Last week's races...

Tuesday, 4th August, saw Round 3 of the Run Exe Summer 5K Series at Exwick won by Exmouth runner Tom Merson, running for Bristol and West A C, in 15:12.

Two Harriers, Carlos Payan and Andy Johnson, were among the field of 59 runners who completed the event. Carlos came 13th in 18:00 and Andy was 21st in 19:26.

Last Sunday, five Harriers lined up amongst the 184 ultimate finishers of the Sidmouth Festival Run over a distance of 10 kilometres.

The starting line was in the blazing sun on the western slope of the Sid valley with an immediate steep climb ascending the cliff for almost one kilometre. At the top of the first steep hill a restrictive gate gave the runners a much-needed early breather with over nine kilometres still to cover. Twists, turns and stairs saw the competitors rise higher and higher up the cliff top before turning inland across moor like conditions.

Despite the recent mini heat wave there were still many wet and muddy areas to negotiate. Once across the golf course at the ninth hole, the route took yet another incline, which graduated to the peak almost five kilometres into the race. Here amongst the woodland splendid views were attained across the Sid valley by those runners able to enjoy the view whilst also keeping a sharp eye on the ground for exposed tree roots and potholes.

With over half the event completed, the course began to descend back to the finish. Burning muscles were stretched out as the ground dropped back towards Sidmouth and the finish line, and the runners completed the race with a sprint due more to the steep decline than the power of the legs.

As with the start, the race was completed in glorious sunshine allowing all competitors to cool down under the sun's rays.

The race was won by Carl Prewer of the Lowestoft Road Runners in a time of 41 minutes and 16 seconds. Well done Dave Stone, who led the Exmouth Harriers home in 3rd place in an excellent time of 41:27, only 11 seconds behind the winner. Bob Woodall finished in 48th place in 52:38.

Congratulations to Ray Elston, who took the award for the 1st V70 and was 70th overall in 56:48. Jim Wyatt, second V60 and 86th overall in 58:44, was unlucky to miss the 1st V60 award by one place and just 5 seconds.

Les Turner completed the Exmouth Harrier contingent in 106th place in 61:04. The last competitor crossed the finishing line in a time of 1 hour 58 minutes and 44 seconds.

As the organisers advertised in their literature, the race was not one for personal best times, but one to enjoy and I can confirm that some of the views were truly breathtaking.

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(LT)

You're a runner if...

... you have hundreds of safety pins scattered around your house
... you love running in the rain
… you can say “runner’s nipple” in mixed company
... you carry a water-bottle everywhere
... you double knot all your shoes out of habit
... you have a watch tan that never goes away
... you feel naked without your stopwatch on
... you pack a separate bag for your running clothes
... pasta is the only food you'll eat for two nights before a race
... you try to convince people to run a 5k because it's "only 3 miles”

Totnes 10k

Last Sunday, an exceptionally large contingent of seventeen Harriers was among the 448 runners who completed the Totnes 10k off-road race. All finished the course in good individual times and returned with a nice collection of trophies between them to show for their efforts.

The start of the race around the cricket pitch is quite hectic with runners jostling for positions before the first of two ninety degree bends sees the route meander along the course of the river bend. This is the widest section of the course enabling runners to overtake. Despite heavy recent rain the conditions for the first three and a half kilometres was reasonably dry.

Shortly after the first water station the route entered the woods and conditions underfoot deteriorated. The course now turning away from the river started to incline. Two series of muddy steps interspersed with long inclines saw the foot conditions worsen and sticky mud and puddles were encountered. The incline seems to rise for over two kilometres before reaching the summit and a fast concrete path led the runners back to the last drink station. From here the course levels out to almost flat conditions allowing the faster runners to drop a gear and increase speed for the home run. By now the packs were thinly spread and the finishing order was nearly depicted with three kilometres to run.

The last two ninety degree bends before the lush green of the cricket pitch allowed the final negotiating for places. Entering the park and the perimeter of the cricket pitch with the finish line in view saw attempts at the last sprint finishes. Some runners lost finishing places, being overtaken in the home straight, but the competitors lower down in the field were more than glad to be home and across the finish line.

This gruelling race, which started at 11.00 am in warm, humid conditions, was won by James Baker of the Chichester Runners & AC in a time of 35:35, a blistering average speed of 5:43.5 per mile. The last competitor finished in 122:30.

Congratulations to the ladies team of Hannah Dupain (103rd in 49:01), Emma Dupain (115th in 50:32), Dawn Teed (168th in 53:50) and Lorraine Slight (175th in 54:10) who won the ladies team event.

Exmouth came second in the men’s team event with Dave Stone (13th in 39:23), Hugh Marsden (19th in 40:44), Carlos Payan (24th in 41:40), Adam Miller (28th in 42:13), Paul Samways (29th in 42:15) and Pete McKeown (42nd in 43:45).

Congratulations to Hugh Marsden who won the individual award for the 1st V50. Also, to John Perratt who was 1st V70 and 136th overall in a new course record of 51:53 with Ray Elston 2nd V70 and 156th overall in 52:51.

Chris Dupain was 91st in 48:13 with Bob Woodall 95th in 48:32. Terry Oldham finished 123rd in 51:08 and Nigel Dupain was 185th in 54:48. Jim Wyatt came 207th in 56:27.

(LT)

You're a runner if...

... there's nothing like intervals to start the week off fresh!!
... you talk to your training partner more than your parents
... you run when you feel like it, be it 6am or midnight
... you do anything to try to heal an injury except go to a doctor because you know he will just tell you to "stop running."
... you wear a black, plastic sports watch with your dress clothes
... you can remember a time from a race 4 years ago, but you can't remember your friend's birthdays
... your heart rate is below 50 and you are not dying
... you know how many grams of carbs there are in a banana.
... you can name a person from Namibia, Djibouti and Zimbabwe

... you are not embarrassed to show someone of the opposite sex where your hamstring "really" hurts.
... girls: you are embarrassed to wear a bikini because of your shorts/bra/tank-top/t-shirt tan lines

You're a runner if...

... you keep shoes and running clothes in your car so that if you're ever on a trip and drive by a place thinking "it'd be great to run here..." you can get out and go for a run
... you sleep in your running shorts because they're more comfortable than pyjamas, not to mention you don't need to change for your morning training session
... you can correctly pronounce names like "Hicham El Guerrouj" "Kennesia Bekele" and "Haile Gebresilassie"
... you've found yourself running around an airport departure hall thinking, "if I can just get in three more miles, I'll meet my mileage target this week"
... you wear sandals despite having the ugliest feet in the world, along with several black toe nails
... you get upset and impatient when results from the race you ran aren't posted on-line by the time you get home
... you find a magnifying glass to see your name in the paper.
... you have chafing in strange places.

... you spend more on training clothes than working clothes.

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(tbc)

You're a runner if...

... you get hit by a car and you don't bother to get the number plate of the person who hit you because you still have 6 miles left to go
... your cabin-luggage is a spike bag
... You say things like "long and hard" to your female friends and it is not a sexual innuendo
... you are used to the sound of a gun
... you make hundreds of left turns each week
... you and your clubmates have meaningless debates about training, running, and coaching, especially when you're drinking (or running)
... you have running shoes in varying degrees of decomposition: used, well-worn, spent but still good, and useless "but-I-still-wear-them-because-they-still-feel-good"
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(tbc)

Tavistock & Haytor & Saltash

A team of four Harriers braved the atrocious weather last Thursday and travelled to West Devon to take part in the 4 x 1.1 mile Tavistock Town Relays.

27 teams competed in the event that was won by Tamar Trotters with a total time of 21:17, but only after Exmouth had pushed them all the way to finish in second place, just 29 seconds behind the victors, in 21:46.

Exmouth’s team comprised Dave Stone (5:17), Carlos Payan (5:44), Hugh Marsden (5:40) and anchor Jamie Pearson (5:05). Jamie’s superb time was the 2nd fastest individual leg, a mere 4 seconds slower than the 5:01 recorded by the Tamar Trotters anchor, Mike Wilsmore.

Last Sunday, seven Harriers were among the field of 146 runners who completed a 6-mile cross country race, the Haytor Heller, near Bovey Tracey on Dartmoor.

The race was won by James Baker of Chichester Runners & A C in 40:53 and the first Harrier to finish was Hugh Marsden, 2nd V50 and 9th overall in 47:02.

Paul Samways came 13th in 47:43, with Adam Miller 25th in 50:37. Carlos Payan was 27th in 50:56 and Pete McKeown came 29th in 51:57. Duncan Parkes was 36th in 53:08, with Dawn Teed 94th in 64:51.

The Magnificent 7 (mile) Road Race at Saltash, Cornwall, was won by Dave Buzza of Cornwall AC in 39:14. Les Turner was 245th in 65:23 and there were 364 finishers.

(LT)

You're a runner if...

...Ibuprofen is your recreational drug of choice

...you think in terms of metres not yards

...you can look at a grass field and guess its circumference almost exactly

...you have 10% body fat yet you don't live in Somalia

...you consider a 15 mile run a good cure for a hangover

... if you are a man, you eat all the junk food that there is and still weigh 140 pounds

... you don’t care when you hug a sweaty girl in a public place

... you have recorded a marathon over your wedding video

(tbc)

Erme Valley Relay Photos - 1st Leg

Run Exe Summer 5k series

Round 2 of the Run Exe Summer 5K Series, at Exwick, was won by James Bellward of South West Road Runners in 16:24.

Three Exmouth Harriers, Carlos Alonso, Andy Johnson and Dave Eveleigh were among the 64 runners who completed the event.

Carlos was 11th in 17:59, Andy was 18th in 19:10 and Dave was 56th in 25:32.

(LT)

You're a runner if...

...you can use "easy" and 10 in the same sentence
...your shoes have more miles on them than your car does
...you go to a golf course to run
...you schedule dates around your training
...you've been to a golf course in every city but not to play golf
...you find yourself saying, "it's not really a hill..."
...you're running and you don't know why
...more than half the people you know don't know what XC is

(tbc)

Charmouth? It's a Picnic...

Harrier Mark Thompson contested the “Picnic” Marathon (a very inappropriate name for what is considered to be the toughest marathon in Britain) at Box Hill, Surrey. The event has a height gain / loss of 6,000 feet, entirely on rough tracks, with superb views over the North Downs, the Mole Gap, Denbies Vineyard and Dorking.

The race was won by Andy Rankin of Muddy Mucky Munkeys in 3:39:54 and Mark ran superbly to come 10th in 4:19:57 out of the field of 111 runners.

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The Charmouth Challenge is held on a hilly multi-terrain course of around eight miles through coastal scenery, including an ascent of the Golden Cap, the highest point on the South Coast.

257 runners completed the event that was won by Tom Bush of Altringham A C in 54:49, including two Harriers. Hugh Marsden had an excellent race to come 1st V50 and 9th overall in 57:04 and Andy Kennedy was 140th in 78:19.

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(LT)

Erme Valley Relays - 3rd July

Just as last year, Exmouth Harriers fielded no less than seven teams in the increasingly popular 4 x 2 ½ miles Erme Valley Road Relays at Ivybridge. So popular, in fact, that last year’s total of 73 teams increased by no less than 18 teams to this year’s staggering total of 91. Will next year’s small local event top the hundred mark?

The winning team was South West Road Runners in a total time of 51:36. Their anchorman, Exmouth runner Tom Merson, recorded the fastest individual leg of 12:08 compared with his fastest leg time last year of 12:21. Well done, Tom!

Exmouth Harriers produced some excellent individual performances and their M60 team (average age 66) won their category in 75:29 for the fifth consecutive year -- i.e. on every occasion since its introduction. The team comprised Roger Rowe (17:14), Ray Elston (18:32), Les Turner (20:19) and Jim Wyatt (19:24).

The Exmouth men’s “A” team (55:31) of Dave Stone (13:12), Adam Cornish (14:42), Carlos Alonso (14:34) and Jamie Pearson (13:03) were fifth. The M40 team, Pete McKeown (14:48), Jon Croome (14:32), Andy Johnson (15:10) and Hugh Marsden (14:58) came third in the category in 59:28.

The men’s “B” team, Chris Dupain (16:18), Nigel Dupain (18:30), Adam Miller (14:32) and Dave Stone (13:28) totalled 62:48.

Exmouth’s M50 team (67:00) of Bob Woodall (17:04), Hugh Marsden (14:31), Phil Bater (18:02) and Steve Merry (17:23) were fourth. The ladies “A” team comprised Hannah Dupain (16:42), Emma Dupain (17:16), Lissie Lingard (18:20) and Lucy Hodgson (18:07) and came sixth in 70:25.

The ladies “B” team (74:25) of Lorraine Croome (18:01), Nicky Crook (20:12), Dawn Teed (18:27) and Hannah Dupain (17:45) were eleventh.

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Results can be found here:

http://www.tamartrotters.co.uk/race_results/2009/erme_valley-relays_03-07-09.htm

(LT)

SW Vets Championships & Killerton Kanter

Two Harriers contested the South West Veterans’ A C Track & Field Championships at Exeter Arena and their outstanding performances achieved perfect results – they won all the five events they took part in!! Hardy perennial John Perratt struck M70 gold with 3:02.4 in the 800m, 6:14.0 for the 1500m and 22:03.7 in the 5,000m. The youngster, Andy Kennedy, achieved his M50 gold medals with 42:07.4 in the 10,000m and 9:54.1 in the 2,000m steeplechase. Congratulations, John and Andy!

140 runners completed the Killerton Kanter 10K Cross Country Race last Saturday, including six Exmouth Harriers. One of them, Hannah Dupain, was the 1st lady in 46:50. Well done, Hannah!

The race was won by Lee Turner in 36:49 and the first Harrier to finish was Adam Miller, 15th in 42:29. Right behind him came Paul Samways, 16th in 42:41, then Adrian Kearns, 22nd in 44:59. Nigel Dupain was 67th in 54:19 and Dawn Teed came 73rd in 55:23.

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(LT)

Torbay Half Marathon

[Tom Merson]

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The Torbay Half Marathon, held last Sunday, was completed by 1,348 runners and the winner was Toby Lambert of Winchester and District AC in 1:08:11.

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After being tripped, Tom Merson of South West Road Runners recovered to finish 1st M20 and 3rd overall in 1:10:09. The first home of the five Harriers was Dave Stone, 2nd M35 and 6th overall in 1:16:18.

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Jamie Pearson was 1st U20 and 10th overall in 1:18:18, with Hugh Marsden 2nd V50 and 18th overall in 1:21:10. Adam Miller came 29th in 1:24:00 and Dawn Teed was 463rd in 1:49:08. Congratulations to the Harriers on some more super performances.

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(LT)

Running is Subversive

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 and save myself a fortune on fares.” A week later, the shoes arrived, a brightly coloured pair with tiny flashes and matching laces; nothing to hint at the obsession to come.

Come it did, around six months later, in the form of 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.

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

Bampton 10k - Devon AA 10k Championships

[Nice picture of Hugh and Jamie warming down after the event]

The annual pilgrimage to Bampton, the market town just up the Exe from Tiverton, took place on the late afternoon of the 13th June. The 10-kilometer road race is, it seems, always held on a lovely evening -- how the organisers manage this year-after-year is a mystery to all competitors. But, yet again, the evening was warm and balmy.

The problem with this is, of course, the fact the a hilly 10k race through the lanes north of Bampton is going to be a struggle for even the fittest -- the heat and humidity being always present. Wonder what it would be like to run it on a cold day.

Six Harriers made the trip and produced some excellent results. The first to finish, Jamie Pearson, was 2nd U20 and 3rd overall in 35:55, less than a minute behind the winner, Pete Monaghan of Torbay AAC (34:59). Hugh Marsden was 2nd V50 and 9th overall in 37:43, with Andy Johnson 26th in 41:12.

Roger Rowe, not at his best, was still good enough to be 1st V60 and 62nd overall in 44:48 and Lee Russell was 82nd in 46:22. Dawn Teed was 124th in 49:47, out of the field of 235 runners.

1348 runners completed the Torbay Half Marathon, held last Sunday, and the winner was Toby Lambert of Winchester and District AC in 1:08:11. Exmouth runner Tom Merson of South West Road Runners was 1st M20 and 3rd overall in 1:10:09 and the first home of the five Exmouth Harriers was Dave Stone, 2nd M35 and 6th overall in 1:16:18. Jamie Pearson was 1st U20 and 10th overall in 1:18:18, with Hugh Marsden 2nd V50 and 18th overall in 1:21:10.

Adam Miller came 29th in 1:24:00 and Dawn Teed was 463rd in 1:49:08. Congratulations to the Harriers on some more super performances.

(LT)

Sandy Bay/Exmouth Beach Race

[Duncan T]

[Hugh M]

[Hannah D]

[Nigel D]

[Andy K & Roger R in Exmouth]

Results on the Harriers Website - http://www.exmouth-harriers.co.uk/beach_race/rptResult.html - Only 30 entries, but a great race. Those who were worried about the beach need not have done so... good surface most of the way and a lovely sunny, clear and cool day. Jamie Pearson ran away from the field to finish in 33:17 with Hugh Marsden second in 34:44.

Chris Dupain led Andy and Roger for around half of the race, but the latter got away rather by choosing a better line through the soft stuff on the way back. Roger finished 5th in 38:26, with Andy just a second behind. Chris finishing in 39:23.

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Other Harrier Positions:

Hannah Dupain 2nd Lady (to Karen Cook from SWRR) in 41:51

Nigel Dupain - 42:44

Denise Kennedy - 53:07

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Special congratulations to Duncan Taylor (son of Adrian) only 14, yet he finished in 3rd place in 37:48.

(RR)

Budleigh Salterton...

Budleigh Salterton as, if you were born later than the 1950s, you would never had seen it before. The station was closed in 1967(?) and later Norman's Supermarket moved into the site. In the 1990s they too moved on, and it is now a modern housing development.

Bideford & Plymouth

510 runners completed the Bideford 10K Race which was won by Steve Gallienne of Bideford AAC in 32:24. Exmouth Harrier Andy Kennedy was 73rd in 41:30, an excellent time.

The winner of the Plymouth Half Marathon was Jean Ndayisenga of Birchfield in 1:05:31. The large field of 3,889 runners included just one Exmouth Harrier, Dawn Teed, who ran well to come 1,047th in 1:51:45.

(LT)

How about a picture of a train?

A great photo of a 'Southern region' express taken near Feniton Station -- Sidmouth Junction as was -- before the demise of steam. As a boy brought up with both Western and Southern Region locos, I was always mesmerised by the valve gear of the latter. They seemed most exotic to me somehow.

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In the photo, the line on the left running out of the picture is the branch to Ottery St. Mary, and thence via Tipton St. Johns (sic) to Budleigh and Exmouth. Still a great run!

BMAF Road Relays - Sutton Park

Lots to say about this year's BMAF Road relays with Ray, Mick and John winning the first national relay title ever to grace the club -- 1st V70 team --John bringing the side home well clear of 2nd place Bingley Harriers, and incidentally running the fastest leg of the day.

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And all this after Ray (and Roger) were tripped on the start line and completed the first legs covered in blood. Ray finished looking as if he had gone 3 rounds with Phil Crook!

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The gruesome details:

Awaiting the start Roger and Ray were deep in conversation, not realising that within a second of the 'off' both would be lying on the road in various undignified positions spouting blood. For Roger that was left shoulder, hip, knee and elbow (plus a 'spout' from the right thumb). But Ray came off far worse... his arms were caught too, so he hit the tarmac with forehead, nose and chin. And for both the usual (in these cases) 'gravel rash'. Both were up in a second or two, and both set off to chase the disappearing field.

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Ray says that he did not really know where he was until the beginning of the first hill, about 400 metres from the start. But streaming blood and, no doubt, causing much concern to those watching, he gamefully continued.

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By the end of his first leg, Ray had caught the two V70 teams in front -- Sutton Coldfield (last year's winners) and Bingley Harriers.

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Leg 1:

Rich Cashmore - Sutton Coldfield (21:43)

George Perkins - Bingley Harriers (21:59) and

Ray Elston - Exmouth Harriers (22:01)

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Ray handed over to new 'first claim' member (from Sidmouth Harriers) Mick Allen, who like both the V60 & V70 'squads' have been working on the track at Exmouth over the past month or so. With the 2nd-leg Sutton Coldfield athlete dropping well off the pace, by the time the first two came into sight at the Keepers Pool (three-quarter of a mile to go at that point), Mick was on the shoulder of the Bingley athlete. A position that he more-or-less maintained to the handover.

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Leg 2:

John Smithhurst - Bingley Harriers (22:54)

Mick Allen - Exmouth Harriers (22:58)

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Therefore handing over to John Parratt with a 6-second deficit to Fred Gibbs of Bingley. Now, the topic of conversation that morning was how John would fare against Fred if they came into direct opposition? Fred's best 3k time in 2008 was 11:52 against John's 12:25, and Fred's 5k time of 20:09 against John's 22:19? This was going to be a race worth seeing.

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In the event John quickly moved alongside Fred going up the hill, and pulled away rapidly as it seems Fred was having a problem with a leg injury. Pity for the watchers, but by the Keepers Pool, John passed with Fred not even in sight -- bringing the team home in 1st place with a leg of 20:43. A BMAF medal for the team, and the indivual 'gold' for John -- I think the V60 watchers and Mary and Mandy were more excited than Ray, Mick and John! A momentous occasion for the club too -- our very first national relay title.

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Our V60 team of Les, Jim and Roger were, as expected well down the field, but they really enjoyed supporting their more illustrious club-mates.

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As always, a very exciting event. Now, for 2010, could we not run to entering three teams? To add a V50 team to our V60 and V70 effort would be amazing. And how about a V35, V45 or V55 ladies team(s).

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Oh! I nearly forgot. Derek Donaghy ran a quick leg -- 17:22 (a V50 of course).

[John bringing the victorious V70 side home]

[V60 and V70 Lads pose - the former basking in the glory of the latter]

Sandy Bay Beach Race - enter now!

[The cliffs half-way from Sandy Bay to Orcombe Point]

Sunday, 7th June, will see the first ever running of Our New Beach Race which will replace the former Manor Hotel 10K Road Race, last run in June, 2007. The start and finish will be, thanks to the kind permission of Haven Holidays, at Haven Holidays’ Devon Cliffs Holiday Park (Sandy Bay) Exmouth, on the beach. The run will be to the far end of the beach in Exmouth, below the Beach Hotel, turn and return to Sandy Bay. The approximate distance is 9K (5 ½ miles) and runners may choose their own route, as long as they stay on the beach, and turn at the marshal at the end of Exmouth Beach. All finishers will receive a unique memento, but there will be no prizes or category awards.

Please note that there will be no drinks station, so runners who will need a drink, during or after the race, should bring their own. Or better still, the excellent café just above the beach will be open for food and drink.

Entry costs only £5 (http://www.exmouth-harriers.co.uk/). For further information, contact race director Bob Keast at robert@keast.org .

Ivybridge 10k

"On Saturday evening 9th May 2009 four Harriers donned their club shirts and joined the other 672 finishers of the Ivybridge 10k race.
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Those members competing were:-
1] Andy Johnson,
2] Bob Woodall,
3] Lee Russell, &
4] Jim Wyatt.

The evening was bright and sunny and the temperature not excessive so ideal racing conditions. The near capacity entrant of 700 runners lined up noisily at the start in the railway car park ready to launch themselves down the incline to exit the car park before turning a sharp left onto the carriageway. Unfortunately many runners selected an incorrect position at the start,inconsistent with their ultimate finishing times. Much pushing and shoving was necessary at the start to get through the throng.

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Once on the open road space allowed the competitors to settle into their stride. Just two kilometres into the race along a relatively flat straight stretch the course turned left under the railway bridge to ascend a steep climb for about a further 2 kilometres before descending to the much needed and appreciated drinks station. At this location, of the four Harriers entrants, Andy Johnson was well ahead of the quartet with Bob Woodall and Lee Russell jostling for the front place at the second and third positions with Jim Wyatt bringing up the rear. Lee unfortunately lost ground struggling to cope with drinking from the bottle which allowed Bob to stretch out his lead.

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After the drink station the course once again emerged onto the main road to head back toward the finish. With about one and one half kilometres to go the course turned left onto the country lanes again with a slight decline before the finishing incline to the rugby club.Andy Johnson finished in an impressive 57th position in a time of 40 minutes 34seconds. Andy felt disappointed with his own performance although his finishing time was impressive.

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The second Harrier home in 152nd position was Bob Woodall in a time of 44minutes and 24 seconds, just 9 seconds slower than last year which could be directly attributed to the poor start.

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Lee Russell finished the third Harrier in 157th place in a time of 44minutes and 39 seconds just 5 positions behind Bob. A good strong performance by Lee.Jim Wyatt completed the entry for the Harriers in 319th position in a time of 50minutes and 26seconds. Jim still looked as if there were many miles left in his legs as he crossed the finishing line.

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The first runner home completed the course in a blistering 32minutes and 44seconds with the last competitor finishing in 90minutes and 7seconds."

(BW)

Great West Run

It was fitting that the 25th anniversary of the Great West Run Half Marathon should turn out to be such a thrilling race. Kairn Stone, the defending champion, of Newham and Essex Beagles, just succeeded in retaining his title with a time of 1:09:03, but only by the narrowest of margins, a mere two seconds. The man he beat, Tom Merson of South West Road Runners, had pushed him so hard all the way round that the two men were only separated by the sprint finish over the final 200 metres. And both had beaten the course record by over a minute!

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2254 runners completed the event including nine Exmouth Harriers. Still only seventeen years of age, Jamie Pearson produced another brilliant performance to finish in 1:15:18, 1st U20 and 6th overall. Well done, Jamie!

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Adam Miller was 36th in 1:25:11, with Andy Kennedy 3rd V50 and 183rd overall in 1:35:28, and Duncan Parkes 199th in 1:36:04. Next came Harriers first lady, Hannah Dupain, 257th in 1:38:20, followed by the rest of the family, Chris 337th in 1:40:01, Emma 342nd in 1:40:13 and Nigel 814th in 1:50:28. Denise Kennedy was 2010th in 2:22:51.

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A new event, the Great West 5K Race, also took place last Sunday morning. The winner was Matthew Clark of South West Road Runners in 16:38 and the field of 147 included two Exmouth Harriers. Andy Johnson was 2nd V45 and 14th overall in 19:43 and Les Turner was 1st V65 and 33rd overall in 25:51.

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Various photos from the Great West Run... with Tom and Kairn disputing the lead until the final straight on the track, when Kairn managed to pip Tom by 2 seconds (!) 1:09:05 to 1:09:07. Pretty good times on a windy day.

(fin)

London Marathon

Ten Harriers travelled to the capital to be among the throng of over 35,000 who completed this year’s London Marathon. Although they turned in some good performances, none of them caused too many problems for the winner, Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru with his new course record of 2:05:10.

Dave Stone was the first Harrier to finish, 319th in 2:46:18. Hugh Marsden was 933rd in 2:59:53, with Adrian Kearns 1,393rd in 3:07:43 and Paul Samways 2,042nd in 3:15:19. Ben White came 11,145th in 4:14:03 and Chris Dupain was 14,763rd in 4:34:04.

The first of the Harriers to complete the ladies’ race after an excellent performance was Steph French, 707th in 3:36:07. Dawn Teed came 1,319th in 3:51:28, with Emma Dupain 1,346th in 3:52:03 and Nicky Crook 5,489th in 4:47:14. Unfortunately, Nicky suffered a calf injury a few weeks before the race that slowed her down considerably and meant that she did well to reach the finish.

(LT)

Honiton Hippo

Last Sunday a new event, the Honiton Hippo, was run for the first time on a glorious spring morning. The 7½ mile multi-terrain race was organised by Honiton Running Club and started and finished at Honiton Primary School.

The route took the runners down Clapper Lane, around Coombe Wood, then on a hard climb through Coombe Raleigh to the bottom of St Cyre’s Hill. Onwards and upwards through the woods and the bluebells to the top of the hill, followed by a sharp descent on the road to Awliscombe.

Half a mile further on, another climb took the runners to the zig-zag down the hill and through two very muddy hippo wallows. The hillside was traversed and the runners proceeded towards Tracey Mill and forded the river Otter. They crossed the fields towards Coombe Raleigh, then ran down the road back to Honiton – but had to negotiate another river crossing and a short, sharp climb before they finished.

127 runners completed the race and the winner was James Bellward of South West Road Runners in 47:58. Harrier John Perratt was 71st in 1:11:48 and Lee Russell was 73rd in 1:13:20.

(LT)

Bampton to Tiverton (7.1m)

[The White Horse at Bampton - the race start since 1946]

Great to see such a good turn-out from us 'oldie' members today -- and in Jamie one of the youngest -- all a credit to the club.

Much to my surprise once I read the results, I was 1st V60 behind John -- no idea why they missed me on the list, but at least that was some consolation for the slowest (%-wise) race I have ever run. Ho hum... wonder if I'll ever fire on all cylinders (not to say two feet) again sometime.

Today's results:
Tom M - 2nd in 37:12 (Tom looked strange in Bristol AC colours)!
Jamie P - 4th in 38:53 (What a great run)!
Andy J - 40th in 47:22
Andy K - 49th in 48:50
John P - 66th in 50:51 (1st V65)-(How does he do it?)
Bob W - 67th in 50:51 (Nearly a dead-heat)
Rog R - 77th in 52:10 (1st V60)!
Ray E - 88th in 53:24 (3rd V65)
Jim W - 104th in 55:32 (4th V65)
Mick A - 133rd in 58:55

And a happy time was enjoyed by all.

Thanks to Mandy Marvin all the way from Bedford who supported.

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Last Sunday, the Harrier who likes to do things a little bit different, Mark Thompson, was brushing up his French at the Trail des Citadelles in Lavlenet.

The race, which is 73km (46 miles) long and has 3700m of climb, was won by Patrick Bruni in 8:22:54. Mark was 77th in 11:39:13 out of the 175 finishers.

(RR & LT)

Sunday 5th April...

Sunday, 5th April was a glorious day for the Exe to Axe grade “B” Fell Race organised by Sidmouth Running Club and sponsored by Ironbridge Runner. Fortunately, there was a cool breeze to prevent the runners from overheating too much in the blazing spring sunshine.

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The race starts at Foxholes Car Park, Exmouth and follows the breathtaking East Devon Coastal Path for 20 miles, finishing at the Hook and Parrot on the Esplanade at Seaton. It accommodates both individuals tough enough to tackle the complete distance single-handed, and lesser mortals operating as relay teams of two, three or four runners. The three handover / check points are at Lime Kiln Car Park, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth Sailing Club and Branscombe Mouth.

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The race was completed by 133 individuals and 11 relay teams. Some of the runners completed the whole 20 miles, but ran as part of a relay team in the process.

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The individual race was won by David Miller of Teignbridge Trotters in 2:56:06. After a strong performance, Paul Champion was the 1st of the five Exmouth Harriers to finish in 45th place in 3:36:14.

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Lorraine Croome was 81st in 4:01:09 and Terry Oldham was 89th in 4:04:58. Lorraine Slight came 90th in 4:04:59 and Sue Wilkin was 117th in 4:41:57. Sue had saved sufficient energy to run the final stage again, in reverse, taking her total mileage to 24, as part of her buildup for the much longer events that she will be contesting in the course of the next few months.

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Exmouth Harriers also provided four of the eleven teams in the relay event that was won by South West Road Runners “A” in 2:44:04. The Harriers’ 50’s team (Andy Kennedy, Steve Merry, Richard Selby and Bob Woodall) were 3rd in 3:09:30. “Just the Two of Us” (Ben White and Chris Dupain) were 5th in 3:18:21. The 60’s team (Ray Elston, Bob Woodall, Jim Wyatt and Les Turner) came 6th in 3:20:42 and the ladies team (Lorraine Slight, Nicky Crook and Lucy Hodgson) were 10th in 3:53:45. Lorraine had run the 1st leg of the relay, then continued to complete the full 20 miles.

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The Taunton half marathon was won by John Mcfarlane of Thames Hare and Hounds in 1:08:22, only 21 seconds ahead of Exmouth runner Tom Merson of South West Road Runners who took 1:08:43, a new PB. Adrian Kearns was the 1st Exmouth Harrier to finish in 71st place in 1:26:45, followed by Andy Johnson, 122nd in 1:30:48. Duncan Parkes was 178th in 1:35:31 with Nigel Dupain 557th in 1:50:27. 1193 runners completed the race.

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(LT)

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PS I understand that Dave Stone completed the Marathon at Taunton in around 2:50 for 6th place. (RR)

British 100k Championships

Imagine the scene... there was I this afternoon, just back home after a day out in Exmouth, when a breathless Heather Foundling-Hawker come running up our drive shouting, "I did it Roger... I did it". "Did what", I shouted back. "I won the 100k Championships on one leg!"

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Heather has been a friend for ages, originally as we often paced each other in races, and then following a serious injury about 18 months ago, I tried to help her recover with advice, massage and a bit of training together. She became very much a friend of the family, and for ages has been working to recover from the foot injury she had suffered.

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On Sunday she ran the Celtic 100k race in Galway and came away with a second place in the race (to Irish athlete Helena Crossan) so ended the race as the new British 100k Champion, and with Angie Sadler winners of the team title.

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Although not yet firing on all cylinders, Heather is an amazingly determined competitor as anyone, male or female, will agree who have tried to race her in the closing miles of a race.

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She intends now to race the Edinburgh Marathon in May before the World 100k Championships in Belgium later in the year.

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She asked to be remembered to her many friends in the Harriers.

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The race report:
A sunny and cool day greeted competitors at the Celtic 100k race, which took place in Galway, Ireland on 28 March. The 100km (62.1 miles) road race incorporated the 2009 Anglo Celtic Plate competition between the home nations of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

The Mayor of Galway, Councillor Padraig Conneely, was on hand to start the race at 08:00. The event was overseen by race director and organiser, Richard Donovan.

In the men's competition, England's Jez Bragg ran a stellar race to take the individual title in a world class 6:58:00. The winning time, a PB for Bragg, meant he ran each mile at an average pace of under 6 minutes 44 seconds. He was followed by Germany's Stefan Hinze and England's Allen Smalls in second and third place, respectively. The Anglo Celtic Plate team competition was retained by England with Scotland second and Ireland third.

Helena Crossan brought great cheer to the home crowd when she overtook England's Heather Foundling-Hawker in the latter stages to take the female title. Crossan, the Irish 100km record holder with a PB of 7:52:45 settled for a time of 8:11:04 on this occasion. Angie Sadler of England finished in third position to ensure England retained the Anglo Celtic Plate team title for women ahead of Scotland and Ireland.
(RR)

Teignbridge '10'

The Great West Teignbridge Ten is a 10-mile race that starts and finishes at Teign School, Kingsteignton. The route starts with approximately 1½ miles around the upper end of the village, followed by two slightly undulating rural laps through Sandygate and Fosterville, then via Preston Manor and back to Kingsteignton.

The race was won by Alan Ryder of Erme Valley Harriers in 57:00 and there were 262 finishers, including five Harriers.

Andy Kennedy ran well to lead the Harriers home in 65th place in 1:10:31, followed by John Perratt, 2nd V60 and 96th overall in 1:15:03. Stan Mason came 182nd in 1:28:01 with Joan Mason 198th in 1:29:55. Denise Kennedy was 225th in 1:35:24.

(LT)

All sorts of SUCCESS (!)

[Hugh in the Falklands Marathon]

On Sunday, 15th March, Harrier Hugh Marsden ran an excellent Falkland Islands Marathon and came second, just as he did last year, but in a PB of 2:57:08. The conditions were reasonably warm, but not as balmy as last year, and the race was won by Lee Pattison in 2:55:51. The Argentinian Marcelo E DE Bernardis came 3rd in 2:57:22, several minutes faster than last year and only 14 seconds behind Hugh.

The fifth and final round of the Ironbridge Runner Winter 3K Series at Exeter Arena on Wednesday, 18th March, was won by Tom Merson of South West Road Runners in 8:56. Congratulations to Tom, who also won the overall series (4 out of 5 races to count) with 3 wins and a second place.

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Harriers athletes were very successful with 3 overall series winners and a second place, out of the 7 male categories. Roger Rowe was 1st V60 in 12:13, and also 1st for the overall series, having won all 5 rounds. Well done, Roger!

Congratulations, also, to Ray Elston, who was 1st V65 in 12:37 and 1st V65 overall, having won all the 4 events he contested. And to Jim Wyatt, 3rd V65 on the night in 13:42 and 2nd over the whole series.

Finally, John Perratt was 1st V70 in 12:25 (and he’s only 72!) and, like Roger, 1st overall in his category with 5 straight wins out of five. Well done, John!

Last Sunday also saw the final event of another winter series, the 6th round at Redruth of the Brooks Westward Cross Country League. Only 56 runners, around half the usual number, completed the senior men’s event that was won by Jim Cole of Tavistock AC in 26:12. Although there were no senior Harriers at Redruth, congratulations go to Ray Elston who was 3rd V60 over the whole series (5 out of 6 races to count).

Exmouth did, however, have rapidly improving Jamie Pearson in the Men U17 event. And, after coming 2nd in both of the last 2 rounds at Bideford and Bovey Tracey, Jamie finally beat both the overall series winner, Tom Gill of Tavistock AC, and the series runner-up, J Waldie of Cornwall AC, to win his category, together with his trophy for a thoroughly well-deserved 3rd place over the series, just 1 point behind J Waldie. Well done, Jamie! (Definitely one to watch in the future)

Finally, last Sunday, Harrier Mark Thompson took part in the Hogweed Hilly Half Marathon, a great race for those wishing to get away from it all across prime South Gloucestershire countryside, with hills that require runners to put their legs in gear and forget all about PB’s. 270 runners completed the race that was won by Tom Fisher in 1:19:00. Mark was 31st in 1:36:47 after an excellent race, following a recent viral infection.

(LT)

Ironbridge Runner Winter 3k Series - Final results

Tom Merson (Senior Man) 1st in three races, 2nd once - 1st overall

Roger Rowe (V60) 1st in all 5 races - 1st overall

Ray Elston (V65) 1st in the 4 races competed - 1st overall

Jim Wyatt (V65) 3 seconds and a third - 2nd overall

John Perratt (V70) 1st in all 5 races - 1st overall

(4 out of 5 races to count)

I hear from Peter Ferlie that there are still a few places left for the Great West Run (9:30am - Sunday, 3rd May). They will of course disappear very quickly, so if you would like to run enter now!

(RR)

Tom at Bath - Sunday 15th

Tom Merson marked his debut for Bristol & West AC with a personal best in the Bath Half Marathon. Merson shrugged off a 30 minutes delay at the start due to traffic congestion and unseasonably warm conditions to clock a time of 69mins 29secs for 18th place in a field of almost 11,000 starters, eight seconds quicker than he ran in Nottingham last September though clearly Merson has a lot more to offer.

Merson should also get a nice cash bonus in the team contest. While official results had still to be confirmed the initial feeling was the Bristol & West AC squad finished runners-up to Cardiff so will get a cheque for £50 each. Top Devon runner was new county champion Kairn Stone, who pulled clear of Merson in the second half of the race to finish 11th (68:29).

(Kevin's Column - Ironbridge Runner)

The Grizzly, and other races...

Wednesday, 4th March saw Round 4 of the Ironbridge Runner Winter 3K Series of five events at Exeter Arena on a cold evening with temperatures only just above freezing. The winner was David Wilkinson in 9:43, over ¾ minute slower than the winning time of 8:55 at Round 3 in December.

The first Harrier to finish was Andy Johnson in 11:35, followed by Roger Rowe in 12:10, John Perratt in 12:27, Ray Elston in 12:44, Jim Wyatt in 13:46 and Les Turner in 15:00. The fifth and final round, postponed from 4th February, will be held on Wednesday, 18th March.

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Last Sunday, the Grizzly 2009 duly took place and, fortunately for the participants, the weather was much less hostile than forecast. So although the strong, cold wind caused some discomfort at the more exposed locations, the rain / hail was limited to a few very short-lived showers. 1446 runners completed the full 20-mile event, including 15 Exmouth Harriers, who produced some excellent performances.

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The race was won by John Macfarlane of Thames Hare & Hounds in 2:19:21. Dave Stone had a superb run to lead the Harriers home in 40th place in 2:49:01. Well done, Dave!

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Adam Miller, 53rd in 2:52:21, Jon Croome, 63rd in 2:55:21 and Paul Champion, 214th in 3:16:01 all ran excellent races. Joe Pascoe was 144th in 3:08:59, Ben White 295th in 3:23:27 and Hannah Dupain 296th in 3:23:34. Lorraine Croome came 452nd in 3:35:56, Terry Oldham 521st in 3:41:47 and Emma Dupain 531st in 3:42:15. Dawn Teed was 542nd in 3:42:52, Lorraine Slight 718th in 3:55:20 and Matt Mason 765th in 3:58:04.

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Sue Wilkin was 1139th in 4:32:25 with Les Turner 1140th in 4:32:58. However, on an age-graded basis, Sue was in the top 750. And this was despite waiting several minutes while Les, who managed to get well and truly stuck in the deepest bog and was “claimed” by the Lean, Mean BogStalker, had to be pulled out and rescued by several stout-hearted helpers.

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The 9-mile Grizzly Cub run was won by Martin Owen in 1:04:34. Congratulations to Harrier Jim Wyatt who had a great race for 1st V65 and 55th overall in 1:33:31, out of the 277 finishers.

(LT)

Recent races...

On Sunday, 22nd February, John Perratt took part in the Dalwood Three Hills Challenge. The race, which starts at the village hall in Dalwood, near Honiton, is 10 miles and largely off-road with only three hills – but each one is 500’ high! 158 runners completed the race that was won by James Denne of Honiton Running Club in 1:12:40. John was 1st V70 and 81st overall in 1:40:43.

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Our man in the Falklands, Hugh Marsden, has just won the Island’s Half Marathon for a very impressive fifth consecutive year!! The Falklands’ weather was quite nice for a change and Hugh took full advantage to run 2 minutes faster than last year and win the race in 1:19:31, beating the runner-up by nearly 7 minutes. Congratulations to Hugh, who will be taking part in the full Falklands Marathon on 15th March.

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Eight Harriers were among the field of 1000 runners who completed the Bideford Half Marathon last Sunday. The race was won by Kairn Stone of Newham & Essex Beagles in 1:10:48. Adam Miller was the first Harrier to finish, 61st in 1:26:38, just 8 seconds ahead of Adrian Kearns, 64th in 1:26:46. Andy Johnson came 147th in 1:33:15, Terry Oldham 291st in 1:42:33 and Dawn Teed 359th in 1:45:33. Lorraine Slight ran superbly for 2nd FV50 and 376th overall in 1:46:21, Lissie Lingard was 636th in 1:58:28 and Corinna Stephens 981st in 2:32:41.

(LT)

Ho, Ho, Hoe...

[Tom leaving Kairn Stone for dead, second time up the Hoe hill]

[Andy, enjoying it rather too much]

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The Plymouth Hoe 10 (miles) Race, which started and finished at the Brickfields, Devonport, was also the annual Peninsula Challenge between Devon and Cornwall. The first of the 558 runners to finish, Jim Cole of Tavistock A C in 52:06, led home the victorious Devon County squad that included Exmouth athlete Tom Merson who was 2nd in 52:13.

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Although Devon won the men’s race easily, the women’s event could not have been closer. Devon and Cornwall finished on the same number of points, but the Duchy were awarded the title on countback.

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Harrier Andy Johnson had an unusual experience. He completed the race in 1:08:29, but was not included in the official results list. Had he appeared there, he would have come 110th.

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Exmouth Harriers were well represented by eleven runners in the 9th Sidmouth Four Trigs Challenge, out of the field of 92 who completed the race. The 15 – 16 mile Fell Runners’ Association Cat. B course started and finished at Sidmouth Sailing Club and visited each of the four Triangulation Pillars around the Sid Valley, with what the organisers described as “…an obscene amount of climb involved!” The hardest part of the event, however, was trying to finish the enormous Hayman’s pasty that was given to each runner to restock the energy reserves after the race.

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The event was won by Edd Charlton-Weedy in 2:19:07 and the first Harrier to finish, after a superb, strong run, was Jon Croome, 4th in 2:27:34. Paul Champion also had an excellent race to come 28th in 3:01:00, Lorraine Croome was 40th in 3:14:08 and Tim Gent was 43rd in 3:19:45. Dawn Teed, Lorraine Slight and Terry Oldham were 62nd equal in 3:44:09. Nicky Crook ran really well and was 66th in 3:45:12, with her coach Steve Merry 67th in 3:45:30. Sue Wilkin also had a very good race to come 78th in 4:04:23 and Les Turner was 79th in 4:05:10. Sue would have been several minutes faster without the handicap of having to drag Les around the course behind her – he did finish all his pasty, though!

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Last but not least, Exmouth Harrier John Perratt took part in the South West Veterans A C 5K Road Championships at Barton St David, Somerset. There are no prizes for guessing that he was 1st V70 and his time was 22:19.

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(LT)

Brooks Westward XC League - Round 5

Round 5, the penultimate race of the 6-round Brooks Westward Cross Country League 2008/09 series, was held on Sunday, 8th February, at Bovey Tracey in the picturesque National Trust grounds of the Parke Estate.

The race involved four laps of the course that commenced with a small loop around the flood plain of the river before rising steeply along the muddy track into the Blackmoor Copse. Several hundred metres along the wooded ridge, the course took a dogleg right turn down a steep incline back towards the river. At the bottom, another sharp dog-leg right turn took the runners back to the starting loop.

93 runners, including six Harriers, completed the senior men’s category that was won by O. Shilston of Cornwall A C in 34:06. Hugh Marsden led the Harriers home in 29th place, in 39:54. Bob Woodall was 68th in 48:32 and Lee Russell 77th in 50:24.

John Perratt was 3rd V60 and 79th overall in 50:35, Ray Elston 82nd in 51:29 and Jim Wyatt 87th in 53:23. Congratulations to Ray Elston, who has now completed all of the first five events and is already assured of 2nd or 3rd V60 over the series, dependent on the results of other runners in the final race at Redruth on Sunday, 22nd March. As the awards are based on the best five races out of the six-race series, Ray does not need to take part in the final event. And if Jim Wyatt, who has only completed four races so far, runs well at Redruth, he could achieve 3rd or 4th V60 over the series.

Jamie Pearson is having to battle really hard for a top three place over the whole series in the U17 men’s category. On this occasion he was 2nd in17:55 behind the strong Cornwall A C runner, J. Waldie. It looks likely that these two athletes will take 2nd and 3rd place over the series behind Tom Gill of Tavistock A C, but everything again depends on the results at Redruth.

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(LT)

Blackmore Vale 13.1 & Fulfords '5'

A freezing cold Sunday morning in Dorset was the setting for the annual Blackmore Vale Half Marathon. The race starts in the village of Bishops Caundle before heading out along quiet country lanes with plenty of hills, including a long drag up the final mile to the finish. 550 runners took part and the race was won by Doug Hall of VOTwo in 1:13:58, with Sara Winter the first lady in 1:22:01. Exmouth Harriers Jenny Timms and Mark Thompson were 64th in 1:30:25 and 68th in 1:30:52, respectively.

Although the weather stayed dry for this year’s Fulfords’ Great West Run Five Mile Road Race, the runners had to endure a bitterly cold wind, particularly along Exmouth’s exposed sea front. Congratulations to the winner, Exmouth runner Tom Merson of South West Road Runners in 25:26.

Twelve Harriers competed in the race and it was good to see the group led home by its two youngest runners – hopefully this bodes well for the future! Seventeen-year old Jamie Pearson, continuing his rapid development, was 6th in 27:43. Even younger Adam Cornish, still sixteen, was 23rd in 30:45. Well done, Jamie and Adam!!

Andy Kennedy was 42nd in 33:24, Emma Dupain 51st in 33:44 and Lee Russell 80th in 35:09, all turning in excellent performances.

Also outstanding were John Perratt, 1st V70 and 81st overall in 35:22, Ray Elston, 1st V65 and 100th overall in 36:51 and Jim Wyatt, 3rd V65 in 38:22. Congratulations to the three award winners!

Ben White was 85th in 35:59, Nicky Crook 159th in 40:35, Stan Mason 175th in 42:21 and Joan Mason 178th in 42:31.

As on previous occasions, the race followed the lead car provided by Fulfords, who have now sponsored the event for at least ten years. Before presenting the awards, Bob Keast said how grateful the Club are for the continued support of Fulfords, who provide assistance on race day as well as sponsoring the event. He also thanked the Air Cadets, who turned out in force to do a great job once again, St John Ambulance, the police and all the members of the Harriers who helped out on the day. Without all this assistance, we could not put on the race.

Devon Schools and SW Vets XC Championships

Harrier Jamie Pearson ran superbly at the Devon Schools’ Cross Country Championships, Staddiscombe Playing Fields, Plymouth. Jamie, an Exmouth Community College member of the Exeter & East Devon squad, took the gold medal in the Senior Boys’ event with a magnificent 6-second victory in 22:56 over second placed Elliot Buckner of South Devon in 23:02. Well done, Jamie!

Two of Jamie’s training partners, Adam Cornish and Matt Sharp, also took part in the championships. Adam was 14th in the Senior Boys’ event in 25:23. Matt came 35th in the Inter Boys’ race in 19:00. As a result of their achievements, Jamie and Adam will go on to represent Devon Schools at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships.

The South West Veterans’ A C Cross Country Championships were held simultaneously with those of the Sidmouth Running Club at Pinn Barton Farm, Muttersmoor, Sidmouth. Fortunately, the extremely strong winds and heavy rain the previous night had relented to leave an ideal morning for racing. And although some parts of the course were very wet and slippery, most of the ground was reasonably firm.

Five Harriers took part in the Championships and three of them won medals. 26 runners completed the three-lap (6K) event that was won by Daniel Clapp of Axe Valley Runners in 25:44. Ray Elston produced an excellent performance to come 2nd V65 and 12th overall in 29:50. John Perratt was at the megaphone to start the race and presented the awards at the Sidmouth Sailing Club afterwards. In between, he decided to win the V70 category and came 14th overall in 31:33! Les Turner was 3rd V65 and 17th overall in 33:57. Congratulations to the three of them.

There were 24 finishers in the four-lap (8K) event that was won by Graham Hill of Sidmouth Running Club in 30:58. Exmouth’s Andy Kennedy was 14th in 38:40 and Lee Russell was 17th in 42:32.

(LT)

First Chance 10k

[Rog nearing the finish]

Last Sunday, eleven Exmouth Harriers took part in the First Chance 10K in Exeter, that hugs the river and canal along the paths and cycleways. The runners were very fortunate that the heavy sleet a couple of hours earlier did not return, and the race was completed in blue skies and sunshine. They did, however, have to put up with the fresh breeze that often blows across the plains and slowed them down on the last half of each of the two laps involved in this event.

The race was completed by a field of 486 runners and the winner was Jim Cole of Tavistock A C in 32:20. The first Exmouth Harrier to finish, after an outstanding performance, was Adam Miller, 40th in 39:22. Well done, Adam! Paul Samways was next, 45th in 40:02 with Chris Dupain 63rd in 41:27. Congratulations to Roger Rowe, who is still producing the goods and was 1st V60 and 70th overall in 42:02, after another excellent performance.

Andy Johnson came 83rd in 42:31, Duncan Parkes 107th in 43:50 and Emma Dupain 112th in 44:09. The evergreen John Perratt was 1st V65 and 131st overall in 44:53 after another solid performance. Well done, John! Nigel Dupain came 160th in 46:19, Jim Wyatt 229th in 50:18 and Les Turner 315th in 55:36.

(LT)

Kellie in Oz

Hi to everyone who remembers me. Hope everyone is running and training well. Also I hope you all had a great Chrissie and have a safe and Happy 2009. My training has had a bit of an interruption as I have just had my first child. We had a little boy, Tyler Joseph Macknamara, born on the 6th December weighing 6pd14 or 3.1kg. He is now 6 weeks old and growing fast....too fast!

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I managed to run through my entire pregnancy and was out doing run/circuit training session the night before my waters broke. When I say "run" it was more like a glorified waddle. I think it was taking my over an hour to clock up 10km, but it was still good to be out there. With all the training I was certainly fit and strong enough to cope with the birth.

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Tried to get back into running a little too early.....darn athletes, too keen. I attempted to jog about 2.5 weeks after having him....don't recommend it. So I am waiting until the 6 week mark and should be back into it. Life back in Oz is good, although I do miss Exmouth and the long Sunday runs with the Harriers. That run up over the cliffs is one of the most beautiful in the world. Well best fly have "mum" stuff to do.

Lots of love, Kellie and Tyler

Bideford XC

Sunday 11th saw the fourth race in the Brooks Westward Cross Country League at Bideford. Due to the warmer conditions the off road sections of the course on grass turned slippery making the choice of footwear more important than at other recent events. Just five men from the Exmouth Harriers entered the races: Jamie Pearson, Hugh Marsdon, Bob Woodall, Ray Elston and Jim Wyatt. Unfortunately the women from the club were unrepresented.

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The course started at the river estuary and made its way along roadways fronting riverside houses before taking to the lanes. The first obstacle was soon reached, namely the orchard, where the ground rose steeply. Between the trees the grass underfoot was slippery and was difficult to obtain purchase. At the top further lanes were encountered before a steep decline lead back toward the river estuary. Again purchase was difficult on this downward stretch. Further undulations followed along the side of the river before the turning point was reached and the runners continued their second circuit at the top of the orchard, fortunately missing the slippy steep incline. Back once more and the final push was again along roadways affronting riverside houses and into the finishing park.

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Jamie Pearson continued his challenge to top the under 17 category by finishing this race in second place in a time of 19 minutes and 13 seconds just 15 seconds behind the race winner.In the senior men category Hugh Marsdon finished in 24th place in an impressive time of 29 minutes and 55 seconds. Bob Woodall finished further down the field in 71st place in a time of 37 minutes and 24 seconds. Ray Elston finished just behind in 77th place in a time of 39 minutes and 54 seconds. Jim Wyatt completed the Harriers contingent in 81st place in a time of 42 minutes and 12 seconds. There were 86 finishers in this category.

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(RW)