Kathy... and last week's races

One of the Harriers all-time greats, Cathy Newman, won the South West Veterans A C Grand Prix award for ladies for 2008. This award is based on the average age graded percentage of an athlete’s four best performances over the year.

Cathy’s best performances were 36:49 (89.84%) for the Bideford 10K, 60:07 (90.12%) for the Teignbridge 10 (mile), 80:01 (91.17%) for the Bath Half Marathon and 81:11 (89.86%) for the Great West Half Marathon.

The average age graded percentage was 90.24%. According to fellow Harrier John Perratt, “The rest of us can only dream of those percentages!” Praise indeed, coming as it does from a fellow athlete who has himself won medals on the world stage at the World Masters Athletics Championships.

---oOo---

Last Saturday, 253 runners completed the Jurassic Coast 10K, a challenging multi-terrain event that takes place along the seafront, cliff paths, river and rural lanes at Budleigh Salterton.

The race was won by James McMullan in 33:18. Congratulations to Harrier Jamie Pearson who was 1st U21 and 8th overall in 37:34.

On Sunday, four Harriers were among the 555 finishers at the Torbay Regatta 10K. Thomas Payn of Winchester & District A C won the race in 31:05 with Exmouth runner Tom Merson of Bristol & West A C 2nd in 31:44.

The first Exmouth Harrier to finish was Carlos Payan, 2nd M30-34 and 20th overall in 37:30. Adrian Kearns came 49th in 40:20.

Congratulations to John Perratt, 1st M65 and 157th overall in 46:22. Stan Mason was 320th in 53:57.

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(LT)

Race the Train

Last Saturday, six Harriers travelled to Wales to compete in the Tywyn Mid-Wales Race the Train 14-mile multi-terrain event that was first held 25 years ago. This year the weather was wet and misty.

Race the Train takes place alongside as far as practicable the route taken by the Talyllyn Railway on its journey to Abergynolwyn and back. The terrain varies all the time and was very wet & muddy in places. The route also ascends and descends quite steep terrain and runs on narrow footpaths with little chance of overtaking. Often the train track is just over the fence so if your family friends are on the train, they can shout encouragement to you at several places.

The classic start to the race is on the crest of the main railway line bridge adjacent to the Talyllyn Railway station. Both the runners and the train are started by the train whistle ordered by the timekeeper.

The course, which is on public roads for just over a mile, runs through the town before heading for Brynglas. At this point the course turns up a farm drive to cross the railway and follow it all the way to Rhyd-yr-Onnen. After the farm drive there is a mixture of tracks and fields. At Rhyd-yr-Onnen you leave the railway and run up a tarmac lane for 1/3 mile, turning on to an un-metalled track running through a ford. From here you return to run alongside the railway over fields, rough pasture, and farm tracks to reach Brynglas.

After climbing up a short stretch of farm road you cross the railway to run the next section with the railway on your right. The first 1.5 miles of this section is over fields and rough pasture to Dolgoch where you cross the car park before ascending across a field to run through trees before dropping down a tricky slope on to fields again. A short run down an unmade track turns back on to well-cultivated pasture all the way to the turn point at 7 miles. After a short run through the field the course leaves for uncultivated sloping hillside, crosses a stream and runs under the railway to climb very steeply. It then runs across the face of the hillside on narrow sheep tracks for over a mile, when it climbs to join the road to return to Tywyn and the finish.

The first Harrier to finish was Hugh Marsden, 28th in 1 hour 36 minutes and 15 seconds. Hugh beat the train by just over 13 minutes !

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Jenny Timms came 242nd in 1:55:43 and Terry Oldham was 367th in 2:2:26.

Congratulations to Lorraine Slight who was 1st FV50 and 459th overall in 2:7:48. Dawn Teed and Phil Bater came 583rd and 584th in the same time of 2:15:57.

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(LT)

You're a runner if...

... your friends think they need to train more before they can run with you
... Every time you see a runner when you're driving you feel like you too should be running, even if you ran 15 miles earlier in the day
... You shower about 20 times a week
... your toenails are black.
... you feel lost without your water-bottle.
... you have running withdrawal symptoms if you don't run everyday.
... you consider work as just a break between runs.
... your room smells ‘interesting’.
... you can count all your ribs
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(end)

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)