Race Report 13 -14 April: Manchester and Magna Carta Marathons, ultramarathons and speedy 10k action

Good Evening, Race Report fans at the end of a weekend that was not only notably for its epic marathon performances… but also for the dry weather! I hope you managed to enjoy both, either vicariously or personally :-)​

Aran Davidson kicked the weekend off ‘Under the Lights’ at Battersea Park, competing in a hotly-contested 10k event and coming home in a brilliant 33.06.

Moving to Saturday and to the trails, Jessie Keighley - Harrier and co-founder of local running group ‘Mums on the Move’ - completed a gruelling, lapped marathon on the banks of the River Thames. The Magna Carta Marathon takes in five 5.27 loops, and a total distance of just over the marathon. Jessie finished third woman, clocking a time of 4.08.51. Meanwhile, down on the South Downs Way, Hywel Thomas joined Centurion for their South Downs Way 50 (mile). The route is point-to-point from Worthing to Eastbourne, and takes in some 5700ft of climb. Hywel finished in an excellent time of 8.46.33.​

In parkrun news, once again there was a good number of first-placed finishes for Harriers. Kara Gorman was supreme on the Monsal Trail, clocking an all-time PB of 18.15. Felix Danielli was first at Hunstanton Prom in 21.03; Aidan Suleyman - at Illaunmanagh (Ireland) in 17.25; and Neil Turner and Lauren Mayot took first placed male and female at Church Mead (20.15, also a course PB, and 25.59, respectively). Glen Martin was also rewarded with a course PB at Church Mead, with a time of 24.53.

Moving on to today, there was a strong showing by Harriers at the Manchester Marathon. Phil Lovelace led the Club home in a time of 3.20.24, joined swiftly by Ed Wright (3.31.41); Patrick Barrett (3.39.39); Miriam Kempson (4.08.09); and Tamsin Finch (4.12.32).

And finally, resident superwoman and masochist Ali Young was back in 24-hour action: this time on the track again! Yes: I do mean that she ran continuously round and round a 400m athletics track for 24 hours. Not only did she achieve that feat, but she managed to clock new British records for the FV50 category - both for 100miles and for the 24-hour discipline, ticking off a total distance of some 220 km (that’s 550 laps, according to my maths).

Well done to all our fabulous runners this weekend!
DON’T FORGET: to pay your Club subs. Most of you by now will have received a request for payment of £53 to England Athletics (£19 EA affiliation, plus £34 Club membership). If you’ve not received the request via email, or have any questions about paying club subscriptions, please email Tamsin Finch at [email protected] .

GET ORGANISED and book your ticket(s) for the Club’s Social & Awards Evening on 18 May, featuring the ever-epic inflatable asset course (suitable for all ages). More details on how to book tickets here.

COMING UP LOCALLY: graded open track meets at Watford and Oxford, the kick-off of the Youth Development League in 2024, the London Marathon, Last Friday of the Month, BUCs Track & Field Champs, the MK Marathon and - of course - are very own Pednor 5. If you’re not able to run this year, chat to Trevor Davies about volunteering. More events, and details of training on the Club Calendar (click on a calendar entry to find full details of the event, including location and relevant links).