[Photo credit: Dave Woodhead / Woodentops]
From Jean Sullivan…
Race wins and club records broken for the Harriers this week!
Tom Adams stormed to the finish to win the Llongollen fell race this weekend, crossing the line almost twenty minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. Tom completed the 17-mile course in an impressive 1:53:24. This race involves 3,000ft of climbing and takes in beautiful views across Trevor Rocks, Eglwyseg Mountain and Rhuabon Mountain, before running back down Offas Dyke and along the beautiful Worlds End Trail back towards the finish. This race raises vital funds for the local mountain rescue, North East Wales Search and Rescue.
Win number two of the week for the Harriers saw Ed Hobbs stealing the show at the Vale of York 10-mile race. This road race, organised by Evensplits, takes place in Rufforth, running south along fast, flat closed roads in the villages west of York and east of Leeds. Ed had a superb run, finishing almost a minute ahead of the second finisher. Dan McKeown was the second Harrier home and took second prize in his age category, with Dan in 20th place overall out of a field of over 500 runners. Beth Massey was the third Harrier over the line, in a great time of 1:08:47.
There was also a five-mile option at this race with three Ilkley Harriers opting to run this course. Leo Graham led the Ilkley Harriers home in a speedy time of 33:11. He was followed by Petra Bijsterveld who took first place in her age category and also managed to set a new 5-mile FV60 club record. Hilda Coulsey also had a great run and matched Petra with first place in her age category and also setting a new club FV70 club record for the distance.
Five Ilkley Harriers travelled over to Manchester to take part in this year’s Manchester marathon, billed as the UK’s flattest major marathon and the fourth-largest marathon in Europe.
Michael Odell led the Harriers home to finish in an incredible time of 2:39:20, with Michael finishing in 113th place overall. A superb sub-three-hour finish also for Matt Cox, in 2:44:09, with Matt also setting a new club M45 record for a marathon time. Peter De Sanctis also had a great run, completing the course in an impressive 3:12:13. Dave Reynier had another impressive race, finishing in 3:22:17. Marie Watson, new to the marathon scene, completed her first marathon finishing more than comfortably under the four-hour mark in an impressive 3:53:12.
Also on the road, Adam Gerrish took part in the City of Lincoln 10km race, with Adam completing the route in sub-40 minutes in an impressive time of 38:57. This popular Lincolnshire race takes in many of Lincoln’s iconic sights including the Roman walls, Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle.
Also in Lincolnshire, the Boston 10km was held this weekend, with Harrier Jaysson Sawyer on the comeback trail and taking part in this race. Jaysson completed the course in a great time of 47:36.
Race number two of the popular Bunny Run series took place on a very wet Tuesday evening. These three-mile races with 300ft of ascent are organised by Wharfedale Harriers, with the added incentive of a crème egg for all finishers. These races involve a small ‘Egg Stage’ loop, followed by a second longer loop on Penistone Hill. Archie Budding led the Ilkley Harriers home, finishing in a superb second place overall in a time of 17:12. Alex Wolfenden was the second Harrier, in 12th place overall, with Oscar Shinn hot on his heels to finish in 13th. Rachel Carter led the Ilkley ladies home, followed by Sarah Hayes and Lizzie Reilly.
Race number three of the York Evensplits series took place this week. These 5km races are held at the University of York Sport Village Cycle Circuit, with this flat and fast course offering great potential for a personal best time. Five Ilkley Harriers took part, with Archie Budding again leading the Harriers home to finish in a superb sixth place overall in a time of 15:47. Great performances from the other Harriers too, with Archie’s dad Rob finishing in first place in his age category, Steven Gott and Mark Iley taking second place in their respective age categories and Brit Tate taking third place in her age category.
Overseas, Sally Armitage took part in the Frauen Fun Run in Vienna. This race is a ladies-only 5km run up and down the Hauptallee in the Prater. Sally finished in an impressive third place in a time of 19:05, out of a field of 305 runners. She even had her own cyclist to follow, a privilege bestowed to the first three runners. Sally’s third-place finish meant she made it to the podium for the prize-giving ceremony.
The weekly timed 5km parkrun series remained as popular as ever this week with 31 Harriers taking part in various events around the country. Notable performances included: Jack Wood who was the first to finish at the Chevin Forest parkrun, David Foyston who was the first finisher at the Roberts Park parkrun and Ruth Kitchen was the first lady to finish at the same venue. Lots of other Harriers managed top ten finishing places including Oscar Shinn who was the third finisher at the Roberts Park parkrun, with Mike Abrams-Cohen in fourth. John Hayes and Adam Gerrish were fifth finishers at the Skipton and Yarborough Leisure Centre parkruns respectively, with Mark Mon-Williams the seventh across the line at the Chevin Forest parkrun. Alison Bennet completed the Bradford parkrun in a superb time of 21:43, giving her a very impressive age grading of 89.33%.