THE HARRIER ISSUE 171 THE HARRIER The official Newsletter of Huncote Harriers Athletic Club Issue No. 171 APRIL 2014 THE NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP Probably the best ever turn-out by Huncote Harriers in this annual race. This year the races were hosted in the Midlands and host club, Notts AC, led by Mick Robinson, put on a first class fixture at Wollaton Park. There were 10 races during the afternoon across all age groups from u/13 to senior men and women with a total of some 7700 runners. There were some memorable Leicestershire performances during the afternoon: Gemma Steel looked comfortable winning the Ladies Senior race from her rival Steph Twell (AF&D) and helped Charnwood to second placed team medals; Ben Dijkstra (Leicester Chris Unwin tails former Midland cross country Coritanians) won the boys u/15 race; champion, Phil Nicholls 8455 (Tipton Harriers) Leicester’s Amy Griffiths, the County on the third lap. Pic. Mudrunner Sports senior ladies cross country champion, and representing AF&D, was second in the was a promising National debut from Chris junior ladies’ race, and Charnwood won Unwin who closed out the men’s team 1st place medals in the u/13 boys’. RESULTS LADIES (8K) For the Harriers, Julie Lamb is proving a 214. Julie Lamb !!35-23 great capture for our club and was first 393. Karen Selby!!38-55 across the line. Another battle between 443. Trudi Unwin!!40-04 Karen Selby and Trudi Unwin went to 481. Julie West!!41-15 Karen Selby. For the men, Carl Sommer 595. Irene Forty!!45-08 Winner: Gemma Steel (Charnwood) has put last year’s injury disappointment TEAMS behind him for another fine run and there 1. Aldershot Farnham & District.!21pts 1 THE HARRIER ISSUE 171 2. Charnwood AC 102pts 3. Rotherham AC 127pts 14. Nuneaton Harriers 450pts 48. Harborough AC 1516pts 49. Huncote Harriers 1531pts 75. Desford Striders! 2182pts (Total 83 complete teams) RESULTS MEN (12K) 333. Carl Sommer!!42-48 617. Dave Egginton!!46-30 907. Euan West!!49-47 998. Graeme Slight!!50-47 1166. Keith Chambers!53-11 1431. Chris Unwin!!58-12 Winner: Steve Vernon (Stockport Harriers) Dave Egginton was 2nd Harrier in the National. Pic. TEAMS John Heywoo 1. Bedford & County!!265pts 2. Notts AC!!!296pts 3. Leeds City 301pts 10. OWL’s!!!739pts 37. Charnwood AC!!2388pts 76. Nuneaton Harriers!!5270pts 79. Huncote Harriers!!5452pts 99. Harborough AC !!6161pts 119. Desford Striders!!7044pts (Total 127 complete teams) All in all, a great afternoon which was blessed with fine weather (for the time of year). It was good to see a band of Huncote Harriers who came along to support. Special thanks again to Andy & Marie Wilford for the tent and their support, Keith Chambers tracks old North Mids rival, Martyn McHale 7885 (Redhill RR) Pic. John Heywood Karen Selby on her way to second Harrier home (pic. John Heywood) Graeme Slight competing in his 12th “National” 2 THE HARRIER ISSUE 171 HUNCOTE HARRIERS 6. Mike Percival DERBY RUNNER CROSS ATHLETIC CLUB COUNTRY LEAGUE PRESENTATION BASH Long Service Awards 30 Years V Bosworth Battle Field This year’s “bash” was held at Trevor Longman, Phil Watts, A fine run by Mel Evans to the David Lloyd Leisure Centre Rich Singer, Jeff Wickham, Mark lead home the Harriers just in Narborough and was well Wittering getting home in front of supported by members. The 20 Years format was presentation, buffet partner, Richard Russell. John O’Sullivan, Lesley Cann, Mel wasn’t far behind and disco. A brilliant night Mick Butler. although the disco could have 10 Years County ladies’ cross been livelier - there were hardly Paul Nealon, Andrea Brewin, country champion, Nicola any dancers on the floor. Was it Andy Ball, Kingsley Cook, Jo Roder to finish 2nd. the music or are we all getting Copeland, Steve Copeland older? MEN Club X/C Champions 43. Richard Russell!39-23 Andy Wilford, Club Chairman, Ladies 69. Andy Ball!!41-06 presented the awards and was 1. Nicki Nealon 72. Graeme Slight!41-19 assisted by club dignitaries. Our 2. Mel Evans 96. Keith Chambers!42-51 roll of honour includes the 3. Julie Lamb 99. Nick Strange!42-58 following: Men 100. Warren Bennett 42-59 1. Carl Sommer 128. Andy Wilford!45-02 Lady Harrier of the Year 2. Dave Egginton 148. Chris Unwin!47-06 1. Trudi Unwin 3. Euan West 153. Leonard Symeonides 2. Marie Wilford !!!47-37 3. Karen Selby Additionally, John Heywood 170. Kent Butcher!48-49 =4. Mel Evans presented Nicki Nealon with her 188. Paul Nealon!50-48 =4. Julie West award for being the Ladies’ 190. John Hart!! 50-50 Champion in the North Midlands 207. Stuart Hale!53-17 Male Harrier of the Year Cross Country League. A Winner: Alex Benfield (Hatton) 1. Andy Wilford remarkable achievement as 33-03 2. Phil Watts there was a gap of some 20 LADIES 3. Andy Ledwith years since her other victory in 2. Mel Evans!!39-22 4. Chris Unwin 1994, a tribute to her longevity 31. Karen Selby!49-02 5. Andy Ball at a high level in the sport! 36. Trudi Unwin 50-40 6. Paul Nealon 46. Julie West!!53-33 The draw was also made for 48. Sandra Ankers!53-52 Newcomer of the Year runners to take part in our 49. Jo Clarke 54-03 Tom Harris Club’s allocation of places for 52. Clair Davis 54-19 the forthcoming London 10K. 53. Donna Welsh 54-28 Chairman’s Award Those lucky enough to win the 74. Irene Forty 58-47 Paul Nealon ballot were: Seema Patel, Helen 100. Helen Bennett!69-43 Bennett, Mel Evans, Karen Winner: Nicola Roder (Leic Tri) Life Membership Selby, Ryan Lambert, Alastair 38-46 Graeme Slight Orencas, Andy Ball, Warren Bennett, Nick Strange and Alex VI Holly Hayes Wood Club Grand Prix Ladies Doory. 1. Trudi Unwin Mel Evans was again first 2. Julie West Another great night with thanks Harrier home, this time 3. Katherine Dean to Social Secretary Aimee finishing third in the ladies’ 4. Nicki Nealon Browne and the committee. race. She finished over a 5. Jo Clarke Special thanks to our host for minute down on race 6. Marie Wilford the evening, Chairman, winner Emily Ault of AndyWilford, and of course to Barrow blaming tired legs Club Grand Prix Men Marie Wilford. for the 1. Andy Ball photographs on a hard week of training 2. James O’Dowd for the London Marathon. 3. Rob Tate Karen Selby who is 4. Andy Wilford running well on “the 5. Paul Nealon 3 THE HARRIER ISSUE 171 country” at the moment LEICESTERSHIRE VIRGIN LONDON was again second lady WINTER ROAD RACE MARATHON 2014 whilst Richard Russell was LEAGUE first man home in front of One of the best Harriers Graeme Slight. The Winter League performances for many a programme has been year in this year’s London. MEN disrupted this year Two runners, Carl Sommer 54. Richard Russell!36-50 because of road safety and Mark Gregory 55. Graeme Slight 36-51 concerns and two races at achieved sub 3 hour 71. Andy Ball!!37-44 83. Keith Chambers!38-26 Ashby and Barrow have clockings with Mark 86. Nick Strange!38-31 been cancelled. There are achieving a well deserved 101. Andy Wilford!39-12 certainly signs that road p.b.. Carl was just outside 129. Chris Unwin!41-28 racing in this country could his best but had a good 140. Alastair Orencas!42-27 face problems in the near run considering his build- 141. Nathan Bonham 42-38 future. Stilton “7” thus up was hampered with a 190. John Hart 50-38 Winner: Alex Benfield (Hatton) became the third race to bad cold. 30-41 count in the series. LADIES There was some 3. Mel Evans!!36-35 III Stilton “7” disappointment for Mel 22. Karen Selby!43-18 New member Mark Evans as she failed to 44. Julie West!!46-26 Kendrick led home a reach her sub-3 target but 45. Jo Clarke 46-30 61. Sandra Ankers!48-46 substantial Harrier turnout her run was still creditable, 67. Irene Forty!!50-15 in this race leading home being the 4th best 73. Clair Davis!!50-50 veterans Chris Talbot and performance ever by a 88. Marie Wilford!55-42 Graeme Slight. Helen Huncote Harrier - only two 98. Helen Bennett!60-20 Mercer was 1st Harrier runs by Nicki and one by Winner: Emily Ault (Barrow) lady in front of Karen Mel herself being better. 35-12 Selby. Chairman, Andy Wilford A fairly successful season weighed in with another for the Harriers with a HARRIERS exceptional run achieving 41. Mark Kendrick!45-26 number of runners another p.b. with 3-15-24. 42. Chris Talbot 45-31 Further down the field, collecting awards for the 50. Graeme Slight 45-55 series. Star was Mel 58. Nick Strange 46-27 another fine London run Evans who was second 67. Andy Wilford !47-08 for the second year on the lady overall behind Emily 107. Martin Coley!49-49 trot was achieved by Julie Ault, and who in most of 114. Warren Bennett!50-14 West. Her 3-37-10 was a 146. Alastair Orencas!52-24 the Derby Runner League sizeable chunk off her best 152. Barry Hibberd!52-36 and moves her just outside races, beat all the Huncote 155. Helen Mercer!52-42 men. There were also 172. Karen Selby!54-02 the Huncote all-time top 10 awards for our veteran 183.