As usual our members have been busy entering races across the county. On the 17th March, seven of our runners entered the Stowmarket Half Marathon. This year there was a new course which started from Stowupland High School, so no one knew what was in store. From the school, we were led out to the start line and after the instructions from the race director reminding us to avoid water filled pot holes, Adam Chamberlin, Lizzie Stewart, Nathalie Hooper, Belinda Godbold, Geraldine Suckling, Joanne Sargent and Andrew Stewart waited for the start gun. It was a quick start which soon slowed down as we tackled the first hill of many. Normally hills wouldn’t be too much of a problem, but the headwind and persistent drizzle didn’t make it easy. Hard work and persistence paid off, with four of the runners crossing the finish line in under 2 hours with the others not far behind. Congratulations to Nathalie who won 1st in her age category.
Meanwhile Joel Bamsey, Stuart Price and Stuart Hunt ran the Colchester Half Marathon. This is a well supported race that runs through the City. For Stuart Price this was his 7th time running this course and he knocked off 30 seconds from his previous time. He finished with an amazing time of 1:17:23 placing him 14th overall!
Stuart Hunt had travelled down to Devon to run the 20 mile Grizzly which has more than 3000 feet of ascent in its 20 miles! Not only that but there are sections of pebbly beach, two energy-sapping bogs and an infamous steep path up the side of a cliff known as ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Huge kudos to Steve for completing this race.
With an early Good Friday on the 29th March, we had over 20 Hares running in the longstanding Sudbury Fun Run, Unfortunately the course had to altered at the last minute which meant that the course had yet another hill to run up! With over 500 runners and support from the town, this is a great race. Aden Bell stormed in at 6th overall whilst Harriet Simm, Crystal Murray and Nathalie Hooper were the 3rd ladies team to cross the finish line. A special mention should go to Ryan McNeill who ran the whole race dressed as the Easter Bunny!
On Saturday 6th April, Jo, Nathalie, Lucy Jay and Adam Chamberlin ran on the beautiful trails from Wantisden Hall, near Woodbridge in The Maverick ARUK Original Suffolk. The routes encompass Nature Reserves and SSSI’s and has a fabulous finisher’s village which encouraged everyone to stay and chat about the mornings run.
Sunday 7th had Hares running in three different events. Joel Bamsey and Samatha Cooper ran in the Haverhill Half Marathon and both came home with a first in age category trophy. In London Vicky Tapp, Samantha Tapp, Geralding Suckling, Julia Bilotta, Samantha Theobald and not forgetting Rebecca Martin who was running her first half marathon. This is a great route taking runners through the centre of London with plenty of spectator support and music to help runners on their way. Congratulations to them all and especially Sam Theobald who was 2nd in her age group and 64th woman out of 9707!
Two local races and a duathlon were run on Sunday 14th April. Firstly, the Bromley 10k which is organised by Harwich Runners. This is a fast course and the Hares were represented by Harriet Simm, Neil Holloway and Steve Hunt with all three finishing with smashing times.
Just over the border in Norfolk , Joel and Ryan McNeill ran the Bungay Half Marathon and Nathalie running the 10k. The course takes runners through lovely country lanes starting and finishing at the Bungay Running Centre. The 10k is part of the Suffolk County Road Championships with Nathalie coming 1st in her age group and had the privilege of the Mayor of Bungay presenting the award. A special mention to the McNeill children, Laila, Kyan and Oran (with Dad) who ran the Fun Run with Laila crossing the line 3rd.
Four hardy souls turned up at Thetford Forest to take part in the Fern & Forest 3 hour Enduro Duathlon (3km run followed by 7km cycle ride, repeated until 3 hours is up). Everyone agreed that the run was nice and gentle but the cycle ride, although short, was more challenging, with multiple terrains to deal with. A brilliant effort all round, with 4 laps of each completed by Andrew Stewart, Deb Stewart and Jo Sargent, and Sam Theobold taking the honours of 1st female overall with 5 laps of each.
A huge well done to all our members in all the races they competed in.
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