A total of 28 Exmouth Harriers ran in various parkruns on Saturday, May 21, with Dawn Teed travelling the furthest (over 11,900 miles from Exmouth), when she ran in the Fosters parkrun in Christchurch, New Zealand in a marvellous time of 27.55.

There was some marvellous running from eleven Exmouth Harriers in Exeter’s Great West Run on Sunday, May 22. Over 2,800 runners completed the exciting 13.1 miles route through the heart of Exeter that started at the Exeter Arena, passed through the city centre, followed by pretty country lanes and stunning views across Exeter, finishing on the stadium track back at the Exeter Arena.

Following on from his success in the England Masters 1/2 Marathon in Chester on May 15, Tom Merson continued his recent blistering racing form by winning the GWR for the 7th time (out of his 13 starts since 2006).

It was a very warm day and the 13.1 miles were run over a testing undulating course that challenged the runners throughout, and especially with a particularly difficult final 5km, which proved a test of legs, lungs and mind. Despite the difficult conditions, Tom won by over a minute in a time of 68.13, which was his second fastest in his 14 finishes in the GWR.

Tom had great support from the ten Harriers within the race and from friends and family along the 13.1 mile route, and another superb performance in the famous blue jersey.

A number of Harriers were competing in their first Great West Run with some of them racing in a 1/2 Marathon for the first time and they all produced fantastic results and thoroughly enjoyed the event.

GWR Results: 1st Tom Merson 1.08.13 1st M35; 82nd Chris Dupain 1.29.43 26th M35; 111th Hannah Bown 1.33.32 3rd W36; 276th Andy Johnson 1.43.30 17th M55; 279th David Middlehurst 1.43.38 95th SM; 288th James Storey 1.44.01 98th SM; 410th Steve Morgan 1.48.41 3rd M65; 446th Emma White 1.49.48 23rd W35; 458th Rachel Sanders 1.50.19 30th SW; 679th Jim Comer 1.57.01 176th M35; 777th Liz Michaelson 1.59.13 9th W55.

Exmouth Journal: David Middlehurst, Emma White, Hannah Bown, Steve Morgan, Rachel Sanders & Liz Michaelson before the start of the GWRDavid Middlehurst, Emma White, Hannah Bown, Steve Morgan, Rachel Sanders & Liz Michaelson before the start of the GWR (Image: Exmouth Harriers)

Exmouth Journal: Dawn Teed Parkrunning 11,900 miles from ExmouthDawn Teed Parkrunning 11,900 miles from Exmouth (Image: Exmouth Harriers)

Exmouth Journal: Tom Merson in the final 1/2 mile of the GWRTom Merson in the final 1/2 mile of the GWR (Image: Exmouth Harriers)