Harriers are a 'Force' to be reckoned with

On Sunday 8th September, 3 Exmouth Harrier members were amongst the 324 strong line up for the 'Force 10k @ Powderham Castle'. This is a charity event, organised by and to raise funds for the Exeter based cancer charity, Force, and incorporates a 10k and 5k bike ride, a 10k and 5k run and a fun run for children, so it really is a great event to bring the whole family to. The set up, on the grass in front of the castle, with catering tents, free massage and also with Heart FM doing their live broadcast from there, alongside the race, led to a superb 'big but friendly' event atmosphere on the day.

As it is a charity event, you get a less than average proportion of club runner in attendance and more fancy dress, fund raiser runners and people attempting a run for the very first time. As such, the overall standard of competition is a little lower than at club organised races, but a field of 324 finishers, of which more than half (around 180) were female, still meant a good race was had by all.

I, Ellie Sutcliffe, had an unexpectedly good race. For the first time since my injury in February I felt strong, flowing and had no pain from my left achillies. What a joy! I had began to give up hope that I could ever have a pain-free race again. I managed to tuck myself in behind a couple of guys, who were lying in 2nd and 3rd place overall, and, although I was gaining on them on the hills, I couldn't hang onto them on the descents, and so I remained in 4th place to the finish. My time of 39:15 was surprisingly faster than last year and good enough for 1st female ahead of talented local veteran, Karen Cook of SWRR.

Also well-up up the field and having a good race was John Lambert. John ran a fine race to claim 40th place overall in 45:33: a decent time on this multi-terrain course that features a mile-long hill from miles 3.5 - 4.5. However, John was more chuffed with the performance of his son, Jeremy, in the 5k race. Actually, the race measures in at over 5k and Jeremy, at just 10 years old, was the youngest competitor in the field, so he showed tremendous talent to finish in 5th place overall out of 43 runners - many of whom were adults, and all of whom were older than him - in a time of 28:48. He really is one to watch for the future!

Continuing her come back from injury was Alison Milborrow. In her second race in just over a week, Alison showed no ill-effects from her efforts at the Forest Flyer and ran strongly to finish in the top half of the field, in 156th place overall in a time of 56:38, which is believed to be an inaugural PB for the distance. Alison now looks to tackle the Newton Abbot Ladies 10k next Sunday, where she will no doubt be looking to improve upon this time. 

The event raises around £15'000 for the charity and so runners knew that their hard efforts were going towards helping a well-deserving course.

Start of the 'Force 10k' on the Powderham Castle estate.