A podium place for Nigel in the Run Exe 5k!

Tuesday 14th May saw the first round of the Run Exe Summer 5k series get underway. Organised by Ironbridge Runner Events, this is a flat (apart from 2 very small slopes up off the river bank), fast 2 lap course around Flower Pots playing fields, in Exwick. There is one race each month from May - September and runners can opt to run them all, some or just one of the races, but at least 4 out of the 5 need to be completed to be in the running for series prizes.

The Harriers were well represented at this first round; perhaps the introduction of the club championship this year has enticed a few of them to have a go to tick off the '5k column' and add another category to their bid for completion of the required 6 races. Who knows, but what is certain is that they all had very good runs, particularly considering that the conditions were not favourable, with puddles on the course following a heavy downpour before the race and a stiff wind on the course too.

The first Harrier home was Chris Dupain, in 25th place overall, in a fine time of 19:23. Chris will have been pleased to get one over on his sister, Hannah, after she managed to beat him 2 days previously at the Beer Blazer event! Perhaps Chris favours the flat tarmac terrain whilst Hannah is more at home when offroad in the hills! Hannah wasn't too far adrift though, posting a fine sub 20 minute time of 19:51 for 31st place overall and 4th female.

Andy Johnson was the next Harrier across the line. He takes part in this 5k series most years and his times are always consistent, showing that year on year, he is not getting any slower. On this outing he ran 21:02 for 46th place and 4th MV45.

Less than a minute behind Andy, and also having raced in the Beer Blazer 2 days previous, was Ben White. Ben clocked a time of 21:46 for 52nd place overall.

Keeping a tight leash on her husband-to-be was Emma Dupain, who had Ben in her sights the whole way but just couldn't close the 21 second gap, finishing in 22:07 for 57th place overall and 11th female on the night.

Nigel 'Pops' Dupain made it a solid half dozen Harrier performances with his useful time of 23:10. This gave him 6th place overall and top spot in the MV60 category. Nigel - you know you're going to have to do the rest of the series now to try and hold on to pole position, don't you?!!

There were 86 finishers. Exeter University student, Jack Fitsall, won the race in a brisk 16:12. Top woman was SWRR's Emma Sharples in 18:56.

Well done to all 6 Harriers who hauled themselves out of their cosy homes on such a nasty evening. The first rounds of both the Yeovilton and the Run Exe "Summer" 5k series have not been graced with "summer"-like conditions. In the words of D:Ream: things can only get better. On on to round 2!