Created by : Tom Shaw On : Mon, 12/02/2024 - 13:22
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On Saturday at Berry Hill on Saturday it was the third and final Schools competition where runners competed in school year over a range of competitions from 1 to 2.5 mile which saw the junior Harriers leave with an excellent medal haul across the years. Starting with the girls, in Y5/6, Aya St Juste finished the series in 3rd overall to for a Bronze medal whilst up an age group Holly Bulmer completed the series in Y8/9 (result TBC) whilst up to Y10/11 Miley Town finished 3rd overall to secure an excellent silver in the series and 2nd overall. It was a similar success story for the boys as two young Harriers competed in Y5/6 as George North finished 2nd overall to take home silver with Oakley Allsop also having an excellent series, finishing 15th. Up an age group we had Henry Marks competing in Y8/9 (result TBC) whilst Harry Cole competed in Y10/11 (Result also TBC).
Also on Saturday, five Harriers took part in the Baslow Bolt Fell Race, a great event organised by the local community to raise funds for the village school, the nearby church and a local hospice. Over 300 assembled in the church yard for the race briefing and some wise words from the Church Warden, before the church clock chimed at 10am to set the runners off! A category BM race, approx 8 miles long with 1300 ft of elevation, taking in muddy undulating pastures, woodland trails, a section along the River Derwent and a steep climb up onto Baslow Edge. Great views but it almost impossible to take them in, as runners weaved in and out, up and over the rocky outcrops requiring full concentration. Finally, runners descended back into Baslow along a long track that eventually turned into tarmac, allowing for a fast 'gravity assisted' finish, where the much appreciated tea, coffee and plentiful cakes awaited us.
First home for the Harriers was David Bulmer in 1:25:38, followed by Nat Brock in 1:29:57, Jim Staveley in 1:31:02, Sally Staveley in 1:45:32 and Sally Bulmer in 1:46:24.
On to Sunday and before we finish with the Nottinghamshire Trail Championship, we quickly head over to Sheffield for some even quicker running as the ever popular Percy Pud 10k took part along Loxley Road. An undulating course as runners head down to Damflask Reservoir out to the 5k turn around point they need to save just enough as they head back from where they came, fueled on with encouragement as the runners pass each other on the out and back course for a great festive atmosphere. Getting that pacing just right, a fantastic run from Henry Brady saw a huge PB of nearly 4 minutes including a strong negative split on the challenging course to finish first Harrier in 37:05 and a Club Silver Standard. Sticking with the Men and PB’s, Chris Bliss was next in in 40:44, scoring a PB and club bronze standard. Rounding out the men a superb run from Sam Thorneloe running 56:07 with a very strong run. Shortly following Sam, Kate Thorneloe was just behind in 58:39 with Delia Nicholson also running a firm favourite as she ran 1:09:38.
Finishing off this weeks race report and runners didn’t have far to travel as the Notts county trail champs attracted a great field and plenty of Harriers as despite the wet and muddy conditions there was a great festive feel with so a brilliant 27 Green and black both out racing and on course for support and marshalling all the runners around the course. A single 10k undulating loop starting from Sherwood Forest Visitor centre, the sort-of-figure-8 course was wetter than previous years which made it feel every part the trail championship. The full results for the county champs medals including teams are still to be published but getting on the podium is one way to guarantee yourself one as Hannah Miller grabbed her 2nd Silver in as many weeks with an excellent run to secure county Silver, 2nd overall trophy and the just-in-time-for-Christmas bottle of Prosecco. Leading a team of 16 Harriers, we had an excellent turn out with Amy Ogden, Sam Marriott, Julie Holloway, Sam Robinson, Rachel Silcock, Cathy Mhembere, Lucy Binch, Charlotte Randell, Cassie Worton, Karen Parry, Sharon James, Jo Campbell, Carolyn Luckham, Sarah-Janyne Baines and an extra shout out for Sam Timson as she took part in her first race.
Although results are you to be published, the men also made a great account of themselves to give a good chance of some vet cat medals as well as the County Team Prize as Tom Shaw, Matt Daly, Paul Marriott and Bryan Cherry finished 5th, 11th, 15th and 29th to put lots of Harriers high up. Nick Mould was next followed by Chris Lawrence, Kev Saville, Dominic Ayton, Matan Duveen, Roy Turner and John Shephard making it a strong showing from the Green and Black which as always enjoyed the racing before a great bit of post-run social to kick off the festive season!
