Hundreds flock to Gade Valley Harriers marathon training run

Gade Valley Harriers athlete Luca Ramusino took on the challenge of the Terre di Siena 18km race

Sunday saw another hugely successful marathon training run for the Gade Valley Harriers as 484 runners from across the country enjoyed the crisp and dry conditions over the 17-mile route.

GVH put out a strong team of dedicated and enthusiastic marshals on the day, having themselves completed the route the day before.

The Harriers’ last training run of the year takes place on Sunday, March 20 and pushes the runners over a 20-mile route – with the promise of tea, coffee and cakes at the end. More details can be found at www.gadevalleyharriers.co.uk/london-marathon-training-runs.

Meanwhile, Mark Crabtree represented the Harriers at the National Cross Country Championships at Donnington Park on Saturday, where he clocked an impressive 51:02, finishing 347th out of 1,730 of the best cross country runners in the country.

Emma Phillpot headed to the south coast for the Brighton Half Marathon

Further afield, in his home country of Italy, Luca Ramusino took on the challenge of the Terre di Siena 18km race. Finishing in the iconic Piazza di Campo, Ramusino ran with over 2,000 other athletes, braving the heavy rain to claim his finishers’ medal.

At the Richmond Park 5km in London, Anthony Willcox flew the GVH colours and powered home to claim third place in 20:21.

Gade Valley Harrier Emma Phillpot headed to the south coast on Sunday to take on the challenge of the Brighton Half Marathon, excelling herself with a new PB of 1:50:58.

Also in action this weekend was Peter Tucker who travelled to County Down in Northern Ireland to compete in their Castlewellan Forest Park 10km on Saturday, crossing the line in 1:01:33.

A total of 484 runners flocked from across the country for the Gade Valley Harriers' 17-mile marathon training run

Elsewhere, the Cassiobury Park parkrun saw three new PBs from the Harriers on Saturday, with Rich Coles claiming first place in a blistering 16:58 (PB), hotly pursued by team-mate Mikey Ferris in second place in 17:31 (PB), John Lawler in 18:22 and Guy Woollett in 18:32 (PB).

Continuing his fine form, James Thomson set a new PB of 19:43 at the St Albans parkrun, while Vince Ellerby once again put in a solid performance at the Black Park parkrun to claim 13th place in a time of 19:41.

Tom North was the lone Harrier at the notoriously hilly Tring parkrun, where he clocked a time of 22:33.