Harriers have seen a few track runners competing in early season competitions:
In last weekend’s Doncaster Spring Open, an injured Lou Royston and Maisie Brown competed in a combined age race 400m. Lou finishing 2nd in 61.09s (2nd Senior), and Maisie having stepped up this season from 300m into the u20s, came 5th in 64.69s (2nd under 20); and Rob Mac in combined age range races 200m and 400m, finishing 6th in 200m in 27.2s (2nd V55), and 3rd in 400m in 61.4s (1st V55)
Rob raced again in a windy Sheffield/ Northern Masters Open on Wednesday evening winning his 400m in 61.35s
Having recently joined Harriers and this training group, Lasantha Chandimal (Chandi) has declared he is returning to track running and 400m (after 10 years away). Last Sunday, he opted to run the Cragg Challenge John Jones 1 Mile Dash, winning the downhill race in 4min32secs.
Sixteen Halifax Harriers raced in Sunday’s Cragg Challenge 10k on Cragg Road in Mytholmroyd. The road was closed to traffic for the event. There were seven Harriers amongst the top ten finishers in the latest race in the club road championships. Niall Smith was the first to complete the up and down course, winning the race in 39:14. Will Stewart was close behind coming third in 39:44. April Caufield was second female in fifth overall in 44:28 with Rachael Beaumont third female in ninth in 46:37. Other Harriers were; Will Carver (45:42), David Ingle (45:53), Harris Faulkner (46:17), Tabitha Howe (47:44), Nigel Rigg (51:30), David Parrington (51:55), Paul Hopkinson (52:38), Andrea Ackroyd (53:48), Martin Ellis (54:01), John Moore (56:21), Jenny St Romaine (57:38), Kirsty Carver (58:43).
Junior club member, Beau Clark, put in an outstanding performance in the 5k race, finishing in fifth place in 20:58.
Sarah and Geoff Cumber both ran in the one mile downhill race. Sarah came second overall in 5:16. Geoff clocked 6:59.
Three Harriers participated in Saturday’s Calderdale Way Ultra event. Ryan Barker completed the gruelling 50 mile route with 8,500’ of ascent in third place in 9 hours 36 minutes. Clubmate, Will Carver, finished in 10 hours 56 minutes. Sally Shacklock clocked 7 hours 13 minutes in the 30 mile race. (Unofficial times.)
Also on Saturday, Tom Paget ran in the 68th annual Three Peaks Fell Race in the Yorkshire Dales. Tom completed the 23.3 mile course, climbing nearly 5,300’ over Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, in 5:24:25.
Photo of Harriers at the Cragg Challenge
Harriers have been busy in marathon action over the past two weekends.
Seven club members took part in Sunday's London Marathon. Michael Gaughan was first home in a personal best time of 3:40:19. Angela Clarke (3:41:44) and Joanne Arundale (3:46:06) were also under the 4 hour milestone. Sarah Glyde (4:22:20), Mark Gaughan (4:50:47), Steve Denniss (4:56:38) and John Moore (5:29:54) were the other Harriers to succesfully complete the course.
Five Harriers ran in the previous weekend's Manchester Marathon. Astonishingly, all five set personal best times. Erawan Wanithanont and James O'Rourke both broke the three hour barrier, clocking times of 2:55:28 and 2:58:35 respectively. Harry Johnson was close behind in 3:02:52. Tom Paget (3:12:01) and Ellie Horrocks (3:37:46) also competed.
Well done to all our Harriers participating in these two marathons. All magnificent achievements following a great deal of hard work.
Four Harriers took part in Sunday's Brighouse 10k. Rachel Beaumont was fourth woman and second F50 in 44:51. Howard Coney completed the flat and fast course in 45:42 with Lucia Cattermole (1:11:04) and Heidi Coney (1:22:22) also wearing club colours.
Will Stewart and April Caufield competed in the Magaluf Half Marathon in Mallorca on Sunday, finishing in 1:23:51 and 1:41:30 respectively.
Ryan Barker ran in Saturday's Burnsall Trail Half Marathon (see photo). Ryan finished ninth overall and was first in the V50 category, clocking 1:47:21 on a course that takes in several sections of the Dales Way footpath and has over 1,500' of ascent.
Harriers were again well-represented at the third and final race in the Bunny Run series at Haworth last Tuesday evening with nine running in club colours. Alex Francis finished the off-road 2.7 mile race in 16:13 in third place. Eli Cattermole was first in the BU15 catergory in 18:01 with brother, Will, third BU17 in 17:23. Dad, Lee, and mum, Lucia, trailed in behind their two sons in 19:49 and 35:14 respectively. Liam Parkin, Jane Hobson, Andrea Ackroyd and Jenny St Romaine completed the Harriers line-up.
Will and Eli finished fourth and eighth respectively in the overall series standings. Magnificent achievements, especially for two juniors. Both won first prize for their age groups too. Andrea Ackroyd (LV50) and Jayde McGregor (GU17) were third in their categories for the series.