For the fourth consecutive year, Halifax Harriers had their annual club trip to Majorca. Once again, they had warm and sunny weather for the half marathon and 10k runs. These are one of the few races undertaken by club members intent on having a good time in the warm weather rather than worrying about setting PB’s. This does not stop runners trying their best, but, with the warm conditions and the nature of the course, times are less important than enjoying the day.
The 10k and half marathon both follow the same 6 miles from the start in front of the magnificent cathedral. The route follows the seafront for the first 3 miles, passing the harbour full of expensive boats, before returning back to the start for the 10k runners. The half marathon then follows a twisting, undulating route along narrow alleyways in the old town where there are spectators around each corner.
In the half marathon, which attracted 4000 runners, Halifax Harriers were led home by April Caufield (12th lady) in 1:32:39. Will Stewart was the first man back in 1:37:22. Raymond Hall was next to finish in 1:43:41 (1st M70), now starting to regain some of his old form after a long layoff.
Other runners for the club in the half marathon were Wayne Stevens 1:52:09, Jonny Lister 1:56:08, David Broadley 1:57:32, Fiona Murphy 1:58:51, Andrea Ackroyd 2:05:05, Deborah Kirkbride 2:13:00, Keith Midgley 2:13:02, Susan Hall 2:24:01, Jenny St Romaine 2:24:55.
In the 10k, Halifax Harriers had 7 runners. Once again, first back was Simon Johnson 38:05 (3rd M50) in 25th place out of almost 3000 runners. First lady for the club was Hazel Berrett 50:05 (3rd F55).aH
Other runners for the club in the 10k were Craig Empsall 45:28, Paul Hopkinson 47:41, John Moore 52:54, Jenny Hopkinson 56:05, Michelle Broadley 57:25.
OTHER RACES THIS WEEKEND
Halifax Harriers had numerous runners at races in the UK over the weekend. Samantha Sugden was in action at the Yorkshire marathon in which she ran 4:05:34. At the Yorkshire 10 mile race four club members competed with Adrian Thomas first back in 18th position in 58:15, Stephen Rainbow ran 1:07:47, Marc Rocheteau 1:14:17, Jane Curwen 1:31:10.
At the Manchester half marathon Ian Whitehouse was first back in 1:22:48, James O’Rourke ran 1:27:11, Tom Paget 1:28:55, Angela Clarke 1:40:28, Nigel Rigg 1:44:35, Sharon Cousen 1:47:43, Philip Davis 1:54:21.
Nigel Corns ran 1:49:11 at the Leicester half marathon.
At the Roche Abbey 20 mile trail run Hanni Maeer was first lady in 3:06:24 and 5th finisher.
Peter Clegg was 1st at the King of the Hills Half marathon in Huddersfield 1:28:43
Halifax Harrier Sarah Cumber took the scalp of ex-Olympian Mara Yamauchi at the Oxford half marathon. Sarah just pipped Yamauchi by 14 seconds when winning the F45 age group in 1:23:59. Mara Yamauchi represented GB at the 2008 Olympics when she finished 6th in the marathon. Also at the Oxford half marathon was Halifax Harrier Marc Rocheteau who ran 1:40:00.
Halifax Harriers had runners at several other races at the weekend.
April Caufield was back to good form being the 3rd lady finisher at the Rochdale half marathon in 1:29:51. Will Stewart also ran the half marathon and finished in 1:34:01. John Moore ran the 10k race at Rochdale in a time of 49:09.
David Parrington set a PB of 4:13:55 at the Chester Marathon despite taking a bad fall at the 18 mile point.
At the strangely named Hedgehog half marathon Hanni Maeer finished in 1:49:11.
Halifax Harriers also had runners out on the fells at the Withins Skyline, with both juniors and seniors competing. In the juniors, Sam Keighley was 6th U/9 boy and Jessica Sanderson was 20th U/11 girl. First senior man back for Halifax Harriers was Steven Sladdin 44th and first senior lady was Hazel Berrett 181st, followed by Sarah Sladdin 187th and Jane Hobson 206th.
Following the senior athletes success in the West Yorkshire Track & Field Championships, Halifax Harriers junior members also competed well for the medals.
Isobelle Bloem U/15 won the silver medal in the 200 metres to round off a wonderful season following her top 5 in the English Schools 300m.
Team mate Tegan Hamilton-Adams won silver in the shot and a PB 4.25m in the long jump. Heleanor MacDonald, improving on the track, also took the bronze medal in the shot.
U/15 male Ethan Clarke ran a PB in the 200m and was 4th in the long jump.
In the U/13 athletes, Elise Horner won the gold in a runaway victory and showed her versatility with gold in the 80m, with team mate Maisie Brown getting the bronze.
U/13 boy Kai Daley, who was 2nd in the West Yorkshire League, excelled again with gold in the long jump 4.72m to rank him joint 1st place in Yorkshire.
U/11 Nia Harrison-Sargent was 1st in the 600m and 2nd in the 75m, following 1st place in the West Yorkshire League.
U/11 boys
Owen Helliwell 1st in the 75m and 1st in the long jump
Leo Riches 1st in the 600m and 3rd in the 75m
Harrison Goldthorpe 2nd in the 600m and 2nd in the 75m
Louis Augustine 2nd in the shotput and 4th in the long jump
Reubin McLoughlin 3rd in the long jump and 4th in the 75m.
A terrific effort by all who took part.