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Northern Track and Field Championships

Ross Millington

Ross Millington missed out on a gold by just two 100th of a second, but this week was selected for the World Schools' Games in Athens.

Stockport Harriers' juniors came away from the North of England Championships with 2 gold, 2 silver and a bronze medal.

Greg Watkins won the under-17 discus with a dramatic last throw of the competition with 43.91 metres, equaling the leader but was given the win on count-back thanks to his superior second throw. Greg's performance was the first ever throw over 40 metres by any member of the Harriers.

Jess Coulson ran within one second of the Northern Championship record in the under-17 women's 1,500 metres in windy conditions to win in a personal best time of 4-31.87.

Training partner Lucy McLoughlin finished just behind Jess in the final making it a one-two for the club with a season's best of 4-44.

The following day Ross Millington finished just two 100th of a second behind rival David Forrester in the under-17 men's 1,500 metres. However this week Ross has been selected for the World Schools' Games in Athens thanks to his recent 3-55 run.

In the under-17 women's long jump Charlotte Hesketh finished third with 5.30 metres, equaling her personal best in the difficult conditions.

Cheshire League

Report: Pete Torrence

The Harriers entertained five teams at Woodbank Stadium in the first match of the Cheshire Track and Field League from all over the North West and came out with mixed results. In the under-11s the Harriers had a lot of athletes who where away but the team pulled together and had some great results and finished second behind Salford Met.

In the boys' races again two of the outstanding athletes showed how they are improving with Max Cole taking the honours in the A-race in the 75 and 600 metres in a time of 11.7 and 1-59.4. Just behind him Daniel Lawton gave a race to the line in the 600 metres to take the B-race in 2-02.9, not to be outdone in the C and D-race W Garner and James Bartley also won there races in 2-19.5 and 2-20.3.

The girls' team has a number of first time athletes but they did themselves proud with a number of great performances, in the 75 metres Emma O'Connell, sisters Aimee and Carla Aikin and Jessica McCabe all ran well with time of 12.0, 12.2 12.9 and 13.3 and in the relay they were just beaten by Salford Met.

In the main match again the Harriers put out a good turn out but did not have the strength in numbers but still came out in third spot behind Salford Met and West Cheshire.

The under-13 girls' took the 800 metres in their stride with all four girl getting personal bests. Leading the way Hannah Coulson with 2-39.2 followed by Sam Wilson, Danielle Keith and Nicola Berry with times of 2-51.4, 2-55.6 and 3-02.0.

In the under-13 boys' 800 metres Jack Nixon and Jonathan Reagent both raced well with times of 2-29.9 and 2-42.3 taking second in the A-race and first in the B-race.

The senior athletes had a good turn out with a good runs in the 3,000 metes by Sarah Kay to take first place in a time of 10-42.1 and Andrew Povey took third spot with a time of 10-19.9, while in the field the Hesketh family took the first spot in the men's high jump and the ladies' long jump. Chris took the high jump with 1.7 metres then Charlotte took the long jump with 4.82 metres.

I would just like to say thanks to all the people who helped out on the day to put on a really good meeting and also all the athletes who turned out to compete.

Buxton Half Marathon

Report: The Goody Bag

Blustery conditions at this Sunday’s Buxton Half Marathon didn’t halt a remarkable performance from Jenny Murray who trounced the rest of the female field in 1.22.31, just one second outside the course record.

Jenny Knass, fresh from her victory at the Dunham Massey Park 5k just two days earlier, ran a superb 1.30.37 finishing second woman and second Harrier. Vicky Barrett sealed the ladies' team prize finishing fifth in the women’s race in an impressive 1.40.30. Ruth Lee knocked a massive five minutes plus off her time in last year’s race and Lucy Holmes, having never run beyond ten miles before, debuted at this distance with an excellent 1.56.35.

In a male field, reduced in number from previous years by Harriers concentrating on next week’s Blackpool Half and Full Marathons, first Stockport man home was Tony Lee, followed by Huw Morris, Michael Brown, John Alladyce, Chris Winstanley and Simon Hilton.

This really is a tough course, with monster hills throughout (course profile), yet the abiding memory has to be the unspoilt beauty of Dowel Dale, which happily coincides with the fastest downhill mile a runner is likely to meet in the UK road race calendar.

Club Results
Name Position Time
Jenny Murray 12 (W/1) 1.22.31
Jenny Knass 36 (W/2) 1.30.37
Tony Lee 42 (MV40/11) 1.31.21
Huw Morris 44 (MV40/12) 1.32.12
Vicky Barrett 82 (W/5 WV40/2) 1.40.30
Michael Brown 94 1.41.31
John Alladyce 134 (MV55/6) 1.48.41
Chris Winstanley 137 (MV50/17 ) 1.49.18
Simon Hilton 142 (MV40/36) 1.49.53
Ruth Lee 153 (W/17) 1.51.24
Lucy Holmes 183 (W/27) 1.56.35

White Peak Marathon

Report: The Gingerbreadman

Last Saturday, seven of Stockport's finest took part in the White Peak Marathon/Half-Marathon, an off-road event run over the Tissington and High Peak Trails.

In the Half Marathon it was a case of 'Double-Dutch' for Stockport as Mr and Mrs Holland led the way. Brian finishing in a very impressive 25th place in 1-30-38 and Susan racing home in a superb 1-53-38. Close family friend Wilksey said "I'm so proud of them. The hot vimtos are on me".

Also finishing well for Stockport were Janet Booker and Ron Wilkinson who finished in 2-12-04 and 2-13-11 respectively.

In the Marathon, the eagerly anticipated duel between Richard Shuttle and Adrian Edwards was won in 3-27-20 by Richard, with Adrian finishing in 3-49-44.

First home for Stockport ladies was Jenny 'Morticia' Kinnaird, who, despite having her training plagued by injury and poor excuses, completed the course in a brilliant 4-16-36. Jenny, who is a big fan of 1980's supergroup 'The Alarm', said afterwards "I'm over the moon! If Daz Sampson wins the Eurovision Song Contest later then this will be the best day ever!"

Shining Tor Fell Race

Report: Isaac

Despite treacherous weather in the days leading up to the event (no water shortage in Derbyshire!) the evening brightened up and the mist lifted from the Shining Tor to reveal a somewhat boggy 'challenging' course.

With an experienced field of nearly 200 hardened fell runners Stockport Harriers acquitted themselves extremely well in this extremely difficult race.

Particular congratulations go to Estelle McGuire who was first Stockport lady and 3rd lady overall, also to Brian Holland who despite falling badly at one stage recovered in the final stages of the race surging past his two closest Harriers rivals. It is yet to be confirmed that Barry Thompson had to be pulled from one of the peat bogs by Kinder Mountain rescue but when he did cross the line the only part of his body that wasn't covered in mud was the whites of his eyes.

Overall race winner was Andy Norman and first lady was Jackie Lee.

These local races of varying distances and difficulties are an excellent mid week alternative to the often over-subscribed weekend road races so choose your race from the sites below and lets continue building on the great work Stockport Harriers are doing in track and road.

Club Results
Name Position Time
Estelle McGuire 57 1:04:14
Brian Holland 76 1:06:13
Lee Barratt 81 1:06:40
Sean Whewell 88 1:07:19
Michael Brown 101 1:09:25
Geoff Spencer 128 1:13:57
Colin Finney 136 1:15:24
Paul Toole 139 1:15:37
Ruth Lee 149 1:17:37
Barry Thompson 157 1:20:22
Eric Normansell 163 1:24:51

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