383 runners took part in this race, won by Simon Bailey of Mercia Running Club in 52:10.
Only 2 Harriers were brave enough to face the Challenge:
Rebecca Bostock finished 371st (87th lady) in 1:45:21, followed in by Tony Tompkins, 372nd in 1:46:02.
. Bec in a previous race.

Thought I would send you a report!!! – Whilst most Harriers were practising the half, two harriers went to Congleton for the Cloud 9 (I didn’t see any other harriers!!) and the other Harrier I met was called Tony (didn’t ask his surname) – I’m good at this aren’t I?.
 Anyway the weather was perfect clear and sunny and with not much rain lately the fields weren’t nearly as muddy as last year.  So the cloud 9, for those who haven’t done it before is a 9 mile race from Congleton up the Cloud and back down the other side – the first 3 miles is approximately 1000 feet of climbing with a couple of hills chucked in after that and just when you think you are done with hills there is a horrible little one in the last 500 meters – this is a link to the profile. http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/player/5079513
 The race is well organised with lost of marshalls which is good as otherwise you would get lost – it is virtually entirely off road over trails, fields and tracks. 
 I really enjoy the cloud it is challenging but you feel very proud of yourself at the finish although I do think finishers deserve a medal – but then I love medals!!
 I had a chat with Tony at the finish he also enjoyed the race and would have beat me – but his trainer came off in a muddy field so he lost time and a sock getting his shoe back on!!
 But a great race, well organised and with lots of fresh air plus the view from the top is breathtaking – not that you get to look at it!! – and when you get back to the leisure centre there is soup and a roll for all competitors.  I will definitely be doing it again next year.
 
Bec

Tom Humphries of Cannock & Stafford won this year’s race with 164 finishers in total.

Only two Harriers took part (plus 3 Juniors - see their page):
Liz Stanyer who was 74th finished in 38:11, closely followed by Caroline Nichol in 38:30 (76th).
. Caroline in a different race.
Report from Liz:
Two Harriers entered the Cheadle 5 mile race. It was a beautiful morning and there was a turnout of approx 164 runners. After a fairly fast downhill start the race settled down and the majority of the route takes you through undulating country lanes with what felt like a gradual uphill slog for the last mile. There wasn't much support on the way around but plenty of cheers for the last 200 metres. It was well marshalled and you received a medal for your hard work. I would really recommend this race ( think the glorious weather helped ). It was a very enjoyable, but tough run, with Liz Stanyer and Caroline Nichol both being rewarded with PB's.
 
Winner T.Humphries Cannock and Stafford in 23.47
First lady S.Johnson Trentham RC in 29.57
 
Harrier times
Liz Stanyer - 38.11
Caroline Nichol - 38.30 

On Sunday 28th Feb 2010 we, Tom, Bryan Dale, Ann Williams and myself, ran Apedale Country Park 8k Orienteering fun run.  The course was mainly off road and primarily followed the main trails and paths within the park.  We were given a map, with each of the control stations marked out and a list of which of the control stations we were to visit and record the number recorded on them.   I paired up with Ann Williams and Tom with Bryan Dale and were sent off one minute apart either clock wise or anti clock wise round the course, so you could not follow the runners in front.   It was a challenging course but great fun, at the end there was a welcome bowl of lobby.
How did we do.......well Ann and myself did the course in 1hr 24min, we won first prize in the women’s class (yes before you ask, there were other women running  the race) , first time I’ve ever won a race and probably the last! 
What of Tom and Bryan?  They completed the course with two extra control stations recorded that were not on their list in a time of 2hrs 15min.
Will we be back next year? You bet.
Regards
Denise and Tom Rogers

A crisp morning greeted runners in Telford for the Ennstone 7 - a race around the town park with some deceptive inclines. Around 150 runners took up the challenge with a couple of Harriers present. Not found any official times so far but I clocked 1hr and 4 secs on my watch which I was most chuffed with. The soup and roll at the finish was a definite bonus too.
 
Tony Tompkins


Official results show that the race winner was Ashley Sabin of Notts. AC in 37:28, Tony was 81st in 60:05 and John Hateley was 118th in 70:13. 132 finished.

Unfortunately no-one has sent me a report on this race yet, but I see from the website that 6 Harriers took part.
The race was won by Ross Jones of Wolverhampton & Bilston in a time of 59:56
It’s a 10 mile multi-terrain race for those who didn’t know.

Forty-one Harriers turned out and gave their all to race around the usual very flat route at Alsager.
This is the 1st race in the NSRRA League competition and the 2nd race in the Harriers Challenge for 2010, so the stakes were high for those Harriers competing.
And with individual prize money at a reasonable level (£150, £100 and £75 for the first 3 men and ladies) a quality field of non-Harriers were attracted to what is one of the top 5 mile races in the UK.
The race was won by former winner and Commonwealth games representative Nick McCormack from Gateshead in 23:33 (course record 22:53 by Glen Tromans).
But he only just got it, with Chris Davies of Telford AC only 4 seconds behind and the next 3 within another 9 seconds. The first lady home was Michelle Ross-Cope of City of Stoke who finished 41st overall in 26:53.
A total of 949 runners completed the race - which included 11 men and 3 ladies aged 70 or more !


Find your race photo’s at www.racephotos.org.uk and www.mickhall-photos.com
Full race reports at : http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2010/alsager.htm

Alsager 5 was my first race since joining the Harriers... I was advised it was fast and flat; it was both.  I was told not to get too near the front (a, because i wasnt a pro!  b) because I'd get trampled..and c) because I would be forced into running fast at the start and need to pace myself.)    I really didnt see the start line...??? I placed myself too far at the back and spent the first mile jogging along merrily, which was fine but it was a race after all!    All in all, I enjoyed the race, (which was my intention) a friend / harrier, added my name onto the Stafford Half for Christmas and I decided I couldnt afford to get stressed about a 5 mile run otherwise I may as well cross my name off the 13 mile jaunt!! - I wanted to enjoy it and did).   The crowd support was good and the route was very pleasant (no hills!)  Alongside which I achieved my aim of a minium of 10 min miles and reached a 50:38 finish. I now have a PB!   
 
Karen Fidgett

The senior ladies race saw a tremendous battle at the front with only 7 seconds covering the first three runners. The winner was the ever-improving Gemma Steele from Charnwood AC (31:35) ahead of Bristol & West runner Claire Hallissey (31:38) and third was Midlands Masters Champion Debbie Walters (31:42) from Birchfield.
Our own quartet of runners came a creditable 8th place out of 19 teams beating the likes of Nott’s AC, Wolverhampton & Bilston and Stone MM in the process. Nina Skilton ran a remarkable race. Starting the run with a recently broken arm she battled round only to fall badly in the notorious ditch, injuring her arm even more. She then carried on covered head to foot in mud and finished strongly in 43rd place. Clare Skelton is getting back to form and was happy (if somewhat exhausted) with her run. Chris Skellern ever the battler and Lydia Atkins a cross-country lover completed a really great performance for the ladies.

43	Nina Skilton	38:33
55	Clare Skelton	39:44
90	Chris Skellern	42:52
110	Lydia Atkins	45:56

As in the senior ladies race the senior men were just as close, with again only 7 seconds covering the first three. Jamie Walsh of Leeds City AC triumphed in 40:25 with Robbie Bugden (40:29) of Bristol & West and former winner Billy Farquhason (40:31) of Nott’s AC following him home. The team competition could not have been closer. Coventry Godiva won with 116 points from Nott’s AC on 118 and Tipton on 120. Now that is close.
We had nine runners out on the day with Tom Hobbins first home for the club in 160th place. Paul Douglas and Bill Chidlow were our mud larks in this race both believing the Stafford Common mud is good for the complexion. Our six counters came 24th on the day out of 34 teams and 354 runners finished.

160	Tom Hobbins	52:04
187	George Mafu	53:27
205	Chris Ross	54:34
244	Paul Douglas	57:00
257	Keith Skilton	58:13
284	Dave Marsden	61:12
286	Chris Owen	61:27
315	Eddie Smith	64:55
317	Bill Chidlow	65:01

For a full set of results click here

Well done to all our runners and a big thank you again to everyone who contributed to a great Championship.

Here's Paul. Captions please.

Report from Chris Owen

The day eventually came after 2 postponements. A fast reasonably flat 2 lap course with a long downhill start around Telford Park, a bit tight in places and had to watch out for other park users. Only 3 Harriers ran 114th Chris Owen 42.36, 219th Shane Duggan 49.19 and 308th Tony Tompkins 55.31.
First male was Chris Davies 30.21 Telford AC and 1st female Gemma Turtle 32.52(course record) Gloucester AC.
The weather was perfect no wind, rain and definitely no snow.
407 runners finished the race.

Report from Graham Williams.

On a sunny and fresh morning I drove Mick Jones Chris Owen,Chris Skellern and Karen D Murray on a quiet and peaceful run up to Helsby. Arriving early we were able to park next to the club where we relaxed and relieved before the race. Conditions were fine and it was not really necessary to wear a helly although many did. I wore skins for the first time which must have helped as I broke 1.50 for the first time in several years.
The finishers goody bag cotained bottles of beer and water a medal and mars bar. I was very impressed that within fifteen minutes of finishing we received a personal text giving our gun and chip time and finishing position. The male winner was David Webb of Leeds City AC in 1.04.54 very near the course record of 1.04.36. Lady winner was Michelle Ross-Cope of City of Stoke AC in 1.15.02 who was the guest speaker at the NSRRA presentation night last friday.
There were 1435 finishers. Harrier chip times were as follows.

Chris Owen 1.39.03 position 401
Chris Skellern 1.42.12 500 13th F45
Graham Williams 1.47.34 681 7th M60
Jackie Allen 1.52.25 PB 819
Mick Jones 1.54.09 871 6th M65
Karen Sabin 1.59.50 PB 1034
Tracey Mackay 2.02.44 1089 First Half Marathon
Carl Spears 2.03.46 1110
Karen D. Murray 2.04.19 1120
Ann Button 2.08.29 1183
Dave Banner 2.11.05 1225

The big question was is it on or not. Bob Dredge the organiser spent a few sleepless nights over the decision and on Saturday Morning it was a yes. As long as the weather did not get any worse then it was going ahead. The 144 that turned up on the morning showed that it was worth it. A cold but pleasant morning saw the runners off over a shortened course, taking out the treacherous climb to Castle Ring. The winner Peter Vale of Mercia Fell Runners proved that the course was really very easy!!!. Finishing in 1:19:19 over 9 minutes ahead of the next runner he showed the class that has bought him many wins in Fell Races all over the country.
Twenty four Harriers ran and the first Harrier home in 16th spot in a creditable 1:34:54 was Russell Barron. Second Harrier was non other than our Trig Race expert Serica Atherton in 1:49:04 which was 1st L40. Other prizes to the Harriers were, Karen Davies 2nd L45, Brian Langston 2nd V65, a very suprised Sarah Johnson 3rd L40 and Mick Jones 3rd V65. Well done to all the Harriers who completed the course. Tick that one off on your running cv.


Russell and Serica finishing the Trig.

Check out the photos from Alastair Tye from www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk/

All the Harriers times are below.

16	Russell Barron	1:34:54
56	Sereca Atherton	1:49:04	1st L40
57	Deon Vlok	1:50:32
64	Mark Bentley	1:51:05
66	Stuart Turner	1:51:17
78	Ed Smith	1:54:31
89	Chris Owen	1:56:43
93	Karen Davies	1:58:30	2nd L45
94	John Greatholder	1:58:30
110	Graham Williams	2:09:39
111	Caroline Nichol	2:09:46
112	Liz Stanyer	2:09:47
113	Jackie Allen	2:10:09
114	Andy Bourne	2:10:41
115	Brian Langston	2:11:55	2nd V65
121	Jane Bisiker	2:16:09
122	Craig Baxter	2:17:59
123	Sarah Johnson	2:18:00	3rd L40
124	Esther Hughes	2:18:00
128	Stuart Fowlie	2:31:00
129	Rebecca Bostock	2:31:02
135	Michael Jones	2:36:40	3rd V65
136	Karen D Murray	2:37:04
137	Sally Burns	2:37:04

What a great way to welcome in the new decade. A fine bright sunny morning saw 87 intrepid “Stupid Heroes” run the five mile race on New Years Morning. For the unintiated you predict your time over five miles , run the race without a watch and the winner is the person who gets closest to their predicted time. Simples!
The race is organised by Mike Jones, the programme that works out the results is by Mike Jones and the winner this year, getting the time right to the second, was of course Mike Jones.
Sue Olivant and Pete Burns were helping him to do the results and niether of them saw how he managed it. More importantly niether did he. He was convinced he was way out.
The race itself was won by Gareth Briggs of Staffs Moorlands in 28:39 and he was also in the prizes as he was only 9 seconds out on his prediction. First Lady home was Stafford Harrier Clare Skelton in 34:23 almost four minutes faster than she had predicted. Looks like she is getting back to form after her happy event.
First Harrier home was Russell Barron in 29:00.




Here is Russell Barron chasing unattached runner Matthew Woodman. Hope he caught him and gave him a membership form.

Here are all the times.