Distance Running News, 16-20 July 2019

21 July 2019

Cheltenham Harrier George Watson continued his fine recent form with an excellent personal best as he finished second in the 3000m A race at the British Milers Club regional event in Tipton. Whilst Derby’s Richard Weir dominated the race from the gun, Watson was one of two runners followed the 68 second lap pacemaker for the opening two kilometres before moving clear in the final thousand metres to stop the clock at an impressive 8:31.43 for a seven second personal best. The following evening saw the Harriers host their third Midsummer Open meeting at the Prince of Wales stadium with Jamie Harper lowering his 1500m PB to 4:09.3 as he claimed fourth position in the A race that was won by Coventry’s Mohamed Daud Mohamed in 4:05.1. The B race then saw Dan Schofiled claim the win as he lowered his PB to 4:37.3 whilst Kaitlyn Sheppard was the second fastest lady across the five races with 4:48.0

On the roads Phil Wylie was a clear winner of the Exeter 10k as he stopped the clock at 31:40 for a 1:20 winning margin over Tavistock’s Adam Holland. Meanwhile, Mark James finished second overall and first veteran at the Blaisdon 10k as he crossed the line in 36:26 just 28 seconds behind Cory Sherwin of the host club Forest of Dean AC. Dave Rantell recorded 38:08 to finish as second V50 runner in ninth place overall.

Weekend parkruns saw James (17:47) claimed first place at the Kingsway event in Gloucester, whilst Beth Hawling (17:28) was the first lady and ninth overall at Hackney Marshes.There was a Harriers double in Tewkesbury with James Bingham (17:19) the first man and Kaitlyn Sheppard (19:27) the leading lady in third overall whilst Chloe Sheppard (22:29) was the third lady home. Caroline Cotterell (21:28) was also the first lady and ninth overall at the Dolgellau parkrun in North Wales where Nick Holliday (19:49) finished in sixth position. Dave Tomlin (17:54) finished second in the Forest of Dean whilst Andrew Kaighin (19:26) placed third at the Gloucester North event. At the Cheltenham parkrun Steve Linton (18:25) finished eighth and Georgia Palmer (22:31) was the third lady to finish the Pittville Park course.