In glorious sunshine on a beautiful Sunday morning, eleven Exmouth Harriers raced alongside 2,000 runners in Exeter’s Great West Run. The runners could choose from a 10km or a half marathon; all the Harriers opted for the longer of the two distances.
The start and finish was at the Exeter Arena with the route initially passing through the heart of Exeter, followed by some flat country lanes. There were some stunning views across Exeter and a bit of a ‘kick in the tail’, as the runners tackled the hilliest part of the course at the 10-mile mark on Prince of Wales Road through the University grounds.
All the Harriers thoroughly enjoyed the event, Emma White said after the finish: “This run has been part of our family calendar ever since I can remember. From watching Mum and Dad do it, running the fun run and then on to running it nearly every year since I was old enough to be able to do it.”
Josh Sale was the first Harrier to finish in a fantastic 18th place overall out of 1,722 finishers in 1.20.42 and everyone ran superbly with very quick times on great day in Exeter.
Results: 18th Josh Sale 1.20.42; 125th Jon Mill 1.32.38 13th M45; 183rd James Storey 1.36.48; 184th Jimmy Joy 1.36.57 3rd M60; 233rd Eduardo Rosete 1.39.28; 234th Cat Goncalves 1.39.28; 256th Adrian Vanstone 1.40.45 4th M60; 389th Emma White 1.45.28 8th W35; 455th Holly Clements 1.47.52 13th W40; 659th Rob Parker 1.53.51; 730th Craig Butler 1.55.32.
Exmouth Harriers Dawn Teed and Hugh Marsden ran in Marilyn’s Meldon Madness; a five-mile Fell Race near Okehampton that required the runners to self-navigate over some very demanding terrain.
The course took in High Willhays the highest point on Dartmoor and the highest point above sea level in the South of England at 621 metres. The route provided stunning views over the county from Yes Tor and High Willhays before a welcome descent to Black Tor and down Homerton Hill to the finish at Meldon reservoir.
Hugh was 8th overall in 49.43 and was the 1st M60 to finish, Dawn was 26th overall in 1.12.39 and the 1st W60 finisher; they were presented with their prizes by Olympian Jo Pavey.
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