Seven athletes represented the Harriers at the Yorkshire Championship in Cudworth, near Barnsley at the weekend. In the under-17 women, Nia Harrison Sargent was a silver medalist in the 300 metres with a personal best (PB) time of 41.11 and achieved a bronze medal in the 800 metres. Not to be outdone, sister Kitty in the under-15 girls also clinched a silver medal in the 300 metres (42.01) and a bronze in the 800 metres (2.16) achieving PBs in both events.
In the under-15 boys, Ben Slow clocked a time of 2:09 (PB) in the 800 metres and an excellent 4th place and Sam Keighley ran in the under-15 boys 3000 metres, breaking the club record thanks to a PB of 10:10.
Chester Gately for the under-17 men ran the 800 metres (2.07) and in the 1500 metres came home in 5th place with a time of 4:19.03 (PB). In the under-20 men's category, Jacob Ewart ran the 800 metres (2.09) and in the 400 metres finished 5th in a time just shy of his PB in 53.9. Maisie Brown also ran the 400 metres in the under-20 women's category with a 6th place finish and another PB time of 62.94.
photo, left to right, Ben Slow, Jacob Ewart, Chester Gately, Sam Keighley, Kitty Harrison-Sargent, Nia Harrison Sargent
Seven Harriers ran in Sunday's Bluebell Trail Race, organised by Stainland Lions and setting off from West Vale. Harry Johnson had a magnificent race, finishing the hilly 10.3 mile multi-terrain course in second place in 1:11:36. Gareth Burrell was next, coming nineteenth in 1:24:32. Jane Hobson was the first of our two ladies, clocking 1:48:11 in third place in the FV50 category. Other Harriers were; Simon Johnson (1:28:34), Will Carver (1:28:47), James O'Rourke (1:29:07) and Stef Dickinson (1:48:42).
Jane reported, "The weather was warm and sunny, but parts of the course were really muddy and very slippery underfoot due to rain on the preceding day, especially in Elland Woods. It was certainly not boring! There were a few slips and falls. The river crossing was highly refreshing and great fun. Some describe the race as brutal, but it’s still my favourite! The marshals and organisation were great as usual."
Nineteen young Halifax Harriers athletes participated in this season's first Yorkshire Development League meeting at Cleckheaton.
The 800 metres provided a flurry of personal bests (pbs). In the boys under 15 race, Ben Slow, 2nd place in a pb time of 2.12, ably supported by Sam Keighley in 3rd place. A pb of 2.47 and 2nd place for Abbie Brown in the under 15 girls. Connie Wood 1st in the under 13 girls (pb 2.51), Paige Richardson 3rd place and James Dix a 2nd place and pb for the under 13 boys. The under 17 women saw another 1st place for Nia Harrison with a time of 2.17.
The 1500 metres saw two 1st places for Ralf Jones in the under 15 boys and Annie Thorp in the under 17 girls and Faye Skilbeck 3rd in the under 15 girls race. Alesha Atkinson with a time of 4.13 was 2nd in the 1200 metres.
There were also successes in the sprints and field events with a number of first, second and third places.
The under 13 girls 4 by 100 metres relay team was another 1st place (team; Paige Richardson, Connie Wood, Lily and Alesha Atkinson).
The final event was the under 15 boys 4 x300 metre relay with the boys bringing home the baton in 1st position in a time of 3.05. (Team: Adam Barber, Sam Keighley, Ollie Powell and Ben Slow).