Race Report: Watford Open, parkrun and Burnham Beeches

Good Evening, Race Report fans. If you’re observant, you’ll have spotted that you’ve already heard from me this evening… and, if you’re going to be observant, then I suggest you check your email ;-)

Well, it’s been a busy week for a week in August. We’ll kick things off with results from the Watford Harriers Open on Wednesday 9 August, where no less than 20 (!) Harriers were in action. In the order that they appear in the results:

100m
Mila Scarlett Luker - 13.48

800m
Charlie de Sousa - 2.20.65 (PB); Emily Ford - 2.27.35 (PB); Isaac James Taylor - 2.42.66; Hugo Mundy - 2.28.23 (SB); Hari Mistry - 2.29.29 (PB); Marlie Nkoane - 2.26.95 (SB); Jack Martin - 2.20.91 (PB); Ellie Shield - 2.21.30 (PB); Luke Coultate - 2.25.35; Isabel Martin - 2.18.80; Daniel Timothy Munn - 2.06.20 (SB); Rory Hilton - 2.15.14; Matthew Evans - 2.01.63; John Nickless Hamilton  - 2.00.26; Alex Aldred - 1.54.70 (SB)

3000m
Lucy Wilkinson - 10.06.60; Aidan Suleyman - 9.13.49; Tom Ford - 10.17.07; Ash Finch - 8.50.36

… Those times are, quite frankly, amazing. A huge well done to all of our junior and senior athletes pushing themselves to such stunning performances amongst tough competition.

Last weekend saw our friend Steve Hall make his return to racing at the Bideford Triathlon on 6 August, in a total time of 2.01.44. Great to see you back, Steve!

In parkrun news, there was a clutch of Harrier first-placed finishes yesterday: Mairead O’Rourke at Church Mead (24.09); Aidan Suleyman (16.59) and Kara Gorman (18.59) - both at sunny Rickmansworth.

And finally, Harriers were out in force to support fellow local running club Burnham Joggers at the annual Burnham Beeches 10k and half marathon today. Official results are not yet live, so the below are strava times.

CHAC was filling the podium in the 10k, with Mike ‘Tiny’ Turney coming away with 1st V60 (when doesn’t he?!) in 38.25, Fiona Kelleher - 2nd female in 42.19, and Katie Royals - 3rd female in 43.41. Meanwhile, Steve ‘just run up those steps’ Field made a return to racing in a time of 1.03.41, and the 10k team was completed by David Saul (57.36) and Tamsin Finch (56.59).

Steve Emery led the Harriers home in the half marathon in a time of 1.36.43. He was joined by Tom Wright (1.44.26); Molly Quinn (in surely her first race for CHAC, and in her favourite distance, in 1.44.26); Andy Hickman (1.47.19); Jenny Bizley (1.48.46); Jessie Keighley (1.49.50); Rik Edwards (1.56.41); Miriam Kempson (1.58.40) and Jennifer Webb (2.01.59).

Well done y’all. You done us proud!

COMING UP LOCALLY: Southern Athletics League, Last Friday of the Month 5k and the Leighton 10k. For these events and more, including our very own Shardeloes 10k, check out the Club Calendar.

PS. Check your email, please ;-)
PPS. And complete the survey.

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