Sixteen Harriers ran in the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on Sunday. Conditions were hot and humid but runners were boosted by a brilliant atmosphere. Ryan Barker was the first to finish, completing the tough undulating course in 3:09:37 in 113th place. Will Carver was next in a personal best time of 3:14:16. Will, an experienced off-road ultra-distance runner, was running his first road marathon for four years. Carl Dawson (3:34:58) and Marc Rocheteau (3:59:05) also broke the four hour barrier. Four Harriers were taking part in their first road marathons; Ellen Limebear, Jack Melia, Tim Slow and Jenny St Romaine. Full results are in Recent Races. Congratulations to all our runners!
Two Harriers competed in the Leeds half marathon on the same day. Stephen Rainbow finished 41st in 1:27:49 with Angela Cowton clocking 2:17:31.
Rachel Standish was 14th in Sunday’s Ravenscar 10k on the east coast between Scarborough and Whitby. Rachel completed the challenging off-course route in 56:54.
Angela Clarke ran the 36th Jack Bloor Fell Race on Ilkley Moor last Tuesday, finishing the hilly 8.4k course in 1:05:23.
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."