel inhibited to jog/run alongside the opposite sex. It is hoped, though, that in the New Year the club will be hosting a weekly "newcomers" session to encourage members of the public to try running with a club and hopefully derive enough pleasure to ultimately join the club as a member. Everyone will be welcomed to attend and in the first place make contact with either the club Chairman or Secretary. As the saying goes "a change is as good as a rest" so hopefully the club will continue and thrive and expand at the new venue.

(RW)

Cardiff & Dartmoor Vale 13.1 & Abingdon 26.2

At 9.00am On Sunday 17th October 2010 the running partners of Emma Dupain and Ben White, sporting the colours of Harriers, lined up alongside over eleven thousand eventual finishers of the Cardiff Half Marathon. The route, started and finished in Cardiff Bay, took the runners through beautiful scenery and past historic buildings. The course was flat and fast which allowed runners, who were in peak condition to produce personal best times over a total distance of about 13.2 miles long, or exactly 21.0975 kilometres.

The first runner to complete the race was Edwin Kipkorir in a time of 1 hour, 2 minutes and 7 seconds and the first female runner, in overall 21st position, was Helen Jemutai who finished in a time of 1-10-49.

For the Harriers Emma Dupain finished in 1369th position in a time of 1-36-00 and Ben White finished in 2050th position in a time of 1-42-20. The last runner to cross the finishing line was in 11078th position and finished in a time of 4-26-48. Once again both Emma and Ben managed to produce their personal best times for the race distance.

A touch of frost awaited the Abingdon Marathon in Oxfordshire on Sunday, with sub zero temperatures for 9am start, but with the sun rising in the sky and with light winds the 707 who completed the course didn't have to wait long for ideal marathon weather. First to finish was Colin Paton in 2:33:48 first woman was Helen Taranowski in 2:53:52. Adrian Kearns from Exmouth Harriers finished 108th in 3:06:24. The last competitor, Katharine Tuite, in the V60 age category, crossed the finishing line in a time of 5-29-06.

Slightly later, at 9.15am, the same day Mick Allen for the Harriers competed in the Dartmoor Vale Half Marathon, which was an undulating 13.1 mile race in the shadow of Dartmoor.

The first runner to complete the course was Lee Turner of Torbay AC who finished in a time of 1 hour and 15 minutes and the first female runner, in overall 29th place, was Rachel Tresidder of Mountbay Harriers who finished in a time of 1-31-47. Mick finished in 232nd position in a time of 1-55-31. He was the only finisher in his V70 age category and completed the race ahead of many runners who were in younger age categories.

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(RW)

Parrett Trail Relays

On Saturday 16th October 2010 the Harriers fielded three teams of runners amongst the twenty one teams competing in the Parrett Trail Relays. The Parrett Trail Relay is a 6 stage trail relay run with varying distances of legs from 5.6 miles to 9.5 miles on permissive and public rights of way following the long distance path from the mouth of the river Parrett on the North Somerset coast. It crosses the country to finish just over the border in Dorset close to the source of the river at Winyards Gap. Not only does the course require stamina and speed but each athlete has to navigate their way along the leg. Although the route starts and finishes at the estuary and head of the river there are many extremely hilly sections to negotiate. All three teams produced excellent results with the Men's 'A' team finishing in first place, the Men's 'B' team finishing in 7th position and the Ladies team finishing in overall 12th position, taking the first Ladies team award. The teams entering the event consisted of all men, all ladies or a mixture, all of whom had to race over the same stages.

The 'A' team completed the course in a total time of 5 hours, 24 minutes and 53 seconds, faster than last years winning team and beating the 'A' teams previous time last year by sixteen minutes. The team consisted of, on 1st leg, Hugh Marsden who completed his section, of 9.1 miles, in a time of 60 minutes and 28 seconds. On 2nd leg Adam Miller who completed his section, of 5.6 miles in a time of 32-48. On 3rd leg was Mike Musgrove who completed his section, of 7.7 miles in a time of 50.15. On 4th leg was Jon Croome who completed his section, of 7.7 miles, in a time of 54-01. On 5th leg was Dave Stone who completed his leg, of 9.5 miles, in a time of 59-16 and lastly was Jamie Pearson who completed his leg, of 8.6 miles, in a time of 68-05.

The winning Ladies team completed the course in a total time of 6-52-37 and consisted of Katie Comer on 1st leg who completed her section in a time of 80 minutes exactly. Alison Fish was on the second leg and finished her section in a time of 48-24. Lorraine Croome was on 3rd leg and completed her section in a time of 61-21. Dawn Teed was on 4th leg and completed her section in a time of 66-02. Hannah Bown was on 5th leg and completed her section in a time of 77-20 and Lucy Hodgeson completed the team and finished the 6th leg in a time of 79-30.

The Men's 'B' team completed the course in a total time of 6-06-28 and consisted of Andy Johnson on 1st leg who completed the section in a time of 1-09-24. On 2nd leg was Scott Jordan who completed the section in a time of 39-06. On 3rd leg was Rory Devine who completed his section in a time of 57-16. On 4th leg was Dave Backway who completed his section in a time of 62 minutes exactly. On 5th leg was Terry Oldham who completed his section in a time of 72-12 and on the last leg was Pete McKeown who completed his section in a time of 66-30.

(RW)

A Marathon... and Cross Country events

At 10 minutes after 10 on Sunday 10th October 2010 [10:10 on 10-10-10] the Eden Project Marathon got underway. The race featured a multi-terrain route around the Eden Project which followed a challenging course through areas of spectacular mining heritage and beautiful countryside landscapes. Just the one Harrier, Andy Johnson, joined the 750 entrants. For the first half of the course Andy felt comfortable although the course was tough in parts, but in hindsight he realised the first part was easy compared to the second. Just after the half way mark, back through the Eden Project, there was a two mile downhill section which caused Andy some concern before a relentless uphill section from miles 15 to 23.. Although there were occasional downhill sections these went unnoticed. Unfortunately by mile 18 Andy's energy was fading and he suffered from a bout of 'stitch' which force Andy to slow. Andy finished in overall 44th place in a time of 3 hours, 47 minutes and 28 seconds.

The first runner to complete the course was Duncan Oakes of St. Austell Running Club in a time of 2-55-16. The first female runner, in overall 8th position was Naomi Tier of Cornwall AC in a time of 3-12-24.

Later the same morning Ray Elston and Bob Woodall, running in the colours of the Harriers, travelled to South Molton to take part in the South Molton Struggle, a multi-terrained seven mile course over public footpaths, country lanes, fields and highways. The race was started by the local Mayor who inadvertently positioned himself centrally immediately in front of the runners and was almost carried along with the throng as the starting siren sounded. The route started in the Pathfields Industrial Estate before turning left into the South Molton Recreation Ground. At the top corner the route crossed the B3226 and joined the public footpath that continued through a number of undulating fields, actually quite steep hills, and farms. It was at this footpath, having climbed about one mile from the start that the conditions underfoot deteriorated. Even tarmac gave way to rutted, puddles with deep slippery mud before entering fields of long tufted strength sapping grass, with stiles to cross throw in. From miles 3 to 4 the route continued along the relatively flat highway, B3227. A left turn took the course up a long steep incline to Village hill before returning along the outward route through farms and fields. From the 5 mile marker the inclines ceased giving a homeward downhill run to the finish of the centre line of the South Molton Rugby pitch.

Because their advancing ages both Ray and Bob were competing, not with a hope of featuring in the winning runners, but for high positions within their age group categories. Although Ray, age category V70, was giving away a decade to Bob, age category V60, their’s was a friendly rivalry between the two ancient warriors. Bob lead the way over way from Ray at the starting siren up the first incline over tarmac conditions, but once the underfoot conditions deteriorated and the course levelled and ventured downhill, Ray came into his own. Having controlled his started on the steep downhill section Ray, almost 2 miles into the race, closed down the gap and overtook the struggling Bob. Ray continued his relentless efforts and was soon out of sight of Bob. Knowing the hills still to come Bob expected to catch Ray later in the course and up the long incline of Village Hill Ray was again in sight. The gap was closed to with two hundred metres but at the summit again on uneven ground Ray found the strength to lengthen the distance ahead of Bob. At the end Ray finished in 47th position in a time of 1 hour, 2 minutes and 38 seconds and was awarded the first prize in his V70 age category. His time was only 17 seconds slower than last year but still faster than the winner of this years V65 age category. Bob finished in 54th position in a time of 1-04-54, taking 3rd place in the V60 age category.

The first runner home was Ronnie Richmond of North Devon Road Runners in a time of 47-02. The first female runner was Rosemary Terrible of North Devon Triathletes in a time of 55-57.

Elsewhere on the same day in St. Austell, Cornwall seven Harriers competed in the opening event of the Brooks Westward Cross Country League. On sunny, warm afternoon with light winds the six male athletes, and in the separate race for female the lone female Harrier, started their races around the playing fields of Penrice School and the adjoining farmland. The senior men completed one small loop of the course followed by two large loops and a finishing lap covering a total distance of 8330 metres. The women completed one small loop followed by one large loop and a finishing lap covering a total distance of 5280 metres.

The lone female Harrier in her race, Dawn Teed finished in 62nd position in a time of 29-35. The first runner was A Gummow of Cornwall AC who completed the course in a time of 20-44.

For the senior male Harrier, Tom Merson, finished in first place in a time of 31-08. Dave Stone finished in 16th position in a time of 33-52. Jamie Pearson finished in 27th position in a time of 35-37. Adam Miller finished in 34th position in a time of 36-20. Hugh Marsden finished in 55th position in a time of 38-50. Jim Wyatt finished in 98th position in a time of 48-21. After the first leg of the series the Harrier team, consisting on the first five runners, finished in overall 27th position."

Exeter Arena 3k Series - Race 1

On Monday evening 4th October 2010 the first round of the Brooks Winter 3k Series 2010/11 commenced at the Exeter track. The event is divided into 6 separate races to reduce the number of runners on the track at one time. The overall winner of the series will be the athlete who scores best in 4 out of the 5 rounds, finishing in March 2011.

On the night in ideal conditions for racing local athlete Tom Merson stormed home to cross the finishing line first in a time of 8 minutes and 45 seconds. Representing the Harriers in the event were Andy Johnson, Roger Rowe, Dave Eveleigh, John Perratt and Les Turner.

Andy Johnson finished in a time of 11-38 with Roger Rowe finishing in a time of 11-46. Dave Eveleigh finished in a time of 13-06 and John Perratt finished in a time of 13-15. Finally, Les Turner finished in a time of 15-15. The first female runner was Felicity Elliot who finished in a time of 11-39.

(RW)

Of Burnham & Teignbridge

In Somerset Last Sunday, at Burnham on Sea, a total of 344 runners took part in the half marathon event organised by the Burnham Harriers Running Club. Heavy winds and the occasional rain hit the finishing times of the competitors but seemed not to affect the three Exmouth Harrier entrants, Mike Musgrove, Adam Miller and Adrian Kearns. Mike and Adam, despite the weather conditions both managed personal best times for the distance.

The first runner to complete the course was Luke Scott of Taunton Running Club in a time of 1 hour, 12 minutes and 55 seconds.

Mike Musgrove finished in 7th position in a time of 1-21-45 with Adam directly behind in 8th position in a time of 1-22-56. Adrian Kearns finished in 14th position in a time of 1-25-56. The last runner, Natalya Bull completed the course in a time of 2-45-16.

The first female athlete in overall 10th position was Robyn Golding of Westbury Harriers in a time of 1-23-09.

In Christow again the same day the sole Exmouth Harrier in the Teign Valley Toddle was Dave Stone. This was a 10.25 mile course of scenic undulating country lanes starting and finishing at the Teign Valley Community Hall in Christow. Fortunately the strong winds and rain subsided just before the start but in places the course was under several inches of water from the over night deluge. The organisers, Teign Valley Running Club, undertook an early check of the course and had to remove several large tree branches, which had been snapped off overnight, before the race could commence.

Dave Stone notched up another victory by completing the distance in a time of 1 hour and 2 minutes.

Isabelle Baraffe of SWRR was the first female runner finishing in overall 20th position in a time of 1-20-39.

(RW)

BMAF 10 - Oldbury, Gloucestershire.

[One mile to go, and overtaken by another V65]

'What might have been' again I'm afraid…

No idea of the final time (I forgot to stop my watch) or my position (5th?). But I hit 10 miles on my Garmin watch at 1:06:07 (6:36 pace). I think the course was around 10.05, so what my finish time was I'll have to wait and see. Pretty acceptable however, especially as I had an attack of cramp in my right calf and ham-string from 7.5 to the end.

A couple of weeks ago I reckoned I was capable of 1:07:33 so I am more than pleased with the time. In the V/65 category EVERYONE was there... and I think the first 6 would have beaten the 2010 top ranking time... but we shall see. I was impressed with my 5-mile time of 32:01 - feeling unpressured; and my 10k time under 40 minutes gave me a great surpise.

Dead flat of course down on the banks of the Severn, and the rain had eased although not stopped. The wind was a little troublesome in places, but not too bad. We left immediately as I was getting cold and there were NO facilities at all. I warmed down in a M5 Service area and washed and changed in the gents (why do people stare? Haven't they seen a naked man before)!

More when I get it...
Now for a decent winter to get MUCH fitter than at present…

Roger R.
PS I reckon either John or Ray would have won the V70s... even though the winner ran a new course record.

PPS I know it's name dropping, but really pleased to see old friend Ian Thompson (2:09:12 in the Commonwealth Games marathon in 1974 - STILL a Commonwealth Games Record). One piece of advice from Ian famously quoted at his 1974 peak as saying "I prefer to remain in blissful ignorance of the opposition. That way I'm not frightened by anyone's reputation". Ian's wife Margaret won the LV/55 category. At one time in the 1970s Ian and Margaret both held their respective British Records for the Marathon. THAT's never been done before or since by a married couple. Lovely people...

PPPS Official time 1:06:22, for 5th V/65.

A Marathon, a Half-Marathon... and the SEAA Road Relays (4 x 6k)

Les bringing home the V50 team at Rushmoor Arena on Sunday.

Last week-end, Sunday 26th September 2010, members of the Harriers travelled far and wide to take part in races. Lyn Curtis travelled to the New Forest to run in a marathon, Andy Johnson travelled to Windsor to run in a half marathon and eight males members trekked to Aldershot to take part in the SEAA Road Relays.

At 10.30 am on Sunday, in a fully subscribed entry, Lyn Curtis lined up amongst 700 hundred runners to compete in the New Forest Marathon, 26.2 gruelling miles within the New Forest. The race started close to the Rydal Inn in Ashley and finished in the same village near to the Old Barn Inn. Lyn battled well and finished in overall 192nd position in a time 3 hour, 54 minutes and 10 seconds. The first competitor to complete the course was Rupert Shute of Reading Road Runners in a time of 2-42-49. The first female runner, in overall 46th position, was Frances Crozier in a time of 3-23-22.

The same day Andy Johnson competed in the Windsor Half Marathon, which by altering the route ran entirely within the Great Park. The course consisted of one small lap of approximately 4 miles and a second lap of approximately 7.5 miles, with the start and finish of 1.5 miles on the Long Walk. The course having changed, although still undulating, eliminated many hilly sections thus producing a faster course. Andy finished in 101st position in a time of 1 hour, 30 minutes and 14 seconds. The first runner to complete the course was Scott Overall in a time of 1-03-14 and the first female runner, in overall 9th position, finished in a time of 1-17-50.

Still further east in Aldershot, the Harriers entered two male teams in the SEAA Road Relays, four stage race, one in each of the V50 and V60 age categories. This race consisted of two laps of the course covering a total of 6 kilometres which each member of the team had to complete before handing over to his team mate. In this part of the country the weather was extremely autumnal, grey wall to wall clouds with threatening rain and a cold gusting wind. The course was far from flat with many inclines, twists and turns, with the start and hand over line mid way up such an incline. The initial team member in both teams lined together alongside many other runners in the V40 age category for the start.

In the V50 age category Andy Kennedy took pole position alongside Roger Rowe in the V60 team. For the V50 team Andy finished in a time of 24 minutes and 39 seconds and handed over to Terry Oldham who completed his leg in 25-50. Terry handed over to Hugh Marsden who ran his leg in a time of 22-41. Hugh handed over to the anchor man, Les Turner who completed his leg in a time of 31-50.

In the V60 category Roger Rowe completed his leg in a time of 24 minutes and 9 seconds and handed over to Ray Elston who completed his leg in a time of 26-35. He in turn handed over to Bob Woodall who ran his leg in a time of 27-19. Bob handed over to Richard Selby who completed this last leg in a time of 25-21.

The Harriers V50 team finished in overall 17th position and the V60 team finished in overall 8th.

(RW)

Woodbury 10k Fun Run

On Sunday 19th September 2010 amongst the one hundred and twenty one starters of the Woodbury 10k Fun Run eleven of the competitors sported the colours of the Exmouth Harriers. Five of those Harriers, including their partners, were from the Dupain family, who are local to the village. For the family members it was quite an eventful event as Emma finished as the first female runner and elder sister Hannah competed for the first time recent birth of her daughter, Niah. Certainly if traditions are upheld Niah Bown is a name to look out for in the future in the world of athletics.

The run was around the pretty Devon village of Woodbury with varied countryside and gradients, certainly more hilly than some runners expected, but staged in ideal weather conditions for racing. The run, organised by Barbara Woolley and her husband Paul, was in aid of the Christian Aid Partnership, raising money for Zimbabwe. Starting at the Woodbury village hall the run took the competitors around Woodbury Salterton and then back to Woodbury to finish back at the village hall.

The first runner to complete the course was Kevin Hawker of the Honiton Running Club in a time of 36 minutes and 23 seconds. For the Exmouth Harriers Mike Musgrove finished in overall second place in a time of 37-03. The other ten Exmouth Harriers followed behind Mike.

Chris Dupain finished in 7th place in a time of 41-32. Andy Kennedy finished in 10th place in a time of 43-34. Emma Dupain, the first female runner, finished in 12th place in a time of 44-35. Ben White finished in 15th place in a time of 45-59. Lee Russell finished in 29th place in a time of 48-45. Hannah Bown finished in 30th place in a time of 49-29. Nigel Dupain finished in 34th place in a time of 50-06. Joan Mason finished in 56th place in a time of 54-23. Les Turner finished in 61st place in a time of 55-27. And finally for the Exmouth Harriers Stan Mason finished in 76th place in a time of 57-45.

(RW)

Two week's results...

On Saturday 4th September 2010 two Harriers were in action at two different locations, in two very different races. Chris Dupain ran in the Bristol Half Marathon and Les Turner ran in the Saltram 5k Race.

Chris in very wet conditions and despite suffering from blisters to his feet at the eleven mile marker managed to complete the race in an impressive 1 hour, 32 minutes and 22 seconds. This time knocked 90 seconds off his previous best time for the distance.

The first runner to finish the course was Edwin Kipyego in a time of 1-03-08. The first lady was Claire Hallissey of Bristol and West, in overall 35th position in a time of 1-12-02.

The last runner, in 10,964th place, was Ameer Khan, in the MV80 age category, in a time of 4-08-48.

Closer to home in the grounds of Saltram House in Plymouth, Les lined up alongside seventy three others runners to race around the estate over both smooth and rutted paths, amongst the woodlands, where the weather conditions were perfect which matched the scenery. Unfortunately Les felt exhausted before the starting gun but managed to complete the course finishing in 57th place in a time of 27 minutes and 27 seconds.

The winning runner was Afan Humphries of Swansea Road Runners in a time of 15-54. The first lady to finish, Lucy Kelvey of Newquay Road Runners, was 10th overall in a time of 19:27 and the last competitor was Amanda Moxey of Dawlish Coasters finishing in a time of 35-56.

On 8th September 2010 at the Yeovilton 5k [the last of the 2010 series] Roger Rowe, for the Harriers, competed and finished in overall 41st position in a time of 19 minutes and 10 seconds. This effort is a South West Vet's record for a Vet/65 and puts Roger in 4th place in the age category in the UK rankings for 2010.

The first runner to complete the course, on the night, was Dan Cook of Poole AC in a time of 15-22. The first female runner in overall 16th position was Jo Thompson of Team Bath in a time of 17-39.

On Sunday 12th September 2010 three Harriers, Dave Stone, Ray Elston and Kevin Lingard, lined up with the starters for the Ivybridge Beacon Challenge. This is a scenic but challenging multi-terrain race which starts and finishes in Victoria Park, Ivybridge. The course covers around 7.5 miles of woodland and moorland paths and includes the long ascent of Western Beacon with a descent to the finish.

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Dave finished in 5th position in a time of 54-01. Ray finished in 70th position in a time of 1-14-17, and despite his qualifying for the seventy year of age banding, took the 1st place in the V60 age category. Kevin finished in 91st position in a time of 1-21-29.

The first runner home was Lee Turner of Torbay AC in a time of 50-52. The first female runner, in overall 47th position was Bonny Collingborn in a time of 1-07-03 and the last runner, Richard Walters of Plymstock Road Runners, completed the course in a time of 1-46-15.

Also the same day Mike Musgrove and Dave Eveleigh of the Harriers competed in the Force 10k race held in the grounds of Powderham Castle. The event, sponsored by Francis Clark chartered accountants, started in the Castle grounds, meandered along a pathway down to Powderham Road, passed the yacht club and the church. A slight incline took the runners up to Powderham woods through which the route ventured before returning to the Castle and the end of the 10k race.

Mike was the 1st in his age category, MV40, finishing 4th overall in a time of 39-02 but admitted though that Peter Vaughan in the age group above, MV45, actually finished two places ahead of him in overall 2nd place. Also racing on the day was the famous Ron Hill who inspired many a person to take up running. Mike felt honoured to actually meet Ron and chat with the great man. Dave finished in 129th place in a time of 55-03.

The first runner to complete the course was James Wellward in a time of 36-54. The first female runner in overall 8th place was Karen Cook in a time of 44-16. Ron Hill finished in 106th place in a time of 54-08 and the last runner home was Tammy Milner in a time of 1-52-18.

Love? Or Obsession...

It began, my husband likes to recall, with a quiet epiphany one work-day morning. Entombed in a Circle line carriage in yet another hold-up, he decided he could bear it no longer. “I’m not going to sit trapped underground any more when I could run to work in half the time,” he announced one evening. “I’ll buy a pair of running shoes myself a fortune on fares.” A week later, the shoes arrived, a brightly coloured pair with tiny flashes and a matching laces; nothing to hint at the obsession to come.

Come it did, around six months later, in the form of a bespoke Japanese running shoes – several pairs of which clogged up our hall, transforming my husband’s mild interest into a full-blown love affair; he calls 'them “My Beauties”.

Around the same time, new habits developed, evidence that this was about so much more than just running. The spooky appearance of rubbery latex figure-hugging wear, nestling in the laundry basket. Specialist catalogues selling ''bib shorts’’, ''gilets’’ and Lycra shorts. The endless route planning, poring over maps and note-taking before a ''big’’ trip. Then there are the physical absences each weekend morning; the alarm clock set at an obscenely early hour for a ''quick two-hour run” around Richmond Park. The frenzied training for bigger events – like the London Marathon.

Not to mention the mushrooming pile of ''memoirs’’ by his bedside like ‘Put Me Back In My Shoes’, ‘One More Kilometre And We’re In The Showers’ and Jeff Galloway’s “Running until you’re 100”. So what, from a female perspective, is it about? I guess the clues are in the buzzwords on their covers – ''willpower’’, ''inspiration’’, ''endurance’’, ''pain’’. Running isn’t inherently macho but it does have an element of suffering and purgatorial challenge that appeals to a certain male psyche. It is about escape – freedom from family; seizing time to be solitary, beyond responsibility. Not an easy concept to embrace when you’re the Running widow left to look after small children.

I’ve grown to accept that my husband, although not an extreme case (he hasn’t shaved his legs yet) is touched with Running-Obsession Syndrome, a sorry affliction identified by Matt Seaton, author of The Escape Artist, which charts his love of Running. “I got the bug in my twenties but it can strike at any time. I suspect there is a mid-life crisis element. It is also romantic; getting in touch with that first taste of independence from your parents when you were a kid.”

Seaton agrees, even though an increasing number of women enjoy Running, that it can create friction in a relationship. “My partner can resent my devotion and focus,” says Seaton. “Even though I try to keep a lid on it, it definitely grates with her.” Adjusting to a partner’s sudden new-found love can also be more difficult than accommodating it from the start of a relationship. “I’ve got a friend who’s a born-again runner in middle-age,” he says. “And I get the feeling his partner can hardly bear to look at me because she blames me.”

Seaton says one way forward is Running as a couple. “My husband definitely wants to get me more involved,” shudders one friend whose husband has six pairs of running shoes. “I nearly screamed when he asked if I’d like to have a quiet jog with him. He’s got a stationary frame now with a Running video game so he can train in the garage – alone.” Another Running widow complains that her husband gets up earlier and earlier to go to work: “He takes a detour through Kent before he gets to the City.” They live in Balham.

Not that these are habits you can attempt to alter, especially with the moral high ground on their side. Running is the fastest-growing ‘mode of transport’ in cities. Running is green, civilised and healthy.

So I don’t carp about my dear husband’s passion, the time it takes from other family activities, or the money, not to mention the unsightly appearance of him dressed oddly each weekend morning.

Instead, I have gamely tried to join him. In an attempt to bridge the great divide, I gingerly agreed to run to work with him during the recent Tube strike. He waited patiently while I puffed and wheezed across Hyde Park, and we ran together to Oxford Circus. I sensed it was a triumph for him; another converted soul. I even agreed on a trip to Richmond. Just don’t mention the London Marathon.

Emma Cook (Originally published in the Daily Telegraph – 17-Jun-09)

Ron Hill - 2:09:28

A pleasant morning pretty well guaranteed I would think...

Trains, and Forests and... Lustleigh.

On Saturday 21st August 2010, whilst enjoying the countryside of Wales, Hugh Marsden and Dawn Teed, of the Harriers, took part in the annual Race the Train. This takes place alongside, as far as practicable, the route taken by the Talyllyn Railway on its journey to Abergynolwyn and back, covering some 14 miles. In order to do this all courses use a mixture of public roads, lanes, un-metalled roads, tracks, agricultural land, and rough grazing pastures. The terrain varies all the time and can be very wet & muddy in places. The routes also ascend and descend quite steep terrain and runs on narrow footpaths with little chance of overtaking.

Hugh finished in 30th position in a time of 1 hour, 34 minutes and 58 seconds, both beating the train and taking the third place in the MV50 age category.

Dawn completed the course in 470th position in a valiant time of 2-10-23.

The first athlete to complete the course was Gareth Raven of Sale Harriers in a time of 1-20-22.overall winner. The first female to complete the course was Amanda Wright-Smith of Birchfield Harriers, in overall 47th position, in a time of 1-37-08. In all nearly eight hundred runners completed the exhusting course with the last runner crossing the line some 4 hours, 43 minutes and 6 seconds after starting the run.

On Friday evening 27th August 2010 the Dawlish Coasters hosted the Forest Flyer, a race around five miles of forest tracks, paths and fire tracks of Haldon Forest Park. Amongst the starters were, for the Harriers, Mike Musgrove, Les Turner and Dan Morley. The racing conditions were perfect with pleasantly cool air and a reasonably dry, moderately firm course. Unfortunately at this time there are no results available, but the three Harriers were each pleased with their time in which they completed the course. For the Harriers Mike finished first of the trio followed some way behind by Dan and Les. Unfortunately their overall placings and times are still unknown.

Sunday 28th August 2010 saw the start of the Lustleigh Show 10k race which started at the Lustleigh Show ground and continued around a mixed terrain route, split between road, forest trails and footpaths. About one hundred and fifty runners lined up for the start including, for the Harriers, Jon Croom, Lorraine Croom, Andy Kennedy, John Perratt and Mick Allen. After completing the hilly course in warm and sunny conditions the quintet finished in the order Jon, Andy, Lorraine, John and Mick. Once again their overall placings and times are unknown.

Unfortunately due to the week-end being a Bank Holiday no results are available at this time for the latter two events.

(RW)

Dalwood Fayre 10k

On Wednesday evening 18th August 2010 Mark Thompson, representing the Harriers, competed in the Dalwood Fayre 10k race which was part of the East Devon Community Race Series. The race was multi-terrain and, as the name suggests, was approximately ten kilometres in length along fields, tracks and roads around the village of Dalwood.

The first runner to complete the course was Alex Todd of Axe Valley Runners who finished in a time of 39 minutes and 49 seconds.

Mark finished in 16th position in a time of 45-23.

The first female runner, in overall 13th position, was Caroline Hewitt of Tiverton Harriers in a time of 44-33.

The last runner to cross the finishing line was Marilyn Hughes of Axe Valley Runners in a time of 62-32.

Torbay Regatta 10k

At 7pm on Sunday 22nd August 2010 a host of runners lined up along side the four Harriers, Andrew Johnson, Roger Rowe, John Perratt and Joan Mason, for the start of the Torbay Royal Regatta 10k Race. The race was full with 650 entrants so the start at the Pavilion Theatre Torquay was very crowded. Unfortunately the weather was far from kind. A drizzle was falling for about an hour before the start but with just twenty minutes to go the heavens opened with a monsoon type deluge. So much rain fell that the drainage system was unable to clear the water so some areas of the race line were flooded, much to the enjoyment of the odd water baby.

After tracking Roger Rowe for the whole race, Andrew Johnson surged past in the last 100 metres to pip his old training partner by just 8 seconds. Andrew finished in overall 75th position in a time of 41-21. Roger Rowe finished in 80th position in a time of 41-29. Roger took the first place in the M65/69 age category, over seven minutes ahead of his nearest rival. John Perratt finished in overall 167th position in a time of 46-34 and was the first in the M70+ age category. Like Roger he also was over 7 minutes ahead of his near age rival. Joan finished in overall 333rd position in a time if 53-01, well up the finishing order in her category, but unfortunately outside the first three places.

The first athlete to cross the finishing line was Kairn Stone of the Newham and Essex Beagles in a time of 31-34.

The first female athlete was Jo Meek of Tavistock AC in overall 20th place in a time of 36-55.

The last competitor was Stanley Lloyd who finished in a time of 1 hour, 39 minutes and 49 seconds, taking the 586th place.

In such adverse weather conditions the organisers performed miraculously to record any finishing times and the camaraderie in the changing rooms was amazing where such appalling conditions brings the best out of all the athletes.

(RW & RR)

Yeovilton 5k, Jurassic Coast 10k & the Sticklepath Horseshoe Fell Race

On Wednesday evening 12th August 2010 Roger Rowe, competing in his first 5k race for almost two years, was the sole entrant from the Harriers amongst the 181 finishers in the latest round of the Yeovilton Summer 5k Series. In Roger's own words "the course is flat, fast and frenetic".

The start is close to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton in Heathcote Road. The runners head off east before taking the left turn toward Podimore. At the top of this lane at the junction with the A30 the course takes another left turn in Podimore village, where the course heads back to Heathcote Road. Again at Heathcote Road the course take another left before passing the start line and finishes in the grounds of the Recreation Ground off Heathcote Road.

The first competitor to cross the finishing line was Ian Habgood of Bournemouth AC in a time of 15 minutes and 16 seconds.

The first female athlete to complete the course was Laura Parker of Wells City Harriers in a time of 16-59. Laura was in overall 10th position.

Roger Rowe finished in 62nd position in a time of 19-44, taking the first place in the MV60 age category.

On Saturday 14th August 2010 just a lone Harrier, namely Andy Kennedy, took part in the Jurassic Coast 10k and was amongst the 252 eventual finishers.

The run commended on the seafront at Lime Kiln Car Park, in Budleigh Salterton, and joined the footpath heading north along the mouth of River Otter. After 3 kilometres the runners crossed the River Otter at Clamour Foot Bridge and joined the rural path heading east until it reached the coast path at Crab ledge where the course turned south. The undulating Coast Path was followed for a further 5 kilometres. Here, where the river joins the sea, the coast path heads north enabling the runners to recross the River Otter at White Bridge. From here the course followed the footpath south retracing the first stage of the run back to Lime Kiln Car Park.

The first runner to complete the course was Joseph Deveau in a time of 35 minutes and 46 seconds.

The first female runner to pass the finishing line, in overall 16th place, was Katrina Rye in a time of 40-17.

For the Harriers, Andy Kennedy, finished in 33rd place in a time 44-30.

At 1.00pm on the same day the Sticklepath Horseshoe Fell Race, which is 9.6 miles in length and includes 1700 feet of ascent, got underway upon Dartmoor around the Taw Valley. The husband and wife duo of Jon and Lorraine Croome represented the Exmouth Harriers along with eighty two other starters.

The runners started and finished in Sticklepath Village, Devon, in a field on the moor (ie. south) side of the old A30 road (main road through the village), close to the foundry and the Devonshire Inn. Apart from the start/finish there were six manned check points which had to be visited enroute, in a designed sequence. In addition to visiting the check points, there were supplementary mandatory route requirements, pertaining to both the safety of the runners and the satisfaction of landowners.

The route took in Belstone Tor, Oke Tor, Steeperton Tor, Hound Tor and Cosdon, culminating in a frantic descent to the finish in Stikclepath village. For their efforts all finishers were awarded a bottle of cider open which to feast whilst recovering.

The first runner to navigate and complete the course was Andy Vallance in a time of 1 hour, 15 minutes and 15 seconds. For the Harriers Jom Croome finished in 12th place in a time of 1-27-26 and lorraine finished 43rd in a time of 1-45-20. The first female competitor to cross the line was Sharon Daw in overall 20th place in a time of 1-31-17.

(RW)

Summer 5k & Sidmouth 10k

On warm balmy evening on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 a trio of Harriers lined up amongst the seventy-four athletes competing in the latest round in the Saucony Summer 5k series, namely, Andy Johnson, Cathy Newman and Jim Wyatt. Both Cathy and Jim had raced just two days earlier in the Totnes 10K where they produced impressive finishing times.

On the night the first athlete to cross the finishing line was Matthew Clarke of the SW Road Runners in a time of 16 minutes and 15 minutes.

The first female athlete to cross the finishing line in overall 11th position was Lucy Commander, also of SWRR in a time of 18-17.

Cathy Newman finished in 17th position in a time of 19-12, taking the first place in the female 45 age category.on the night.

Andy Johnson finished in 23rd position in a time of 19-40 and Jim Wyatt completed the trio in 54th position in a time of 23-59.

The last athlete to complete the course was Louise Crathorne in a time of 32-59.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

On a cooler Sunday 8th August 2010 Sidmouth Running Club hosted the Sidmouth Festival 10k Run with over two hundred runners lined up at the start just above Jacob's Ladder, facing the immediate steep ascent to Peak Hill. At the starting gun the more serious runners sprinted up the hill in an attempt to take the first prize in the one kilometre ascent of the hill to its summit. Beyond the hill lay the relative flat route through Mutters Moor before the course again ascends to Stoney Hill following the footpath and via a dog leg to the summit of Bulverton Hill. Despite the recent long dry period there were muddy stretches and in a couple of places large puddles that needed to be avoided. Along this ascent the great vista of Sidmouth to the east could be experienced. Having reached the top the runners then descended through woods back to Bulverton Bottom and through Graystone Plantations. Finally back at Peak Hill the daunting descent took the runners back to the finishing line at the same place they started some time previous.

The first runner to complete the course was Mateusz Szala of Sidmouth Running Club in a time of 38 minutes and 25 seconds.

The first female runner to complete the course in overall 35th position was Laura Brenton of Southampton RC in a time of 47-26.

The first Harrier to complete the course was Dave Stone in 4th position, taking the second place in the MV40 age category, in a time of 39-35. Although positioning this was one place behind his last years result Dave's time was nearly two minutes faster.

Hugh Marsden finished in 12th position, taking the first prize in the MV50 age category, in a time of 41-39.

Adam Miller finished in 20th position in a time of 43-35. Chris Dupain finished in 37th position in a time of 47-35. Emma Dupain finished in 44th position in a time of 49-20, immediately in ahead of Ben White, in 45th position, who finished in a time of 49-22

Richard Selby finished in 48th position, taking the second place in the MV60 age category, in a time of 49-50.

Terry Oldham finished in 62nd position in a time of 51-12. Andy Kennedy finished in 69th position in a time of 51-43.

Ray Elston finished in 103rd position, taking the first place in the MV70 age category, in a time of 54-38. This time being over two minutes faster than last year.

Lucy Hodgson finished in 115th position in a time of 55-56. Lorraine Gilson finished in 128th position in a time of 57-12. Nigel Dupain finished in 138th position in a time of 58-55. Lee Russell finished in 141st position in a time of 59-39. Les Turner finished in 169th position in a time of 63-29. Nicky Crook finished in 171st position in a time of 64-02.

Mick Allen completed the Exmouth Harrier contingent in 182nd position in a time of 65-56.

The last runner to cross the finishing line was Sean Donner in 204th position in a time of 1 hour, 28 minutes and 28 seconds.

Totnes 10k

On Sunday 1st August 2010 sixteen members of the Harriers lined up with 531 runners competing in the increasingly popular Totnes 10k race and between them won six separate places in the various age categories, as well as the second place in the male team category.

From the novel starting rocket the athletes set off at a blistering pace to complete the half lap around the sports field before negotiating the tight, twisting exit from Borough Park. The slightly undulating route then follows the course of the River Dart with the underfoot conditions varying from tarmac path to compacted grass tufted soil before, close to the half way point of the race, ascending steeply through woodland. This steep ascent is further complicated by the odd muddy puddle and numerous obstacle tree roots. Once the hill has been ascended a fast downhill section of narrow concrete lay ahead where the pace again picks up. The second water station is reached where much need fluid is provided. Further undulating areas are negotiated before the course re-emerges to the bank of the River Dart. The route then returns along the outward leg of the race and re-enters the Borough Park. With the finishing line in sight many athletes manage to draw upon their last reserves to produce a sprint finish to the line.

The first athlete to complete the course, in a record breaking time of 34 minutes and 57 seconds, was James Baker of Chichester Runners & AC.

The first Harrier home was Dave Stone, in overall 10th position, in a time of 37-58 taking the 2nd place in the MV40 age category.

Hugh Marsden finished in 16th position in a time of 40-05, taking the 1st place in the MV50 age category.

Jamie Pearson finished in 19th position in a time of 40-49.

Cathy Newman finished in 37th position in a time of 43-37, taking the 2nd place in the FV45 age category.

Ed Shutt finished in 60th position in a time of 46-14, taking the 3rd place in the MV55 age category.

Andy Kennedy finished in 74th position in a time of 47-13.

Roger Rowe finished in 76th position in a time of 47-22, taking the 1st place in the MV65 age category.

Ben White finished in 85th position in a time of 48-03.

Emma Dupain finished in 98th position in a time of 48-50.

Bob Woodall finished in 106th position in a time of 49-14.

John Perratt finished in 120th position in a time of 49-47, taking the 1st place in the MV70 age category, beating his previous record in the category which he set last year.

Ray Elston finished in 126th position in a time of 50-32, taking the 2nd place in the MV70 age category.

Ted Bloomfield finished in 157th position in a time of 52-28.

Jim Wyatt finished in 175th position in a time of 53-19.

Dawn Teed finished in 180th position in a time of 53-28.

Nigel Dupain completed the Harrier contingent by finishing in 230th position in a time of 55-56.

The first female runner, in overall 17th position, was Nicola Brookland, representing Bristol and West AC, who completed the course in a time of 40-19.

The last runner to complete the course was Linda Myles of the Women's Running Network in a time of 1 hour 53 minutes and 15 seconds.

(RW)

PS I am informed by the race director that the course is actually 6.4 miles...

(RR)

Tavy, Chudleigh, Saltash & Haytor

Over the course of the end of last week members of the Harriers competed in no less than 4 races, either as individuals or as part of a relay team. Of particular note were the performances of Jamie Pearson, Adam Miller and Hugh Marsden who were members of the Exmouth Harrier relay team who took third place in the Tavistock Town relays. Jamie and Adam then, the following evening, as individuals took the overall 6th place and 15th place respectively in the Chudleigh Carnival 6 Mile Road Race in an impressive times of 33 minutes and 14 seconds and 34-57. Hugh raced three days later and completed in the Haytor Hellor finishing 8th in an impressive time of 44-59.

On Thursday 15th July 2010 on an evening which saw gale force winds and torrential rain the Tavistock Town Relays were held. Only just as the weather conditions were so atrocious that the organisers were considering abandoning the event. However, battling through, 31 teams of four athletes each of whom completed a 1.1 mile lap participated. The first team to complete the event was from Tavistock AC in a time of 20 minutes and 45 seconds.

The Exmouth Harrier team finished in 3rd place in a time of 22-16. Dave Stone completed the first leg in a time of 5-25, and handed over to Hugh Marsden who completed the leg in 5-45. Adam Miller completed the third leg in a time of 5-37 and Jamie completed the team and their race in a time of 5-29.

The first all female team completed the event in overall 15th place in a time of 27-27.

In the evening of Friday 16th July 2010 four members of the Harriers participated in the Chudleigh Carnival 6 Mile Road Race. The race started at the Bishop Lacy public house before heading out of town around the lanes of Chudleigh before retuning to public house for the finish. This is an extremely hilly course. The first athlete to complete the course was Lee Turner of the Torbay AC in a time of 31-14.

For the Exmouth Harriers contingent Jamie Pearson finished first in overall 6th position in a time 33-14. Mike Musgrove finished in overall 8th position in a time of 33-48. Adam Miller finished in overall 15th position in a time of 34-57. Katie Cromer completed the Harrier quartet finishing in 83rd position in a time of 46-10.

The first female athlete was Joe Meek of the Tavistock AC who finished in 12th position in a time of 34-30. The last competitor was Michelle Emmerson in a time of 74-29.

On Saturday 18th July 2010 just the single athlete from the Harriers competed in the Saltash Magnificent 7. The 7 mile race follows a tough, well marshalled and accurate course through country lanes with good views over the Tamar Estuary. In the words of the organiser, "the course is not easy by any means but you will enjoy it".

The first athlete to complete the course was Peter Ellis of Hayle Runners in a time of 39-42. Andy Kennedy for Exmouth Harriers finished in 84th position in a time of 51-19.

The first female athlete was Emma Stallard in overall 10th position in a time of 44-04.

Finally on Sunday 18th July 2010 four Harriers competed in the Haytor Hellor. This popular, well established, moorland race starts below Haytor Rock and follows a hilly circular route before returning once again to Haytor Rock with a fast downhill finale to the finish opposite the middle car park at Haytor. The approx. 6 mile course is challenging with several steep ascents and descents and is generally run across rugged, open moorland, apart from two sections through woodland; firstly below Hound Tor and secondly below Haytor which includes a stream crossing.

The first athlete to complete the course was James Baker of Chichester Runners AC in a time of 40-09. In 8th position, the first Harrier, was Hugh Marsden in a time of 44-59. Hugh took the first place in the MV50 age category. Jim Wyatt finished in 125th position in a time of 62-21, taking the third place in the MV60 age category.

Dawn Teed finished in 155th position in a time of 65-15. Kevin Lingard completed the Exmouth quartet in 165th position in a time of 66-63.

The first female athlete was Lucy Commander in overall 20th position in a time of 47-11.

Charmouth Challenge & Exe 5k Series & Otter Valley Rail & River Run

On Saturday, 3rd July, seven Harriers were among the 232 runners who completed the gruelling Charmouth Challenge, the most southerly fell race in England. The 8 mile course goes through some of the finest coastal scenery in the South West and includes an ascent of Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast of England at 191m.

The race was won by Stuart Leaney in 52 minutes and 12 seconds. Hugh Marsden ran superbly to lead the Harriers home as 2nd V50 and 7th overall in 58:26. Mike Musgrove also had a great race to come 1st V40 and 8th overall in 59:08, followed by Adam Miller in 16th place in 1:01:30. Terry Oldham was 77th in 1:13:17, with Andy Kennedy 91st in 1:15:18.

The 1st lady to finish was Lin Lascelles of Maiden Newton Runners, 28th overall in 1:04:59. The Exmouth ladies were Dawn Teed, 178th overall in 1:29:11, followed immediately by Lorraine Gilson, 179th in 1:29:12. The last runner home was Chris Howell in 2:49:08.

Three Harriers competed in Round 2 of The Run Exe Summer 5K Series at Flowerpots, Exwick, on Tuesday 6th July, on a very pleasant evening with a light west wind and good support for the event. The winner was Exmouth runner Tom Merson, running superbly for Bristol & West A C, in a time of 15 minutes and 27 seconds, over a minute faster than the runner-up.

Andy Johnson was the first Harrier to finish, 2nd M45 and 24th overall in 19:41. Jim Wyatt had an excellent race for 1st M65 and 52nd overall in 23:22 and Dave Eveleigh was 53rd in 23:37.

Jo Meek of Tavistock A C was the 1st lady home in 13th place overall in 18:34. The last of the 68 runners to finish was Elizabeth Pugh in 33:09.

The Otter Valley Rail & River Run took place on Saturday, 10th July. This approximately 10K multi terrain race is mostly off-road on tracks, footpaths and fields. The scenic, undulating route starts at Tipton St John Playing Field and heads towards the hamlets of Venn Ottery and Fluxton, and back into Tipton. It then follows the old railway line between Tipton St John and Harpford, returning via the banks of the winding River Otter to finish back on the playing field.

The race was won by John McFarlane of Thames Hare & Hounds in 37:07 and the 1st lady to finish was Eleanor Wood of Axe Valley Runners in 45:09. The 1st of the two Harriers to complete the race was Andy Kennedy, 18th in 45:49. John Perratt was 1st M70 and 41st overall in 50:18. Finally, Harry Moore of Axe Valley Runners was the last to finish, 113th overall in 1:39:13.

(LT)

Beat the Bus... and Erme Valley Relays

Hi Everyone,

While Bob is away sunning himself in Turkey, I've drawn the short straw for producing the press reports.

On Wednesday 30th June, Sidmouth Running Club held a new event, the Beat the Bus Race, which starts at Otterton Green and runs through two fields, crossing a road before ascending the hills to High Peak and down towards Sidmouth, before returning to the Green in Otterton.

95 runners completed the race and 58 of them succeeded in beating the bus. The winner was Graham Hill of Sidmouth Running Club in a time of 39:43. Four Exmouth Harriers competed in the race and the first to finish was Pete McKeown in 8th place in 42:39. Next came Jon Croome, 10th in 43:02, followed by Lorraine Croome, 35th in 50:36. John Perratt was 46th in 54:22, so all four beat the Stagecoach No. 157 bus that took 57:06. The first lady to finish was Angel Felix in 43:44 and the last runner home was Peggy Snell in 1:51:30.

This year, Exmouth Harriers fielded five out of the total of 67 teams who took part in the 4 x 2 ½ miles Erme Valley Road Relays at Ivybridge on Friday, 2nd July. The men’s race was won by Torbay A C ‘A’ in a total time of 52:40 and Torbay also won the ladies event in a team time of 65:01, making it a great night for the club. The Torbay anchor man, Lee Turner, also recorded the fastest leg of the evening with 12:44, making it even better.

The fastest lady was Jo Meek (14:14) in the Tavistock mixed team and the first pub/village was Ugborough with a team time of 69:07.

Exmouth Harriers men’s V40 team (57:34) of Dave Stone (13:19), Hugh Marsden (14:17), Mark Thompson (15:28) and Mike Musgrove (14:30) received the award for the 2nd men’s team. They finished ahead of the Exmouth men’s team (60:09) of Ben White (17:11), Adam Miller (14:09), Chris Dupain (15:04) and Dave Stone (13:45), who were 5th in the category.

Exmouth’s men’s V50 team (67:46) of Terry Oldham (16:51), Richard Selby (16:41), Hugh Marsden (15:11) and John Perratt (19:03) were 4th.

The amazing reign of the Exmouth men’s V60 team finally came to an end, but only just! Having won on all the previous 7 occasions since the category was introduced in 2003, they failed to make it eight out of eight, when they were finally beaten by the excellent but much younger team from South West Road Runners (69:29). The Exmouth supervets’ ages now range from 65 to 73 (average 69!!) and their time was 71:46 (Jim Wyatt 19:04, John Perratt 18:06, Ray Elston 17:53 and Roger Rowe 16:43). If, however, the impending 60th birthday of Richard Selby had been just 3 weeks earlier, his time would have contributed to a V60 team time of 69:23 that would have beaten the victorious South West Road Runners time by 6 seconds!! Just 3 weeks on a total of 276 years!

Last but not least, on to the Exmouth ladies team who were 5th in the category in 74:22 (Emma Dupain 16:52, Lorraine Gilson 19:16, Dawn Teed 19:25 and Katie Comer 18:49).

The last team to finish was the Instinctive Sports men’s V60 team in 94:05.

Best wishes,

Les

SW Vets -- Festival 5 -- Killerton Kanter

The South West Veterans Track and Field Championships
On Sunday 20th June 2010 four Exmouth Harriers competed in the South West Veterans Track and Field Championships. Each of the club members completed remarkable performances on such a hot and sticky day, between them taking several first and one second place in differing disciplines.

Dave Eveleigh took first place in the 10,000 metre race, M55 age category, in a time of 52 minutes and 34 seconds, going on to complete a total distance of 11 374 metres in a one hour period.

Andy Kennedy took first place in the same distanced race in the M50 age category, in a time of 43 minutes, 15.1 seconds.

Les Turner took second place in the 100 metre race, M65 age category, in a time of 18.6 seconds, just one second behind the winner. He also took first place in the 200 metre race, M65 age category, in a time of 36.7 seconds. Of the field events Les took first place in the long jump event, M65 age category, and second place in the triple jump with a distance of 6.80 metres, just 10mm ahead of his rival in second place.

John Perratt took first place in the 200 metre race, M70 age category, in a time of 35.5 seconds. He also took first place in the 1,500 metre race, M70 age category, in a time of 6 minutes and 31.1 seconds. With energy to spare John went on to win the 5,000 metre race, in his age category, in a time of 22-50.6.

Turning his attention to the field events John Perratt took the first place in the pentathlon, in the V70 age category, after completing the five disciplines, of long jump, javelin, 200 metre race, discus and finally the 1,500 metre race.

Already with next years championships in sight John will train a bit harder and compete in a few more disciplines (!)

Festival 4
"On a warm evening on Wednesday 23rd June 2010 Ironbridge Runners hosted the "Festival 4", a race in aid of Prostrate Cancer. The race, in actual fact just over four miles in length, is a single circuit on the south side of the River Exe starting from the weir below the Keys in Exeter. From the start the route follows the course of the river and heads out toward the coast where at the Swing bridge the athletes immerge onto Bridge Road. Here they turn right for a few metres along the footpath before turning right back along a path. This leads back to the finish roughly parallel to the outward journey. A level course with some tight turns and hazards of pedestrians and cyclists to avoid. After a warning to the runners to be aware of cattle on the course the race started watched and cheered on by many supporters.

Four Exmouth Harriers competed in the event, Andy Johnson, John Perratt, Jim Wyatt and Les Turner.

The eventual winner was a local Exmouth based athlete Tom Merson, running in the colours of Bristol and West, who complete the course in a impressive time of 21 minutes and 50 seconds, finishing over one minute ahead of the second placed runner.

The first female athlete was Lucy Commander of South West Road Runners in a time of 25-56.

Andy Johnson led the Exmouth Harrier contingent home in overall 23rd place in a time of 28-20.

John Perratt was the first, and only runner, in the V70 age category, finishing in overall 55th place in a time of 31-27.

Jim Wyatt finished in overall 81st position, taking the second place in the V65 age category, in a time of 33-54, followed by Les Turner who took the overall 129th position in a time of 39-10. Les took the 3rd place in the V65 age category.

Killerton Kanter
"At 6pm on Saturday 26th June 2010, yet another warm summers evening, over one hundred athletes took part in the Killerton Kanter hosted by Mount Bay Harriers, Triathlon and Running Club. An undulating ten kilometre cross country race around the grounds of Killerton House. The first one and one half kilometres proved very rough under foot with the next, similar distance being very dusty. There after the route proved to rise and fall as it made its way through the shade of the woods. The down hill stretch to the finished followed the course of a twisting path.

This race was attended by four Exmouth Harriers, Mike Musgrove, Adam Miller, Jim Wyatt and Dawn Teed. Unfortunately for Mike Musgrove he set off at a fast pace, along with another runner. Mike looked that he was likely to take the winning spot but somehow managed to take a wrong turn along the course and therefore excluded from the finishing results.

The first place was awarded to Kerry Roberts, from the Tiverton Harriers, who completed the course in a time of exactly 40 minutes.
Adam Miller finished in overall 5th position in a time of 41-13.

The first female athlete to complete the course was Magdalen Miller, in overall 22nd place, of the North Devon Road Runners in a time of 45-36.

Jim Wyatt finished in 68th position in a time of 54-23, he being the 5th in the V60 age category. Dawn Teed completed the Exmouth set finishing in 89th position in a time of 57-40 and being 7th in the FV45 age category.

(RW)

Dave Stone goes on and on...

On Father's Day, an exceptionally hot day, Sunday 20th June 2010, Dave Stone convinced his family that participating in the Over the Hill and Farway 10k all terrain race took priority in the morning. And well he did, finishing the overall winner, some two and one half minutes ahead of his nearest rival, in an impressive time of 37 minutes and 45 serconds. This is only the second such race organised by the Farway Primary School, abley assisted by Alan Rowe of the Honiton Running Club, and Dave is now the course record holder, having knocked over a minute off the origin race winning time.

The course is basically a figure of eight starting just before the village hall on the outskirts of the village of Farway, between Honiton and Colyton. The route heads off in a westerly direction, increasing in altitiude slightly all the way, passing the War Memorial and Thorn Farm where the route takes a right turn along a farm track toward Netherton Hall.

About one and a half kilometres from the start the course takes a sharp left turn back onto the road way where the incline rises sharply over Culver and Warren Hills. Right at Bucknole Cross and the route follows the road down hill to the T junction south of Northleigh Village. A right turn takes the runners toward Northleigh Farm to Suddon Lane. A left turn takes the runners to Farway Cross, again ascending a steady climb. At the top of the incline a sharp left turn brings them back along Colyton Road to Northleigh. The first left in the village climbs again for a short distance then passes the Church where the course again passes Northleigh Farm.

This time at Suddon Cross the runners turn right and follow the road back to the finish in front of the village hall. A spectator at the event said that "Dave was flying" and Dave himself, that evening, admitted that the race was hard, very hilly and hot."

(RW)

Dave Stone wins Ultimate Marathon

On Saturday 5th June 2010 Dave Stone, the sole entrant for the Harriers, was again giving a display of his running talents at the Dartmoor Discovery Road Race. This race is an ultra marathon over 32 miles of, as the name suggests, Dartmoor.

On a hot and virtually windless day the race started in Prince Town before heading out toward Two Bridges and then Ashburton. From there the route turned back toward Widecoombe in the Moore and then Post Bridge before finishing as the start at Prince Town. Much of the route was without shade and it was particularly humid so the many water stations provided much needed replenishing fluids.

Dave started well but was concerned as the lead runner opened a large gap early on in the race. Maintaining his discpline Dave ignored this overly fast start and continued at his own pace. Although he was informed that at one stage he was trailing over a mile behind the lead runner Dave raced on ever closing the gap and eventually overtook the front runner. At his own blistering pace Dave eventually finished the race taking first place in a time of 3 hours, 50 minutes and 53 seconds, nine minutes ahead of the second placed runner.

This, his, latest achievement was one minute faster than the last time he won the race, six years ago. Age does not seem to be having an adverse effect on our local athlete.

The first woman to complete the race was Helen Taranoski of the West Four Harriers in a time of 4-18-46.

The last runner home, in 130th position, was Patricia Seabrook of Finch Coasters who finished in a time of 7-57-34.

At mid-day on the same day Axe Valley Runners organised, in co-operation with Talaton Villiage Day, the Talaton Trotter in which four Exmouth Harriers competed. This race is approximately 6.5 miles in length, largely off-road following fields, footpaths, woods and country lanes. The race started from the site of the show field in Talaton between Honiton and Exeter. The race attracked many good quality runners, especially the contingent from Exmouth Harriers.
The first athlete to complete the course was Jake Waldron of the South West Road Runners in a recorded time of 45 minutes and 28 seconds.

The first lady home was Emma Hitchins also of the SWRR in overall 8th position in a recorded time of 50-58.

Andy Johnson led the Exmouth Harriers home in overall 12th position in a recorded time of 53-17, followed by Andy Kennedy in overal 19th position in a recorded time of 55-30.

Emma Dupain finished in overall 39th position in a time of 59-38. John Perratt, actually running in the Sidmouth colours, finished in overall 56th position in a time off 1 hour 6minutes and 1 second, taking the first prize in the V70 age category.

The athlete to complete the course was Jenny Adams of Wells City Harriers in overall 94th position in a recoded time of 1-20-48.

Earlier in the week on Tuesday 1st June 2010 Ironbridge Runners held the first event in "The Run Exe Summer Series". Amongst the eighty competitors were three Exmouth Harriers, Andy Johnson, Dave Eveleigh and Jim Wyatt.

The course was change slightly from previous years to around the River Exe overflow which had to be shared with cyclists, dog walkers and ducks. On a warm, sunny evening with a brisk northerly wind the runners started their 5k race which consisted of two laps of a flat tarmac surface.

The first runner to complete the race was Jack Bancroft of Exeter University AC in a time of 15 minutes and 44 seconds.

The first female athlete in overall 14th position was Lucy Kelvey of Newquay RR in a time of 18-29.

Andy Johnson was the first Exmouth Harrier to cross the finishing line in 26th place in a time of 19-29. Dave Eveleigh finished in 60th place in a time of 24-20 followed immediately behind in 61st place by Jim Wyatt in a time of 24-25.
In last place, in 80th position, was Amy Heywood of Run in England who recorded a finishing time of 35-24.

(RW)

Plymouth Half Marathon

At 9am, bright and early on Sunday 30th May 2010 three Harriers, Hugh Marsden, Dawn Teed and Trevor Cope lined up with four thousand, seven hundred and twenty eight runners to take part in the Plymouth Half Marathon. Their heads concentrating on the gruelling thirteen point one miles of tarmac ahead of them and the Cornish pasties awaiting them at the finishing line.

The race started on the Hoe, the site of the famous Beatles photograph from the sixties in the shadow of Smeaton's Tower (the lighthouse in the photo for non-Plymothians), with a circuit of the Citadel and harbour area before heading west along the main road through Prince Rock toward the river Plym. Immediately after crossing the river a sharp left turn took the runners along the eastern bank of the river, and just over four miles into the race the long ascent of nearly a mile into Saltram Park started. After exiting the park at the hill's peak the runners took a right turn and descended along Haye Road to the A379 Elburton Road and back toward the city centre. Once again the runners crossed the river Plym and followed the road around Sutton Pool (the most ancient part of Plymouth) via Coxside, passed the Citadel where a right turn took them back to the Hoe. With the tantalising finishing line in sight a final loop around the Hoe was endured before the athletes crossed the finishing line on the Hoe Promenade itself.

The first runner to complete the race was Jean [John] Ndayisenga of the Birchfield Harriers in a recorded time of 1 hour, 6 minutes and 32 seconds, forcing local athlete Kairn Stone into second place. The first female runner to cross the finishing line, in overall 23rd place, was Yimenashu Taye, unattached runner, in a time of 1-19- 21.

Hugh Marsden led the Harrier's trio home in overall 33rd place in a recorded time of 1-22-46. His valiant efforts won him the first place in the V50 age category.

Dawn Teed finished in overall 1802nd place in a recorded time of 1-59-35. Trevor Cope finished in overall 3257th place in a recorded time of 2-15-23.

The last runner to complete the course was Priscilla Rowe in a time of 4-19-46. The distance and hot weather conditions forced 37 runners to abandon their attempts to complete the race.

(RW)

Edinburgh & Crediton

In the morning of Sunday 23rd May 2010 three intrepid members of the Harriers, Ben White, Ben Dupain and Emma Dupain, lined up amongst the 23000 entrants for the Edinburgh Marathon. At the start, just outside Holyrood Park, the temperature was high with even higher temperatures expected before the completion of the 26 miles and 385 yard course. Following the starting gun the runners made there way to the estuary of the Firth of Forth. An easterly direction took them along the embankment to Gosforth House before turning about and finally finishing at the Musselburgh Race Course. All the Harriers completed the course under four hours.

Chris Dupain led the trio, coming home in overal 2395th position in a time of 3 hours and 56 minutes and 54 seconds, a personal best time, followed closely by Ben White, in 2544th position and Emma Dupain, in 2545th position, both of who recorded the same finishing time of 3-58-30. Ben also completed the course in a personal best time.

All runners were very pleased to finish (especially Ben who was celebrating his birthday), as they were running in aid of Amy Claire, a 15 year old girl who represented Wales and GB in disability swimming. Her aim was to go to the paralympics in London 2012. Sadly now Amy has had to go part time into a hospice and may never see 2012. Emma was her main carer in Swansea for a year and the three runners all wanted to raise money to allow Amy to do some of the things she has asked to do in the time she has left. They hope to raise at least £1,000 for her and her hospice in Wales. They are nearly there but any further sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

The first runner to complete the marathon was Steve Littler in a time of 2-26-30, and the first female runner to complete the course was Sarah Gee in a time of 2-38-14.

Closer to home on the same day, still in very warm conditions, Hugh Marsden, Mike Musgrove, John Perratt and Dawn Teed, of the Harriers, all lined up to start in the Crediton Crunch 10k multi-terrain race. The course started at the Credition Rugby club before meandering around the lanes and through the woods of Crediton. The shade of the woods provided a much needed respite from the heat on the open course.

Hugh Marsden chasing the previous course record on 37 minutes and 53 seconds, finished in overall 4th position in a time of 38-42, less than one minute shy of the record. Hugh took the first prize in the V50 category.

Mike Musgrove came in overall 6th position in a time of 39-04. John Perratt finished in overall 87th position in a time of 53-04. Dawn Teed completed the quartet finishing in 113rd position in a time of 56-09.

The first runner to complete the course was Tom Gill of Tavistock AC in a course record time of 36-58 and the first female runner home was Emma Hitchins of the South West Road Runners in overall 18th position in a time of 42-07. 218 competitors completed the course with the last runner, Gillian Waller of the Womens Running Network finishing in a time of 87-58.

(RW)

Edinburgh Marathon

Ben White, Emma and Chris Dupain joined about 23,000 other runners in the Edinburgh Marathon. Despite the blistering heat they all finished in under 4 hours.

Chris was 3.56 (PB), Ben (PB) and Emma were 3.58. They were very pleased to finish (especially Ben as it was his birthday), as they were running in aid of Amy Claire, a 15 year old girl who represented Wales and GB in disability swimming. Her aim was to go to the paralympics in London 2012. Sadly now Amy has had to go part time into a hospice and may never see 2012. Emma was her main carer in Swansea for a year and the three runners all wanted to raise money to allow Amy to do some of the things she has asked to do in the time she has left. They hope to raise at least £1,000 for her and her hospice in Wales. They are nearly there but any further sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

(ND)

V70s @ Sutton Park

2nd V70 Overall

V60s @ Sutton Park

21st V60 Overall

Of Sutton Park... and Ivybridge

BMAF Road Relay Championships
On Saturday 15th May 2010 two teams of three Harriers journeyed to Birmingham to compete in the 23rd National Open Masters Road Relay Championships. The club entered Roger Rowe, Bob Woodall and Jim Wyatt in the over 60's age group and Ray Elston, Mike Allen and John Perratt in the over 70's age group. Les Turner accompanied the two teams as the travelling reserve.

The race consisted of three laps each lap consisted of three miles around the roadway of Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield's green oasis just north of Birmingham. From the start/finish there is a slight decline before the roadway elevates over almost half a mile before levelling out beyond the first sharp bend to the right. There are undulations throughout the length of the course with very little strictly flat lengths. The course declines down to the turning point (180-degree) where the runners, for a couple of hundred yards, go back to the next left turn onto the homeward stretch, plunging down a long hill. At the bottom, after some undulating twists and turns, the course makes a final right hand turn up the final incline to the start/finish.

From the start the sun was shining with only patchy clouds. The temperature was warm but some areas of shade from the trees adjoining the roadway gave some respite from the sun.

This year the relay had eighty-two finishing teams consisting ladies in the 35, 45 and 55 year age group along with the men's 60 and 70 year age groups. The men's team consisted of three runners and the women's teams consisted of four, the team having to completed the extra lap.

The fastest women's team was Dulwich A C, in the 35 year age group, finishing their four laps in a time of 1 hour 12 minutes and 30 seconds.

The fastest men's team was Barnet A C, in the 60 year age group, finishing in a time of 53 minutes and 19 seconds.

The Harriers V60 team finished in overall 21st position in a time of 1-02-35. Roger Rowe completed his lap in 19-30, Bob Woodall took 20-39 and Jim Wyatt took 22-26.

The Harriers V70 team finished in overall 2nd place taking the silver medals in a time of 1-05-42. Ray Elston completed his lap in 21-29, Mike Allen took 22-54 and John Perratt took 21-19. The first placed V70 team was Bingley AC who completed the race in 1-02-09, with their anchor man, Fred Gibbs, completing his lap in a course record time for his age in 19-55.

The fastest women in the race was Jenny Clague, in the V35 age group, who completed her three mile lap in 16-51 and the fastest man was Desmond Michael in the V60 age group, in a time of 17-18.

Ivybridge 10k
Later on the same evening fo the Harriers, Andy Johnson and Kevin Lingard, competed in the Ivybridge 10k.

The first runner to complete the course was Kairn Stone of Newham and Essex Beagles in a time of 31 minutes and 08 seconds.

The first woman to complete the course was Anne Luke of Tamar Trotters who finished in overall 31st plosition in a time of 38-08.

Andy Johnson finished in overall 62nd position in a time of 40-10. Kevin Lingard finished in overall 343rd position in a time of 50-41.

(RW)

BMAF Relays - Sutton Park

Saturday, 15th May, 2010

V70 team with their Silver medals (Mel Batty in the background for those who know their International Athletes of the 60s). Bingley were 1st, with a new course record by Fred Gibbs running anchor (19:55) - amazing for a V70+. To give you some idea of just how good that is, he gained over a minute on John Perratt. When did anyone ever do that!

Full report to come...

(RR)