Kenilworth Half Marathon
26/09/10
Report from Denise Rogers:
556 ran the 10th Kenilworth Half marathon, first male home was Mark Hadley, Halesowen A/C in 1:13:38 and first lady home was Sue Harrison, Leamington C&AC 1:17:37, in near perfect weather conditions. This was our 7th attempt at running this race, the course is fast, with a couple of small climbs. This race is always well organised and at the end we received a technical t-shirt and a goody bag from Waitrose!
260 01:46:39 Tom Rogers MV45
527 02:20:15 Denise Rogers FV45
MCAAA 6 stage relay
– 25/09/10
The Midland Counties AAA Road relays are held on Sutton Park (Sutton Coldfield).
Mens teams run 6 stages and Ladies teams run 4 stages.
Many Clubs field several teams, though Stafford harriers can generally only manage one team in each.
The mens team finished 76th out of 88 complete teams.
The Ladies team finished 47th out of 63 complete teams finishing and we had a part team.
St Thomas’s 7ml
– 19/09/10
This is a NSRRA reserve race, a couple of years old and a school charity race, but still not attracting much attention.
Only 97 finished the race, which was won by Mark Neeld of Stone MM in 40:26.
Harriers racing were:
Ashbourne Half Marathon
– 19/09/10
Report from Peter Sarson:
This is a very scenic race over rolling Derbyshire countryside. Starting up-hill for the first mile, the next 2mls are downhill followed by a long 2ml climb, a steep downhill and a mile or so flat into Ilam. Then another 2ml steep climb and the rest is pretty easy (and needs to be to recover) back into Ashbourne town.
Race winner was Tom Doe of Lincoln Wellington AC in 1:12:28. I finished 32nd (2nd MV60) in 1:35:40 out of 188 finishers.
Robin Hood Nottingham Marathon
– 12/09/10
The provisional results show a 50yr old (Tommy Hughes of Leicester Coritanians) won the race in 2:29:13.
Two Harriers ran:
Esther Hughes ran her first marathon (?) in 4:05:44, finishing 733rd. Good going Esther!
Jackie Allen finished 1,119th in 4:36:02
1,567 finished the full distance.
The Half marathon was won by Gordon Mugi Muhugu (Kenyan ?) in 1:04:47. The next 3 home appear to have been Kenyans also.
Again two Harriers ran:
Sarah Johnson finished 3,216th in 2:03:34
Donna Gray finished 5,263rd in 2:28:25
6413 finished the half.
Lake Vyrnwy Half
– 12/09/10
Thanks to Mark bentley for this report:
Well, what a turn-up for the books! What with various people dropping out due to one reason or another, the proposed minibus to Lake Vyrnwy was cancelled this year. And to think last year we managed to fill a 53-seater coach. Undaunted, I decided to drive there myself, arriving in good time.
Conditions were ideal, slightly overcast with sunny spells. I was first Harrier home in 1:39:51 in 248th position, not brilliant I know, but my body clock was still readjusting itself after arriving back off holiday in the wee small hours a few days previously. The only other Harrier present was John Hateley, who finished 1073rd in 2:22:58. Both male and female winners were from Liverpool Harriers; John Mc Cole in 1:08:52 and Jenny Clague in 1:20:53, respectively. 1207 finished.
Interestingly, there were no coaches in the area reserved for them this year, not even the Penny Lane Striders, whose coach usually parks alongside ours. Who knows, maybe if we started to push this race a bit earlier next year, then maybe we could fill a coach again? We shall see.
The journey wasn’t totally wasted, however, as I found that an old favourite, the Llandudno 10, is back on 22nd May next year, a field of 5000 being expected. Make a note of it in your diaries, folks, it’s a great day out and we could definitely fill a coach for that one.
Lichfiled 10k
– 12/09/10
Thanks to Liz Stanyer for this report:
Good challenge points to be won at Lichfield 10k as not a huge amount of Harriers entered, possibly due to Ipstones being run the day before, (note to self, perhaps not the best idea to run both). There were over 800 runners in what is a very well organised event. A downhill start, then a gentle downhill for about first 2-3k, then the course meanders round country lanes with an uphill at 4k. Then the motorway bridge at about 7k, why does that always feel so bad?! It looks like a little bump of a hill but it ruins the legs and every time I looked up I felt I had got nowhere.
It then feels like a very gradual uphill all around the housing estate.This is quite a hard section of the course as you keep looping around, thinking you are going to hit the main road back any minute, but never quite reaching it. When you do drop back down to the main road, the last kilometre is all uphill,with a final sharp uphill finish. I would like to thank James Thorpe for the most ridiculous sprint off in that last 50 metres, I just hope no-one saw us.
It is a really well supported event and well marshalled. A great technical T shirt this year, with a goody bag full of drinks, chocolate and a banana.
The childrens fun run which is run at the same time as the 10k means that this is a great family event.
First man was Phil Hinch Tipton Harriers in 31.49
First lady was Abbey Norman Derby AC in 37.37
Chris Skellern won L45 and the Harriers ladies team also won first place.
Ipstones 5ml
– 11/09/2010
63rd Peter Hodgetts Memorial handicap
– 09/09/10
Thirty three Harriers completed this latest Handicap, on a beautiful evening, with Nathan Sabin winning in a time of 25-02, with Colin Mitchell again second and Ester Hughes third just one second behind Colin.
Remember the next handicap is on Sunday December 19th, and is in the Harriers challenge, so there will be two races in one, with the normal handicap, then your time will be put in order, fastest first to the slowest, for the Harriers challenge.
St. Thomas Worcester Half
– 05/09/10
Thanks to Karen Davies for this report:
John and I tackled this one on Sunday. I was aching from horse stuff again and still in recovery from the Dovedale Dipper I think!
We found the venue difficult to find and it was pouring down by the time we got there – and cold too!
Made it with 5 mins spare, just enough to enter and change and then began the two circuit multi terrain route – around fishing lakes, courgette fields, down and up some good gradients, along claggy clay tracks and through a quarry, across some stiles, near a poutry shed (smellt but not seen!), and then around again. With very tired legs I got round in 1.52 (7th lady and 2nd F45) and John was on my tail at 1. 57 striding across the finish line with energy to spare (he should race it next time!).
First home was Rory Mc Mahon in 1.22 15 and first lady was Emily Evitts in 1.37 41. Around 200 runners, tho just two Harriers.
A friendly race and well marshalled, at a venue which looked interesting to visit if you have time – local farm shop, lake, water sports, plants and more.
WOLVERHAMPTON MARATHON
– 5/9/10 17TH NSRRA EVENT.
Six Harriers ran this fairly flat marathon, over a new course, which kept the runners off the public roads, except on the first miles and the last six miles of each lap, and meant the long road stretch was avoided in the middle of each lap, the marathoners had plenty of runners over the first lap, because the half marathon was run at the same time.
First Harrier home was Chris Owen, knocking nearly twenty minutes off his pb, to finish in 37th place in a time of 3-16-25, next was Paul Douglas 2nd M55, the two old codgers Bill Whitworth 2nd M65 and Mike Jones 3rd M65.
37th Chris Owen 3-16-25 PB 132nd Stuart Rowley 3-52-13
43rd Paul Douglas 3-19-11 2nd M55 196th Bill Whitworth 4-21-35 2nd M65
66th Chris Ross 3-28-25 216th Mike Jones 4-35-49 3rd M65
289 finished.
WOLVERHAMPTON MARATHON
– 5/9/10.
Eight Harriers ran the first lap of the marathon course, with some good performances coming from Dave Cook 1-44-26 PB, Tom Rogers 1-47-58 PB and Rebecca Bostock 2-06-47 PB
202nd Dave Cook 1-44-26 PB 635th Rebecca Bostock 2-06-47 PB
257th Tom Rogers 1-47-58 PB 906th John Hateley 2-30-46
416th Laura MacDonald 1-54-41 949th Denise Rogers 2-45-03
501st Jill Ross 1-58-34 955th Gwendoline Bailey 2-46-30
995 finished.
ELLESMERE 10K
– 29/8/10.
Three Harriers travelled into Shropshire to run this popular race with Darren Pyatt running a good time of 40-27, with Tom Denise Rogers getting PB’S.
59th Darren Pyatt 40-27 303rd Denise Rogers 61-11 PB
177th Tom Rogers 49-28 PB 341 finished.
LEEK HALF MARATHON
– 22/08/2010
A dozen Harriers turned out for this challenging race, the latest NSRRA event, with the ladies gaining 2nd Ladies Team placing.
Dave Norman of Altrincham AC won in 1:17:19 and first Lady was Amy Green of Keighley and Craven in 1:30:45.
RACE THE TRAIN 14mls
– 21/08/2010
799 runners completed this tough multi-terrain course at Tywyn on the Welsh coast.
The train track runs inland along a beautiful valley and the race route follows it on the 7 miles out but then climbs the valley side on the way back for about 3 miles, then descends through muddy and rocky paths and past Dolgoch falls before reaching the foot of the valley again.
Only 6 Harriers made the trip this year, with Sarah Johnson a late substitute for Graham Williams, regretfully “crocked” the week before the race.
The race was won in 1:20:22, the first Lady finished in 1:37:08 and the train took 1:48 for it’s out and back trip.
Vernon Olivant ran the race in 2004.
Belper Rugby Rover 30km M/T
– 15/08/2010
Four Harriers braved this run, which has a total ascended height of 2319ft – though it’s nowhere near as bad as it sounds.
Chris Ross was the first Harrier home, followed by Pete Sarson, Graham Williams and Rebecca Bostock (running in her wrong shoes).
Pete Sarson gained 1st MV60 place (as last year) in 2hrs 43mins.
Stourbridge Stumble 10km (about)
– 14/08/2010
Race won by Callum Eden of Wolves & Bilston in 38:10. First Lady was Amanda Wright-Smith of Birchfield who was 5th overall in time of 39:55
197 finished
Report from James Thorpe:
The rescheduled Stourbridge Stunmble 10k (approximately!) was an enjoyable multi-terrain event with the different terrains being road, grass, sand and mud. I’m told this race was far less muddy than its big brother, the Stagger, run in February but there was certainly enough to go around for the competitors, including 9 Harriers taking advantage of the opportunity to bag some valuable club challenge points.
The course was a challenging one that made its way across the park and through some quiet streets before heading out into the countryside, racing mainly along field edges and bridleways. These were the sandy areas and this was the one area that was made easier by the recent rain, compacting the sand and making it far easier to run on. Some narrow pathways led to occasional bottlenecks, particularly in the steeper areas and several sections were quite a little squelchy underfoot, though still just about passable in road shoes (although trail shoes would be advisable).
Report from Chris Owen:
Nine harriers went to stourbridge praying the rain was going to hold off and the coarse wasn’t to muddy. the rain did hold off and there was only one muddy place.the coarse is mainly off road along narrow paths ways which made over taking difficult expect the start and finish which was around the local estate. there was a couple of kissing gates which had to be negotiated. the only muddy part was a nice uphill strech.
STAFFS. KNOT 5 MILER
– 11/08/2010
A pleasant sunny evening, though with a chilly wind later on.
387 runners and 50 Clubs included 61 Harriers.
Race winner was Bruce Raedside of Notts AC in 24:48 and first Lady home was our own Sally Gray, as last year, in 30:52.
Well done to Sally and to “newcomers” Ian Talbot and Darren Pyatt. Also a welcome comeback to Michael Harris recovering from injury.
There were a good number of high Age Group placings amongst our Club runners.
STAFFS KNOT 2 MILE FUN RUN
– 11/8/10.
A good turnout of 75 runners, of which eleven where Harriers, with Tom Sabin coming in 2nd overall in a time of 11-31, next was Matty Burdett 4th and Tom Sabin 7th.
Elisha Walker was 3rd Girl, in 13th place in a time of 13-46, just ahead of Hannah Walker in 15th place.
2nd Nathan Sabin 11-31 13th Elisha Walker 13-46 3rd girl
4th Matty Burdett 12-06 15th Hannah Talbot 13-54 5th girl
7th Tom Sabin 13-02 25th Jared Wheatley 15-17
9th Joseph Smith 13-30 30th Amie Stephens 16-11
10th Curtis Owen 13-40 41st Joseph Cartmail 17-25
12th Alex Mackay 13-46 75 finished
MEERBROOK 15K
– 08/08/2010
Somehow Mick Hall got a Kenyan and an Australian to run his race this year, along with 277 others.
The kenyan, Edwin Kipkorir won the race in 49:15 and the Australian was 5th.
23 Harriers ran.
DOVEDALE DIPPER 26ml
– 01/08/2010
Report from Karen Davies:
“The Dovedale Dipper is not for the fainthearted. A 26 mile race in the White Peak, I glibly thought we would trot round steadily to be back in with a time around 4 1/2 hours. Ha!!
In fact we finished in 5 hours 27! We’ll know better next time! The scenery was fantastic, really amazing mixture – wildflower meadows, heather moorland, rich pasture fields, disused railway tracks, scree paths, really lovely dales and river valleys, fantastic views – some steep uphills (very steep!) and a zillion stiles, kissing gates, walls and variations on methods to get from one field to the next one beyond! Given I’d been chucked in a ditch amongst a sea of bramles and half squashed by a horse the evening before I did well to keep up with John and have now eaten a lot. There were six Harrier runners, with Pete zooming home at the head of the pack and a contingency of Harrier Walkers. A real test of endurance and madness. Why don’t you try it next year ! ”
Harriers running were: Pete Sarson (4hr 46), Chris Ross (4hr 52), Karen Davies (5hr 28), John Greatholder (5hr 28), Jackie Allen(6hr 40) & Rebecca Bostock (6hr 40). Harriers walking were: Steve (6hr 47) & Helen (7hr 51) Littlewood and Frank Grant (8hr 38). (Apologies if I’ve missed someone).
(166 walkers + 96 runners completed the course).
INDIAN QUEENS HALF
– 01/08/2010
A record 600 runners turned out in the rain for the annual Indian Queens half marathon in Newquay. Quite a boring route as 90% of it is on remote country track with only cows for company. Well organised though with marshalls and drinks\sponges situated all round the course. Mainly flat with just one or two slight inclines. My time was 1hr 42mins.
Tim Hough
WEST BROMWICH 5k
– 28/07/2010
Report from Denise and Tom Rogers:
At 7.45pm Wednesday 28/07/2010 we, along with 69 other runners, were standing at the start line of the West Bromwich Harriers 5k race. This race was two and a half laps of the terraced football and cricket pitches, it was a bit strange running round the pitches while they were training. There was a large number of the host club’s own runners running in the race. Not sure if I would do this one again, but I did not come last this time!
Tom came 43rd in 25:05 and I came 67th in 30:58
TRENTHAM 10ml
– 18/07/2010
Report from Liz Stanyer:
“Perfect running conditions today for the Trentham 10 mile race. Overcast, cool and a little bit of drizzle. There is a downhill start which evens out until just after the first mile mark when the climb begins. Once over the motorway bridge I soon realised what the ‘hill’ was that Chris and Tracey had described to me in huge detail pre race ( I did ask them to!) However, apart from having to tackle the hill again at 6 miles I thought this was a great course with plenty of long gentle downhill sections to enjoy. The mountain to climb to the finish was a bit cruel though.
I have never run a 10 mile race before, but this was thoroughly enjoyable. It was far from boring as lots of turns, country lanes, plenty of up and downs to keep you occupied and enough runners to chase. I would recommend this race to anyone, not just NSRRA runners,( it wasn’t anywhere near as popular as Thursdays JCB race but I thought it was a much better race).
My only complaint is the cups for water, I know its a cost issue, but how do you run whilst drinking out of those? Choke and soak I say”.
The race was won by Matt Clowes of SMAC in a superb 51:02 – almost 2mins ahead of the next man home – and the first lady home (LV45) was Helen Burrell of Redhill RR in 64:16. Eighteen Harriers were amongst the 245 that finished the race:
PB’s were achieved by Mark Bridgwood, Chris Owen, Tom Rogers, Denise Rogers and James Thorpe as well as Liz Stanyer. Well done all of you!
Mark Bridgwood certainly put his all into the race – his first 10ml also. He collapsed just after the finish line, sick, exhausted, and probably dehydrated.
Fellow Harriers will be pleased to know that he did recover and was enjoying a family BBQ later in the evening.
Full results and race photo’s on Bryan Dale’s website.
JCB LAKESDIE 5ml
– 15/07/2010
On a cool and damp evening – thankfully not as wet as last year – 25 Harriers turned out for a quick trot around this 2 lap course.
The race was won, as last year, by Ben Gamble in 26:09. The first lady home was Danielle Johnson of Birchfield in 30:55 (23rd overall).
A very good run by relatively new member Mark Bridgewood to finish first Harrier home. Welcome also to Darren Pyatt with a good run.
As usual, good age group placings by Paul Douglas (no V55 group), Pete Sarson, Chris Skellern & Tracey Gee (no LV45 group).
A PB for James Thorpe by more than a minute and a PB for Chris Owen.
403 finished.
Full results and race photo’s on Bryan Dale’s website.
WYRE FOREST HALF
– 11/07/2010
Report from Karen Davies:
What a gorgeous place to run – but no easy option! Super forest paths, lovely valleys, challenging ascents and descents, often rutted terrain or loose cinderpath tracks, very hot and humid and TOUGH.
This race was well marshalled, very friendly, great camaraderie with an excellent Start/Finish venue.
I was 5th lady home so was grinning all day Sunday. John took it easy as it was his birthday!
First male: Ashley Miles, Sphinx AC, 1.22 35
First lady: Alison Cooke, Hereford Couriers, 1.39 52
180 runners finished the course and the race was won by Miles Ashley of the Sphinx AC in 1:22:35
Thanks to Denise Rogers for these results:
CHEADLE 4ml
– 11/07/2010
Just 14 Harriers ran this race with a demanding 1ml hill in the middle. It was warm but not hot and a breeze helped the runners up the hill.
The race was won by L Boulton of Staffs. Moorlands AC in a time of 21:59 and 165 runners finished in total.
Our young Curtis Owen won the associated fun run for the second year running.
HARRIER GAMES
– 10/07/2010
Staffs Moorlands Summer Series
– 08/07/2010
Thursday 08 July – Race 6 Shutlingsloe Dave Marsden – 54th in 34:13 149 finished Thursday 01 July – Race 5 Wetton Dave Clarke – 35th in 39:45 Dave Marsden – 75th in 45:38 Stephen Clarke – 136th in54:42 155 finished. Thursday 24th June – Race 4 The Roaches Dave Clarke – 35th in 46:34 Dave Marsden – 65th in 51:04 Stephen Clarke – 148th in 61:50 167 finished. Thursday 17th June – Race 3 – Buxton Hilly. A beautiful June evening for a drive over the peaks to Buxton, past the Roaches and Ramshaw Rocks. The race is a tough 4.7 mile, 2-lap course taking in Solomon’s Temple above Grin Low caravan park and Grin Low woods. Simon Bailey of Staffs Moorlands came first in 24 minutes, 51 seconds and first lady was Joanne Mayland in 33 minutes 38 seconds. I was 76th in 35 minutes 51 seconds. 173 finished. After an absence of a couple of years, I decided to re-enter the Staffs. Moorlands Summer Series, starting with Oakamoor. 10 June. This race, the second in a 10-race series is approximately 5 miles. It is however a race of 2 parts. The first section, through the woods and hills around Dimmings Dale, has some challenging undulations. The second part is flatter, following the course of the old Churnet Valley railway line into the finish, back at Oakamoor. The race was won by a Marine, Brian Cole in 27-37 and the first lady Ruth Barry of Congleton finished in 34-57. I was 76th, time 39-05. There were 177 finishers.
Thanks to Dave Marsden for his reports.
Berryhill 10k
– 06/07/2010
135 finished. Race winner was Ben Gamble in 33:06
Sheriffhales Shuffle
– 05/07/2010
Tom Hobbins has just managed to report his and Lydia’s results at this race held on 15 May. Tom came 3rd in 44:18 and Lydia 86th in 60:37.The race was won in 41:46 by Robin Sedman-Smith of Telford AC. Tom reports:There were no other Harriers in the race. It’s worth putting on the calendar for next year though. Organised by Newport Running Club it’s a seven-mile mostly off road race which goes through the grounds of Lilleshall sports centre. There are a few hills but nothing too challenging. Anyone who enjoyed the March Hare Raiser or Stourbridge Stagger would like this.
National Masters Track Championships
– 05/07/2010
Under the guidance of coach Chris Hollinshead, Sally Gray and Nina Skilton competed in their first National Masters Track Championships in a windy Cardiff on Sunday 5th July.
Both raced over 5000 metres with Sally winning gold in a new personal best time of 17.59 minutes in the W35 category and Nina winning bronze in the W40 category with a time of 19.18 minutes.
Shifnal Steeplechase Half
– 04/07/2010
Five Harriers travelled to Shifnal to run this popular multi-terrain half marathon.
The race winner was Dave Mansbridge of Telford AC and Telford runners took 2nd & 3rd places also. 161 finished.
Our five runners were:Chris Skellern – 47th in 1:40:04 (1st FV45)
Karen Davies – 64th in 1:45:12 (2nd FV45)
Kenton Sharpe – 79th in 1:49:42
John Greatholder – 110th in 1:58:10 (3rd MV60)
Mike Moore – 151st in 2:21:13 (2nd MV70)
“A very hot and very strong wind for the first leg, with a change of weather part way through, to chilly conditions!
Excellent marshalling and really friendly race, with quite a lot of hills, some ups and downs, mixed running terrain, tight turns and a tour of the sewage works!
Not a pb course and fairly tough – only 5 Harriers but one to recommend”. – Karen Davies
The Birmingham Black Country Canal Half
– 03/07/2010
This race was nominated as the Harriers’ Charity race for 2010. It was a little disappointing that more Harriers didn’t take up the challenge, but 20 did and thoroughly enjoyed the flat run. Chris Owen and Tanmay Joshi both managed a Half-marathon PB, even though the run was measured about 13.2 mls. It was a dry, sunny and very warm day.
To avoid crowding on the fairly narrow pathway runners were set off as single runners in waves of 100 or so every quarter of an hour from 9.00am up to 11.30am (based on predicted times). But all were “chipped” so the results couldn’t be known until most of the 998 runners had finished.
A basically flat route following the towpath alongside the canals that connect the two Cities. Arguably, it is a downhill route with the only “lumps” being the locks and bridges that cross intersections. These “lumps” do get more frequent towards the latter stages of the run, making it perhaps a little tougher than it may seem. The 360yard long tunnel – virtually unlit – at Coseley is an “entertaining” feature enjoyed by some, hated by others but remembered by all. Completely off road and traffic free. The surface varies from well tended gravel paths and brick paving to unkept surfaces – largely what you might encounter on any off road run.
A report from Mike Jones:
Well done to the twenty Harriers that completed the Black country half marathon, on a warm mainly sunny day. I don’t know why, but running along the canal towpath seems to be much harder than running a road race with hills, and most runners’ times where 5 to 10 minutes slower than say the Stafford half.
This race was the thirteenth in the Harriers challenge, and was also designated our charity run. The signs are it has been successful, so thanks to Mark Bentley who has coordinated the event; and any sponsor money should be done on the Bmycharity web site, and you can enter the amount you have raised, or give the money to Mark or any committee member.
First home was Chris Owen, with a PB time of 1-31-44, quite remarkable, considering it is slightly over-distance, and the rest of us were at least 5 minutes slower than we expected
