Well, that was another good night of racing at the Street 5k. There can have been few nights over the 150 nights when the races have been held over the past 25 years when conditions have been so good- cool but still. Harriers Kieran Young and Charlotte Baker were again crowned King & Queen based on their performances, best of 5 over the 6 race Series for 2013/14. Junior Harriers from the Monday training group also picked up the equivalent shields for their racing in the 1k and 2k races; William Carr picked up the 1k award and Connie Little the 2k award. Full results appear in the box on the right, a longer report below and photos of the happenings to be added soon.
First home on the night in the 5k was Kieran Young who had a great tussle all race with fellow Harrier and member of the Harrier's u20 Nationals team, Harry Lane. Kieran finally got past Harry on the last corner as both went under 16 minutes for the distance. Harry has been out training in Kenya and had a spell at a training camp at altitude some 6 weeks ago. His time of 15.52 is a personal best for 5km, whilst Kieran's of 15.51 is just 1 second short of his pb.
Linda Lascelles of Maiden Newton Runners was first female home in 19.53 - pretty good time for someone who had just completed the Grizzly some 3 days earlier! Not to be outdone Martin Lascelles ran a nippy 18.41 for 1st V50, and top age graded performance, and he'd also run the Grizzly. 1st V40 was Guy Bradford of Weston AC in 18.09. 1st V60 was John Richardson in 20.48. 1st V70 was Zoe Hayward (Maiden Newton) was 2nd female and 1st F35 in 21.12; with the Harrier's Megan Rusca running a pb in 21.13 to be first junior female.
In the accompanying juniors races which have now been held for the past 8 or 9 years or so, William Carr improved his best ever time for the circuit when he won in 3.36, pushed all the way by team mate Tom Loader just 1 second behind. William and Tom will move up to the 2 lap version next season. In the 2km race Dylan Dukes had his last run out at this distance and ran a nippy 7.02 for the distance which is some effort. Keiran Ensor from the Harriers Monday group was 2nd in 7.41 and Connie Little with 8.11 was 1st girl home.
In the overall Series awards held after the race on Wednesday the succesful age group winners picked up their engraved glasses:
Women:
Queen of Street 5k - and 1st junior overall - Charlotte Baker (Wells City Harriers)
2nd overall & 1st F45 Linda Lascelles (Maiden Newton Runners)
1st F35 Alice Knight (Wells City Harriers)
1st Senior Woman Michelle Norman (Unattached)
Men:
King of Street 5k - and 1st senior overall - Kieran Young (Wells City Harriers)
2nd overall & 1st junior Felix Rusby (Wells City Harriers)
3rd overall & 1st M40 Guy Bradford (Weston AC)
1st M50 Martin Lascelles (Maiden Newton Runners)
1st M60 David Proffit (Newport Harriers)
1st M70 Brian Mountjoy-Row (Yeovil Town Road Runners)
Well done to all the award recipients and of course to all that managed to complete at least 5 of the 6 races in the Series this year.
Our thanks on behalf of Wells City Harriers as ever to the Race Director, Ed Tickner; the marshalls organiser, Ian Eddy; the Finish line crew of Helen, Rachel, Judy, Tatiana and others who helped; the Results Supremo Pete Darton; the principal First aider Kay Franklyn; the Tea & refreshments crew led by Hannah & Rex; and all marshals. We hope you enjoyed testing your fitness and speed over the autumn and winter months with us and we'll see you again on October 8th 2014 when the 26th year of the Series will start with race number 151.