Distance Running News, 10-14 April 2019

16 April 2019

There were fine individual performances this week from Cheltenham Harriers in the UK and abroad. The Yeovil Town 5k road series kicked off this week with four Cheltenham Harriers competing in the event. Dom James continued his top form taking 43-seconds off his personal best to finish second in a time of 14:58, seven seconds behind winner Michael Willsmore of Bristol & West AC and eight seconds ahead of Flynn Jennings of Bideford. In fourth place behind Jennings was Dan Owen finishing in 15:07. Russell Forsbrook was the third Harrier home in 27th position in 17:20 as 2nd veteran. Gareth Edwards chopped 13-seconds off his 5k personal best to place 35th in 17:37.

Phil Beastall made a welcome return to race action after a fifteen month absence as a guest in the Southern League fixture at Bedford. Leading from the gun in the 5000m, he comfortably finished clear of the field to take the win in 14:56.

In Monmouth, Dave Aubrey finished 2nd place in the 7-mile Kyman Dash Multi-Terrain race in a time of 41:16 behind Mark Jennings (40:50) of MMRT and 20-seconds ahead of Huw Evans (Les Croupiers). Dave Tomlin and Marc Fallows finished 2nd and 3rd veterans respectively at the Chedworth 10-mile on Sunday. Tomlin (1:04:45) finished 3rd place in the multi-terrain race behind winner Stephen Millward of Gloucester AC and Tegid Jones of Witney RRC. Marc Fallows soon followed finishing 5th in 01:08:08.

Outside of the UK, Will New ran in the 5000m at the UConn Northeast Challenge, Connecticut. New, currently studying a Masters at American International College finished eleventh in a time of 16:05.10. In the United Arab Emirates, Amber Watson finished second lady, clocking 41:46 in the Dubai Desert 10k. Back in England, Leah Hopton was the club's sole representative at the Brighton Marathon finishing in 4:07:26.

Weekend parkrun results saw first place finishes for Dave Tomlin (17:17) and Luke Pollard (16:06) at the Kingsway and Brueton events respectively. Naomi Eaton came thirteenth and second lady at the Conkers parkrun in Leicestershire. Simon Critchley was the leading Harrier at the Cheltenham parkrun, coming seventh in 18:30. Rachel Underhill was the 1st lady home as she clocked 18:43 to finish 11th. Steve Hall, returning from injury, was pleased with his effort to come 12th in 18:46, Dan Schofield followed in 18:56 with Matt Evans (19:17) and Martin Soakell (19:28) in close pursuit. Ella Burfitt (20:15) finished as second lady and Molly Foster crossed the line in 22:11. Mark James placed fourth in a time of 18:24 at the Gloucester City parkrun whilst Ellis Woolley was the fourth lady with 22:13 at the Severn Bridge event.