Harriers End The Season With Honours
The Hermitage Harriers ended the road running winter season with honours at the weekend with success in both the ladies and the mens events.
Gemma Steel the new Derby Runner Cross Country League individual champion claimed victory in the ladies 10k race at Desford ahead of her rival Nicola Clay in an incredible time of 36.54 and secured herself yet another title for the season. This time Gemma has added the Leicestershire Road Running Winter League title to her collection.
In the mens event the Hermitage 1st team, who have challenged the current holders throughout the winter season put in another strong performance and only narrowly missed out on taking the Division 1 winter league championship.
There was also success in the mens individual event as Ali Watson in his first season of competition with the Harriers took 4th place overall and could get the 1st senior mens title as the runners ahead of him are all vet 40s, a fanatastic performance!
In the race Ali once again showed his talent and determination as he led the men home in a time of 34.20, this gave him yet another top 5 position. Paul Gregory, who is now returning back to form ran in 24th in 36.19 just 2 places in front of Sean Coulton who smashed his personal best time with a 36.35 to give him 26th.
Mens team captain John Terry held off a strong challenge from Jason Lavine beating him by just 6 seconds to come over the line in 29th in 36.46 with Jason 33rd. Chasing those was Darren Wilson who also improved his PB with a fine time of 37.04 (38th).
Andy Buck continued his battle with Nigel Stock this time with Andy getting the better hand with 82nd place (39.57) 20 seconds in front of Nigel in 87th who completed the mens team.
Andy Celebrates Club Success
The ladies 1st team, which included 2 new runners to LRRL races set a strong challenge with Gemma Steel the race winner leading them home in 36.54 followed by ever improving Katie White in 46.46. Impressive runs by Hayley Burns and Mel Armston show that they will be in contention for regular 1st team places in the summer league.
Both ladies smashed their previous PBs with Hayley knocking over 8 minutes off her last 10k time crossing the line in 49.30 with Mel behind in 50.47.
The Ladies 2nd team saw Su Moon run home in 51.20 followed by Nike Mead who once again impressed with a fine run of 52.28. Dianne Myatt (53.39) held off a strong challenge from Dawn Waters who ran a great race, Dawn was another runner who improved her previous best time by well over 7 minutes.
Just out of the team count for the ladies were Caroline Scrimshaw 54.29, Jenny Hickling 64.32 and Joanne Orviss 66.46.
Completing the Harrier men were Mark Bradford 41.02, Dave Kind 41.38, Eddie Myatt 41.47, Gareth Coates 43.45, Martin Prime 44.43, Jonathan Shaw 45.28, Dean Kelleher 47.06, Jon Jacubecz 47.29, Rob Burns 49.50 Pete Attaway 52.58, Aaron Bird 59.24, Mark Woolerton 60.20 and Richard Wheat 68.21.