Both Halifax Harriers ladies and men’s teams were winners at the Helen Windsor 10k which was run on a lovely summer evening with blue sky and still conditions.
The race, which comprises of a small lap and then a larger lap setting off from Greetland Allrounders Rugby Club, attracted a field of 240 runners from local clubs and unattached competitors. The race incorporated the Yorkshire Vets 10k Championships with trophies for all age groups from 35 years to 75 years.
The race was promoted by Halifax Harriers AC and both their ladies and men’s teams were winners. The ladies team consisted of Johanna Sutcliffe 40:09 (2nd lady, 1st F40), Helen Ward 42:23 (1st F35) and Angela Clarke 47:21. Ben Crowther 34:45 (3rd Male) led home the men’s team, followed by Harry Johnson 38:17 and Michael King 38:34.
The race was won by Joe Sagar (Spenborough) in a new record time of 33:17. The ladies winner was Fiona Davies (Rotherham), also in a new record time of 38:34.
Other runners for the club were James Johnson 39:38, Niall Smith 41:12, Mark Crabtree 41:21 (2nd M60), James O’Rourke 41:29, David Ingle 42:26 (2nd M55), Marc Rocheteau 44:53, Robert Hick 46:15, Ian Giles 46:34, Sean Morland 47:44, Richard Palethorpe 48:15, Nigel Taylor 48:32, Erika Nightingale 50:08 (3rd F40), David Broadley 50:33, James Goldsmith 50:56, Jane Hobson 53:08, Rachel McCauley 54:17, Geraldine Roby 55:05 (1st F60), Christopher Kirkbride 61:24, Penny Bottomley 62:18, Sue Corney 64:21 (2nd F65), Richard Corney 64:21.
Having missed the first major BMC meet through injury, Max Burgin might have been forgiven for having a conservative run at Loughborough on Saturday. Instead, he surged to the front of the 800m A race after 120 metres and left the field, which had looked very competitive on paper, trailing over ten metres behind by the finish. His time of 1:46:80 was a new BMC junior men's record, the 7th fastest U20 time in the UK all time list (putting him in some ilustrious company) and was the 6th fastest run by any UK athlete this year. To cap it all off, this time also broke Steve Ovett's long standing record for a 17 year old. Provided there is no adverse reaction this should put Max in the frame for the European Junior championships this year. A good day for the Burgin family with Dad/coach Ian and Granddad Brian in attendance. Another good day for Halifax Harriers too.
Halifax Harriers Johanna Sutcliffe was first lady at the Joe Percy 10k in 39:53 winning by just 9 seconds in a tight battle with Margaret Beevers from Stainland Lions 40:03.
Helen Ward also showed her impressive improvements are continuing to finish as fourth lady in 42.21 (1st F35), only a few seconds outside her PB time which was set on a much flatter course.
The Joe Percy race starts with a steady climb in the first 800m before the two lap course with 500ft of ascent. Most runners times are a couple of minutes slower than when running on a flat course.
Halifax Harriers men were led home by Ben Crowther in sixth place with an excellent time of 34:49. Michael Gaughan was next in 37:48. Possibly the biggest surprise of the night was by under 16 runner James Johnson with a brilliant PB of 38:22 in only his second race over this distance. Just one second behind came Ian Whitehouse 38:23 with the older of the Johnson family Harry clocking 38:51.
Other results for the club were Michael King 38:58, Andrew Wiggins 40:57, Will Stewart 41:06, James O’Rourke 41:10, David Ingle 41:42 (2nd M55), Will Carver 42:00, Robert Hick 44:48, Lee Cattermole 45:44, Tim Pegg 45:49, Richard Palethorpe 46:29, David Nutton 46:32, Marc Rocheteau 46:13, Angela Clarke 46:56, Paul Hopkinson 48:09, Mark Gaughan 48:09, Ian Giles 48:15, Nigel Taylor 48:18, Sean Moorland 48:32, Paul Bunker 48:44, Raymond Hall 49:11 (1st M70), Sophie Kelly 49:10, Sharon Cousen 51:08, John Moore 52:44, Martin Ellis 52:28, Samantha Layfield 53:18, Jane Hobson 53:20, Keith Midgley 53:56 (3rd M65), Rachel McCauley 54:21, Heath Reilly 55:29, Bethan Davies 55:58, Dennis O’Keefe 58:27, Jane Stewart 58:39 (2nd F60), Deborah Kirkbride 59:14, Monica Gallagher 59:31, Jazz Sandhu 60:40, Penny Bottomley 61:49, Jude Baines 63:01, David Cooper 63:00.