Race Report 7 - 8 March: Amersham & Green Man Ultras, Running Miles at Dorney Lake, Hillingdon 20, Buckinghamshire Duathlon and more

With apologies for it being late, welcome to this week’s Race Report. And what a busy one it was too for racing, with Harriers taking part in events both long and short, on road and on trail, on foot and by bike! Not included are results from Saturday’s Inter-Counties, for which I suggest you keep an eye open for Steve Perkin’s report.

Starting in the traditional way with parkrun: there were wins for Aran Davidson (17.14 at Tooting Common) and Kate Loach (20.58 at Cassiobury); plus all-time parkrun PBs for Charlotte Docwra (20.57 at Black Park) and Kara and Michelle Gorman (23.21 and 25.12, respectively, at Rickmansworth). Philip Rutland also had his parkrun debut at Black Park (28.11).

Harriers were also in ultra action on Saturday 7 March. In Xnrg’s Humanity Direct Amersham Ultra there were great times by all of our runners. Ross Jarman came home 3rd in his age category, and 5th overall, in 4.18.32. He was joined by Tom Powell (4.54.39); Neil Bates (4.58.46); Hywel Thomas (5.04.20 and 2nd in age category); Ian Lawson (5.14.48); Annelize Colquhoun (a PB time of 5.53.23); Glen Martin (6.10.12); Ben Hetherington (battling injury to finish in 6.19.54) and Tim Dutfield (6.21.45). Down in Bristol, I was really chuffed to finish 1st lady in the 46-mile Green Man Ultra, in a time of 7.36.25.

Moving on to yesterday, Sunday 8 March (and International Women’s Day!), Ed Wright and Tony Dawson took to the roads for the Cambridge and Surrey Half Marathons, which they completed in very respectable times of 1.40.18 and 1.39.06. International superstar Fabian Downs won the Round the Bays event in Auckland (8.4km in 26.44).

In Hillingdon six of our athletes completed the popular Spring marathon preparation race, the Hillingdon 20. Bex Nkoane led them home in 2.20.08, taking 3rd female for her efforts. She was joined swiftly by Mike Turney (2.21.37); Ali Young (2.27.58); Lean Ni Chiobhain (2.32.39); Richard Moss (2.36.09); and Sylvia Moss (2.52.30).

Alan Hornibook and Nathan Taylor took part in the Running Miles Dorney Lake Marathon / 6-hour timed event. Alan completed the marathon in a smashing time of 3.34.59, whilst Nathan pushed on for the 50k distance (31.4 miles) in 4.19.53.

And finally, returning us to the trails to wrap up this week’s Report, Neil Turner was 4th overall and 1st in his age category in the Tough Runner Buckinghamshire Duathlon. The event saw competitors complete a 5km run, then 23km bike, followed by a final 5km run - all off-road. Neil finished in a total time of 1.29.02 as he builds towards the European Triathlon Champs in August and World Duathlon Champs in September.

Well done everyone!

COMING UP LOCALLY: this evening is the Club AGM (1930 start in the White Hill Centre, followed by a free drink). Races coming up include: Ashridge Boundary Run, Goring 10k, Serpentine AC’s Last Friday of the Month 5k, the final Gade Valley Harriers marathon training run (20 miles) and the Royal Borough of Kingston Race Day. Check out Club Calendar for more.