Tuesday, July 13, 2010

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)

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