Musbury, Truro & The New Forest

Three Exmouth Harriers really did the club proud at the Musbury Castle Challenge, a tough multi terrain race of just under 8 miles around the hills of East Devon with a nasty climb that starts the last quarter of the first mile. Congratulations to Exmouth’s Tony Hatchard who won the race in 49:23, beating 103 other finishers. Also to Hugh Marsden, who was 2nd V45 and 7th overall in 52:54 and Dawn Teed, who was 2nd Vet lady and 54th overall in 73:08. Tony’s fiancée Lisa James, running for Instinctive Sports, was 48th in 70:51.

Trevor Cope represented Exmouth Harriers at the Truro Half Marathon which was won by Jim Cole of Tavistock A C in 1:14:41. Trevor was 350th in 2:09:13 and 469 runners completed the race.

Exmouth’s Steph French ran well to come 545th in 1:50:08 out of the 1732 runners who finished the New Forest Half Marathon. The winner was Lee Rodriguez of Poole Runners in 1:13:31.

The New Forest Marathon was won by Keith Russell of Reading Roadrunners in 2:39:35. Les Turner finished the race in 324th place in 4:17:40. Although his time was a PB by just over 2 minutes, he didn’t run very well and almost failed to finish. 494 runners completed the race. Les ran 4:17:40... more later

(LT)

Sunday 7th September races

On 7th September, Stan and Joan Mason ran their first race since joining Exmouth Harriers, the Lichfield 10k Road Race, Staffs, on a gently undulating course with some hills between 4 and 7 km, run mainly on quiet country lanes. The winner was Thomas Payn of Winchester and District A C in 31:14 and 753 runners completed the race. Stan was 383rd in 52:58 and Joan was 478th in 55:49.

On the same day, Kevin Lingard and his daughter Lissie competed in The Dartmoor Dash, an approximately 5 mile undulating scenic course over tracks, rough moorland and occasional bogs in the very wet and muddy conditions. Neil Holmes won the race in 32:16 and there were 86 finishers, including Kevin who was 50th in 48:26 and Lissie who was 54th in 49:33.

Congratulations to Exmouth Harrier Dave Stone who continued his recent run of outstanding form by winning the Ivybridge Beacon Challenge in 52:50 and beating second placed Dave Severn of Torbay A C by nearly 2 minutes. His time was a new record for the course, 8 miles off road involving a long, uphill climb to the Beacon, then a gravely track back down to the finish. 122 runners completed the race.

(LT)

Devon 10,000 metres Championship

38 runners braved a wet and windy evening on Wednesday to compete in the Devon 10,000 metre championships at Exeter Arena. The light rain kept the runners cool, but running into a stiff breeze 25 times along the back straight of each lap was more challenging. Tom Merson of South West Road Runners won the men's championship, finishing 7 seconds ahead of John McFarlen in 31:38. Lucy Cartwright's 39:52 ensured her the women's title.

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Full results can be found at http://www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk/images/devon10k_results.xls

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Running in his first after an enforced three week break, Andy Johnson was last in the A race for around 2k... then running on his own (apart from being lapped on numerous occasions!) for the rest of the race. Aiming for kilometre splits of 4:10 and he ran:4:05, 4:08, 4:07, 4:08, 4:10, 4:10, 4:10, 4:13, 4:13 and 4:06. His finishing time of 41:35 left him 20th overall and 3rd of the 3 M45s.

(RR)

Chamonix Challenge...

A quartet of Exmouth Harriers have just returned from a highly successful encounter with Mont Blanc, where the races involved running, walking and clambering over boulders, by day and by night.

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Paul Champion completed the race which started at Chamonix (France) and passed through Courmayeur (Italy) and Champex (Switzerland) before returning to Chamonix (over 100 miles), for the second successive year. He lived up to his name by producing an even more magnificent performance than last year and confirmed that as well as being longer, this year’s courses had been made even tougher by the addition of a massive climb at the end.

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Paul found it particularly hard on the Saturday, when temperatures of 30o centigrade meant that he could hardly eat or drink anything until the temperature dropped in the evening when, fortunately, he managed to pick up several places. Despite this handicap, however, he achieved his objective by finishing 326th out of over 2,300 starters.
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Jon and Lorraine Croome, who completed the shorter but still incredibly hard route which started at Courmayeur and passed through Champex before finishing at Chamonix (over 60 miles), found it very tough and hot. They went round together in just under 25 hours and described it as a very spectacular and very rewarding experience. They really appreciated the great reception all the runners received at the finish at Chamonix.
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Sue Wilkin also undertook the Courmayeur, Champex, Chamonix (over 60 miles) route and she, too, should be very proud of her achievement. As was only to be expected, she found the adventure even tougher than her clubmates, but couldn’t believe how strongly she was able to run the hills. She, too, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Congratulations to all four superstars, who were a real credit to their club!!

Dartmouth Regatta Road Race
On Saturday, 30th August, Hugh Marsden represented Exmouth Harriers at the 5 mile Dartmouth race, where another great performance saw him come 1st V45 and 7th overall in 31:58.

151 runners completed the race that was won by Peter Monaghan of Torbay A C in 29:37.

The Beast
The next day, Exmouth Harriers Terry Oldham and Lorraine Slight completed “The Beast”, Poole A C ‘s tough, 13-mile multi terrain event that starts and finishes at Corfe Castle, Dorset. The race was won by Mike Grist of Poole Runners in 1:24:43 and there were 486 finishers. Terry was 288th in 2:17:1 and Lorraine was 311th in 2:19:7.

(LT)

Exe 5k Series - Final Race

Last Thursday in the final race of the Exe 5k series, Jim Wyatt beat Mark Waddicor by exactly a minute (23:09 to Mark's 24:09), the result being that Jim was the overall winner of the V65 category in the series (2 wins to Mark's 1). WELL DONE JIM!

There is little doubt that weeks and weeks of work or the track have paid dividends.

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Peter McKeown, also completed the final race and came 2nd V40 in 18:42, and 2nd V40 for the series.

(RR)

Bank Holiday Weekend races

Friday:

On a perfect evening for racing, the Haldon Forest Flyer 4 ½ mile race was won by Ashley Humphreys in 24:57 and included eight Harriers. Paul Samways was 12th in 27:56, Duncan Parkes was 33rd in 31:07 and Hannah Dupain was 35th in 31:12. Bob Woodall was 53rd in 32:27, with Ray Elston 58th in 33:09 and Nigel Dupain 71st in 34:34. Les Turner was 119th in 40:02 and Kevin Lingard was 144th in 46:33. 161 runners finished the race.

Sunday : Torbay Regatta 10k
Dave Stone really excelled in this year's 10k with a excellent 34:48 (7th overall), with Emma Dupain turning in a 45:56 and her dad Nigel Dupain, completing in 46:40.

Monday:

The Dupains were back in action again the following day at the Lustleigh Show 10k. Hannah was 2nd lady in 45:30 and the other times were Chris 47:00, Nigel 51:27 and Emma 51:40.

South West Vets Championship 5k
How can you manage to find a circular course that is uphill in every kilometer? Apart from around a half-mile of downhill running in the second kilometer, that is what faced competitors at Barton St. David (Somerset) on Bank Holiday Monday. And did it tell in the times on a warm and very humid day!

In the Vet/60s Peter Hamilton (Blackheath) easily outpaced Rog Rowe winning by 57 seconds in 19:10 to Roger's 20:07 (his 2nd slowest 5k of all time)! Peter too was way down on his expected finish time.

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Chris Woodcock (Blackheath & Sidmouth) cantered to an easy win in the Vet/65s in 21:49, whilst Eric Barber (Torbay) also won easily in the Vet/70s with a 24:49 showing.

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There were no entries in the V40, V45, V50s from Devon at all -- a real disappointment.

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(RR)

What happened last week?

Despite the awful weather on Saturday, 9th August, 235 runners turned up the next day for the Michelmores’ sponsored Sidmouth Festival 10k Run and their faith in the weather forecast was justified by near perfect running conditions. The overnight rain had made the multi terrain course a bit slippery but this did not prevent a very fast time of 40.07 by the winner, 22 year old Ashley Humphreys from Torbay.

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Dave Stone, the first Exmouth Harrier, had a superb race and finished in 3rd place just 40 seconds behind the winner. Well done, Dave! Next came Mark Thompson, 32nd in 48:40. Hannah Dupain came 55th in 51:53, with Emma Dupain 80th in 53:57. Ben White was 84th in 54:23. Congratulations to Ray Elston who was 1st V65 and 92nd overall in 55:22. Finally, Kevin Lingard came 150th in 62:27.

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120 runners completed the fifth race in the Yeovilton 5k Road Race Summer Series at the Yeovilton Air Base which took place on Wednesday 13th August and was won by Jon James of Wells City Harriers in 15:40. Exmouth Harrier Roger Rowe had his best result of 2008 so far, completing the 5k in 19:23 (6:14.3 pace) for 1st Vet/60. Jim Brumfield (Egdon Heath Harriers) however is getting quicker too, this time Roger beat him by less than 30 seconds.

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As always, it was a great evening with a large (and fast) field - Roger was 36th overall even at that pace, on a lovely sunny evening after a day of rain. There is just one more race in the series on the 10th September, but there is a small matter of the SW Vets 5k Championship before then on Bank Holiday Monday. Then Roger hopes for even more improvement before the SEAA Veterans Road Relays at the end of September.

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On Saturday, 16th August, two Exmouth Harriers competed in the Tywyn, Mid-Wales Race the Train that takes place alongside, as far as practicable, the route taken by the Talyllyn Railway on its journey to Abergynolwyn and back. In order to do this the course uses a mixture of public roads, lanes, un-metalled roads, tracks, agricultural land, and rough grazing pastures. The terrain varies all the time and was rain sodden in places, so the wise runners wore studs. The route also ascends and descends quite steep terrain and runs on narrow footpaths with little chance of overtaking.

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There were 822 finishers and the race was won by Gareth Raven of Sale Harriers in 1:18:15. Exmouth’s Hugh Marsden finished in 1:33:14, 2nd V45 and 18th overall, beating the train in the process. Dawn Teed came 521st in 2:11:32, 4 minutes quicker than the last time she ran the race. Well done, Hugh and Dawn!

Run Exe Summer 5k Series

7:30pm 7th August - Flower Pot Fields

Just 50 entrants for the second of this new summer series, just 5 of us from the Harriers. The course for the 5k is a double loop up and down the river from the FPF Car park, on tarmac and concrete paths, but with several very tight corners - four of 180 degrees and four of 90 degrees. Unfortunately that knocks the pace back quite a lot. Checking my Garmin watch after the race I noticed that my pace was down to 10 minute miles on two of these bends!

Results:Jim Cole of Tavistock won easily in 15:42 30 seconds ahead of Mike Zlotnik from Exeter Harriers.

Harriers results and placings:

Rog Rowe - 17th in 19:40 - 1st Vet/60
Hannah Dupain - 29th in 20:48 - 3rd Senior Lady
Emma Dupain - 31st in 21:50 - 4th Senior Lady
Benny White - 36th in 22:49 - 11th Senior Man
Jim Wyatt - 38th in 23:08 - 2nd Vet/60

Interesting to see that Jim beat arch-rival Mark Waddicor by over a minute, but having come behind him in the first race a month ago. The track work is paying dividends Jim!

(RR)

Bob Graham Round

How about this for endurance? Exmouth Harrier Jon Croome successfully completed the “Bob Graham Round” of 42 Lakeland peaks in less than 24 hours. This is one of the most demanding challenges in England with an ascent of approximately 28,500ft and a distance of about 74 miles. Congratulations, Jon, on an extremely impressive performance!!

(LT)

Wellington 10

The Wellington Ten gives runners a choice of two distances, 10 miles or 10 k. Both races follow similar routes, starting at the Sports Centre and then following a series of undulations through beautiful Somerset countryside. The two distances join again for the finish through Wellington and back to the Sports Centre.
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The longer event was won by Tom Merson of South West Road Runners in 55:01. Exmouth Harrier John Perratt was also among the field of 257 runners and came 1st V70 and 65th overall in 1:13:20.
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It took Philip Parry of Bristol & West A C 34:17 to win the 10k distance, completed by 244 runners. Mark Thompson was the Exmouth Harrier in this event, coming 30th in 43:01.

(LT)

Totnes 10k

A cloudy but warm Sunday morning saw in excess of 375 runners lining up for the Tones 10k race. Included in that number were a gaggle of a dozen Exmouth Harriers. As a novelty a firework, a rocket, was used to get the event underway.

The course dictates a fast start with runners racing around the perimeter of the cricket pitch toward the tarmac path where the course narrows and negotiates a series of right angled bends with central bollards positioned to catch the unaware. The course then follows the route of the river before entering the wooded area. Here there are many hazardous tree routes across the path and numerous areas of leg sapping mud and deep puddles, before the route ascending a steep hill, which even includes numerous steps. Descents were hampered by slippy stone and concrete surfaces, with still more ascents to follow.

The decision as to the type of footwear was immaterial as those opting for road shoes struggled to find adhesion in the mud, but those opting for off road shoes struggled with the twisting sloppy hard surfaces. Neither types of footwear appeared to give an advantage. The temperature was kind to the competitors and the first entrant home completed the race in a blistering time of 35 minutes and 38 seconds, only 9 seconds off the course record.

Dave Stone lead home the Exmouth Harriers contingent if overall 9th position in a time of 38-48, 3rd MV35, followed closely by Shaun Lock immediately behind in a time of 39-06. In overall 16th place finished Hugh Marsden in a time of 40-06, 1st MV45.

Jamie Pearson in his first outing for the Harriers finished in 20th place in a storming time of 40-12. Next Harrier to cross the finishing line in 38th position was Adam Miller in a time of 42-59, followed by Paul Samways in 46th position in a time of 44-13. Jo Darwood finished in 69th position in a creditable time of 46-19, provisionally the 7th female competitor to complete the race.

Bob Woodall wearing number 89 finished in 89th position in a time of 48-08. Ray Elston finished in position 120, to lead home the MV65 category in a time of 50-48, averaging a speed of 8-10.4 minutes per mile. In 153rd position was John Perratt in a time of 53-12 to take the lead MV70 position. Jim Wyatt, just eight positions behind, completed the race in 54-00 minutes taking the 2nd MV65 position. Last but not least of the Harriers was Dawn Teed in 191st position to complete in a time of 55-43.

All members of the Exmouth Harriers performed well on the day over an extremely difficult course which could be, on this occasion, likened to a cross country course and some members completed the race in both praiseworthy positions and times. In fact Exmouth Harriers carried off the team prize due to the brilliant results of Dave Stone, Shaun Lock and Hugh Marsden. A valiant effort from such a small club

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(RW)

Track Intervals

Hi All,

Some will know that the V60 lads have started back on the track on (most) Tuesdays and Thursdays... basically doing 1,500 based intervals (our endurance is pretty well ok, although we do do longer intervals from time to time).

We do 1.5 miles jog warm up -- round the Quay and back -- then normally 4 x 100 metres strides at the pace we will be aiming at that day, the session itself, and finally 1.5 miles warm down again round the Quay.

After yesterday's session (300 metres x 5) x 2 (i.e. two 1,500 meter efforts at 5 minute (k) pace) -- with rests of course -- we wondered if other members of the club might like to join with us.

Our next session is on Tuesday, at 6pm, and will be a 'pre-race' --Totnes 10k the following weekend -- (200 x 5) x 2 again at 5 minute (k)pace (or as close as we can get to it (again with rests to recover). That means for each 200 interval we have a target 40 seconds (we don't always reach it)!! We all agree it's hard work but fun. The last interval yesterday none of us could catch Ray at all... he saved his best till the 10th interval!

No session next Thursday.

Hope a few can join with Ray, Jim, Bob W. and Roger week by week.

Roger R.

Haytor Heller

Five Exmouth Harriers were among the field of 139 runners who completed the Haytor Heller cross country race, approximately 6 miles of tough off-road running in the heart of Dartmoor, starting and finishing below Haytor Rock.

The race was won by Neil Holmes of Erme Valley Harriers in 42:01. Hugh Marsden was the first Exmouth Harrier to cross the finish line in 11th place in 46:44, followed by Paul Samways who was 16th in 48:09. Duncan Parkes was 35th in 53:56, with Jim Wyatt 78th in 62:38 and Dawn Teed 111th in 71:13.

(LT)

Tavy Town Relays ~ Thursday 17th July

Another outing for the Harriers V/60 squad members, this time to Tavistock for the evening relays through the park and around the River Tavy. Always well attended, this year there were 37 teams of 4, with the eastern side of the county being represented by a very hot South West Road Runners squad, in addition to ourselves.

Roger ran the first leg in a solid 6:34 (5:58 pace), handing over to Jim. Always a keen team member Jim did not disappoint with a creditable 7:22 (6:42 pace).

Senior super-vet Ray was our secret weapon on leg three, and he ran a superb leg to finish in 7:00 dead (6:22 Pace - where does he find the gas?).

Les ran anchor, with marathon training in his legs, but held together well with an 8:18 (7:33 pace). Total time 29:14 for the 4.4 miles.

The aformentioned SWRR squad obliterated the field to run 20:26, a new record! Hey, guys, that's inside 4:39 pace for the whole distance, including as it does two very sharp turns and a nasty uphill 300 metres. What a performance! Phew!!

On examining the age-related percentages, it turns out that Ray beat Roger into second place in the squad with 81.29% to Roger's 81.11% ~ what a great run, well done Ray.

Members of the V60 squad (and anyone else who fancies it) will be at the track again this coming Tuesday and Thursday. Two more of their weekly interval sessions seeking to add a bit more speed in their aim for better than their two successive bronzes in the Southern County Road Relays at Aldershot in September.

(RR)

Yeovilton 5k - Race 4

7:15pm tonight - 9th July at the Yeovilton Air Base.

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Only yours truly from the Harriers, but absolutely ideal conditions... light rain, but not cold. Best result this year as I finished in 19:27 (6:16 pace), 1st Vet/60. Not too far away from last year, but a long way from 2005 results. Did enjoy it!

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Heel still a bit sore... but much better than of late.

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First mile in 6:02, second in 6:15, and third in 6:27 (into the wind). The final 0.1 in 43 seconds. Much better than of late, but still a bit too quick over the first kilometer or so.

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(RR)

Erme Valley Relays, Charmouth & Launceston

The Harriers had a great turnout when they sent a large squad of athletes to the increasingly popular 4 x 2 ½ mile Erme Valley Road Relays at Ivybridge, and seven of the 73 teams who competed were from Exmouth.

Despite the weather, Exmouth had a very successful evening, taking three of the 16 team awards. They won both the ladies team categories with their “A” team (66:45) of Julie Gellender (16:35), Emma Dupain (17:21), Jo Darwood (15:44) and Hannah Dupain (17:05), and their “B” team (77:20) of Lorraine Croome (17:34), Katie Comer (19:36), Nicky Crook (20:15) and Lorraine Slight (19:55).

Exmouth also won the men’s V60 team award in 67:01 with John Perratt (16:42), Ray Elston (17:38), Roger Rowe (16:15) and Duncan Linklater (16:26). They have now won this category four years in a row, i.e. on every occasion since its introduction.

Exmouth’s other teams were their men’s “A” (56:10) of Shaun Lock (13:35), Hugh Marsden (14:04), Adrian Kearns (14:54) and Dave Stone (13:37), and “B” team (62:37) of Chris Dupain (15:20), A. Miller (14:42), Ben White (18:26) and Shaun Lock (14:09).

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The men’s V40 team (59:02) was Andy Johnson (15:30), Paul Samways (14:34), Pete McKeown (14:33) and Jon Croome (14:25).

Finally, the men’s V50 team (75:24) with Terry Oldham (18:15), Jim Wyatt (19:06), John Perratt (17:44) and Les Turner (20:19).

Congratulations to the overall winners, South West Road Runners men’s “A” team (52:25) and their anchor man, Tom Merson, who ran the fastest leg in 12:21.

Special thanks go to Exmouth team manager / timekeeper Dawn Teed who recorded the times for every one of her club’s runners, together with the team totals. Subsequently, her quick wits and rapid intervention enabled her to ensure that the trophies for the ladies “A” team, which had been incorrectly awarded to Plymouth Harriers, were retrieved and presented to the rightful winners, Exmouth. Well done, Dawn, for an excellent evening’s work!!

The Charmouth Challenge follows a hilly, multi-terrain course of about eight miles through coastal scenery, including an ascent of Golden Cap, the highest point on the South Coast. This year’s event took place in very wet and windy conditions and it was none too pleasant on the high, exposed ground.

There were 242 finishers and the race was won by Tom Fisher in 52:52. The two Exmouth Harriers, Hugh Marsden and Mark Thompson, came 8th in 57:20 and 31st in 62:50, respectively.

The Launceston Half Marathon, which was won by Kevin Heywood of Bideford A A C in 1:10:18, is fondly known as “the Real Beast of Cornwall” and starts and finishes in Coronation Park, Launceston. Exmouth Harrier Trevor Cope came 262nd in 2:11:18 and there were 327 runners.

(LT)

Forde Abbey XC

On Tuesday evening, 17th June, Exmouth Harrier Mark Thompson competed in the Forde Abbey Cross Country Race, coming 12th in 42:58 out of the field of 205 finishers, after a good performance. The winner was Garry Perratt of Axe Valley R C in 37:17. The weather was fine and the race involved 10 km of challenging cross country through the stunning Forde Abbey Estate, crossing meadows, rivers and woodlands in its idyllic corner of West Dorset.

Inaugural Festival Four - Exeter

113 runners took part in the first inaugural Exeter Festival Four on Thursday evening, 26 June. Starting at the Canal Basin, the route (which was actually 4.3 miles) followed the River Exe to Countess Weir Bridges, returning to the finish at the Canal Basin along the Exeter Ship Canal cyclepath and towpath. Although dead flat, the course was not without its challenges. On the outward stretch, through the Exe flood plain, competitors had to contend with a herd of cows stampeding past runners and criss-crossing the course, while the return was into a stiff breeze.

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Of the four Exmouth Harriers who took part, Pete McKeown coped best with the challenges, finishing 10th in 26:01. Andrew Johnson ran the first half faster than he had planned, having to sprint past the cows before they blocked the course, and as a consequence he found himself struggling later. Although he was able to keep the two leading women (Caroline Hewitt of Tiverton Harriers, 27:04, and Karen Cook of South West Road Runners, 27:22) in his sight along the canal, he was unable to close the gap, eventually finishing 14th in 27:35.

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Ray Elston was 31st in 30:25 and Jim Wyatt finished 54th in 32:33. The race was won by James Bellwar of Exeter Tri Club in 22:54.

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Full results from

http://www.city-runs.co.uk/fest4/images/festive4_results.xls

Torbay Half Marathon

Seven Exmouth Harriers competed in the Torbay Half Marathon which was won by Toby Lambert of Alton Runners in 1:07:21.

Altogether, 1215 runners completed the race and the first Exmouth Harrier to finish was Adrian Kearns who came 42nd in 1:27:48, after an excellent performance. Eight minutes later, after an even better race, the evergreen John Perratt came 1st V65 and 130th overall in 1:35:31.

Next across the finish line were the three members of the Dupain family, Chris 221st in 1:39:41, Hannah 262nd in 1:42:13 and Nigel 447th in 1:49:26. Les Turner was 726th in 2:00:25, just ahead of Trevor Cope who was 744th in 2:01:49.

Of Talaton & Yeovilton

[Escot House -- the Talaton route passes through the Escot Estate]

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The Talaton Trotter, a 6½ mile multi terrain event, largely off-road following fields, footpaths, woods and country lanes, was held on Talaton Village Day, amongst all the other village festivities.

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The race was won by Gary Perratt of Axe Valley Runners in 44:12 and the field of 112 included two Exmouth Harriers. Adrian Taylor was 28th in 56:22 and Tim Gent was 42nd in 58:10.

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Lee Russell represented Exmouth Harriers at the June event of the Yeovilton 5K Road Race Summer Series. The winner was Toby Lambert of Winchester & District A C in 14:47 and 136 runners completed the race.

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Lee started the race rather tentatively, but soon found that he was able to increase the pace to consolidate his position. As the race went on he was able to speed up even more and enjoy the experience of passing runner after runner in the latter stages, coming 61st in 21:15. Although pleased with his performance and the result, he felt so strong as the race ended that he hopes to do even better at his next 5K race.

(LT)