Dave Stone wraps it up and runs away with victory at the Wrap Up and Run 10k

It turned out to be a bit of a misnomer, the Exeter Wrap Up and Run 10k, held on Sunday 25th March, as that day was in fact to be the hottest of the year so far and in balmy temperatures that topped out at around 20 degrees, the runners were thinking of shedding layers rather than adding them! This did not stop a trio of Harriers from toeing what was a somewhat unusual start line for a race - in the middle of Exeter's Princess Hay shopping centre!

The race was part of a national series of 10k races organised by Age Concern UK to raise money for the charity. Participants were entreated to an aerobics style warm up in full view of the weekend shoppers before tearing off down the High Street on a fast course that ended at the Piazza on Exeter Quay.

Flying the Harrier's vest with pride, Dave Stone zoomed around the corner into the finishing funnel in pole position. His winning time of 34.52 put him 10 seconds ahead of second placed finisher, Mike Feighn of Exeter Harriers. Dave continues to show the senior athletes the underside of his heels and stubbornly refuses to get slower year on year. This has got to be a good confidence boost for him going into the final stages of his London Marathon preparation.

Also having a superb run was Mike Musgrove, who took 5th place overall and 2nd MV40, behind Dave. Mike was a little confused at the finish as his Garmin clearly showed that his average pace was superior to that of his 10k PB and yet he stopped the clock at 36.16, 12 seconds down on his best time for the distance. Then it became apparent that the course was in fact about 150m too long. Very frustrating as an accurately measured course would have certainly brought Mike that covetted sub-36 clocking that he's been chasing for a while.

The third Harrier competing, having a great run, was press-man Dave Eveleigh. Churning out a time of 45.54, this shaved around 2 minutes off his season's best for 2011, set on the pancake flat Exeter 10k course in August. The winter 3k leg sharpeners he pounded out at the track over the winter have clearly brought dividends. Dave was 89th overall and 3rd MV55.

There were 560 finishers, so our Harriers placed very highly up the field indeed. Top woman on the day was the ever-consistent SWRR veteran, Karen Cook, in 40.17.
Dave crosses the finish line in top spot on the Exeter Quay. Woo!