Gade Valley Harriers head to South Downs

Gade Valley Harriers took to the South Downs in West Sussex in marathon and marathon relay races.
Gade Valley Harriers at South Downs.Gade Valley Harriers at South Downs.
Gade Valley Harriers at South Downs.

Challenging herself with the full marathon course, and her third marathon in three months, was Anita Berwick, who coped well with the wet and slippery off road course to cross the line in 5:04:41.

In the relay race the Harriers had eight teams competing. The marathon course was split into four legs, with four team members running one leg each. The Harriers put on a good show and bagged third place overall team and second place ladies team, holding off stiff competition.

Another staple run for GVH was the Ickenham 5 Mile race in Middlesex on Sunday where four Harriers took on the challenge. Anthony Willcox finished first for the team in 33:25m, followed by Russ Bailey setting a new PB of 39:44m. Bailey was followed by Dave Wise in 41:09m and Helen Heathcote in 49:16m.

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In a change for a Friday night Susie Ivin, Hannah Rogers and Vicky Taylor from the Harriers, competed in the Summer Solstice 10K in St Albans. Starting at 8pm the run took place at Highfield Park and finished with a sociable evening of food, drink and music to relax the runners. First home for the team GVH was Ivin in 57:09m, followed by Taylor 1:02:10 and Rogers 1:03:40.

Heading down to London were Angeline Cottrill and Lola Whiston, taking part in the City of London Mile. Joining thousands of other runners, the GVH ladies took in the sights of many iconic London landmarks and raced along part of the London 2012 Olympic Marathon course.

Gadebridge Park parkrun had eight Harriers running this week, with Scott Dixon romping home in first place in 19:44m. Taking third place was Phil Robbins in 20:11m, followed by Tom Langdown 21:56m, Paul Reilly 23:08 (PB)m, Tracey Cotton 23:15m (PB), Andy Watt 23:17m (PB), Russ Bailey 24:46m and Charlie Costin 30:23 (PB)m.

James Thomson took on the Paris parkrun, where he flew the flag for England and the Gade Valley Harriers, finishing in first overall place in a speedy 19:31m.

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Closer to home in St Albans, Johnny Broom posted a time of 21:42m, while at the Tring parkrun Tom North claimed fourth in 20:51m.

Bedfont Lakes Country Park, in Middlesex, saw Angeline Cottrill representing GVH at their parkrun, clocking a time of 28:18m and at Black Park in Slough, Vince Ellerby once again dipped under the 20 minute barrier to post 19:59m.