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Snowdon Marathon

Report: Isaac

Steve Vernon

Brian Holland plays up to the camera, not realising the treat that lay ahead for him at the 21st mile.

Several times a year a large group of Stockport Harriers endurance runners choose an event and invade on mass, the Snowdonia Marathon, noted to be one of Europe’s toughest, was to be the latest of these invasions.

Twenty men and women in the black and yellow of Stockport lined up at the side of Llyn Padarn, just outside Llanberis, on a cold but sunny Autumn morning – ideal race conditions.

The team contained the full spectrum of marathon runners; marathon virgins, seasoned endurance athletes, elites who had the potential to figure amongst the prizes and fools running their second marathon in a week.

The course is set amongst some of Britain’s finest scenery, circumnavigating the mighty peak of Snowdon .

The start immediately goes into a steady 4 mile climb and soon strings the athletes out in that first 1,200ft ascent. There then follows a 10 mile fast descent requiring concentration and some nifty footwork as the road is frequently crossed by running water.

Miles 14 through to 21, whilst ‘undulating’, were more about maintaining a steady pace than eating into the reserves that would be desperately required in the last quarter of the race.

The hill that greeted the athletes at mile 21 would not be out of place in one of our local fell races. The only difference being is that this hill went on and on and on… and on. IT was to be the turning point for many of Stockport’s runners. With a combination of cramps, sore feet, tired legs and ‘why am I here?’ syndrome. Many places were gained and lost over this 2,000ft, 3.5 mile climb.

Female athletes of the day were Sally Keigher who was first Stockport lady home and 14th female overall. Michela Stepto, finishing an excellent second position in the FV40 category. Excellent performance also from Jenny Day completing her first marathon with a big smile on her face.

Male accolades must surely go to Ray Hampton finishing second M60 in just under 3hrs 40mins, Tony Lee, finishing first Harrier (less than 40 minutes behind the race winner). Big mentions also to Simon Heys and John Harvey, crossing the line within seconds of each other and surely targeting themselves with a 3 hour marathon time in 2007.

Not only was there a large field of Stockport runners, there seemed to be an even larger field of Stockport supporters managing to appear at various parts of the course armed with jelly babies and flap jacks.

The post race celebrations were held in the world famous ‘Pete’s Eats’, where plates containing thousands of calories were devoured within minutes.

Would we all do it again? Without a doubt roll on 2007 !

Snowdon Results
Name Time Cat. Position
Tony Lee 3:17:57 M40 10
Daniel Oliver 3:34:27 MSEN 54
John Harvey 3:37:10 MSEN 63
Simon Heys 3:37:21 M45 23
Ray Hampton 3:39:55 M60 2
Andy Titley 3:42:07 M40 21
Lee Barratt 3:42:16 MSEN 89
Michela Stepto 3:42:25 F40 2
Stephen Jones 3:46:05 M40 27
Sally Keigher 3:46:08 FSEN 14
Mike Deevey 3:48:55 MSEN 122
Simon Knighton 3:48:53 MSEN 123
Sean Whewell 3:49:53 M40 39
Brian Holland 3:56:28 M50 27
Christopher Winstanley 3:56:52 M50 29
Paul Stepto 4:10:09 M40 69
Nicholas Ham 4:13:25 M40 79
Jenny Day 5:04:42 FSEN 70
Peta Walsh 6:42:02 F45 24

Harriers in Switzerland

Report: Swiss Pony

Jack Nixon wins the junior 2km race

Jack Nixon won the 2km junior race with ease

Twenty five members and friends of the Harriers spent an enjoyable week in and around the historic Swiss town of Bern on another of Pete Powell's excellent overseas trips.

The first day included a race in nearby Burgdoff where Jack Nixon yet again produced the goods, winning the round-the-houses 2km junior race with ease.

Next the 5km race saw Dale Gartley 5th, Phil Nixon 6th and Liam Turnbull 10th.

The main 15km trail race had Mike Shaw finishing 8th and claiming 2nd over-40, winning a pair of salad spoons and a wooden footstool for his efforts. Also in the race were Mike Nixon, Andy Smith, Jim Heron and John Crabtree.

Dave Turnbull picked up a spot prize of a large selection box of pasta, so his squad won't go hungry for a while.

But the real highlight of the trip was the hospitality offered by the race organisers from the local Burgdorf Running Club, providing us with an post race evening meal, drinks and music featuring a two metre long alpine horn and accordian.

Tuesday's skittles game saw Liam take an early lead, but his good form deserted him in the final, beaten in the end by seasoned bowler Ian Hinks.

Later in the evening for the lads there was a visit to the Bern ice hockey stadium for an intense, top-of-the-table clash between Bern and Davos, watched by a capacity 16,000 noisy crowd. The tickets generously supplied by our Swiss friends.

A bonus on the final day was that there was enough time between connections for a trip on an old 1914 paddle steamer around Lake Geneva with a stunning view of the French Alps.

The 'Man/Woman of the Tour' award went to Dale Gartley mostly thanks to his contribution to Wednesday's musical evening in the hotel, even managing to keep a party of Austrian caravan conference delegates entertained.

So a big thanks should go to Sammy, Ernst, Thomas and friends from Burgdoff for making it one of the most memorable trips.

National Cross Country Relays

Report: Dave Turnbull

Steve Vernon

Steve Vernon ran the fastest leg of the day at the National Cross Country Relays at Mansfield

Steve Vernon led the senior men's race at the National Cross Country Relays on Saturday at Mansfield where the team recorded its highest ever position of 25th.

Steve had a nine second lead and also took the fastest leg of the day in 14-42 which was the fifth fastest ever on the course.

He handed over to our top veteran international Bashir Hussain who ran effortlessley to retain 4th position which gave a tough challenge to Jamie Loxam, who has given up semi-pro football after 7 years to concentrate fully on running again.

Jamie ran well to come in around 12th spot leaving last leg runner Mike Thiele, who is also on the comeback trail after a 5-year sabbatical playing hockey, finished with his trademark kick to finish 25th.

The under-20 men's team were 12th while Ross Millington was the second fastest in the under-17 men's race with 9-02 for the 3km course, he hauled the team back eleven places to finish 4th team

In the under-17/20 women's Jess Coulson went from 28th to 4th place over the winding 2.5km course and also took the fastest leg of the day with a sparkling 8-20 which was also the third fastest in the under-20 women's race.

Ladies Cross Country Relays

Report: Phil McCann

Ladies team at the National Cross Country Relays

Stockport's A-team at the National Cross Country Relays; Helen Hudson, Samantha Thomas and Toni MacIntosh

The Ladies' relay teams were in fine form at the National Cross Country Relays at Mansfield. With Many of our top ladies either away or injured and then having our top runner Jenny Murray injuring her leg on the Wednesday prior to the event.

It was left to a handful to fill the roles, however they performed exceptionally well with the A-team recording the fastest time for the Club at this event.

Toni McIntosh was on 1st leg and as with her 1st leg in the road relays worked tirelessly to record the teams fastest leg of 11-28. This was the club's joint 2nd fastest time on this course, the other being Jenny Murray.

Samantha Thomas on 2nd leg having moved up from the B-team helped us keep the momentum going not losing any places recorded 12-37.

Finally on 3rd leg was Helen Hudson in her 1st senior cross country relay made up much ground and recorded another terrific time of 11-31 to record the club's 4th fastest leg at this event.

Overall they finished 41st, the 2nd highest position we have recorded at the event but a much faster time overall than our one in 2004.

In the B-team we managed on the last minute to draft in Marie Kay who was there supporting her children to keep the B-team complete.

On the B-teams 1st leg was Jane Mellor who had been out of racing for some time due to work commitments stormed through to record 12-46 to hand over Karen McCrackle.

She then in turn kept the pace going to record 13-18 and hand over to Marie Kay. Marie did us proud to run as hard as she could to bring the B-team into there 2nd fastest B-team for the club.

Everyone enjoyed the experience and with commitment like that we will continue to strive forward even under testing circumstances.

Jenny takes Holmfirth 15 title

Jenny Murray

Report: Phil McCann

Jenny Murray after her fine performance at the National 4-stage Relays followed up with another success at the Holmfirth 15.

On a sunny Sunday morning Jenny led the ladies' race from start to finish leaving the rest of the ladies well behind. This being the Yorkshire 15 mile championships in which she is now able to compete for she clocked 1-31-31 to take the title.

Jenny also finished 8th overall in amongst the men. Another bonus for her was clocked personal bests at 5 and 10 miles which on a 2 lap hilly course was fantastic.

Afterwards Jenny said "I thought there was another lady on my shoulder so pushed on after 10 miles but at the finish it was a male runner and the 2nd and 3rd ladies were some 7 minutes behind!"

Jenny will be cutting down on her mileage this week but will be competing at the 3-stage Cross Country relays at Mansfield on Saturday. Then she will be taking some of her school children on a field trip to Spain, whilst there she will be able to take time out to compete in the Palma Half Marathon. This event attracts a quality international field and the organisers are willing to put her in there with them which is well earned honour.

Meanwhile another lady Harrier Deborah Cox was running her first 15 miler and did exceptionally well clocking 2-16-53 over this tough course. Deborah has been working well in her training and it is paying dividends with more personal bests.

New 400 metre record

We had yet another under-13 girls' record broken on the track over the last few weeks.

'Athlete of the Month' Olivia Yates took the 400 metre record with a time of 64.9 seconds.

The record was previously held by her mother Debbie since 1976, so it stays in the Yates family.

Luberon-Provence Marathon/Half/10km

Report: Isaac

Sean and Tony cross the finish line after an impromptu dance display

Sean and Tony cross the finish line after an impromptu dance display

Four of New Mills finest decided to take on a very International field covering all three events in the Luberon Marathon/Half Marathon and 10km races.

Tony Lee and Sean Whewell foolishly deciding to run two marathons in a week, Ruth Lee taking part in her favourite event the Half Marathon and Amber Whewell sneaking into the 10km race

Planned months in advance with military precision (3:30am start to get to East Midlands Airport in time) this on paper had the potential to be a marathon personal best course - beautiful scenery running through the vineyards and idyllic countryside of Luberon. with one missing element - it wasn't flat (see course profile).

In fact more than that, not only was it not flat it was very hilly with over 2,000 ft of climbing and a finish positioned 200 ft higher than the start.

Tony and Sean performed well in the bright 25°C sunshine crossing the line together in 3-54-08 (only ten athletes managed to go sub three hours which gives an indication as to the severity of the course) - Tony spent the last quarter of the race sampling wine and local delicacies from what the French call drinks stations but what we would class as wine bar cum bistro with several types of wine, local farm produce and French casseroles available to the marathon runners - the Stockport Harriers duo then entertained the masses putting on an impromptu 'Peter Crouch' style dance duet to the crowds in the stands at the finish.

Earlier in the day Ruth Lee had finished her Half Marathon in 1-54-31 on an equally 'undulating' course giving her an overall position of 26th senior female out of a starting field of over 1,200 athletes.

Amber jubilant after receiving her prizes and not yet having noticed her case of wine has been confiscated

Amber jubilant after receiving her prizes and not yet having noticed her case of wine has been confiscated

Stealing the limelight in the 10km event in a field of 700 with a time of 45-34 was Amber finishing first female Junior and 9th lady overall, she was less impressed having to kiss a somewhat hairy Lord Mayor of Luberon on each cheek as she received her prizes of giant pumpkin, sports bag and a case of rosé wine - the wine was soon confiscated by the rest of the Harriers' party!

The rest of the week was spent singing songs round midnight outdoor bonfires and seeing who could drink most alcohol/eat most food, this is where Ruth proved to be an International elite leaving everyone else in her wake.

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