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).
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.