Created by : Tom Shaw On : Mon, 03/17/2025 - 09:37
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Local fan favourite the Retford Half Marathon returned this year and as ever the green and black were out in force both in the races and on the Marshall stations but before we go long this week we’ve got some short fast things to start with!
Early on Saturday down South, the English Schools XC championship took place at Ardingly Showground and following qualification earlier in the year, Miley Townrow joined The Nottinghamshire Team as each County sent their representatives for the finals. A two lap course consisting of a medium and large lap saw the intermediate girls race 3.5 km over a fast and frantic start followed by a killer hill finish as they climbed back to the Start. An excellent run saw Miley finish 5th for Notts, contributing to the scoring-6 and an excellent finish to wrap up a successful Winter XC campaign.
Very much off the XC path and later in the afternoon, the Podium Festival returned for its second year. Nine seeded races and five laps at Leicester Cycle Circuit through the afternoon, podium brings together athletes of similar ability and with roughly 100 runners in each race, the sole goal of running their best time. In the forth race of the say (sub-16) Tom Shaw finished a long awaited search for a PB, finishing with a fast final lap to finish 6th in the F-Race in a time of 15:27.
Most miles for the week by a fair chunk go to Gemma Hind as she took on the 21 mile Grindleford gallop. A sunny but cool day made for an excellent day on the fells as the route makes its way out of Grindleford through Eyam, Great Longstone, Bakewell, Chatsworth Park and back to Grindleford. With nearly 3,000 ft of ascent takes in plenty of climbing on the way round but following a great winters training and some excellent pacing Gemma set a course PB and dipping under 5 hours in 4:59:09 to round out an excellent Saturday for the Harriers.
On to Sunday and club activities were in full swing just down the road at the Retford half Marathon. An undulating course as runners leave Retford Oaks Academy and head out towards Barnby Moor, up towards Billy Button Lane (and Harriers cheer zone!) before a mile out and back loop and then the challenge final third of the race as runners head back up Old London Road and then a fast final mile back to Retford. 24 Harriers ran with some superb results whether it was all in for the PB or continuing their Spring Marathon Campaign for some great training
Adrian Hopkinson - 1:18:26
Henry Brady - 1:18:41 (PB)
Barnaby Gray - 1:21:21
Paul Parry - 1:23:04 (PB)
Jack Hutchinson - 1:28:46
Chris Lawrence - 1:31:25 (PB)
Kerry Saville - 1:33:18
Steve Battle - 1:34:44
Jordan Shipman - 1:3919 (PB)
Madi Spencer - 1:41:37 (PB)
Peter Spencer - 1:42:05 (PB)
Danny Watts - 1:43:59 (PB)
Julie Holloway - 1:46:37 (PB)
Cathy Mhembere - 1:47:43 (PB)
Samantha Robinson - 1:52:28 (PB)
Charlotte Randell - 1:52:28 (PB)
Alex Edwards - 1:56:44 (PB)
Matan Duveen - 2:02:35
Rachel Silcock - 2:05:41
Stuart McCluskie - 2:05:57
John Shephard - 2:12:53
Adrian Thompson - 2:14:10
Michelle Atherton - 2:18:20
Jo Campbell - 2:18:21
If it seemed like there was a lot of Green and Black around the course it wasn’t just because we were in the race but also Water Station #2 on Billy Button Lane was manned by the Worksop Harriers as we welcomed runners through 10k and also excellently positioned to see the runners as they headed through Mile 8 being located on the turn out. Superbly organised by Gemma (recovering from yesterdays Gallop!) and Richard Hind and a small Army of Harriers, standing on the side-lines is a great chance to cheer on and encourage both club mates and fellow runners whilst also helping out local races run by local clubs can continue to happen, providing both great value events for the community and helping clubs raise valuable funds each year!
