The 168th edition of the Clive & Angela Thomas Street 5km race saw some fascinating racing throughout the field, with Tom Dukes steadily pacing himself to catch the Downside trio who got away on the first two or three fast laps; Holly Bigger running an excellent even paced race to win for the females; and a 3, or 4-way battle for top V70 standing eventually ending in Paul Snelling setting a new course record. Prizes were awarded to the top consistent runners throughout the 28th Series after the race; with junior runners gaining their just rewards for no lesser effort in the accompanying 1k and 2k races.
Series standings to follow very soon.
The Series winners after the awards. (photo by Mike)
Who was there, back on October 13th 1989 when the first Street 5k race was held? When we dig out the archived results we will let you know! What we can guess is that those who raced last night, in the 168th event, will have put in just as much effort and endeavour as the originals and will have had the same conversations after the event about conditions, the course, their times, any niggles they are carrying, and thoughts about how to go faster ‘next time’!
It was excellent to see the group of V70 athletes working out ‘tactics’ before the race – who to identify to ‘pace’ them; what sort of times they might achieve- and then to see their race unfold every lap. Paul Snelling (Weston AC) improved his course record time by some margin when he finished in 22.37, some 55 seconds inside his previous course V70 record as set in December 2016. Close behind, Wells Harrier Berni Mundy was also inside the old record with his 22.50, with two former V70 course record holders Len Horlock (South West Veterans AC) & Brian Clark (Langport Runners) also putting in strong performances on the night. Paul’s performance will put him joint top of the 2017 national rankings for V70 5k – equal in fact to one of our former Harriers Bob Chapman, now competing for Tavistock AC.
Conditions on the evening seemed quite good for racing. At the sharper end the Downside School guys who train with the Harriers on a Tuesday – Jonathan Birkett (16.58), Alvao Perez-Maura (17.03) and Theo Matthew (17.12) - were having their own private battle for victory on the first 2 or 3 laps before fellow Harrier Tom Dukes, who is currently putting in the miles ready for the London marathon, caught them up and used his strength to open up a 9 second margin of victory by the line, in 16.49.
Holly Bigger (Wells City Harriers) continued doing what she has been doing all Series – running consistently well and pacing herself to victory in 19.22. Fellow Harrier Caitlin Carnegie never gave up the chase and finished in 19.33. Harrier Melissa Aspinall, another in London Marathon training-mode, was 3rd female home in 21.31 – a whopping pb of over 50 seconds, with some excellent pacing assistance by Mike Rusca (or was it almost the other way round!).
Top age graded performances on the night were by David Butt (Maiden Newton), also 1st V60, with 83% and by Harrier Nick Somerville, also 1st V50, in 81.4%.
In the 1k and 2k races on the night there was no less endeavour by the small number that ran. Owen Dukes raced away to win the 1k race with Erin Gibbons first for the girls. In the 2k race, Toby Watson again won for the boys, with new Harrier member Daniel Mayden 2nd, and Anya Snowball winning for the girls, with Isabelle walker 2nd. For the Series - best 5 performances out of 6 to count the junior winners were: 1k Owen Dukes & Erin Gibbons; 2k Toby Watson and Isobelle Walker. In the 5k Clive & Angela Thomas series - 1st male overall was Harrier Tom Dukes; 1st V40 Chris Walker (MendipAC); 1st V50 Nick Somerville (Wells Harriers); 1st V60 David Butt (Maiden Newton Runners); 1st V70 Len Horlock (SW Veterans); 1st female overall Holly Bigger (Wells Harriers);1st F35 Melissa Aspinall (Wells Harriers); 1st F45 Sharon Bowles (Wells Harriers); 1st F55 Karen Shears (Wells Harriers). Well done to all the Series winners and all others that have competed this Series.
The Harriers would like to thank all the volunteer marshals, the finish line crew of Helen, Tatiana, Rachel & Lynne, the First aiders Kay, the entry and results team of Anna & Judy & John, the tea and refreshments A team, and of course the Race Director Ed for making sure the 2016/17 Series went off without mishap. If you think you did enough races in the Series to deserve a special peaked cap then please contact Mike Rusca. We look forward to the Yeovilton 5k Series commencing next month.
Big Cheese Trail Race, Cheddar:
Wells City Harriers had 5 of its endurance athletes competing this past Sunday at the tough 15 mile off-road hill race on the Mendips, known as the Big Cheese race from Cheddar village. The race included over 2000 feet of ascent. Although the race was fully subscribed with 300 entrants, a number of competitors failed to start or to finish, no doubt due to the poor weather conditions that had been predicted and threatened on the day.
Despite this, whilst facing strong winds and hailstones for some brief parts of the race when on the exposed high ground, or wading through the muddier sections, those who ran generally enjoyed the challenge. First home for the Harrier's in 9th place overall was Oli Frost in 1hour 55mins. He was then followed by Justin Thomas, 40th in 2.12; Nick Weaving 96th in 2.31; Paul Chadwick 144th in 2.45; and Michelle Blackmore 181st in 3.02.
Those runners who really like the hills should check the official fell races as listed by the Fell Runners Association and start training now for the South of England Championships to be held on the weekend of 16th & 17th September organised by Ryde Harriers. Ask Paul for details.
Harrier off-road relay teams:
The Harrier's have now entered two teams of 6 for the 100km Wessex Ridgeway Relay race to take place on 21st May. There are still a few places left on the teams, and anyone interested should contact Nick Weaving or the Club Secretary Paul Chadwick. Names are also being taken for the 103mile 10-person teams for this year's Cotswold Way Relay to take place at the end of June.
A number of Harriers are in action this weekend either at the tough 17 mile plus Grizzly race on the Devon coast or the Bath Half Marathon; whilst others compete for the County at the National inter counties Cross Country Championships. The following weekend, 19th March, sees the next in the Harrier supported local races at Butleigh where a 10k multi-terrain race takes place. Full details and entry forms here. Part of the Somerset race series 2017 sponsored by Yeovil Glas/M5Glass.
The club is also now switching fully to its track and field training for juniors with the last of the cross country sessions drawing to a close. Any talented junior aged 8-15 inspired by athletics is invited to attend the Harrier sessions that take place at the Millfield track on a Monday 6pm-7pm.