"Mayday Mayday, it's raining"

Nothing quite says Bank Holiday like rain, does it? And nothing says end of a weekend, of any variety, like Race Report. And whilst things are still pretty quiet on the racing front, what we lack in quantity of reporting, Harriers always make up for in quality of racing. No comment on the quality of writing. ​

Ali in action in Ashford. Photo credit: Steve Ashworth Media

Looking back to last Saturday, 24 April, our very own Ali Young was one of an elite few to start, and one of an even more elite few to finish, Centurion’s 100 mile Track Race in Ashford, Kent. Under a hot sun, it was a truly record breaking event, with no fewer than 14 records made. The winner, Aleksandr Sorokin of Lithuania, came away with world records for 100 miles, 12 hours and 150km. Harriers were delighted with the news that Ali finished second lady, in a brilliant time of 15.41.17. Not only was that a PB for Ali, but also saw her take the national FV45 record for both 100 miles and 12 hours (125 km).

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Saturday 1 May saw ultra action for Harriers again, with both Dave Bellamy and Rik Edwards completing the gruelling 43 miles from Wendover to London’s Little Venice in Go Beyond Ultra’s ‘Country to Capital’. Dave completed the event in a PB time of 7.11.37 (clocking up a 50k PB as well), and Rik put in a very solid ultra debut (for a debut, I am sure it will be ;-) ) of 8.09.46. Former Harrier Tom Beedell actually won the event, in a stunning time of 5.15.00; whilst there was a strong performance by another former Harrier - Adrian Berry - with a time of 6.21.09.

On the beautiful Ashridge Estate, Becs Nkoane, Tessa Passey and Joanne Murray took part in the Ashridge Duathlon. A standard duathlon is a run-bike-run event, the distances being 10k, 44k and then a 5k run to finish. Becs came in in a total time of 2.23.20, and second in age category; Tessa - 2.41.19; and Joanne - 2.56.40.

And finally, today, 3 May, Tim Dawson and Matt Robins took part in one of Phoenix Running’s lapped / timed events - this one a VE Day run postponed from last year. Both completed the marathon distance, with times of 4.20.24 for Matt and 4.29.59 for Tim.
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Well done to everyone!

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