Exe-rated runners!

Exe-rated runners!
The successful Harriers team, en masse, at the Erme Valley Relays, July 2013

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Yet another pan-full of PBs at Run Exe 5k

Flower Pots playing fields, on the banks of the River Exe at Exwick, were once again playing host to the monthly, flat, fast 5k race series on Tuesday July 2nd. The slightly damp conditions suited most people as this round saw record attendance levels (109 finishers) and a plehtora of PBs, including some by the 9 Exmouth Harrier members running in this round.

Perhaps the most impressive run by a Harrier this round was that of Chris Dupain, who smashed his 5k best time, knocking half a minute off it, with his useful 18:38 for 18th place. Chris’ times have been steadily improving throughout the season but this was a massive leap of improvement, indicating that there is still more to come.

Mike Musgrove certainly made up for the disappointment of the previous round, when he was forced to withdraw on the first lap with a pulled calf muscle. No such problems this time as he stormed around the 2 lap course in a fine time of 17:08, for 5th overall and first MV40. This was tantalisingly close to his life time best of 17:01, set in 2011. With a trip to the slightly faster course at Yeovilton, a sub 17 clocking is a highly realistic target for Mike in August or September.

Richard Hawes is also having a fine season with a consistent string of PBs being set on most outings. On this occasion he was 22nd in another PB of 18:53. This gave him 40th place but only 4th MV45: a highly competitive category on the night.

Fourth woman, and setting another personal best, by a single second, but they all count, was Hannah Bown. She clocked 19:50 for 40th place overall and a few more valuable percentage points for her club championship campaign!

Ben White was 59th in 21:49 and just three agonising seconds outside of his best, which he will likely look to beat in the one of the remaining 2 rounds.

Emma Dupain was 64th, not quite matching her storming run of last month, but Em,ma has been racing a lot recently which can often take the mental edge off that is needed to clock PBs, in addition to making the legs a little race weary. Nevertheless, she still posted a fine time of 22:07.

Lee Russell finished 67th in a respectable enough 22:35. He is very consistent in posting 22 minute something clockings, both on this flat course and at the more challenging off-road 5k parkrun event.

Nigel Dupain’s position was 75th, his time 23:24, and he looks to be in line for an overall Series age group prize as things stand currently.

Ladies captain, Dawn Teed, was setting a fine example to her fellow lady Harriers by tackling a type of race that ordinarily wouldn't be her favourite but that she knows will serve her well in the club championship and might encourage some of our other ladies, who are a little nervous about fast, flat road races, to have a go. She was 78th in 23:24 and third FV50. She also tots up some more valuable percentage gains for her club championship portfolio, which is coming along nicely.

Next round is the first Tuesday in August. £7 entry on the night at Flower Pots fields, Exwick. 7pm kick-off.

No comments:

Post a Comment