Hello to all the faithful Exmouth Harrier blog followers. Sorry to disappoint you but I'm off on holiday tomorrow and don't intend upon going near a computer whilst there so there will be no updates for the next few weeks. I realise that this is a massive blow as there is absolutely nothing of note on the calendar around the end of December and beginning of January to distract you from your withdrawal symptoms and I know you would all be sat indoors over the next couple of weeks with a cup of cocoa in hand, reading this as there's nothing else to do. But you'll just have to wait until early January I am afraid and try to find something to amuse yourselves in between times!! ;-)
On a serious note: wishing all the Harriers and all the blog followers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Let's hope 2013 is another successful one!
Exe-rated runners!
The successful Harriers team, en masse, at the Erme Valley Relays, July 2013
Saturday, 15 December 2012
20 Harriers take on (and take over!) Killerton Parkrun
On Saturday 15th December, 20 Exmouth Harriers headed to Killerton House to participate in the weekly Parkrun that is staged there. Many members have already been seduced by the charms of this fun, friendly and FREE weekly run, but other Harriers had yet to give it a go. So our newly elected men's team captain, Adam Miller, suggested at the AGM that we all target the run en masse this week, and so a date was set and it proved to be a very popular idea with 20 members all pitching up, armed with their barcode and ready to run!
The route is an undulating 5k through the grounds of Killerton that includes some fields, a wooded section and some farm tracks. We were hoping at the start of the week that a spell of dry weather would dry up the course and that seemed to be the case... until the 24 hour-long downpour that occurred yesterday totally saturated it again. So the Harriers had to contend with a lot of mud on the route, particularly on the 2 field sections at the start and finish of the race, which were extremely boggy.
Despite these conditions, however, some good times were still posted and there was even the odd PB set by runners who had participated before. Adam Miller, recently crowned as the Harriers Male Athlete of the Year at the Harriers' annual award do last week AND also recently crowned as Parkrunner of the month for November 2012 by the Parkrun organisers, proved his worthiness of both these titles, finishing as first Harrier and 4th overall on the day in an exceptionally high quality men's field. Guest Harrier, Berihu Tesfay, won the race overall, just out-sprinting Exeter Harrier James Denne at the very end. These were everyone's times and placings (first timers indicated F.T. and new Killerton PB as PB).
Berihu Tesfay: 1st in 17:09 (F.T.)
Adam Miller: 4th in 18:29
Tony Hatchard: 7th in 19:25 (F.T.)
Ellie Sutcliffe: 8th (1st female) in 19:36 (PB, by 1 second!)
Andy Johnson: 15th in 21:54
Roger Rowe: 22nd in 23:09
Terry Oldham: 24th in 23:18 (F.T.)
Dave Eveleigh: 25th in 23:20
Bob Keast: 26th in 23:28 (F.T.)
Carly Audritt: 31st (8th female) in 24:00
Lisa Hatchard: 36th (11th female) in 25:09 (F.T.)
Dawn Teed: 38th (12th female) in 25:19 (F.T.)
Lorraine Gilson: 39th (13th female) in 25:21 (F.T.)
Finn Musgrove: 42nd in 25:31 (F.T.)
Mike Musgrove: 43rd in 25:33 (running with son Finn)
Alison Milborrow: 52nd (15th female) in 27:21 (F.T.)
Nicola Crook: 53rd (16th female) in 27:33 (F.T.)
Diana Richards: 36th (18th female) in 27:53
Les Turner: 62nd in 29:20
81 finishers. So Harriers made up 1/4 of the total field today!! Go us!
The route is an undulating 5k through the grounds of Killerton that includes some fields, a wooded section and some farm tracks. We were hoping at the start of the week that a spell of dry weather would dry up the course and that seemed to be the case... until the 24 hour-long downpour that occurred yesterday totally saturated it again. So the Harriers had to contend with a lot of mud on the route, particularly on the 2 field sections at the start and finish of the race, which were extremely boggy.
Despite these conditions, however, some good times were still posted and there was even the odd PB set by runners who had participated before. Adam Miller, recently crowned as the Harriers Male Athlete of the Year at the Harriers' annual award do last week AND also recently crowned as Parkrunner of the month for November 2012 by the Parkrun organisers, proved his worthiness of both these titles, finishing as first Harrier and 4th overall on the day in an exceptionally high quality men's field. Guest Harrier, Berihu Tesfay, won the race overall, just out-sprinting Exeter Harrier James Denne at the very end. These were everyone's times and placings (first timers indicated F.T. and new Killerton PB as PB).
Berihu Tesfay: 1st in 17:09 (F.T.)
Adam Miller: 4th in 18:29
Tony Hatchard: 7th in 19:25 (F.T.)
Ellie Sutcliffe: 8th (1st female) in 19:36 (PB, by 1 second!)
Andy Johnson: 15th in 21:54
Roger Rowe: 22nd in 23:09
Terry Oldham: 24th in 23:18 (F.T.)
Dave Eveleigh: 25th in 23:20
Bob Keast: 26th in 23:28 (F.T.)
Carly Audritt: 31st (8th female) in 24:00
Lisa Hatchard: 36th (11th female) in 25:09 (F.T.)
Dawn Teed: 38th (12th female) in 25:19 (F.T.)
Lorraine Gilson: 39th (13th female) in 25:21 (F.T.)
Finn Musgrove: 42nd in 25:31 (F.T.)
Mike Musgrove: 43rd in 25:33 (running with son Finn)
Alison Milborrow: 52nd (15th female) in 27:21 (F.T.)
Nicola Crook: 53rd (16th female) in 27:33 (F.T.)
Diana Richards: 36th (18th female) in 27:53
Les Turner: 62nd in 29:20
81 finishers. So Harriers made up 1/4 of the total field today!! Go us!
The before photo...
...and the after!
Mike paced his son Finn around his first Parkrun and he did amazingly well: under 26 mins and he's not even 14 yet!
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Mike is top vet at the inter-services XC series!
Mike Musgrove emerged triumphant as the top vet athlete after a series of 6 challenging cross-country races that have taken place over the last few months at various venues throughout Devon and Cornwall. Participants were representing their respective "service", with Mike, from the fire service, battling it out alongside runners from the police and the various armed forces branches.
Mike reports having had some particularly good battles over the 6 races with Pete Waumsley, of Tamar Trotters, but running for the Royal Navy, and Stuart Hall, winner of this year's Bicton Blister race, also representing the fire service.
The terrains varied and incorporated a mixture of multi-terrain, trail style courses, in addition to the more traditional cross-country track, run on multiple laps of fields.
As the series wrapped, Mike was announced as the victor overall in the vet categories and placed high up the overall rankings as well.
Mike reports having had some particularly good battles over the 6 races with Pete Waumsley, of Tamar Trotters, but running for the Royal Navy, and Stuart Hall, winner of this year's Bicton Blister race, also representing the fire service.
The terrains varied and incorporated a mixture of multi-terrain, trail style courses, in addition to the more traditional cross-country track, run on multiple laps of fields.
As the series wrapped, Mike was announced as the victor overall in the vet categories and placed high up the overall rankings as well.
Jon Garrity nets 2nd spot at Haldon
Also on Sunday, on what proved to be an extremely hectic day on the Harriers racing calendar, with members racing at 4 different events, Jon Garrity headed to the nearby Haldon Forest Country Park to participate in the Haldon Forest Festive 10k. Participants were encouraged to dress up in Christmas themed fancy dress for this run around the Dawlish Coasters' Forest Flyer 5 course, so although billed as a 10k, it was in fact a good mile under that distance. Nevertheless, there is a substantial climb back up the forest to the finish line that still makes this a fair test of endurance.
Jon has been running really well of late and has been staying on top of his persistent calf problem to get some quality training miles in. He found himself running in a pack of 4 runners heading up the field for most of the race, including local S.W.R.R. rivals, Ian Pang and Andy Jones. Towards the end they all started to test each other and push the pace and it proved to be Andy Jones who handled it best, taking the victory, but Jon was only 20 seconds adrift in 2nd place in a time of around 35 minutes.
Today he jets out to Lanzerote for a week's training at the winter season training venue, Club La Santa. Ooh, get him - elite! He plans to benefit from the daily track coaching sessions, in addition to taking his bike and hitting some of the scenic high roads around the volcanic island. With temperatures currently at 20 degrees, he'll definitely appreciate escaping our current cold snap and will hopefully return refreshed and armed with a good base for the New Year.
Jon has been running really well of late and has been staying on top of his persistent calf problem to get some quality training miles in. He found himself running in a pack of 4 runners heading up the field for most of the race, including local S.W.R.R. rivals, Ian Pang and Andy Jones. Towards the end they all started to test each other and push the pace and it proved to be Andy Jones who handled it best, taking the victory, but Jon was only 20 seconds adrift in 2nd place in a time of around 35 minutes.
Today he jets out to Lanzerote for a week's training at the winter season training venue, Club La Santa. Ooh, get him - elite! He plans to benefit from the daily track coaching sessions, in addition to taking his bike and hitting some of the scenic high roads around the volcanic island. With temperatures currently at 20 degrees, he'll definitely appreciate escaping our current cold snap and will hopefully return refreshed and armed with a good base for the New Year.
Harriers wrap up as the final round of the 3k also wraps up!
Four Exmouth Harriers were on the track in Exeter for the final round of the Ironbridge Runner 3km Series.
The temperature was low enough to see frost forming on the track surface, leaving runners without spikes short on traction, particularly on the bends.
Les Turner ran 14:42 in the D Race and picked up the overall first prize for Men Over 65 for the series.
Les Turner ran 14:42 in the D Race and picked up the overall first prize for Men Over 65 for the series.
Carly Audritt was 10th in the C Race in 13:24 but unfortunately, having been forced to sit out the second round in November due to illness, she was unable to post the 3 times that were necessary in order to place in the series.
Also in the C race, Dave Eveleigh tried but failed to get away from rival Dave King who tracked him all the way to the final straight before pulling away to win comfortably (third in 12:06 to Eveleigh’s fifth in 12:12), but Eveleigh was second overall in the 55+ Men’s section for the 3 rounds.
Andrew Johnson worked especially hard in finishing 10th in the B Race, his time on the track-side clock showing an impressive 11:51, though officially he was given 12:01.
Andrew Johnson worked especially hard in finishing 10th in the B Race, his time on the track-side clock showing an impressive 11:51, though officially he was given 12:01.
The whole event, four 3km races and a mile run for younger athletes, as well as presentations was very efficiently completed in an hour and a half so that runners could get out of the cold and get warmed up!
Mark does the Full Monty!
10 miles, 10 hills, 1 Mark: The Full Monty Cute 10!
On Sunday 2nd December Mark Thompson, one of a number of Exmouth Harriers who specialise in Ultra Marathons and off-road events, took on a race over 10.5 miles, a distance 20 miles or more shorter than that of some of the events he has completed. This was in Somerset near Montacute, close to Yeovil, and was entirely off-road. This is always a popular race that sells out one month in advance.
The race organisers, Crewkerne Running Club, would appear to rely on two publications. One is an O.S. map to pick out hills - this course including one for each complete mile - and the other seems to be a bit of creative wizardry as they seek out a race title that will stick in the memory of potential participants! Hence Mark was competing in “The Full Monty Cute Trail Race”.
He describes the first two ascents as “monsters” with a rope being needed at one point on the first. Mark was 33rd of sell-out field of almost 250 runners (that’s top 15%) and was timed at 91:18 (and that’s an impressive 7mph over this taxing terrain).
On Sunday 2nd December Mark Thompson, one of a number of Exmouth Harriers who specialise in Ultra Marathons and off-road events, took on a race over 10.5 miles, a distance 20 miles or more shorter than that of some of the events he has completed. This was in Somerset near Montacute, close to Yeovil, and was entirely off-road. This is always a popular race that sells out one month in advance.
The race organisers, Crewkerne Running Club, would appear to rely on two publications. One is an O.S. map to pick out hills - this course including one for each complete mile - and the other seems to be a bit of creative wizardry as they seek out a race title that will stick in the memory of potential participants! Hence Mark was competing in “The Full Monty Cute Trail Race”.
He describes the first two ascents as “monsters” with a rope being needed at one point on the first. Mark was 33rd of sell-out field of almost 250 runners (that’s top 15%) and was timed at 91:18 (and that’s an impressive 7mph over this taxing terrain).
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Some cracking performances at the Wyvern Christmas Cracker 10k!
On Sunday 9th December there were 4 Harriers making their way up the M5 to Weston-Super-Mare (love that name!) to take part in the Weston AC organised 'Wyvern Christmas Cracker 10k'. Sometimes just referred to as the Weston 10k, this is an extremely popular race and each year the 2000 places sell out far in advance of the race. Cathy Newman, Berihu Tesfay and Mike Musgrove had already signed up long ago, but a last minute place, courtesy of Cathy's brother who couldn't run, came available and was generously offered to and eagerly accepted by me, Ellie.
The race is almost entirely flat but half of it is run on the vast expanse of beach at Weston, which slightly slows the times. Also, this year, there was a truly ferocious wind blowing in off the sea. Luckily for the stretch along the beach, it was a side wind, but it was still debilitating to your average speed, and on the occasions when you turned into it head on, it was like hitting a brick wall.
The performance of the day undoubtedly goes to Mike who had an absolute "cracker"! He felt strong throughout, despite the blustery conditions, and he ran himself into 7th place overall (out of 1605 finishers!) in a chip time of 36:01. This is only 8 seconds outside of his PB, so, given an all tarmac surface and less wind, he would likely have obliterated his 10k time by about a minute. He was also a comfortable winner in the MV40 category and picked up a silver tray and a Mizuno shoe voucher for his stellar performance.
Berihu was using the race as a fast leg stretch and tempo run and not aiming to go all out as he is still taking things steady after a calf strain last month. He ran with eventual 4th placer, Pete Monaghan of Torbay AC, for a while, before settling into a steady rhythm and eventually crossing the line in 5th place in a time of 35:26.
Cathy and I started off running shoulder to shoulder for the first mile and both of us were looking for a good race, having been so closely matched at the XC the previous week. After about a mile though, Cathy drifted off the pace and I didn't look around to see where she was, expecting her to be there within striking distance, until the final turn for the finish, when I was surprised not to see her behind me. It turns out she was starting with a cough and a cold and she had difficulties clearing her throat and this effected her breathing, she even had to completely stop at one stage to clear her throat, but it never came right the whole race. So in the end she finished in a time of 45:59 - apparently a PW, even eclipsing the time she set for 10k at 7000ft of altitude in Eithiopia. Poor Cathy had targeted this race to get under 40 minutes before the end of the year, having narrowly missed out by 2 seconds at the Dartmoor Vale 10k in October. And she was certainly on form and more than capable of it had she been fit and well. Bad timing of a cold and the run meant that Cathy had a day at the office that she'd rather forget. But we know it's only a matter of time and finding the right course before she gets well under 40 minutes again.
I was very relaxed about this race, having raced the previous day I had no expectations on myself and was just viewing the race as a bonus and aiming to enjoy it. And enjoy it I did! It felt like the time flew past and I never got to that point that I almost always get to in every race, the 'why the hell am I doing this?' point! I felt comfortable throughout and so was pleasantly surprised to duck in under 39 mins, 38:55, and to sneak the 3rd spot in the female race and 18th overall.
The organisation of this race is second to none and the atmosphere is superb. The motto of the race is: no tinsel, no time, and every runner is asked to either wear fancy dress (it was in fact Santa who came 2nd in the race!) or to at least wear a token piece of tinsel. All of us would highly recommend this race for someone looking for a fun, fast, flat 10k to round off the year!
The race is almost entirely flat but half of it is run on the vast expanse of beach at Weston, which slightly slows the times. Also, this year, there was a truly ferocious wind blowing in off the sea. Luckily for the stretch along the beach, it was a side wind, but it was still debilitating to your average speed, and on the occasions when you turned into it head on, it was like hitting a brick wall.
The performance of the day undoubtedly goes to Mike who had an absolute "cracker"! He felt strong throughout, despite the blustery conditions, and he ran himself into 7th place overall (out of 1605 finishers!) in a chip time of 36:01. This is only 8 seconds outside of his PB, so, given an all tarmac surface and less wind, he would likely have obliterated his 10k time by about a minute. He was also a comfortable winner in the MV40 category and picked up a silver tray and a Mizuno shoe voucher for his stellar performance.
Berihu was using the race as a fast leg stretch and tempo run and not aiming to go all out as he is still taking things steady after a calf strain last month. He ran with eventual 4th placer, Pete Monaghan of Torbay AC, for a while, before settling into a steady rhythm and eventually crossing the line in 5th place in a time of 35:26.
Cathy and I started off running shoulder to shoulder for the first mile and both of us were looking for a good race, having been so closely matched at the XC the previous week. After about a mile though, Cathy drifted off the pace and I didn't look around to see where she was, expecting her to be there within striking distance, until the final turn for the finish, when I was surprised not to see her behind me. It turns out she was starting with a cough and a cold and she had difficulties clearing her throat and this effected her breathing, she even had to completely stop at one stage to clear her throat, but it never came right the whole race. So in the end she finished in a time of 45:59 - apparently a PW, even eclipsing the time she set for 10k at 7000ft of altitude in Eithiopia. Poor Cathy had targeted this race to get under 40 minutes before the end of the year, having narrowly missed out by 2 seconds at the Dartmoor Vale 10k in October. And she was certainly on form and more than capable of it had she been fit and well. Bad timing of a cold and the run meant that Cathy had a day at the office that she'd rather forget. But we know it's only a matter of time and finding the right course before she gets well under 40 minutes again.
I was very relaxed about this race, having raced the previous day I had no expectations on myself and was just viewing the race as a bonus and aiming to enjoy it. And enjoy it I did! It felt like the time flew past and I never got to that point that I almost always get to in every race, the 'why the hell am I doing this?' point! I felt comfortable throughout and so was pleasantly surprised to duck in under 39 mins, 38:55, and to sneak the 3rd spot in the female race and 18th overall.
The organisation of this race is second to none and the atmosphere is superb. The motto of the race is: no tinsel, no time, and every runner is asked to either wear fancy dress (it was in fact Santa who came 2nd in the race!) or to at least wear a token piece of tinsel. All of us would highly recommend this race for someone looking for a fun, fast, flat 10k to round off the year!
Mike (1st MV40) and Ellie (3rd female) with our prizes
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