Race Reports
Gade Valley Harriers Lead from the Gun
Last Saturday 14th June local running club Gade Valley Harriers scored an emphatic win in tropical conditions by leading The South Downs Marathon Relay from start to finish.
The South Downs Marathon Relay is a fast growing trail race that attracts teams from all over the British Isles. It is conducted over 26.2 miles of the glorious (but challenging) ‘South Downs Way’. Each team is made up of 4 runners who have responsibility for completing 1 leg of the relay each. The runners have to drive to their nominated handover points and the finish time for each team is recorded when the last runner passes the finish point.
This year the first Gade Valley Harriers men’s team had something to prove as they came second in this relay last year. Rich Coles took command of the race right from the gun leading a field of over 70 teams of which only 61 finished. He ran a blistering first leg and handed to Guy Wollett after 7 miles with a minutes lead. Guy then caught the marshals and George Milton who was running leg 3 by surprise because he ran the 2nd leg so fast they weren't ready for him! George consolidated the lead and handed over to Vince Ellerby who finished off in style to win by some margin.
It wasn’t just all about the men Gade Valley fielded a strong side with 50% of the club taking part. Club rivalry was fierce and three of the teams were locked in a head to head battle over the first two legs changing over within seconds of each other. Due to last minute injuries several of the men ran two legs to ensure that all 8 teams finished. The Harriers were at the finish on mass to cheer home their teams in 1st, 5th, 16th (4th ladies team), 20th, 23rd 47th, 51st and 56th.
Ladies Team Captain Claire McDonnell commented that “it was an excellent way to get competitive and try out racing without doing it alone. It also a great introduction to the challenges and enjoyment of trail running as it was the first time many in the club and competed in an event like this”. Men’s team captain Andy Newing added that “it shows the strength in depth of the club as all abilities took part” and even the club mascot (the Big Gade Bear) got his moment of fame crossing the line tucked under Fanny Yiasoumi’s arm!
If the adventures of the Harriers have inspired you to dust off your trainers they meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6.45 at Boxmoor Cricket Club and all abilities are very welcome. For further information you can visit their website on www.gadevalleyharriers.co.uk or call the club secretary Simon Bright on 07939226785.
full version of article that appeared in the Gazette.
Run for
the Craic – Dublin Half Marathon Saturday 22nd September 2007
We hooked up on Friday
evening and great restraint was shown by all with just a quick reconnaissance of
the famous Temple Bar area and a single Guinness each. The reader will
appreciate that the highly tuned athlete needs to keep in tip top shape.
On Saturday (race day) the weather played its part and if anything it was
perhaps slightly too warm. I note the veterans of this year’s tropical London
marathon looked up at the cloudless sky with a weary eye. The race route runs on
tarmac roads through the massive Phoenix Park on the outskirts of Dublin looping
back on itself so you know what you are in for in the second half of the race.
The surroundings are more manicured park than open countryside but overall it’s
a very pleasant spot. I haven’t done enough races to be sure but I am guessing
this is not a bad event if you are looking for a strong time. Certainly our
number posted more than respectable times with a sprinkling of personal bests
and general satisfaction felt by all. Special mention to Steve who went over and
beyond the call of running, what is your health and sanity compared to a PB!
Post race satisfied but aching we headed into Dublin city for some sight seeing
and entertainment. Well done to Julie for suggesting the open top bus tour. I
fear my legs wouldn’t have been up to anything more strenuous. On Martin's advice
we judiciously drank many pints of the Irish carbohydrate replenishment drink
(black with a white top), unfortunately we failed to find a bar playing ‘diddly
diddly’ music!
I am not sure who the organisational masterminds behind the weekend were but I
think thanks are due to Claire/Vicky/Sandra. Everything from transport to race
entry to accommodation seemed to run seamlessly.
In summary a splendid weekend in all respects I will look forward to more of the
same.
Please click
here
to see the photos.
By Bill Brimacombe (future co author of 'Running for the Drinking Man')
Gade Valley Harriers Score an Amazing Double 2nd - Saturday 16th June 2007
Last Saturday local running club Gade Valley Harriers scored an amazing double 2nd in the challenging off road South Downs Marathon Relay.
The marathon relay is conducted over 4 legs. Each team is made up of 4 runners who have responsibility for completing 1 leg of the relay each. The runners have to drive to their nominated handover points and the finish time for each team is recorded when the last runner passes the finish point. Overcoming a couple of near disasters the Harriers had four teams in the race, two mens, one womens and a mixed. Despite the logistics of getting 16 runners from Hemel to the Start in Arundel before 9am the race got off without a hitch (unless you count Claire McDonnell forgetting her trail shoes!) The next stage presented a near disaster when one of the cars failed to start. However the Harriers were made of sterner stuff and with a quick change of plan the ladies team (and all their kit) was scattered between the other cars. The race was on!
The route took in some of the most glorious views of the South Downs Way. However, the Harriers did not have any time to soak it in, the hills they had to tackle ranged from playful to positively mountainous and the weather was British to say the least, glorious sunshine interspersed with torrential rain!
The adverse weather conditions did nothing to dampen the spirits or the performances. From the start Guy Woollett set the pace and put the mens team into a commanding second position, Jon Roberts, Vince Ellerby and Bill Hawes held off all challengers ensuring they finished a fantastic 2nd in an impressive 2 hours 59 minutes. The second team of Russ Haynes, Bill Brimacombe, Martin Storrie and Olly Courtney ran a commendable race clocking personal bests to finish 9th in 3 hours 20 minutes. A strong start from Claire McDonnell on leg one, Sandra Mogan on leg two was enhanced by a flying third leg from Lisa Oldham and secured by Vicky Crawley who overtook six teams on the final leg bringing the women home in 3 hours 35, 18th overall and the 2nd women's team. The fourth team of Simon Bright, Jacky Eskerdale, Andy Newing and Paula Cook though hampered by injury ran a gutsy race and completed the 26.2 miles in 3 hours 50, 33rd out of the 77 teams that competed. All that running is thirsty work and the Harriers made sure the town of Chichester was well and truly painted red!
Please click here to see the photos
If the adventures of the Harriers have inspired you to dust off your trainers they meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6.45 at Boxmoor Cricket Club and all abilities are very welcome. For further information you can call the club secretary Simon Bright on 07939 226785.