Report written by Paul Dellar

The Harriers were well represented at the big local road race of the weekend with 22 runners among the 700 lining up on the start line of the Great Bentley Half Marathon.  Mark McKeown was first home for the club on a blustery, grey morning, running 1:16:46 to finish in 17th position and just edge out team-mate Jason Gunn who finished just one place behind with the same time.  Andrew Jobling was next to come across the line, posting 1:17:49, Dan Widdowson clocked 1:18:31 whilst Colin Ridley was first V55 home in a sprightly 1:21:05.  Jon Nears ran 1:22:00 on a rare outing over the distance, Dan Summersgill took a large chunk out of his Personal Best (PB), running 1:23:23 with Kevin Higgins (1:29:03) and Matt Davey (1:29:11) also coming in under the 90 minute mark.  David Hilson also defied the difficult conditions, running 1:32:31 to post a PB and in the process just edge out the triumvirate of Kevin Stevens (1:32:47), Andrea James and Sean Duffett (who both ran 1:33:57).  Graham Langford crossed the line in 1:38:04, Dan Wilkinson in 1:40:26 with Nicola Hilson second F50 in a time of 1:44:37.  Other finishers in green were Pete Jones (1:48:02), James Plant (1:48:48), Kate Gibson (1:48:59), Becky Cooke (1:51:45), Louise Yates (1:51:46) and Martin Claydon (1:53:12). Images courtesy of Eric Shaw.

Meanwhile on the south coast Paul Mingay ran 35:12 to take the British Masters V60 title at the Chichester 10K.  Mingay’s time was the fastest in his age group in the UK this year and put him over 3 minutes ahead of his nearest rival on the day.  Richard Chalkley also competed at the event, running 51:58.

In parkrun, there were 17 Harriers in action at Colchester Castle with Rob Cronshaw fifth in 19:31 and junior Lyla Belshaw running just outside her PB to finish first female in 19:59.  Across town at Highwoods Daniel King was first home in 18:46 with under 13 athlete Finley Greenleaf second in 21:16.  Will Radley continued his recent improvement to go under 18 minutes, running 17:58 to finish second at Chelmsford whilst Ross Livingston finished in the same position in Andover with his run of 18:58.  Debbie Cattermole ran 22:28 to finish first female at Dolgellau, a feat Jordi Moat emulated at Littleport with her run of 21:52, with Ella Jeffries 2nd female at Billericay’s tricky Lake Meadows with 21:43.  Other green vest highlights included Russell Goodridge (19:48, second at Mersea Island), Adam Gerrish (20:25, third at Wetherby), Josh Bloxill (23:16, third at Great Dunmow) and Richard Flutter (20:39, fourth at Dolgellau).

Parkrun Ambassador and Harrier John Wheatley, ran his 310th parkrun at Barclay Park, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire last Saturday, finishing 61st overall in a time of 27:58 on a difficult winter course. Tourist John took the M75-79 age category record by over five minutes and was first male finisher by age grading (70.32%).

The Essex Schools Inter Counties cross country championships took place on Saturday at a windy Writtle College. Lizzie Wellsted, representing Essex for the first time finished 51st in the junior girls race for year 8 and 9 pupils). Lizzie was the fifth Essex girl home in what was a very competitive race. Milly Presland also represented Essex in the intermediate girls race (for year 10 and 11 pupils) finishing a fine 15th overall.

Meanwhile The Anglian Schools Cross Country Championships were at Woodbridge, with a couple of our Juniors representing Suffolk. Isla Widdowson finished a fine 27th position in the Minor Girls, and Henry Rutland was 13th in the Minor Boys race.