Eastern Vets XC Champs, Folksworth 15 & Fred Hughes 10
(Sunday 21st January 2007)

This was a competitive race for veterans of all ability levels, with some very quick runners setting the pace, including at least three known to have competed as veterans at international level. With 16 individual and 7 team age group's being sorted out, some of the results are still awaited. The good news , however is that Anna Litchfield, Sally Cartwright, and Andrea Ward won their 35 to 44 group team race, with Anna and Sally being 1st and 3rd W35-39, and Andrea 1st W40-44 individuals. In the next groups, where team results are still awaited, Veronica was placed 2nd in the W45-49's, Jacky Keenan 3rd in the W 55-59's and Iva Barr 1st W75+. With 16 male Harriers on view, the only results announced so far are Bob Wells - 2nd M60-64, and 1999 Harriers Road Champion Maurice Crook, running his first race since contesting this event in 2005, winning the M65-69 group, running just as smoothly as when winning this group in '05.

The 4k ladies race was won by the Harriers team of Anna, Andrea and Sally. The second team place also went to the Harriers with Veronica[7th], Kathie Horseman[10th and Jacky Keenan[16th] in the scoring places and Elaine Reyolds[19th] and Lynne Greenard [22nd]

 Men's 8k race - in the 40+ section, behind Nene Valley[1st] and Beds and County[2nd] the Harriers team was placed third, the four scoring runners being 27th Justin Openshaw, 30th Steve Gaunt, 31st James Dunn, and 33rd Joe Horseman, backed up by tony Barnes[34th], James Wallbank[36th],Mark Billington[44th] and Steve Crane[49th].

 The Harriers M60+ Team comfortably extended their winning run in this ,race from three to four years, their positions in the overall race being Bob Wells 35th, Maurice Crook 33rd, Dennis Gound 47th, Bill Billington 51st, Bill Morant 52nd and Norman Beckwith 55th.

A rather smaller than usual 70+ field, being required to run only 4k, was led home by the 'ever -present' Jim McKellor of Milton Keynes, with the Harriers managing only two contestants [David Sutcliffe 3rd and Jim Hendry 6th]

Report by David Sutcliffe : Race Photos

There was also a good turnout of Harriers at the Folksworth 15. Tony Dadd was 6th overall in 1:30:33 and Donna McEwen was the 4th lady in 1:40:33.   Donna, Shantha Dickinson (1:49:42) and Jenny Lovesey (2:04:01)  won the ladies team prize.

Folksworth 15 Race Photos

Three Harriers ran in the Fred Hughes 10 at St Albans. Simon Fawcett running his first race for the club finished in 59:47. Henry Downes ran 1:19:38 and Larry Corkery did 1:37:47

Cuba Marathon & 25k Trail Race
(Sunday 14th January 2007)

In January 2007 Suet Lua, Ralph Ward, Andrea Ranson and Andy Sewell visited Cuba to take part in the first ever Cuban Trail Marathon and 25k.

Soroa, Pinar Del Rio, Cuba – 14^th January 2007: 

The day arrived; there was a calm and relaxed atmosphere around camp.  Some played scrabble whilst others strolled about the pool area.  Last minute adjustments were made to kit as the turkey vultures circled overhead: they were to be our constant companions for the next few hours.  We all knew that this was going to be something special, and we were not to be disappointed.

At 10 o’clock we set off, 30 degrees in the sun and almost 70% humidity.  After a brief section of road we hit the trails, which twisted and climbed their way through the lush vegetation.  It was rocky underfoot, and in places deeply rutted from the ox-drawn carts which carried produce from the various plantations.  Occasionally the forest canopy opened up to reveal small homesteads and farms where chickens, pigs and goats roamed freely.  As we ran by we were watched with amusement and bemusement by the locals.  One farmer had a trestle-table laden with freshly cut sugar cane which provided a sweet and refreshing energy source for our ever-wearying bodies.

There were numerous river crossings, but being the dry season they were mostly only shin deep.  We ran along one stretch of river for over 200 metres, lunging into the deeper pools, scattering small fish as we went.  Our guide had told us that there were no dangerous or poisonous creatures in Cuba; the alligators confined to the mangrove swamps. With this in mind we ploughed through the dense undergrowth, carefully side-stepping a black snake which resembled a thick coil of liquorice.

Bird song was everywhere and the bushes were alive with continuous rustlings and hoots, reminiscent of Jurassic Park.  Air plants and orchids adorned the trees and the air was full of spicy woody aromas.

The hills!  Did I mention the hills?  There were two notable monsters at 11k, and rather cruelly, at 40k (the latter being virtually impossible to run up, that required a technique of scrambling and tree grabbing). Just beyond the cascades and we were there – civilization – we’d done it!  What an amazing experience, and as we sat with our legs in the pool we all agreed that it was one that we would never ever forget.

Afterword:

As the sun was rising we ran back along the beach, the soft white sand massaging our feet and squidging up between our toes.  In our hands we each held a brightly-coloured sea-shell – a gift from the man who had readily accepted our well-used trainers!

Andy Sewell was the 2nd to finish in 3:48:35 and Andrea Ranson was the 3rd lady in 4:40:21. Ralph Ward  finished 2nd in the 25k trail race in 2:33:57 and Suet Lua was the 1st LV45 in 3:12:19.

3-Counties XC at East Haddon
(14th January 2007)

The Harriers finished in 4th position overall in the 3-Counties XC at East Haddon, the 4th race in the 5-race series. The ladies finished in 3rd position with 44 points and the men finished in 5th position with 355 points. The three ladies to score were Donna McEwen (3rd), Sally Cartwright (17th) and Carla Fisher (24th). The seven men to score were James Elsworthy (6th), Alastair Fadden (27th), David Holt (30th), Richard Piron (46th), Simon North (70th), Rob Miller (78th) and Owen Lewis (98th).  24 Harriers ran in the race.

Bedfordshire XC Championships (at Ampthill Park)
(Saturday 6th January 2007)

20 Harriers competed in the Bedfordshire cross country championships at Ampthill Park on Saturday. On a wet and muddy day, the Harriers came away with a host of honours including the 1st ladies team, the 1st ladies vets team , the 2nd mens team and the 2nd mens vets team. We think it is the first time that the Harriers ladies have won the event, so it is a terrific achievement by the club.

The ladies raced over a 6k course. The 1st lady Harrier to finish and the 2nd overall was Donna McEwen in 26:27. Anna Litchfield was the second Harrier lady and the 2nd LV35 overall in 27:02 and Shantha Dickinson was the 3rd lady Harriers and the 7th overall in 27:33. Donna, Anna and Shantha won the ladies team prize and Anna, Sally Cartwright (29:31) and Carol Cooper (31:39) won the ladies vets prize. Also running were Denise Coghill (28:49), Kathy Horsman (31:43) and Lisa Chapple (33:45).

The MVs (over 60) raced over an 8k course. The first to finish overall was Bob Wells in 37:42, David Sutcliffe was the 1st MV70 in 53:49 and Bill Billington was the 1st MV65 in 59:40. Bill's time would have been a lot faster (around 45 mins) but he was sent of on a third lap by the marshals rather than to the finish.

The senior men and MVs (under 60) competed over a 12k course. The first Harrier to finish and the 11th overall was Tony Dadd in 48:00. The second Harrier and the 1st MV40 overall was Kevin Willett in 48:54 and the third Harrier was Richard Piron in 52:55. Tony, Kevin, Richard, Simon Fisher (52:29), Rob Miller (56:15) and Steve Gaunt (56:24) were the second mens team and Kevin, Richard, Simon and Steve  were the second vets team. Also running were Tony Parello (58:27), Tony Barnes (60:29), Noel Jones (60:52) and Andy Purdy (64:27).