Anthony leads the way for the Harriers at 10-mile challenge

A team of 19 Gade Valley Harriers travelled to St Albans to take on the challenge of the Fred Hughes 10 race.
The Gade Valley Harriers visited St Albans to compete in the Fred Hughes 10 raceThe Gade Valley Harriers visited St Albans to compete in the Fred Hughes 10 race
The Gade Valley Harriers visited St Albans to compete in the Fred Hughes 10 race

The 10-mile road race started and finished at Prae Wood School and looped around the streets and country lanes of St Albans.

First home for the Gade Valley team was Anthony James in 1:03:05, followed by Andy Norton in 1:07:04 (PB), Steve Newing in 1:07:57, James Birnie in 1:08:37, Andy Cook in 1:11:37, Claire McDonnell in 1:12:06 (PB), Anthony Willcox in 1:13:27, Robert Bowler in 1:14:32, Vicky Crawley-Wise in 1:16:04, Tracey Cotton in 1:19:16 (PB), Dave Wise in 1:20:00, Rob Potton in 1:23:19, Rich Hutton in 1:24:40, Leona Flaherty in 1:31:30, Jaqui Sampson in 1:33:16, Tina Searle in 1:37:01, Helen Heathcote in 1:42:30, Peter Tucker in 1:48:24 and Carol Skates in 1:53:08.

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Elsewhere, heading over to Canterbury, Matt Ashby took on the challenge of the Canterbury 10-mile road race and flew round the course in a new PB of 1:05:53.

Matt Ashby took on the Canterbury 10-mile road race and flew round in a new PBMatt Ashby took on the Canterbury 10-mile road race and flew round in a new PB
Matt Ashby took on the Canterbury 10-mile road race and flew round in a new PB

At the parkruns this week, four Harriers donned club colours at Gadebridge Park, where James Thomson claimed fourth place overall in 21:33. Thomson was swiftly followed by Bill Hawes in 21:45, Nikki Richardson in 33:02 (PB) and Helen Cook in 33:02.

The Maidenhead parkrun saw Mark Crabtree dominating the field to claim first place in a time of 17:32.

In Cassiobury Park, John Lawler and Phil Mercer were representing GVH. Lawler chalked up his 50th parkrun and was first back in a time of 18:56, with Mercer completing in 25:17.

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Black Park saw Vince Ellerby clocking a time of 20:17, with team-mate Anthony Willcox hot on his heels and setting a new PB of 20:31.

GVH runner James Birnie in action at the Fred Hughes 10 raceGVH runner James Birnie in action at the Fred Hughes 10 race
GVH runner James Birnie in action at the Fred Hughes 10 race

Tom North took on the hills and mud of Tring parkrun, clocking a time of 22:57 for seventh overall place.

Meanwhile, preparations are well under way for the first of this year’s Gade Valley Harriers Marathon Training Runs, with the 12-mile route planned for this Sunday.

The series of three runs are geared towards people training for a spring marathon, and comprise a 12, 17 and 20-mile run one month apart.

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Starting and finishing from the GVH HQ at Boxmoor Cricket Club, the runs are open to everyone, regardless of whether they belong to a running club or not, and usually attract approximately 500 runners from all over the country.

Matt Ashby took on the Canterbury 10-mile road race and flew round in a new PBMatt Ashby took on the Canterbury 10-mile road race and flew round in a new PB
Matt Ashby took on the Canterbury 10-mile road race and flew round in a new PB

The route is mainly along quiet country roads through the stunning Ashridge Forest, with a small section on the towpath of the Grand Union canal.

The route is fully marshalled, with water stops and the much-loved jelly baby stop. For more information, please see www.gadevalleyharriers.co.uk/london-marathon-training-runs