Lisa Hatchard is challenged at Plym Valley

Now that summer is underway in name, if not necessarily in terms of associated weather conditions, the midweek evening races on the local running calendar have become plentiful. Last Wednesday saw the running of the 'Plym Valley Challenge'. Organised by the Instinctive Sports running club, who are based in Plymouth, this is a tough off-road event of approximately 9 miles in distance, subjecting participants to some challenging ascents and descents and come challenging terrain... hence the inclusion of the word "challenge" in the race title!

There was just one lone Harrier representative who made the trip south down the A38 and that was Lisa Hatchard. A graduate of the beginner's running course and now a staunch devotee of the Wednesday night ladies club, led by Lorraine Gilson, Lisa is just getting back into running seriously after a break of several years during which small matters such as having a family got in the way!!!

If her performance at this tough 9 miler is anything to go by, she is really getting her fitness back as she finished the race in a time of 1:18:58 for 72nd place and 14th female. (There were 110 finishers, placing Lisa just outside the top 60%).

The race was won by the very talented Kairn Stone, who was using it as a warm up for the Torbay Half Marathon, in 50:14. First woman home was FV40 athlete Jaine Swift of Erme Valley Harriers in 59:30.

Lisa said: This was my first race in 3 years, the 'Plym Valley Challenge', a very hilly off-roader, perhaps not the easiest of races to choose! Thank you to Joan, Lorraine and Alison for their support and encouragement'.

So for any other ladies reading this blog who perhaps doubt that they will ever regain their former fitness levels and never be at a standard adequate enough to compete again: Lisa is the living proof that it is possible! So dust off those old trainers, get the hubby to baby-sit and get back out there!! Lisa would certainly recommend it!