On what was probably the worst conditions possible, thirteen members of Halifax Harriers ran in the Tatton Park 10k. Persistent cold rain and some wind saw the runners tackle the undulating course which zig-zagged around the park. Most runners were below their best due to the conditions and it being their first race after lockdown.
The Tatton Park 10k was the first event in Halifax Harriers Club Challenge, a series of 14 races over distances of 5k to half marathon.
Michael King was first back for the club in 41:23, followed by Stephen Fitz-Costa 45:17, Marc Rocheteau 47:16 and Nigel Rigg 47:43. Paul Hopkinson was 3rd M60 in 48:52 and Raymond Hall 1st M75 in 52:11. Samantha Lay field ran 53:17, David Parrington 54:26, Emily King 55:27, John Moore 55:56 and Christopher Kirkbride 57:34. Deborah Kirkbride was 2nd F60 in 58:44 and Susan Hall 1st F70 in 65:47.
RUN ABLE 5K
Five Halifax Harriers members entered this race. Sarah Cumber finished in 3rd place and 1st female in 21:13, Will Stewart finished in 5th place in 21:54 with Simon Johnson just behind in 22:05. April Caufield was 2nd lady in 22:21 and Nigel Taylor ran 26:44.
OLD COLLIERY CANTER 20 MILE
Halifax Harriers had three entrants in this 20 mile race. First back was Martin Ellis 3:28:00 with Andrea Ackroyd just behind in 3:31:17 and 1st lady. Jenny St Romaine was 14th in 3:46:04.
RUN AINTREE RACES
At this event there was the option to run either 5k, 10k or half marathon. In the 5k, Halifax Harriers had two runners – Katie Brook 24:59 and John Moore 27:42. In the10k, Ben Crowther was 8th in 33:24, his best time since 2012 when he then ran 32:19.
Halifax Harriers have now resumed full training, both on the track at Spring Hall and the roads around Halifax and are pleased to be able to now start accepting new members to all sessions. (Full details are on the club website)
Max Wharton made a welcome return to competition in the UK after studying and competing abroad for a number of years. In his first race for Halifax Harriers since his return in the BMC Grand Prix 800m, he set a PB of 1:47.24 and a senior club record.
WEST YORKSHIRE TRACK AND FIELD
21 members of Halifax Harriers attended the first West Yorkshire Track and Field event since lockdown with a good number taking the first three places in their events.
In the U11 girls, Kitty Harrison-Sargent was 2nd in the 80m 11.86 and 3rd in the 150m 22.07.
In the U15 girls, Nia Harrison-Sargent was 1st in the 800m 2:19.99 and Jayde McGregor was 3rd in 2:30.35. In the long jump, Nia was 1st in a jump of 4.07m.
In the U17 women, in the 200m Molly Firth was 1st in 26.61 and Elise Horner 2nd in 27.91. Molly Firth was also 1st in the long jump in a jump of 4.46m.
In the senior women discuss, Claire Ryan was 2nd with a throw of 14.62m.
In the U11 boys long jump, Albert Jones was 2nd with a jump of 2.75m.
In the U13 boys 80m, Ben Slow was 3rd 12.07 and in the 150m he was 3rd in 22.92.
In the U15 boys discuss, Elam Hughes was 2nd 16.86 and Oliver Norris 3rd 11.26.
In the U17 men 1500m, Ned Hughes was 3rd 4:40.30.
In the U20 men high jump, Ben Combs was 3rd in 1.45m.
TRAFFORD OPEN TRACK MEET
At this popular event, Elise Horner competed in the 200m and finished 3rd in her heat with a time of 2:23.03.
Lucy Mills ran the 200m in heat 7 and was 1st in 27.97.
BIG FLAT RUNWAY RACES
After another lockdown, Halifax Harriers were back racing again at the Big Flat Runway Races at Elvington Airfield near York.
There were five race distances to choose from – 5k, 10k, 10 mile, half marathon and full marathon. Each race was held over 4.2k laps of the airfield. To comply with Covid regulations, there were no mass starts, but a wave format was used to spread runners out on the course. The day itself was sunny and cool with only light winds to contend with.
Halifax Harriers had some good results, even though training has been limited in recent months due to Covid lockdown. In the 5k, Sarah Cumber set a new F50 club record of 19:29 when finishing as second lady.
The 10k had three runners from Halifax Harriers. Raymond Hall was first back in 50:00 and first M75, John Moore ran 56:37 and Susan Hall was first F70 in 63:48.
In the 10 mile race, Sunny Curwen ran 69:51 and in the half marathon Emma Vincent finished as second F40 in 1:46:37.
The full marathon had two runners from the club with James O’Rourke finishing in 3:10:11 and Tom Paget 3:21:52.
YORK 5K
Two members of Halifax Harriers ran in the York 5k held at University of York Sports Village on the cycle circuit. There was a close fought race between Josh Hall-Brown and Ben Crowther, Hall-Brown breaking the 16 minute barrier for the first time in 15:58 with Crowther only 2 seconds behind in 16:00.
TRAFFORD SENIOR OPEN TRACK MEETING
A few members of Halifax Harriers attended the Trafford Senior Open Track Meeting. In the 800m, U17 Josh Carter ran 2:04 and M50 Mark Goldie 2:19. The 400m runners were Joe MacDonald 54:15, Rob MacDonald 60:06 and Lucy Mills 62:8. Rob MacDonald also ran the 200m in 27:0.