Catching up: European Sprint Duathlon, Chiltern trails (5k, 10k and 50k) and the Lakeland 100

Good Evening, Race Report fans. I apologise for the radio silence over the last few weeks. No excuses, just laziness (which I’ll call ‘malaise’ because that seems so much more the sort of thing a Jane Austen heroine would say when it’s hot).

Going back in time to the weekend of 11 – 12 July. Neil Turner raced at European Sprint Duathlon Championship in Banyoles in northern Spain. For the uninitiated, that means: 5km run > 20km ride > 2.5km run. Temperatures were obviously toasty. While starting strongly, the heat made for a tough second run, but Neil still finished a very respectable 10th in the age group. 

That same weekend Yours Truly took on the Maverick Trail Chiltern 50k. Having started like a numpty, I was pleased to finish in 5.35.50, and with nothing more serious than a terminally bruised big toe(nail). Amputation is now on the cards.
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Last weekend a number of Harriers decided it would be a good idea to take on light itself in a race (surely folly, I hear you cry). Fortunately, it was the Race the Light 5k and 10k in Wendover Woods on 18 July, rather than a trip from the sun itself. In the 5k wife-and-husband duo Lauren and Vincent Mayot were, respectively, first and second place in 26.26 and 27.55. (Vincent also took first male.) Meanwhile, in the 10k Ben Hannen clocked 48.02 and Tim ‘Everyday’s-a-race-day’ Margetts finished in 51.39.

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And now, the biggie! Two Harriers took on the formidable Lakeland 100 (mile) race by Montane, 24 – 26 July. And both finished, which was by no means true of everyone. James Hudson in a terrifying time of 26.48.08 and Hywel Thomas in 32.37.03. To give you a flavour of the event, which starts and finishes in Coniston, the circular route encompasses the whole of the lakeland fells and includes in the region of 6300m of ascent. 

Coach Mike Shrive said: 

“These performances are almost in the sphere of being unbelievable. Hywel is club treasurer. Like a good wine has matured into a formidable ultra distance performer. James has a range of running ability I have never witnessed before. He has endurance for 100 miles and, in a recent interval track session, finished with a 63 secs 400m!!”

COMING UP LOCALLY: Last Friday of the Month 5k, Bearbrook 10k, YDL Lower Age Group, Southern Athletics League, Burnham Beeches Half & 10k, Second Sunday 5 nd more. Check out the Club Calendar for these events and more.

Done a race? Know someone who’s done a race? Send your results and any photos to [email protected] . Similarly, let me know if any events are missing from the Club Calendar and I will add those in.

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