Welsh Trail Marathon and Roundup

Smalls has a Welsh Adventure

Colchester Harriers had a team of runners in Mid Wales for one of the toughest races on the calendar, the Welsh Trail Marathon help in Coed Brennan Forest including technical Mountain Bike trails and extreme climbs. Yet again Harriers Allen Smalls showed the way. The 48 year old cruised through the Field of experienced fell runners on the second half of the Marathon to finish runner up in 3:22:06 with only race winner Alastair Murray of Horwich ahead of him in 3:11:40. Colchester Harriers packed well and ended with all 4 runners in the top 50. Chris Manby, who had a torrid time at this event last year, put it right with a fine run of 3:47:44 for 17th place, over 50 veteran Martyn Clarke also ran a blinder for 27th 3:51:37, while David Wright just missed out on the 4 hour marker but was still 44th in 4:02:50.

In the Welsh Trail Half marathon it was Simon Smith first home for the green vests in 1:52:15 for 50th spot, Rebecca Cooke had a cold but still clocked 2:01:20 for 7th spot, while Fay Smalls came home in a good 2:47:25.

The squad then moved onto the Dolgellau Park run where Allen Smalls continued his good weekend with a new veteran record finishing runner up in 18:09, Rebecca Cooke set a 20:25 age group best in 20:38 and Debbie Cattermole also set a new Dolgellau best in the 50:55 grouping . Rachel Wright clocked 29:59 with Fay Smalls 27:57, David Wright 19:55 and Chris Manby 19:21.

Swansea Half Marathon and Orion 5km

Sarah Stradling competed in the high class Swansea half Mararthon and was 7th lady and 2nd veteran in 1:20:36, while Angus Holford ran a superb 5000m at the Orion 5km clocking 15:34! Holford was first overall six runners ran under 16 minutes in a top class field.

Round Mersea race

The round Mersea race saw Colchester Harriers win both team prizes, Angus Holfiord shook off his previous 5km victory to win the race easily with Team mates Colin Ridley 3rd (1st Veteran 45) Mark Harrod 4th and Paul Rodgers 5th. Alex Sales, Simon Smith, Dan Wilkinson and Richard Boden all ran well. The ladies were also victorious thanks to an easy victory by Amanda Henry, Rachel Dale was runner up and Rebecca Cooke although still suffering from the Welsh Half was 5th.

Other results

Malcolm Statham ran 4 Marathons in 4 days to bring his total to 182 at the Great barrow 4 day challenge, Statham clocked 3:44, 4:01, 3:46 and 3:57.

Mark Harrod was first at the Colchester Castle park run in 17:55, Danny Millward was 3rd 18:13, with Max Caulfield and Keith Marley in the top 10.

Cameron Humpfries continued his run to all the French Euro Stadiums clocking up 500 miles on his latest run to St Etienne.

Milly Presland won the First Colchester junior Park run held at the Recreation ground, with Noah Cox runner up. Wayne Cook was 3rd at the Cornard Park run in 19:26, while Martyn Clarke ran the Hatfield event in 19:01 for 3rd place.

Harriers winning team at the Mersea round the island race - Colin Ridley, Mark Harrod, Paul Rodgers, and second claim runner and race winner Angus Holford