Plenty of Harriers have been out racing over the past few days. Here is a summary:
Bradford 10k
Harriers were well represented at Sunday's Bradford 10k with 31 runners amongst the almost 1,000 strong field. The race was the latest counter in the club's road race championships. Liam Parkin was the first Harrier home in 17th place in 35:58. Aaron Bergin (36:47) and Will Stewart (37:57) also made the top 30. There were age group successes for Rachael Beaumont (2nd F50), Susan Hall (2nd F70), James O'Rourke (3rd M45) and Rob Hick (3rd M65). Eight Harriers also took advantage of the mainly flat course and good running conditions to set personal best times; Matthew Green (39:10), Harris Faulkner (42:46), Howard Coney (43:57), David Parrington (48:14), Jack Melia (49:34), Angela Cowton (56:56), Lucia Cattermole (1:09:14) and Heidi Coney (1:18:13).
Edinburgh 10k and Half Marathon
Two Harriers were in action in Scotland's capital city over the weekend. On Saturday, Stephen Rainbow finished 20th in the Edinburgh 10k in 40:07 and was second in the M40 age category. The course went up and around Arthur's Seat. Stephen reported that, "Conditions were tough on the day as the weather was hot and sunny, but there was also a strong headwind for the exposed parts of the course. Conditions definitely impacted the field compared to previous years." Jane Stewart set a PB of 2:09:12 in Sunday's Edinburgh half marathon.
Wuther Heights Wander
Three members continued their progress from the club's couch to 5k programme, competing in Saturday's Wuther Heights Wander Trail race on the hills and trails above Haworth. Mel Sutcliffe (1:06:03), Clare Fountain (1:08:41) and Gemma Weatherby (1:08:41) all completed the demanding 5.2 mile course, taking in 670' of ascent. Clare commented, "We started at 11:30 and it was beautiful scenery in the sunshine but, wow, I was hot by the end. Across the moors, up and down stony sections with a bit of road and them up, up, up around Bronte falls, round by the reservoir and into Haworth through the churchyard to finish in the car park where we started." Group 1 leaders, Jude and Jenny, cycled out to support the runners, which was much appreciated. The duo also cycled to Bradford on Sunday to cheer on their clubmates as did Mark Crabtree. Many thanks to all three for their support.
Hebden Bridge Fell Race
Nine Harriers took part in last Thursday evening's That's So Hebden Bridge Fell Race. Starting on the canal side in Hebden, runners make their way up a series of steep climbs to the Stoodley Pike Monument before running across the moors and descending through woods. Fred Carver completed the 6.5 mile course with over 1,100' of ascent in 51:13, placing ninth overall and was first male under 23. Next came the three Wills; Cattermole (52:59), Carver (55:18) and Stewart (55:54). All finished in the top 20 as did Lee Cattermole (56:13). April Caufield was close behind, placing fourth woman in 59:13. Chris Standish, Kirsty Carver and Martin Ellis also competed for the Harriers.
April commented, "Do you ever fancy entering a fell race spontaneously to crawl up a steep heather-clad hillside, run through bogs, trip over tussocks and tree roots? Well tonight this road runner made a rare appearance on the fells and loved every second."
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