Rich reward as Coles leads the way for the Harriers in Watford

The Gade Valley Harriers had 32 runners in action at the Watford Half Marathon

It was another hugely popular club event for the Gade Valley Harriers at the weekend as 32 members took on the challenge of the Watford Half Marathon.

Joining 1864 other runners from across the country, Rich Coles was first back in 1:18:50, followed by Ed Price in 1:23:07, Anthony James in 1:23:28 (PB), Bill Hawes in 1:28:25, James Birnie in 1:29:33, Andy Norton in 1:29:53 (PB), Steve Newing in 1:30:00, Nick Crowther in 1:31:19, Simon Wallis in 1:33:39, Claire McDonnell in 1:38:34 (PB), Kathleen Courtier in 1:39:39, Antony Willcox in 1:40:17, Dave Wise in 1:44:51, Rob Potton in 1:45:01 (PB), Teresa Reason in 1:49:18, Dean Kidd in 1:53:59, Andy Terry in 1:54:00, Andy Watt in 1:54:30, Shelley Walsh in 1:56:10, Emma Phillpott in 1:56:11, Russ Bailey in 1:57:51, Jaqui Sampson in 2:01:16 (PB), Suzy Beak in 2:02:47, Leona in 2:03:07 (PB), Phil Mercer in 2:04:07, Brian Hunt in 2:05:19, Emma Graham in 2:07:56, Tina Searle in 2:13:06, Serena Harrap in 2:16:16, Tanya Saunders in 2:17:04, Helen Heathcote in 2:17:14 Karis Thomas in 2:18:15 and Peter Tucker in 2:28:42.

Also incorporating the Herts Vets Half Marathon Championships, the GVH men’s team took third prize.

Saturday also saw GVH representative James Birnie and his wife Josie braving the wind and rain at the Eton Dorney 10km race in Buckinghamshire. James was first home in 1:07:39 and Josie followed in 1:07:40.

Andy Terry, Helen Terry and Dean Kidd at the Watford Half Marathon

At the parkruns this week, the Harriers had 11 runners flying the club colours at six of the timed 5km runs.

The local Gadebridge run had six GVH entrants tackling the mud and hills, with Matt Watt first home for the team, in second overall place in 21:23, followed by Phil Robbins in 21:57, James Thomson in 23:56, Paul Reilly in 24:49, Sam Tucker in 29:31 and Lisa Pinder in 29:35.

There was one Harrier each at the Black Park, St Albans, Gunnersbury Park, Tring and Cassiobury Park parkruns this week, with Vince Ellerby clocking 20:05, Helen Cook 30:46, Carol Skates 32:45, Tom North 23:02 and Leona Flaherty 26:19.