In a break from Cross-country a small number of the Harriers endurance squad tried their hand at road running, by competing in the East Midlands trials for the Virgin Mini London Marathon team. Two Harriers, Jack Hope and Maisie Green secured a qualifying position and will represent East Midlands on the 17th April on the morning of the London Marathon. Qualification includes an overnight stay in London on the 16th.
First off in the Boys 11-12 years old race, Jack Hope started off well and quickly settled in the leading pack, which was stretched along the first 2km straight, on the return 2km stretch Jack managed to maintained his top 6 position and he completed the 5km course held at the national water sports centre in Nottingham in 17.29 and finishing comfortably in 6th position, the last automatic qualifying place.
On the same 5km course the 11-12 year old girls race included Maisie Green and Tabatha Walford for the Harriers. Both girls competing at this distance for the first time got off to a good start, and Maisie quickly settled in with a small pack of runners just off the early leader. During the first 2km straight Maisie managed to close the gap on the leader, and at the halfway point she surged past and took the lead, which she extended on the final 2km to win by over 100m in an impressive 18.24. Tabatha, only just 11 years old, also ran fantastically well finishing in the top half of the field in 14th place in 20.44.
In the 13-14 year old girls race both Abbi Coleman and Kayli Walford were competing for the Harriers, and both settled in well with the leading pack of runners, at the halfway point Kayli unfortunately had to retire from the race, but Abbi ran well to record a new PB over the distance of 19.27 finishing in 11th position, securing one of the reserve spaces.