Crabtree leads the way for the Gade Valley Harriers

The Gade Valley Harriers were well represented at the Berkhamsted Half Marathon and Five Mile Fun Run

There was another strong turnout by the Gade Valley Harriers at the Berkhamsted Half Marathon and Five Mile Fun Run this year as 35 Harriers took on the half marathon and 11 athletes opted for the five mile race.

In the half marathon, Mark Crabtree took seventh overall place in 1:15:54, followed by Rich Coles 1:19:26, Mikey Ferris 1:19:47, Anthony James 1:20:31, Matt Watt 1:23:01, Ed Price 1:23:32, Guy Woollett 1:24:10, Vince Ellerby 1:26:44, Bill Hawes 1:26:50, Andy Wells 1:27:08, Tom North 1:27:38, James Birnie 1:28:03 (PB), Phil Robbins 1:28:16, Steve Newing 1:29:16, Nick Crowther 1:29:33, Claire McDonnell 1:36:29 (PB), Andy Cook 1:37:24, Robert Bowler 1:37:58, Kathleen Courtier 1:42:14, Rob Potton 1:44:14, Paul Reilly 1:44:20, Teresa Reason 1:44:40, Andy Watt 1:44:55 (PB), Rich Peters 1:45:16, Dean Kidd 1:45:39 (PB ), Anthony Willcox 1:45:39, Dave Wise 1:52:00, Rupert Mainwaring 1:53:12, Emma Nash 1:54:36 (PB), Jaqui Sampson 1:56:55 (PB), Helen Terry 2:02:08 (PB), Wendy Hudson 2:03:45, Andy Newing 2:10:06, Tina Searle 2:12:21, Karis Thomas 2:14:06, and Luca Ramusino 2:21:59.

The five-miler saw Dylan Wendleken first home for the team in a speedy 30:50, followed by Charles Dickinson 34:44, Tracey Cotton 37:10, Ross Geary 40:37 (PB), Simon Geary 40:37, Emma Cooper 50:00, William Terry 50:36, Paul Moseley 50:36, Susie Ivin 50:38, Emma Tipton 52:27 and Carol Skates 52:55.

Crossing the sea, Tanya Saunders and Helen Heathcote flew the GVH flag along with 37,480 other runners from across the globe, competing in the Paris Half Marathon. The team-mates enjoyed the fine weather conditions, both finishing in 02:18:31.

Susie Ivin, William Terry and Paul Mosely at the Berkhamsted Half Marathon and Five Mile Fun Run

At the Milton Keynes 10K Gina Oliver put in a sterling effort to cross the line in 56:43.

The weekly parkruns saw Andy Norton take 10th place at Gadebridge Park in a time of 24:29, with team-mate Johnny Broom crossing the line in 24:57.

Anthony Willcox, shaking off an injury, pushed hard and completed the Cassiobury Park parkrun in a respectable 21:32.

Representing the club at the notoriously hilly Tring parkrun, Tracey Cotton took on the challenge and completed in 34:08.

Tanya Saunders and Helen Heathcote flew the GVH flag at the Paris Half Marathon

In a busy week, the Harriers are also gearing up for their third, and final, marathon training run of the year.

The 20-mile route takes place on Sunday, March 20 at 9.30am from the GVH HQ at Boxmoor Cricket Club in Hemel Hempstead.

All runners are welcomed, whether they belong to a club or not, and pay just £5 on the day to enjoy the fully marshalled route.

There are frequent water stops and the famous Jelly Babies point after 16 miles. After the run, all the entrants enjoy tea, coffee and cake back the HQ.

The Harriers would like to ask all runners to park responsibly, and use the Hemel Hempstead train station car park or the shopping centre car parks in the town centre. Full details of the run can be found at www.gadevalleyharriers.co.uk/london-marathon-training-runs.