Harriers qualify for National final in Birmingham

Colchester Harriers travelled to compete in the Southern Road Championship qualifier at Crystal Palace held over 6 x 6km legs with the first 25 clubs gaining a place in the national final at Birmingham in two weeks against the top 25 from the North and Midlands qualifiers. With a very good team of Jordan Rowe, Oscar Dawson, Adrian Mussett, Nathan Filer, Ramadam Osman, and Mark Harrod, it looked good for the green vests but the standard is exceptional. Rowe ran a superb first leg for 14th spot, and it was then up to the team to grind out a qualifying spot. Harriers ran well all the way through to qualify by a narrow margin. Sadly the results are not known as the timing chip company had many problems, but the good news is the Harriers will be in the grand final.

Jackie MacLannen did very well to finish in 7:28 at the Weymouth Half Iron man event. Jackie never slowed although she had done no bike training.

The Pleshey Essex Championship half marathon saw Rebecca Cooke 1:35:22, Andrea James 1:39:14, and Rachel Dale 1:37:08, take the team bronze medals, with Colin Ridley 1:20:33, taking the individual gold medal in the over 50 category. Other Harriers were Tom Cresswell 1:19:37, Ged McMillan 1:21:15, Keith Marley 1:21:59, Ian Haw 1:27:35, Simon Smith 1:28:51, Jon Nears 1:29:40, Jerry Walder 1:31:34, Chris Manby 1:35:23, Andy Lovelock 1:39:10, Ffion Harris 1:47:40.

The Colchester Triathlon was held in warm conditions and Harriers achieved good results with Louise Yates 2nd Lady, and a 1, 2, 3 in the Veteran Class thanks to Paul Spowage, Paul Rodgers and Craig Mitchell. The Colchester park run was won by Jordan Middlemist, with Dan King runner up, John Fryer 5th, Andy Raynor was 7th, Fergus Crouch 9th, and Richard Boden 11th, Milly Presland was 1st lady.