This weekend saw several Harriers hitting the race trail again in 2024.
The Pagan Midwinter Marathon and Half Marathon took place on Saturday the 20th January, described as a supreme challenge in testing Dartmoor Winter conditions.
Seasoned Harrier Nick Page competed in the half marathon finishing in 3 hours 15:35
Harriers Dave Hannah and Gareth Price also put in a tremendous performance finishing second and third respectively in 4.43.07 and 4.43.42… only just behind first place.
Devon Schools Cross Country Championships
Took place at Exter Arena on Saturday with two of our young athletes taking part. Talula Stacey ran a strong race in the 3300m in a time of 16.21 with Benjamin Marriott finishing 20th in the Inter boys race with a time of 19.04.
Storm Force 10 – Cornish Grand Prix
Storm Isha was brewing on Sunday morning as 18 Harriers prepared to take on Storm Force 10, the first grand prix of the 2024 series.
It was a grey and windy morning as a field of 517 runners made their way to the start line. It’s a great feeling to be part of that crowd and to be there in your team vest along with your friends and teammates.
The first 5 miles of this 10 mile course were into quite a strong wind and you are lulled in to a false sense of security with a nice down hill stretch to start with, the temptation to set off quickly is strong. Three water stations provide much needed refreshment and despite the conditions there is good support along the route with an army of volunteers around the course.
The race was won in a time of 53.59 by a Bideford AAC athlete Dan Mapp. The first Harrier home was Liam Gallantry in a time of 1:03:08 in 45th position overall. Liam was using this as a training race for his marathon training, so his performance was impressive. Second Harrier was Marcus Wills finishing 74th overall in a time of 1:06:48 and third Harrier was Ben Harding in 1:10:30
Hannah Matthews was fourth Harrier and our first female in 1:16:18
Ian Savigar was next Harrier in 1:17:41, taking nearly 3 minutes off last years time, closely followed by Clive Shute who is also training for a Spring Marathon in 1:18:41
Josh Turner was next in 1:22:10
Second Female was Meeta Nicholls finishing in 1:25:37, closely followed by third female Tasmin Lay in 1:25:55
Next was Lucy Oldham 1:33:26; Hamilton Isobel 1:33:29; John Brady and Joanna Strawbridge in 1:35:52; Chloe Turner; Rachel Yelland; Sarah Steed; Nicola Rudgley; and Margaret Ann Kirkham.
This was a great team effort and awesome to see the Harriers vests competing in this tough event.
