WHEATON ASTON 10K
27/12/10
The last race of 2010 saw 21 Harriers make their way to Wheaton Aston for the annual 10K jaunt roads the lanes. With the snow lying on the lanes it was expected to be tricky and the fun run was cancelled. The conditions did not stop the winner Martin Williams from Tipton AC romping round in 31-01.
First Harrier home was Steve Vaughan in 11th place in a PB time of 36-45. Mention must also be made of Nathan Sabin running his first senior run just after his fifteenth birthday. His time of 43-06 was enough for him to finish 2nd Junior Male and he was fourth Harrier home. His coach Chris Skellern who had paced him for some time before he disappeared finished 3rd L45. Well done also to Sally Liggins for a PB to end the year on a high note.
Here are the finishing times for Harriers.
| Pos | Name | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Steve Vaughan | 36-45 | PB |
| 41 | Mike St-Dunn | 40-06 | |
| 55 | Joe Atherton | 41-29 | |
| 76 | Nathan Sabin | 43-06 | 2nd JM |
| 83 | Mark Bentley | 43-32 | |
| 89 | Chris Skellern | 43-50 | 3rd L45 |
| 93 | Chris Owen | 44-10 | |
| 107 | Martin Moore | 45-05 | |
| 125 | Tracey Gee | 46-34 | |
| 128 | Eddie Smith | 46-48 | |
| 135 | Dave Preece | 47-13 | |
| 154 | Liz Stanyer | 48-51 | |
| 167 | Steve Turner | 49-49 | |
| 197 | John Greatholder | 51-27 | |
| 214 | Mike Jones | 52-45 | |
| 235 | Esther Hughes | 53-52 | |
| 260 | Karen Sabin | 55-24 | |
| 270 | Sally Liggins | 56-16 | PB |
| 307 | Sara Broome | 60-49 | |
| 323 | Rebecca Bostock | 63-20 | |
| 334 | Helen Holt | 65-00 |
SNYED CHRISTMAS PUDDING RUN
12/12/10
8 Harriers travelled over to Walsall for this 10 mile race on new a two lap course(used to be 1lap but police forced the organisers to change it). i travelled with Joe Atherton by car and everything looked okay until we got out,the car park was covered in black ice. joe took a tumble just going to registration. first 2 miles was around the local estate and the roads comprised entirely of black ice so getting to race pace was difficult and dangerous ,and i was thinking of pulling out because grip was non existent with road shoes. At mile 3 there was a gentle downhill section and between 4/5 it was all down hill,which was quite surprising as there didn’t seem to be many uphill stages.this was repeated,the icy section seamed to be worse. under better conditions it would be a very fast course.finished in a time of 1.13.21,which i was pleased with (conditions ,tired legs from cross country and remnants of man flu)Chris Owen
OAK TREE PROJECT
Not a race report but letting you know where the Charity money goes.
Mark, Bill and Mike with Dave Moreton
The Oak Tree Project, which supports adults with learning difficulties to learn new skills, received a welcome boost for a new tearoom from Stafford Harriers this week.
Harrier members, Mike Jones, Bill Whitworth and Mark Bentley visited Oak Tree Farm Rural project in Hilderstone to hand over a cheque for £620 – raised through our charity half-marathon along canal towpaths from Wolverhampton to Birmingham.
The money will go towards Oak Tree Farm’s new tearoom – a wooden built unit which is due to be in place in the new year. It will give people attending the project the opportunity to gain experience in catering and customer service. Members of the public will be able to visit the new tearoom later in the year. The project’s shop, which sells homegrown produce and wood carved items among others, will also be relocated into the new building.
Manager David Moreton said: “The new tea room will give members of our team a chance to learn new skills and give them occupational training. It will help enable people to reach their full potential and could lead to some gaining employment. We’re really grateful to the Stafford Harriers for raising this money for us. It’s great to have the support from a community organisation and to raise the profile of the tea room project.”
Harriers committee member Bill Whitworth said: “Stafford Harriers is a community sports club and so we’re delighted to have been able to help the Oak Tree Farm project in this way. The project does a fantastic job and everyone at the club thought helping the tea room project through our charity run in the summer was a worthy cause. We look forward to seeing the tea room up and running!”
The Oak Tree Farm Rural Project has around 50 people regularly attending to take part in a range of activities from horticultural and pottery through to looking after farm animals. It runs a social enterprise called Acorn Garden Services, where team members carry out gardening work at nursing homes, churchyards, Cannock Chase and Shugborough.
If you want any further information you can contact the Oak Tree Farm Rural Project on 01889 505653.
APEDALE 10K
05/12/10
Seventeen Harriers turned out in the latest Harriers Challenge Race at Apedale.The tables have been updated.
Heres a report from Craig.
If it wasn’t for the fact that I needed to do the Dales Dash to complete my twelve runs in the Harrier Challenge, I probably wouldn’t have entered this race. I’m so pleased that I did enter. This is a brilliant multi terrain race with a bit of everything, including frozen paths and snow chucked in for good measure. I was using this race to judge how far I had come since coming back from injury and by the end I knew exactly how far I hadn’t come. The first 6km is a real challenge, uphill for the majority and the very icy trails made it very hard going on the feet. I was really struggling at this point but with the shadow of a certain Mick Jones not very far behind me I knew I couldn’t slack off and this made the race even more interesting, I just couldn’t shake him off and he knew it. I finally managed to get away from Mick at about 8km but I couldn’t relax and the next challenge was the final hill in the last kilometre where Bryan Dale was strategically positioned to take photos of the pain etched on the runner’s faces, of which he seemed to take great pleasure. Just make the finish a bit harder we warned of the black ice as we entered the final straight but at this point I was to knackered to care. I would highly recommend this run to other Harriers even though it was really tough.
Craig Baxter
Here is Mike St-Dunn finishing and also Nige Addison with Julie just behind. You wouldn’t find a professional footballer dressed like that Nige, and what is Craig on about. Photos courtesy of Bryan Dale.
| Pos | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 13th | Mike Saint-Dunn | 43.54 |
| 21st | Keith Skelton | 45.20 |
| 33rd | Chris Owen | 45.55 |
| 43rd | Joe Atherton | 48.36 |
| 50th | Chris Skellern | 49.55 |
| 72nd | Nigle Addison | 53.39 |
| 86th | Julie Addison | 55.01 |
| 112th | Craig Baxter | 58.53 |
| 114th | Tom Rogers | 59.57 |
| 116th | Mike Jones | 60.25 |
| 125th | Jane Bisiker | 62.02 |
| 135th | Sally Liggins | 63.08 |
| 145th | Bill Whitworth | 66.50 |
| 146th | Mick Moore | 66.50 |
| 159th | Sara Broome | 70.53 |
| 163rd | Denise Rogers | 76.31 |
| 165th | Helen Holt | 81.04 |
KIRKBY MOOR FELL RACE CUMBRIA
27/11/10
On a bitterly cold day, 61 runners turned out for the Kirkby Moor fell race in southern Cumbria on November 27.
It was the last in a series of four races organised by the Black Combe Runners, taking in six checkpoints over a seven and a half mile course. There was 1,600ft of climbing on undulating moorland and some steeper ascents.
A light snow covering and bright sunshine made for some pleasant running after the initial climb. The race started and finished in the village of Beckside.
A very steep road section for half a mile was followed by the ascent to the first two checkpoints, under the wind turbines at the top of the moor. After this it was pretty undulating over ice and heather. The final notable ascent was to checkpoint five.
Whilst the vast majority of runners were from local clubs, I found myself with Simon Daws from Telford AC for most of the run, just going past him in the last mile.
I eventually got round in just over an hour in 12th position, having found it pretty tough. Lydia was 60th in 1 hour 32 mins. We both enjoyed it (helped by the sunshine) and will be back next year.
The race was won by England mountain runner Tom Addison of Kendal’s Helm Hill Runners in 50.26. First lady was Jackie Casey from host club Black Combe in 1 hour 8 mins.
Report from Tom Hobbins
CONWY HALF MARATHON
-21/11/10
– and the Winner is…
Only one Harrier made the trip to Wales to take part in this years Conwy Half Marathon, (which by the way includes a climb up the Great Orme). The Harrier was Chris Hollinshead who ran a time of 1:14:24 and not only was he first M40 he was in fact the winner of the race. Congratulations Chris.
Here is Chris coming down the Great Orme as you can tell by the smile on his face.
CANNOCK CHASE ROTARY 10K
21/11/2010
report from Nige Addison
Organised by Cannock Rotary Club and Cambaevents.co.uk (full race results can be found there).Race started on Marquis Drive/ Brindley Bank crossroads then down to Birches Valley, left into Penkridge Bank Road towards, then past the ‘White House’, left into Broadhurst Green Road past the Tower then left again into Brindley Bank Road, back to the start, then right turn into same finishing road as Staffs Knot. This race is worth considering for next year (challenge race possibly). Seven Harriers ran, times and places as follows:
35th Mark Eccleston 44’35″40th Martin Moore 45’17” 1st M5061st Nige Addison 48’06″64th Steve Turner 48’19″65th Darren Mattocks 48’22″89th Tom Rogers 51’31″147th Denise Rogers 59’58”
There were 194 finishers.
Had a free massage after, but we wont go in to that.
SUICIDE SIX
21/11/2010
Thirteen Harriers were amogst the 721 hardy souls who took on the wonders of the Suicide Six in Baggeridge Country Park. It was even reported that this year there was an aligator in the water jump.
Sub Headline.
Simon Stanyer beats his Wife.
Lots of Harriers say not before time. No, no, no, we are not talking domestic violence we are talking about the fact that Simon was recorded as finishing in front of Liz in this race. However let us put the facts straight, Simon was not well the day of the race. In fact he was very ill. I have been told it was something to do with drinking out of wet glasses the night before. Lots of them. Liz it appears ‘encouraged’ him all the way round the race through hell and high water (full of crocodiles) and they crossed the line together. In the results though Simon crossed the line first. So it is official, Simon Stanyer beat his wife.
Just what is Tom doing?
| 37th | Tom Hobbins | 41.16 | |
| 98th | Joe Atherton | 45.40 | |
| 150th | Chris Skellern | 47.47 | 1st L40 |
| 218th | Eddie Smith | 50.45 | |
| 265th | Dave Mantle | 52.26 | |
| 333rd | Tracey Gee | 54.31 | |
| 405th | Lydia Hobbins | 57.04 | |
| 462nd | Jill Ross | 59.19 | |
| 492nd | Brian Langston | 60.44 | |
| 499th | Jane Bisiker | 61.01 | |
| 601st | Simon Stanyer | 68.23 | |
| 602nd | Liz Stanyer | 68.23 | |
| 613rd | Amanda Pearce | 69.14 |
DUNNERDALE FELL RACE
13/11/2010
Report from: Tom Hobbins
Three Harriers travelled to southern Cumbria to tackle the Dunnerdale fell race on November 13.
The five-and-half mile course takes in 1,800ft over four checkpoints; the Knott, Raven’s Crag, Stickle Pike and Great Stickle.
It’s said to be one of the best short fell courses in the country due to its variety of steep rocky and grassy terrain, undulating trail and short road section.
After a short sharp shower, the sun came out for the remainder of the race to ensure an enjoyable run for the 224 who took part. After an intense climb for a couple of miles, which takes in the first two checkpoints, runners drop down onto a road crossing before the ascent to Stickle Pike. There’s a manageable running stretch then to Great Stickle before coming down onto a trail which leads back to the road and into the finishing field.
Tom managed to complete the course in 49.29 (49th), Dave Hobbins in 1.14.34 (218th) and Lydia in 1.14.50 (219th).
The race was won by Lloyd Taggart of Dark Peak in 38.28, with first lady Lauren Jeska of Todmorden in 44.04.
FLYING FOX
7/11/2010
The ever popular Flying Fox saw 30 Harriers take to the lanes of Stone with Paul Douglas the first Harrier home and Chris Skellern pipping Ruth Umerah to the post as first lady Harrier.
| 25 | 67.01 | PAUL | DOUGLAS |
| 31 | 68.00 | MIKE | SAINT-DUNN |
| 42 | 69.04 | MARK | BRIDGWOOD |
| 43 | 69.08 | KEITH | SKELTON |
| 49 | 70.48 | PETER | SARSON |
| 50 | 71.15 | JOSEPH | ATHERTON |
| 59 | 73.22 | CHRIS | OWEN |
| 63 | 74.00 | MARK | BENTLEY |
| 66 | 74.21 | CHRIS | SKELLERN |
| 68 | 74.55 | RUTH | UMERAH |
| 96 | 79.17 | EDDIE | SMITH |
| 97 | 79.19 | TRACEY | GEE |
| 99 | 79.26 | STEVE | TURNER |
| 112 | 82.23 | TOM | ROGERS |
| 133 | 84.32 | LIZ | STANIER |
| 134 | 84.33 | RALPH | WEDLOCK |
| 135 | 84.35 | ESTHER | HUGHES |
| 137 | 85.38 | KAREN | DAVIES |
| 138 | 85.38 | JOHN | GREATHOLDER |
| 139 | 85.47 | JAMES | THORPE |
| 158 | 88.23 | MICHAEL | JONES |
| 170 | 89.48 | BILL | WHITWORTH |
| 172 | 90.31 | SARAH | JOHNSON |
| 182 | 92.48 | JOHN | LEESE |
| 184 | 92.55 | KAREN | MURRAY |
| 203 | 99.15 | SALLY | LIGGINS |
| 208 | 100.50 | DENISE | ROGERS |
| 209 | 101.40 | MICHAEL | MOORE |
| 217 | 109.54 | JUDITH | COLEMAN |
| 220 | 117.55 | SARA | BROOME |
Telford Fireworks 5ml
24/10/10
Only four stafford harriers made the short journey to telford for the “telford fireworks 5 miler” as most others seemed to be running/walking/waiting to move in the Birmingham half marathon!! On a cold but sunny morning we made our way to the start line (which was easier said than done as there didn’t seem to be any signs pointing out the right direction so we kept asking passing runners which way it was) and waited for the off. As 11am came around we started with a lap and 3/4 of a small running track and then headed along a path up a very small hill (the only one on the course) and into a variety of tree lined tracks and paths until we ended up on a tree lined cycle path which we ran down until we had done about 3 and a half miles. At that point we had a sharp turn around a bollard and headed back the way we had just come until we reached the finish (which strangely was on the cycle path and not back in the running track where there was a lot more room). 78 runners completed the race. I was a bit disappointed with my time as i hadn’t beaten my previous best 5 mile race time which had been in the JCB 5 miler (which has got a lot more hills) but all in all it wasn’t a bad race and has P.B potential.
The harriers times are:-
Paul Thacker 29:35 (9th)
Mark Bridgwood 31:56 (16th)
Darren Mattocks 36:13 (34th)
Ralph Wedlock 39:41 (45th)
The winning runner was Mark Powell in 25:56.
Report from Mark Bridgwood
BIRMINGHAM HALF MARATHON
24/10/2010
Report from Liz Stanyer: A rather early 9am start for the Birmingham half marathon and despite getting there with plenty of time Andy and I could not get anywhere near our allotted time area. There are no pens, just a long thick mass of runners the length of Broad Street who are supposed to congregate near the colour on their number. However, this doesn’t happen and it appears to be a case of first there gets to the front regardless of ability. So about 15 mins after the starters gun we crossed the chip timing start mat and jogged very slowly for 30 metres to then come to a complete standstill. The course had suddenly narrowed and we had to walk! This walk/jog/stop/start continued for about 2 minutes when it became quite clear that we were going nowhere fast amongst the mass of fun runners, walkers and the hordes of people to negotiate. The frustration at not being able to run was huge, and unfortunately this weaving and dodging and tripping and stopping did not ease until about the 6 mile mark. 6 miles of congestion and the realisation that personal times were out of the window. Even after 6 miles we were still struggling to maintain a pace due to the sheer mass of runners. Whilst I am moaning, the water stations were a disaster with marshalls totally ill equipped to cope with the volume of runners. We had to stop and open the packs ourselves to get a bottle out.
There are a couple of long drag hills with a nasty hill at the 10 mile mark which is steep followed by another long drag ahead. Otherwise the rest of the course is fairly flat.
The highlights of the race were the weather and the last half mile into the city centre with the huge crowds lining Broad Street.
There were quite a few Harriers running today and I hope their experiences were more positive. The key to this race seems to be to start to line up in Broad Street early and as close to the front as you can to get a chance at running the race instead of stumbling around for half of it.
Sorry Birmingham, I was expecting great things from this race but have been left incredibly frustrated and disappointed. Rant over!
Report from Denise Rogers:Just a quick email to up date you on Birmingham Half marathon, we wanted to let you know the finish chip time is not our actual finish time due to the fact that we had to wait for between 2 to 5 minutes to cross the finish line, they did not leave enough space to take the chips off so impacting on the finish line. All in all it was one of the worst run races I have have ever run, and I’m living to regret talking Tom in to doing it after the problems we experenced in the first race two years ago. It’s not a race I would not recommend to any runner to take part in!
| Posn. Athlete | Chip Time | |
| 164 Sally Gray | 01:24:38 | |
| 211 Steve Vaughan | 01:26:00 | |
| 698 Ian Talbot | 01:31:41 | |
| 1197 Tanmay Joshi | 01:34:34 | |
| 1268 Andrea Sutton | 01:39:45 | |
| 2688 Keith Faint | 01:46:23 | |
| 2691 Robin Eley | 01:46:14 | |
| 3303 Dave Cook | 01:43:45 | |
| 3945 Elizabeth Stanyer | 01:48:32 | |
| 4409 Shane Duggan | 01:51:10 | |
| 4743 Andy Bourne | 01:52:46 | |
| 4758 Esther Hughes | 01:53:20 | |
| 7097 Sarah Johnson | 02:07:33 | |
| 8701 Alison Kelly | 02:16:22 | |
| 8704 Joanne Carson | 02:13:03 | |
| 9225 Denise Rogers | 02:19:02 | |
| 9320 Tom Rogers | 02:19:46 |
AVIEMORE HALF MARATHON
17/10/10
Nearly 1000 runners took part in the 5th running of this event, under pleasant conditions and on a scenic course that was mainly downhill but featuring a steady climb from the 3.5 miles to 4.5 miles points.
Peter Sarson was the first Harrier home in a time of 1:29:06 – also the 1st “Vintage” (MV60+) class runner and setting the age group course record (since it was the first time this course had ben run).
Twenty-three runners from Stafford Harriers and other local clubs who had joined the coach trip – organised by Bill Whitworth and driven by George Singh – ran in the Half and two others ran in the associated 10k race.
Andrew Carter, who has been suffering ankle problems, ran the 10k race and finished 324th out of 380 runners in 1:04:59.
| Gun Pos | Name | Category | Club | Gun Time | Chip Time | Chip Pos | |
| 8 | Darren Washington | M | VET | City of Stoke | 01:16:25 | 01:16:25 | 8 |
| 48 | Peter Sarson | M | VINTAGE | Stafford Harriers | 01:29:06 | 01:29:02 | 50 |
| 68 | Deborah Thomas | F | SENIOR | Trentham AC | 01:32:25 | 01:32:20 | 70 |
| 101 | Kenneth Bloor | M | SUPERVET | Trentham AC | 01:35:57 | 01:35:28 | 97 |
| 115 | Mark Bentley | M | VET | Stafford Harriers | 01:37:45 | 01:37:40 | 117 |
| 125 | Chris Owen | M | SENIOR | Stafford Harriers | 01:38:32 | 01:38:28 | 132 |
| 178 | Robert Simpson | M | VET | Stafford Harriers | 01:41:52 | 01:41:33 | 180 |
| 183 | Rosemary Wilson | F | SUPERVET | Trentham AC | 01:42:04 | 01:41:58 | 194 |
| 187 | Tracey Gee | F | VET | Stafford Harriers | 01:42:11 | 01:41:41 | 190 |
| 196 | Eddie Smith | M | SUPERVET | Stafford Harriers | 01:42:27 | 01:41:59 | 195 |
| 277 | Clive Baggaley | M | VINTAGE | Uttoxeter RR | 01:47:24 | 01:46:56 | 281 |
| 278 | Guy Collins | M | SENIOR | Uttoxeter RR | 01:47:24 | 01:47:04 | 284 |
| 285 | Jill Phillips | F | VET | Stafford Harriers | 01:47:48 | 01:47:36 | 294 |
| 314 | Colin Earp | M | VINTAGE | South Cheshire Harriers | 01:49:42 | 01:49:15 | 317 |
| 336 | John Finney | M | VINTAGE | Stafford Harriers | 01:50:58 | 01:50:39 | 347 |
| 410 | Colin Pheasant | M | SUPERVET | Cannock Chase Harriers | 01:54:34 | 01:54:32 | 438 |
| 450 | Sarah Johnson | F | VET | Stafford Harriers | 01:56:28 | 01:55:24 | 452 |
| 470 | Darren Taylor | M | VET | Cannock Chase Harriers | 01:57:00 | 01:56:32 | 479 |
| 532 | George Singh | M | VINTAGE | Stafford Harriers | 01:59:27 | 01:58:24 | 536 |
| 551 | Bill Whitworth | M | VINTAGE | Stafford Harriers | 02:00:04 | 01:59:00 | 555 |
| 579 | Brian Langston | M | VINTAGE | Stafford Harriers | 02:00:56 | 01:59:53 | 580 |
| 589 | Michael Jones | M | VINTAGE | Stafford Harriers | 02:01:27 | 02:01:05 | 605 |
| 866 | Amanda Pearce | F | SUPERVET | Stafford Harriers | 02:18:22 | 02:17:07 | 853 |
BELLS OF PATTINGHAM
17/10/10
On a cold, frosty and slightly foggy October morning, the 21st Bells Run took place in the beautiful surrounding countryside of the picturesque Staffordshire village of Pattingham.
With nearly 800 runners taking part, the run continues to be a successful and recognised event in the running calendar. The Junior Race, introduced in 2009, continues to grow in runners entering and is seen as a future expansion of the Bells Run day.
Tony Ainsworth, the Race Director, commented on the smooth running of the race and praised all the many helpers from the village. “Without the help of those registering runners, providing drinks, marshalling the course, the start, the finish, the car parks, making and cutting the fruit cake, sorting the results and many, many more tasks, this race would not be the tremendous success that it is. Thanks to everyone”.
All runners receive a Bells Run brass, which this year carried the “21” design theme, including this year’s winner, David Evans No. 164 from Finchfield, Wolverhampton and a member of Wolverhampton and Bilston aesthetics Club, who completed the course in 40 minutes, 32 seconds.
The winning lady was Trish Morgan No 1074 from Fordhouses, Wolverhampton and a member of the same club as the winner. She completed the course in 50 minutes, 10 seconds..
Harrier results to follow.
Before the run
CONGLETON LIONS HALF MARATHON
10/10/10
A sunny warm, but not hot, morning provided pleasant running conditions for the seven
Harriers who made the journey for an early 9:30am start. Well done to Chris, Tom and Denise on their PB’s. Chris passed Peter Sarson at 9mls and was only caught in the last half mile of the race.
Race winner was Mike Halman of Wilmslow RC in 1:14:44 and first lady home was Sarah Louise Cumber of Halifax Harriers in 1:23:14 (22nd place).
674 finished.
TRACKLESS 10ml
03/10/10
The torrential rain that continued all Sunday morning appears to have put-off most runners from running – even training I expect. Certainly the turnout for this race proved to be abysmally low. Mike Jones says ” at least all the puddles on the way back cleaned off the mud that became attached to our shoes on the way out!”.
Just 11 runners completed the course. I don’t believe anyone actually drowned:
BADGER BITE 6k
03/10/10
I know what you are going to say, 6k isn’t that far. Until the badger bites you and then 6k is plenty far enough. The race starts with a quick downhill, though recent rain had made it slippery and muddy, this is followed by a grassy uphill section, followed by a tricky single file down hill section which was surprisingly muddy. This was followed by a nice compact track, but again there was a lot of water about for some reason. This was then followed by another uphill section with some narrow slippery paths.
One of the worst sections followed, which was just field but it had been cultivated and the furrows were too wide for a single stride but too narrow for 2 strides so it was hard to keep your rhythm; but at least it wasn’t over-muddy. The last section is the return leg of the start section and this is where the bite is – the hill seems to get much steeper. It seems i was the only Harrier and finished in 27.52, knocking nearly 1.5m from last years time on a much harder course.
First male Robin Sedman-Smith 22.45, telford ac
First female Tess Parkinson 27.08, wolves&bilston
weather: it finally stopped raining. 251 ran
Report from Chris Owen