Hestercombe Humdinger & Hurtle report

Feb 1st 2009

 

Despite the bitterly cold weather there were 11 seniors and 4 juniors out competing at this event based at Hestercombe House, near Taunton. The Hestercombe Humdinger road race covered 9 very hilly miles with a total ascent of 1500 feet, whilst the supporting fun run race of the Hestercombe Hurtle was over 3 miles. In the Hurtle, junior Kayley Kennedy was first girl home in a nippy 20.36 just getting away from the 2nd girl in the final stages. For the boys, Austin Thorne was back racing again after injury and finished in overall 3rd place in a time of 19.42, which is excellent for this hilly course. Callum Moir finished in a solid 24.28, and his mum Sue Moir was home in 29.29.

 

In the main event the athletes had some major hills to overcome but at least they were moving and thanks must be expressed to the marshals from the organising club for their sterling work given the conditions. The race was also the first race in this year’s Somerset Race Series, Les Lock was first Harrier home, and also gained a veterans award for his 62.48 clocking which was good enough for 17th place. Ed Willingham was next in, and was much more pleased with his weekend’s efforts compared to his muddy run at the South of England XC championships the previous week. His time was 64.32 for 23rd place.

 

Then came Alan Hunter in 68.44 for 44th place followed closely by Paul Chadwick who was also running on tired legs from the previous weekend’s XC efforts and finished in 50th place out of the 315 finishers with his 69.38. John Russell ran 72.50 for 67th, and Martin Bailey was close behind in 71st with his 73-minute clocking. Vince Simmonds ran 76.32, 102nd, which was remarkable given that he’d done the Gloucester marathon only a week previously. Then came Nick Edwards a few paces behind in 76.44 for 104th. John Sutton ran 84.02, 176th, and one of the Harrier’s London marathon contenders Phil Thorne came home in 90.09 for 232nd place.

 

NOTE: Full list of Somerset Series 2009 held up as we await confirmation of Glastonbury Race and Quantock Beast (unlikely to happen). See Fixtures for confirmed races.