Usual suspects battle it out as Harriers

THIS week was a very quiet week on the Harrier front as the juniors basked in the afterglow of their promotion in the Youth Development League to Premier 1.

The rest of us were left wondering whether summer had finally come to an end after a week of rain and thunderstorms.

However, it appears that we may have a few more days of sunshine to go as the third Sale Sizzler 5k of the series took place on a suitably warm and muggy Thursday evening.

It is fair to say that no one was in the same league as winner, Mohammad Aburezeq from Altrincham and District AC, with his eye-watering time of 14:30 and a clear 52 seconds ahead of second place Matt Barnes from Sale Harriers.

However, amid the impressive 716 competitors, 15 stalwart Stockport Harriers made it to the start line. The usual suspects battled it out for first Harrier back, with Stephen Crook bagging that accolade in an impressive 16:38 and 26th overall.

Ten places behind this came Iain Murdoch, in 17:01.

Taking home the Male Vet 60 prize was Steve Shaughnessy in 19:05. A new name on the sizzler scene was Alice Davies, second in the U20 Women category and first female from Stockport in 20:16 and 19th female overall.

Jane Mulryan also won first prize in the Female Vet 60 category, placing 56th female overall in a fantastic time of 22:36.

Great performances also came from Chris Bramwell, Gary Milligan, Mathew Townly, Mike Shaw and Mike Dixon with all five managing to creep in under the 20 minute mark.

The next sizzler is set for August 16 and is already sold out.

This promises to be a