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Jess takes AAA's title

Jess Coulson continued an excellent season with a win in the AAA's under-17 1500 metre championship final at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium last weekend. Jess finished over 6 seconds ahead of Marlborough's Rosy Cooper in 4-28.12.

In the under-17 boys' 1,500 metres Ross Millington suffered another narrow defeat to St. Helens' David Forrester, an incredible one hundredth of a second separating gold and silver.

Also at the championships Leah Kay ran an impressive 10-19.7 to finish 6th in the under-17 girls' 3,000 metre final.

The Sale 10

Report: Phil McCann

Sale 10 ladies team

Personal bests all round for Samantha Thomas, Jenny Knass and Sharon Glendon

At the Sale 10 miler Stockport ladies competed against a strong women's field, some who were there in preparation for the European Road Race trials in Glasgow in 3 weeks time.

Our Jenny Knass was up against international Jenny Clague of Liverpool, Sue Harrison from Leamington and Pauline Powell of Blackburn and if all goes well will also be at the trials.

The course was over 4 varying laps and and on a muggy morning Jenny pulled out all the stops to clock a personal best in 1-01-40 to finish 6th lady and the first Harrier home. Next was Samantha Thomas finding new form to be close to her best in 1-12-14 with Sharon Glendon close on her heels she also clocked a personal best of 1-13-59. Both Jenny Knass and Sharon Glendon will be in the women's Elite field for the Great North Run in October and both where back into their endurance training and racing after a successful summer over the shorter distance. This again shows terrific form from them all and the hard work they are putting in is paying dividends.

Helen Todd was the next lady Harrier with a time of 1-19-41 4th V50 with Kath Ward in her first 10 miler and Jenny Day both finishing 1-29-07. Karen McCrackle encouraged her sister Laura to take up running and help her to a time of 1-33-47.

The next event for the ladies will be the Birchwood 10k which again attracts a quality field before the start of the winter training program aiming towards the London Marathon in April next year. Some then will be preparing for a second Marathon in late November 2007 in New York.

Teggs Nose Fell Race

Report: The Gingerbreadman

Teggs Nose

The fearsome slopes of Teggs Nose

Last Saturday saw the running of the annual Teggs Nose Fell Race, or to give it it's correct title, The Sheepdog Trial Association Fell Race.

For those runners who still yearn for a return to our screens of 'One man and his dog', this is the perfect race. You couldn't walk three paces without bumping into a farmer, a sheep or tripping over a shepherd's crook.

A curious incident took place as the runners made their way to the start line. They were surrounded by three sheepdogs and a farmer who was whistling and shouting "Come-by". Quicker than you could say "OOOOOOHHH AAARRRRRHHH!!!!" (in a Norfolk accent), the runners found themselves in a pen, the farmer closed the gate and the crowd went wild.

Mr Winterton, the local MP finally got the race underway and the runners set off towards Teggs Nose, 7 miles of very steep hills, uneven ground and the humid conditions made for a particularly tough race but the seven Harriers who entered had no reason to feel 'sheepish' about their performances.

First home for Stockport was Lee Barratt (65.44), followed by Tim Hargreaves (67.16). Estelle McGuire (67.41) was first Stockport Lady and fourth overall. Next home was Steve Esplin (68.42) who finished strongly to beat Brian Holland (69.40). Special praise must go to Ron Wilkinson and Janet Booker (both 95.11) who both ran extremely well considering that their only previous fell race experience was at the comparatively easy race at Rainow.

To repeat the words of my fellow race reporter, Isaac, it would be great to see a few more Harriers at these events. Fell Races are tough but they dramatically improve your fitness, you get to have a pint afterwards and they are really cheap to enter. Teggs Nose was only £3 and that included entry to the Sheep Dog Trials.

BAAAAAARGAIN!!!!!

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