Tuesday, June 08, 2010

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)

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