Colchester Harriers started their 2024 Essex Road Championships campaign in Saffron Walden with a strong showing at the Essex 20 road race, held at Debden Airfield. 

For the men Kim Bowling ran strongly to record a Personal Best (PB) 1:53:17 and finish fifth, Cameron Humphries crossed the line in 1:58:53 (PB) to finish twelfth, and with Dan Widdowson completing the scoring team in 2:11:03 (34th) the Harriers men’s team finished fourth on the day.  Other finishers for the green vests were Bary Frost (2:12:48), Jerry Walder 2:14:54 (PB – V50 Bronze), and Chris Stevenson 2:22:59 (PB – V65 Gold).

Chris Stevenson, V65 Gold Medallist.

The women, defending the Grand Prix title they have won the previous two years, fared even better.  They were led by Rosie Wild who, also representing Essex, ran a strong 2:08:18 to be crowned overall Essex Champion.  Rosie was closely followed home by Kate Creak who clocked 2:12:31 to finish fifth and with Ellie Mayne running an even paced 2:43:53 the team claimed second position overall.

Kate and Ellie with their silver county medals

Harriers also had a strong entry at the Colchester Half Marathon.  James Morley crossed the line in an impressive third place, posting 1:10:04 and taking over 7 minutes off his PB in the process.  Nate Filer ran 1:14:44 to also make the top ten, whilst Chris Ryan was eleventh in 1:16:48.  Joseph Patterson was sixteenth in 1:18:09, Andy Jobling clocked 1:23:19, Chris Edwards 1:23:48, Shane Morris 1:28:45 and Rob Smith also went under 90 minutes in 1:29:02.  Emily Worboys was the first Harriers woman home, finishing ninth overall in 1:33:28 (PB), followed by Katie Gibson (1:42:29 PB, 3rd V50), Michelle Lock (1:42:58 PB) and Nicola Hilson (1:45:19).  Full Harrier results below.

Paul Weightman on his way to a PB

Then onto Mid Wales where a trio of evergreen Harriers, Colin Ridley, Paul Spowage and Allen Smalls competed in the British Masters Cross-Country Championship, securing fine silver team medals in the V55 category.

British Masters V55 Cross-Country Silver Medallists

In trail racing a group of Harriers made their way southwest for the 34th running of The Grizzly, a 20 mile multi-terrain event taking in hills, bogs, cliff paths and beaches in Devon.  John Fryer completed the course in 3:32:34, Harry Swinbourne ran 3:55:12, Oliver Gifford 4:10:16 and Austen Mitchell 4:16:22 whilst Sarah Stradling completed the shorter cub race in 2:15:57.

Last but not least two of Harriers’ young starlets were in flying form over 5K.  Lizzie Wellsted travelled to Leicester for the Sportshoes Podium 5K and, running in an international qualify field, posted an excellent time of 16:31 (PB) to finish fourth U20 female.  Meanwhile, closer to home, Lyla Belshaw ran 16:48 (PB) to finish first at the Markshall Parkrun and take the (unofficial) female course record.

Colchester Half Marathon Full CHAC Results:  James Morley 1:10:04, Nate Filer 1:14:45, Chris Ryan 1:16:51, Joseph Patterson 1:18:09, Andrew Jobling 1:23:19, Chris Edwards 1:23:48, Shane Morris 1:28:45, Rob Smith 1:29:02, Chris Randall 1:31:00, Dan Summersgill 1:31:13, Matt Davey 1:32:40  Paul Weightman 1:32:49, Emily Worboys 1:33:28, Gary Donoghue 1:35:13, Elliot Selby 1:37:42, Lee Goodyear 1:38:21, Andy Raynor 1:39:05, James Peters 1:39:45, Paul Clark 1:41:17, Kev Higgins 1:42:44, Katie Gibson 1:42:29, Michelle Lock 1:42:58, Nicola Hilson 1:45:19, Ian Jeffries 1:46:25, Nigel Eden 1:48:01, Emma Warren 1:50:34, George Hayes 1:53:00, Susan Waller-Toyne 1:52:48, Hollie Caldeira 1:57:01, Kieran Williams 1:57:20, Jonathan West 1:59:35, Nigel Kinsella 2:02:07, Arthur Whiston 2:10:18, Joseph Noack 2:11:15, Luke Orrin 2:42:52.