It has been another great week for the Exmouth Harriers, and congratulations to the 10 Harriers who raced locally and further afield, writes Des White.
In scorching temperatures close to 30 degrees on Thursday afternoon, Jenny Reay won the W65 European 10km Road Race in Pescara, Italy in 43.51, as her incredible season continues.
Jenny is now the double 2023 W65 European Champion (10,000m on the track, plus 10km on the road) with Gold European W65 medals in both testing events. Well done to Jenny, an amazing runner in so many different environments.
On Saturday, Sam Kelly kept up the great form for Exmouth Harriers by finishing 1st overall in 43.11 (a new course record time). Sam’s Sister Alice Kelly was 1st Lady finisher in 52.32 (a new Ladies course record time) and Hugh Marsden was 2nd M60 in the East Mill Tor Loop at Belstone.
The race was run over a spectacular route of just under six miles of fantastic and, in parts, technical running but always with breathtaking Moorland views. This was the final race in 2023 Dartmoor Fell Race series, Hugh finished 2nd M60 in the series.
Also on Saturday, Lisa Hatchard ran in the Run Events Devon Toffee Apple Marathon Challenge (Day 1) in Exmouth on the Budleigh Trail and recorded a great time of 4.38.12. Uniquely, each finisher was awarded with a toffee apple for reward them for their efforts, taking all of us back to a sweet and savoury taste of our youth.
On Sunday, three Harriers travelled into Wales to take part in one of the most prestigious 1/2 Marathons in the UK; the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon. On a warm and sticky day, Craig Butler’s finishing time was 1.30.17 in 799th position, Hannah Bown’s time was 1.37.31 in 1,362nd and Andy Place‘s time was 1.47.42 in 2,924th position.
Also on Sunday, Chris Murrin ran his 121st Marathon in 4.29.21 in REDs Toffee Apple Marathon Challenge (Day 2) in Exmouth on the Budleigh Trail. Chris is planning to run his 122nd marathon in Winding Path’s Grand Canal Canter in Tiverton on October 29.
Finally, Tom Packer ran 61.28 in the Honiton Hippo, which is described by the organisers as approximately seven miles of mud, sweat and tears.
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