Last Weekend Races

Exmouth Harrier Hugh Marsden produced another superb performance to win the Musbury Castle Challenge, a tough, eight-mile race near Axminster which is mainly off-road, in 53:04. Fellow Harrier Joe Pascoe also ran well to come 6th in 56:21. 101 runners completed the race.

The Dornafield Ladies 10K, Newton Abbot, was won by Alison Thorn of the Womans Running Network, in 39:22. Exmouth’s Julie Gellender had another outstanding race and came 3rd F35 and 9th overall in 42:18, out of 265 finishers.

Of Marathons and Babies

[Adrian Kearns in an earlier 2007 race]

The 25th New Forest Marathon was held on Sunday 16/09/2007. The winner was 47 year old Mark Hargreaves of Bournemouth AC in 2:38:30, who was so quick that he got in front of the lead car, that led to some confusion when it escorted 2nd place Veisters Dude of Crawley AC across the finishing line in 2:49:46. First lady home was Dorset Doddler Lynda Faulkner in 3:16:36. Exmouth Harrier Adrian Kearns finished 29th out of 441 in 3:14:11.

The Truro Half Marathon was won by Jim Cole of Tavistock A C in 1:15:06. Exmouth Harrier Steve Tancock came 56th in 1:31:43, out of the field of 578 finishers.

Apologies and congratulations to Exmouth Harrier Ben White, who was missed from the report on the Grizzly, which he completed in 3:49:33 for 472nd place.

Congratulations, also, to Hannah Dupain who missed this year’s Grizzly due to the impending birth of her baby boy Aiden. He kept the whole club waiting far too long before making his appearance, but has now decided that mum will be able to resume training shortly in preparation for next year’s Grizzly.

(LT)

Final Yeovilton 5k - 12th September

On my own this time. Not exactly earth-shattering, but a 19:12 time on a humid evening was most satisfying; and the final 2k saw an increase in pace rather than a drop off. Amazing winning time, a lad from Wells ran 14:14 with his brother in second a few seconds behind. When did you last see that in the UK?

Rog Rowe - 19:12 - 1st Vet/60

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PS. Just checked the UK rankings and the winning time was the second fastest in the UK this year... with the other in the top 5. I thought it was quick!

(RR)

The Grizzly 2007 - Armageddon Now

Axe Valley Runners, who organise the Grizzly, hope everyone enjoyed themselves on their "hills are lots of fun really" course, but won't repeat what one of the first three Grizzlers called them for subjecting him to such pain! Only one person told them it was actually too hard so it can't have been that bad!

Congratulations to the winners, especially to Frank Zimmer who came all the way from Frankfurt to win overall by a good margin in 2:27:31, and to Erme Valley Harrier Neil Holmes, who's run ten of the last eleven Grizzlies and finished in the top three in all of them. You're all winners, of course, but you knew that didn't you?

Thirteen Exmouth Harriers were among the 996 runners who completed the race. Dave Stone produced another outstanding performance to come 16th in 2:44:41, with Shaun Lock also running superbly and not too far behind in 20th place in 2:49:08. Jon Croome was 54th in 2:59:27, with Hugh Marsden 99th in 3:08:28. Next came Richard Selby, who had an excellent race to come 117th overall and 3rd V55 in 3:09:59, 15 seconds ahead of Joe Pascoe who was 118th in 3:10:14.

Despite completing the mountainous 100 mile North Face Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc race less than a week before the Grizzly, Paul Champion had still recovered sufficiently to achieve 245th in 3:25:35, a terrific achievement. Lorraine Croome came 275th in 3:29:09 and Steve Merry was 376th in 3:40:04. Dawn Teed came 564th in 4:01:36, with Emma Dupain 592nd in 4:04:57, Nigel Dupain 593rd in 4:04:58 and Sue Wilkin 894th in 4:51:02. Well done to everyone who completed this gruelling event!

Recently it was reported that Jim Wyatt won the V65 bronze medal at the South West Vets’ 5k Championship at Yeovilton. Apologies to Jim, because he actually did better than that and won the silver, not the bronze.

Harriers Summary:
Dave Stone - 16th in 2:44:41
Shaun Lock - 20th in 2:49:08
Jon Croome - 54th in 2:59:27
Hugh Marsden - 99th in 3:08:28
Richard Selby - 117th in 3:09:59
Joe Pascoe - 118th in 3:10:14
Paul Champion - 245th in 3:25:35
Lorraine Croome - 275th in 3:29:09
Steve Merry - 376th in 3:40:04
Dawn Teed - 564th in 4:01:36
Emma Dupain - 592nd in 4:04:57
Nigel Dupain - 593rd in 4:04:58
Sue Wilkin - 894th in 4:51:02

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(LT)

The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc

Well the day finally arrived for Paul Champion to line up with 2,319 other runners for the start of the 5th edition of The North Face Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc. This follows a well-known route around the base of Mont Blanc. Starting in Chamonix (France) at 6.30pm on to Courmayeur (Italy) and then to Champex (Switzerland) before retuning to Chamonix. The route is 163Km long with 8,900m of ascent and descent along the route. The maximum time permitted is 46 hours.

Paul started near the rear of the field not wishing to be lulled into starting too fast to the sound of ‘Chariots of Fire’! Fortunately the first 8k was fairly easy running to allow the muscles time to warm up before being faced with having to go up the famous Kandahar world cup downhill ski run. Reaching the top in 1,686 position. By this time the sun was beginning to set and head torches were going on in readiness for the hours of darkness ahead. By sunrise Paul was well on the way to the Col de la Seigne at 59k and in 1,030th position. It was clear Saturday was going to be hot and by the time Paul reached Courmayeur (907th) just before 10am the temperatures were already in the mid 70’s. This was the first of two points where a bag had been sent forward with clean kit and shoes if needed. Now faced with two big climbs to reach the highest point on the course during the hottest part of the day it was important to keep hydrated. Just after 4.30pm Paul reach the Grand Col Ferret (804th) at 2,537m.

Next followed a long quad bashing descent with a climb at the bottom to Champex (635th) arriving just before dark to the second bag drop control. A welcome change of kit after a very hot day, more chicken noodle soup and other refreshments before donning head light again and heading out for the second night on the run. Only just over 40k to go now but still three big climbs before the finish. A strong second night on the run saw Paul reach Vallorcine in 479th position at 4am. The last control point at Argentiere (457th) was reached at 5.20am. With just 10k left the end was in sight and head lights were again being turned off. This last 10k took 1h 27m. Paul finished in 423rd position in 36hours 14min and would like to say a big thank you to an enthusiastic support team who followed him around the course and encouraged him at some of the control points that were reachable by road.

Well done, Paul! Just completing such a long, arduous course up and down mountains, by day and by night, almost 10 hours inside the maximum time permitted was a tremendous achievement. And to progress steadily through the field to end up beating 1,897 out of the other 2,319 runners was, for a man in his 50’s, awesome!!

(LT)

1st & 2nd September 2007

Exmouth Harriers competed in three events over the weekend, but several runners appeared to be preparing for next week’s infamous Grizzly, rather than racing themselves.

Roger Rowe produced another excellent performance to come 28th overall and 1st V60 in 19:29 at the hilly Saltram 5k, as part of his preparation for the Aldershot Relays at the end of the month. The race was won by Kairn Stone of Newham & Essex Beagles in 15:32. 142 runners completed the race.

The Harriers were represented by a single runner at another event, the even more hilly 5 mile Dartmouth Regatta Road Race. This time it was Hugh Marsden, winning the V45 category and coming 10th overall in 31:27 after another superb race. The winner was Mark Cowan of Exeter Harriers in 29:20 and there were 123 finishers.

Finally, two Exmouth Harriers took part in the Bideford 10 Miles Race. 134 runners completed the race, which was won by Mark Jenkin of Bideford AAC in 54:07. Cathy Newman, still in top form, came 1st LV45 & 1st lady (9th overall) in 61:59. Adrian Kearns was 20th in 65:38.

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(LT)

SWVAC 5k - Other Photos

All photos taken at around the mile-post by Mary.

SWVAC 5k – Yeovilton, 27th August 2007

[Andy K tracking Roger R in the second kilometre. They finished locked together in the same positions]

What a good turnout from Exmouth Harriers at Yeovilton for this year's 5k Championship race this morning, even though Les Turner and new member Peter Tabenor were unable to run due to injury. The overall quality was good too even though the total entries were down.

The RNAS Yeovilton course is basically a 5 kilometre box from the main gates to Podimore and thence back to Yeovilton via a second lane. There isn't a contour line the whole way... even my pancakes are lumpier than this course!

In the Vet/50 class, Andy Kennedy, a late entry for the race following an encouraging track session last Tuesday, fulfilled his aims by finishing in 19:00 dead for the bronze medal, tracking Roger Rowe for virtually the whole race.

Roger, Vet/60 winner from 2006 was rather disappointed with his silver in the Vet/60 class in 18:58 - his fastest time this year. Disappointed that is, until he realised that the winner was Harry Matthews from Elswick, second in the National Rankings in 2007 up to this morning. Harry's winning time of 17:43 was the fastest in the UK this year, and a Course and Championship record. Even firing on all cylinders Roger is unlikely to manage that!

The interesting races were the Vet/65 and Vet/70 categories with our own Ray Elston in the former and in-form John Perratt in the latter. John's main competitor was Gordon Wiltshire, multi-record holding... the winner of many category titles over the years. On paper there were 7 seconds between them.

Gordon’s strategy seemed to hang on to John for as long as possible, but inevitably after around 2 kilometres, John gradually pulled away. Ray, keeping his powder dry tracked them both, noticing in the final kilometre that he was catching Gordon. Suffice it to say that Ray, encouraged by the shouts of other Harriers, outsprinted Gordon to finish in 20:52 for the Gold medal in the Vet/65s.

John of course simply ran away from them, finishing in the 4th fastest time by a Vet/70 man in the UK this year of 20:16 (his 20:15 in the UK Championship is the 3rd fastest)!

Jim Wyatt running an even-paced and solid race, finished in 22:34 for the Vet/65 silver medal.

Finally, Lee Russell finished in 5th place in the Vet/50s in 21:25.

So Gold for John, Gold for Ray, Silver for Rog and Jim , and a Bronze for Andy. A morning well spent! No other club came away with 5 medals.

(RR)

Tywyn Race the Train

Hugh Marsden beat the train in the Tywyn “Race the Train”, a tough multi terrain event of about fifteen miles which takes place alongside the route taken by the Talyllyn Railway on its journey to Abergynolwyn and back. In order to do this it uses a mixture of public roads, lanes, un-metalled roads, tracks, agricultural land, and rough grazing pastures. The route crosses the face of the hillsides, ascends and descends quite steep terrain and runs on narrow footpaths with little chance of overtaking. The terrain varies all the time and was very wet and muddy in places, also involving some steep hills. Often, if runners coincided with the train, their families and friends on the train could shout encouragement to them. About 700 runners completed the race and Hugh ran superbly, coming 2nd V45 and 23rd overall in 1:39:55.

(LT)

Sidmouth Festival 10k

Six Exmouth Harriers took part in the Sidmouth Festival 10K Multi Terrain Race which was won by Mark Cowan of Exeter Harriers in 40:19. Dave Stone led the Exmouth runners home, after an outstanding race, coming 2nd out of the field of 224 finishers, in 41:44. Richard Selby, also in top form, was 15th in 46:28, but 5th on an age graded basis. Andy Kennedy came 47th in 50:47, followed by Ray Elston who was 74th in 53:14, after another excellent race. Emma Dupain was 105th in 55:47, with Jim Wyatt 124th in 57:32.

(LT)

Yeovilton 5k - Race 5 - 9th August

It's deja vu all over again.

Nice to do a race with one's training partner (well on and off training partner)... even though I felt like I was on a hiding to nothing. Warming up Andrew (Johnson) asked what my 'acceptable' time would be, and I said, "Anything faster than last time".

Nice to see Heather F-H at the start. First time she had run the 5k. She asked me not to tell her coach! She is running scared at the moment with the weight of expectation on her. As a (now) previous 100k world champion, everyone expects her to be 'amazing' every time she runs. I gave her some advice (as always)... "... forget it Heather, just run and enjoy the surroundings".

Off at 7:15-ish with the frontrunners going off at what looked like 5 minute pace (it was more or less). I changed my racing flats for training shoes a few minutes before the off... my achilles and right knee complaining again in the flats. And I kept the knee bandage in place.

I decided too to avoid going off too fast, I would track AJ for a while and see what transpired. (Must admit in the first K I wanted to go off with an older lad who looked like he was my age (he wasn't). Felt AJ getting a bit annoyed with my presence, but stayed behind through 1, 2 and 3k... running at around 3:45 k pace. I was planning in my mind when to 'push on', but AJ simply went away between 3k and the end. I lost around 20 seconds in the 4th K and 25 seconds in the last. AND I was trying.

Finished in a new PW of 19:28 (6:16pace) with AJ on 18:45 (6:02pace), so it's easy to see what I lost in 2k. My percentage worked out at 82.96% (they got it wrong), with AJ on 73.47%.

Poor Heather was even further off the pace than I with 18:25, when she was expecting something in the 16s.

Back to the drawing board... what is wrong with me, two PWs in a week.

Roger R.

Last weekend's races...

Paul Champion continued his Mont-Blanc training by taking part in the Downland 30 Ultra Challenge. This is a 30 mile trail race organised by Haywards Heath Harriers on the undulating South Downs Way.

Heavy overnight wind & rain gave way to almost perfect running conditions by the start of the race. 120 starters faced a steep climb at the beginning to the Jack & Jill Windmills at Clayton to join the SDW trail. The route then followed the SDW for 15 miles on an out and back course with stunning views on both sides. One of the hardest parts came just after the turnaround point with a three mile uphill section to test the tired legs. Paul finished strongly managing to claw back places he had dropped earlier in the race to finish 27th overall in a time of 4 hours 41 minutes.

John Perratt produced two more gold medal performances in the British Masters Track and Field Championships at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. Running for South West Vets, he won the V70 5,000m in 20:38 and the V70 10,000m in 42:30. Well done, again, John!!

Finally, the Totnes 10k continues to be very popular with Exmouth Harriers, who had 15 runners competing. The multi terrain race is held at a very attractive location, part of it alongside the River Dart. This year it was run in blistering heat, but the ground conditions varied from very hard to very soft as a result of the recent rainfall.

The first Harrier home, after an excellent performance, was Hugh Marsden, 13th overall and 1st V45 in 41:05. Next came the performance of the day from Cathy Newman, who ran brilliantly yet again, and came 17th overall, 1st lady overall and 1st LV45 in 41:34, a new course record for her category and the only course record in this year’s race. Well done, Cathy!!

Andy Kennedy ran very well for 42nd overall and 2nd V50 in 44:22. Richard Selby was also in good form, coming 45th in 44:34. Duncan Linklater came 85th in 48:51, followed by John Perratt who was 1st V65 and 86th overall in 48:59.

Bob Woodall fell, but got up, carried on and did well to finish the race in 91st place in 49:22. Chris Dupain came 99th in 49:58 and Ray Elston was 115th overall and 2nd V65 in 50:46, after another good performance.

Emma Dupain came 136th in 52:08, with Ben White 160th in 53:17. Nigel Dupain was 169th in 53:52 and Dawn Teed came 196th in 55:44. Denise Kennedy was 328th in 1:05:43 and Ian Macdonald came 388th in 1:10:59. There were 423 finishers and the race was won by James Baker of Chichester Runners & A C in 35:46.

Pewsey Vale 5 - 1st August

Mmmmm. With a light heart drove the 2 hours to Pewsey with Mary, looking forward to a race at which I had performed well in the past. Lovely easy journey up the A303 to Stonehenge and then up the Avon valley to Pewsey.

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Excellent entry for a midweek race, and spent some time warming up with Gordon Wiltshire, now 71, whose V60 times I have been trying to emulate for the last 3 years. Every inch an athlete, Gordon is looking forward to his confrontation with John Perratt in the SW Vets 5k Championship at the end of the month. That should be a race to see (Yeovilton at Noon on Bank Holiday Monday).

Set off in good heart, but found the going very tough up out of the town... the first mile seemingly going on and on. It arrived in the end, but I was horrified to see 6:35 on my watch. Grief, what's wrong with me? And so it continued. I was running at absolute maximum, pushing at every opportunity, and finding lead in my legs.

OK, it was hot and humid, butI felt like a veritable snail. By the time I arrived back at the start/finish I was all in, and glad to stop. The time? 32:56, an all time personal worst for 5 miles.

Jogged around for a while until the first sheet of results were posted. The winner only ran 29:02 on a course that usually returns a 26-minute winner, and I had won the V60s by over 5 minutes from the aformentioned Gordon W. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. No one was within minutes of any of the (carefully calculated and displayed) course records although some very decent athletes were there.

Write it down to experience I guess... I hope the Yeovilton 5k next Wednesday returns a rather more encouraging result!

(RR)

Doug Anderson Memorial 5k, Bedford Park, Bedford

25 July 2007, 7:30 p.m.

31:24 MARVIN, Mandy Exmouth Harriers LV35 (last race before I 'graduate' to the next vet rank, I imagine!) 229 of a field of 251 finishers.

Total rubbish I was! I didn't even make10-minute/mile pace, and I know I'm capable of better than that. There was a bit of a head-wind and it wasalso overcast and a bit close, but not enough to really throw one off. Guess it was just atired-after-work, lagging lead-legs day. I didn't exactly cover the club with glory, but it WAS very nice to run in Exmouth Harriers colours again. ‘You’ve travelled a long way!’ said a few marshals. ('No, it only took me that long', I thought.)

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The kit occasioned a few conversations, as well, including one with the chip-time result man, who told me that he enjoyed one of the most 'spiritually uplifting' run she's ever had on the South Coast Path stretch from Exmouth towards Beer, about 12 years ago. And another man (the one who won the V60 category) told me, in admiring tones, that he keeps an eye on John Perratt's times.

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Finding my RfL result in your last race report gave me a good laugh, Les! I could tell the bush telegraph had been busy. By the way, it was confirmed by others on Wednesday night that the RfL course was short, which explains my actually really good time (for me!)of the 28:05. Also explains why I had a 6-something time over one of the Ks and 4-something the next!

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Take care... Mandy

Portaferry 10

Whilst on holiday in Northern Ireland, Andy Johnson took part in the Portaferry 10 Mile Road Race, which is run as part of the town’s gala week. The race was held on a very attractive rural route along the coast and the first nine miles were fairly flat, with the last mile mainly downhill. Andy came 35th in 1:06:00 out of the 281 finishers, and the race was won by Deane Fisher of Willowfield in 53:56.

Chudleigh Carnival 6

Four Exmouth Harriers took part in the Chudleigh Carnival 6 Mile road race which was won by Andrew Chambers of Exeter Harriers in 30:39. Adrian Kearns was 21st in 35:43, with Richard Selby 25th in 36:51. Andy Kennedy came 29th in 37:28 and Mark Thompson was 62nd in 41:18. 180 runners completed the race.

Race for Life - Bedford (22nd July)

Mandy Marvin writes:

"The Race for Life went well -- we've been blessed with good, brightweather today! 28:05, so I was fairly pleased withthat. Another one on Wednesday evening, actually (one that's organised by Bedford Harriers), so I shall have to see if Wednesday-me can beat Sunday-me!

(MM)

Yeovilton 5k - 11th July

Nice trip to Yeovilton for 'round 4' of the 5k series on what is probably the fastest 5k course in the country. Much to my surprise within a few minutes of my arrival Cathy Newman arrived with husband Pete; shortly followed by Lee, Darren and Jimmy from Exmouth. All professing their unfitness for the race (of course). It was rather humid, so the times were a bit slower than the previous races (judged by the V60 results).

Results:
Cathy Newman - 17:33 - 2nd lady (1st LV/45)
Darren Bradley - 18:03 [Darren and Jimmy running for
Jim Zaple - 18:08 [Cambuslang & Herne Hill respectively]
Roger Rowe - 19:06 (1st V/60)
Lee Russell - 21:05

Cathy's result equates with a WAVA percentage of over 89%

Othe Weekend Races

The Haytor Heller, a tough 6 mile cross country race, was won by Neil Holmes of Erme Valley Harriers in 42:12. The field of 158 runners included three Exmouth Harriers, with Shaun Lock the first to finish after an excellent race, in 8th place in 47:15. Duncan Linklater also ran very well to come 60th in 57:07 and Jim Wyatt continued his fine season with 1st V60 and 97th overall in 1:04:29.

Although it rained throughout the Wellington 10 Mile race on undulating country lanes, Exmouth Harrier Dave Stone had good reason to be pleased with his result, which was 3 ½ minutes quicker than the last time. The race was won by Tom Merson of South West Road Runners in 55:24 and Dave came 5th in 58:46. There were 253 finishers.

(RR)

Erme Valley Relays - Friday 6th July

Exmouth Harriers were represented by four teams in the 4 x 2.5 mile Erme Valley Road Relays at Ivybridge.

The mens V50 team, Andy Kennedy (15:42), Phillip Quick (16:37), Bob Woodall (16:57) and Steve Merry (17:02) were 3rd in their category in 66:18.

The V60’s, John Perratt (16:33), Jim Wyatt (18:14), Ray Elston (17:17) and Roger Rowe (15:51) won their category convincingly in 67:55, beating their nearest rivals, Tamar Trotters, by 6 ½ minutes.

The ladies team, Emma Dupain (17:07), Ria Taylor (21:28), Jo Darwood (17:46) and Julie Gellender (16:32) completed the race in 72:53.

Exmouth’s mixed team, Nigel Dupain (17:49), Les Turner (20:26), Sammie Merry (26:09) and Les Turner (22:18) finished in 86:42.

(LT)

Steve's perambulations (!)

A brilliant performance enabled Harrier Steve Hockings-Thomson to win the Plymouth Standard Distance Triathlon. 89 triathletes completed the race, which consisted of a 1,500m open water swim in front of the Mount Batten Centre (great for spectators!), a 40km cycle around the South Hams, then a challenging 10km run that took in the climb of "Murder Hill" and the coastal road to Bovisand and Jennycliff.

Steve, a vet 40-45, came 9th in the swim section in 24:25, 4th in the bike in 1:14:04, and 2nd in the run in 47:32, giving him an overall time of 2:26:01 which was 37 seconds quicker than the first of his younger rivals, 2nd placed Keith Elliot.

(LT)