Distance Running News
14 August 2016
Harry Bishop made a welcome return to winning ways and Shona Crombie-Hicks claimed her second victory of the week at the Standish Woodland Chase. Bishop completed the almost ten mile multi-terrain course in 56:24 to finish three seconds clear of Alastair Cambell from the host club Stroud. Crombie-Hicks meanwhile stopped the clock at 65:23 to finish fourteen seconds ahead of Almost Athlete’s Gemma Hargraves. Dave Hemmings placed 34th before Mike Ede finished as the first over 60 runner home in 38th position. Further off-road success for the Harriers ladies team came at the Worcester Wilkins Way 10k where Fee Maycock finished as the first woman home in her first race since joining the club from Belgrave Harriers.
Earlier in the week there were comfortable race wins for Alex Lee and Crombie-Hicks at the Bugatti 10k road race near Gotherington. A class above the field, Lee dominated from the start as he completed the challenging course in 33:52 for a 98 second victory over Doug Wight of host club Almost Athletes. Similarly, Crombie-Hicks remained unchallenged as the leading lady as she clocked 39:16, almost three minutes clear of Bourton’s Steph Lane. Further Harriers success came for Dave Rantell who was second veteran home in 37:58 before James Wilkinson (39:58) and Richard Birch (40:14) crossed the line. Paul Barnes (43:04) held off teammate Mike Ede (43:11) who took victory in his first road race as a V60. Dave Hemmings (45:05), Martin Ford (45:45), Debbie Smith (46:36), Michael Imeson (52:45) and Ken Buckle (54:49) completed the Harriers contingent. Midweek action also saw Harry Bishop and Mark James contest the Rose Inn 4 mile road race near to Chepstow, where Bishop recorded 20:31 for fifth place and James built on his good recent form with a new personal best of 21:40 in eleventh place. There was also an eleventh place finish for Will New who made the trip to the Yeovilton 5k where he clocked 16:16 whilst Gavin McCaugherty (17:28) and Gareth Edwards (18:09) raced over the more undulating BRATRowheath 5k course.
Harriers enjoyed weekend parkrun wins at six different locations with Alex Lee (16:01) and Marcus England (16:57) setting course records at the respective Lee on Solent and Gloucester North events. Also in Gloucester, Mark James (17:16) won the Kingsway parkrun with his fastest time on the course whilst Alex Bampton (17:29) made a welcome return to racing with a win at the Aldenham event in Elstree. The Evesham parkrun saw Lottie Roberts (21:58) finish as the first lady home and Ben Price (16:41) won the Cheltenham event in Pittville Park where Gareth Edwards (18:33), Simon Critchley (18:59), Mike Ede (20:18) and Tamsin Carpenter (22:26) also enjoyed a run out.