Happy New Year

"Exmouth Harriers Kevin Lingard and his daughter, Liz, started the New Year with nearly 200 others, by participating in the 2010 Brown Willy Run. The run started at 11am on Friday 1st January 2010 from the famous Jamaica Inn and followed a route of about 7 miles across moor, through boggy, muddy, icy ground, along paths and up the challenging "Brown Willy", the highest point in Cornwall. On such a cold crisp day as Friday both the south and north Cornwall coasts could be seen from this highest section of the course.

The run was organised by the Truro Running Club. Participants just turned up on the day and signed in. There was no entry fee and entrants made monetary donations, all of which was split between the Cornish Search and Rescue Team and Cornwall Hospice Care.

Liz Lingard completed her run in about 78 minutes and dad, Kevin, finished just two minutes behind in a time of 80 minutes.

The 8th First Chance 10k was hosted by South West Road Runners on Sunday 3rd January 2010. The race was a fast flat course along paths and cycleways by the Exeter Canal and the river Exe. Included in the full complement of 464 runners finishing the race were three Exmouth Harriers, namely, Pete McKeon, Paul Samways and John Perratt. The weather was bright but chilly with little wind making running conditions ideal, although a covering of frost on the ground made going,in some areas, a bit tricky. The race winner was Kevin Hayward of Bideford RC in a time of 30 minutes 44 seconds followed extremely closely by Exmouth local runner Tom Merson just 11 seconds behind.

Of the Exmouth Harriers contingent Pete McKeon finished in overall 25th position in a time of 35-44, the second in the V40 category, ahead of Paul Samways in overall 43rd position in a time of 39-03. John Perratt completed the trio finishing in 142nd position in a time of 46-49, the second in the V65 category.

And finally a reminder to those ladies who would like to participate in a "WOMEN'S ONLY" running night in the new year. Lorraine Gilson is holding the initial session on Wednesday 13th January 2010 at 6.15pm at the Exmouth Rugby Club, Imperial Road, Exmouth, EX8 1DG, for a 6.30pm start. Any lady wanting to give it a try please contact Lorraine on the mobile phone number 07977544611. If you do not try running you can not say you do not like it so give it a try.

Anyone else who fancies running come along on a Tuesday or Thursday at 6.45 pm for a 7.00 pm start. Check out the Exmouth Harriers web-site http://www.exmouth-harriers.co.uk/ .