It was record numbers on Tuesday for The Harriers on the longest trip of the East Midlands Series kicking off at 7.45. And on a school night! The team was made up of no less than fourteen veterans, supported the youthful Sean Gallagher.
On a charming and challenging rural course in the faraway county of Oxfordshire, there are always some unfamiliar challengers in the top spots. However, this didn’t stop the male vets winning again in their quest to finish as East Midland champions. Again, it was a fantastic top three (3rd out of sixteen teams) for the vet women. The senior men finished 5th out of 22 and senior women, 5th out of sixteen to keep all teams in strong positions in the tables.
Matt Fowler was first home for Harriers and picked up a prize for 2nd vet 40 (28:58). It was a welcome return for Steve Thompson (2nd M50 and 29:16) who battled it out in the last mile to pip Phil West (3rd M45 and 29:19) to second Harrier. Rafal Buzuk (11th M40 and 31:01) completed the winning vet’s team. Ady King (31:26) and Kemal Mehmet (31:33) were 7th and 9th in the competitive M50 category. Bruce Whitehead (33:23), still looking strong in his group, was 5th M55. The returning Jason English (16th M50 and 33:49) came in ahead of Sean Gallagher (54th MS and 35:34).
Romping home for first female Harrier was Elaine Fairbrother (5th F45 and 35:46). Elaine was a minute ahead of Kerry Munn (36:47) who finished 2nd F55. Kerry now sits on top of her category at this early stage. Making an impressive debut this year and bumping the female vets up the charts was Yvonne Mehmet (39:02 and 4th F50). Ant Poncia improved slightly on his last 5 mile in 39:27 to finish 31st M40. Babs Poncia (41:37 and 9th F50) finished ahead of Jackie King (43:57 and 12th F55). Well done to Jackie for shaving well over a minute off her previous 5-mile race!
Next race is far closer to home. The Corby 5 at East Carlton Park starts at 7.45pm on Wednesday 12th June. Get there early for a coffee and team talk. Corby traditionally field a strong team, so we need to keep our consistency and numbers to continue our strong start.
See you next week!