Harriers brave Heaton Park’s annual bog-fest
THEY say what goes around comes around and so it is with the cross country. Twelve months on I’m reporting once again on the Heaton Park, South East Lancs League Race.
Not only that, but the same weather, too – plenty of wind and rain turning the course into a bog fest and mud surfing event.
A reduced number of Harriers braved the weather to run this, the third of four SEL fixtures, (or being generous they were out Christmas shopping).
In the Boys U11 Race, Adil Arkin finished 12th in a time of 14m, 40s. In the Girls U11 Race, Lily Hirst ran well, coming 3rd in a time of 14m, 43s, followed by Evie Boon in 19m, 25s. Alexander Reay finished 8th in the Boys U13 Race in a time of 16m, 29s, followed by Alim Arkin in 12th position, in a time of 16m, 51s.
Aliya Arkin competing in the Girls U13 Race finished in 11th position in a time of 16m 51s. Noah Small was the only Harrier in the Boys Race, finishing in 34m, 40s.
The same situation occurred in the Girls Race, with Lottie Peacock finishing a very creditable 2nd, in 26m, 33s, so congratulations to Lottie.
The Harriers Ladies competed in the Senior
Ladies Race, running on a course which was by now getting churned into a messy mud soup. First home for the Harriers in 11th position was Jennie Ransome (L60), in 46m, followed by Zara Hirst 13th, in 46m, 52s. The remaining three Harriers Ladies finished very close together, with Susie Hirst, 20th, in 48m, 46s, Molly Howell, 24th in 51m, 9s and Danielle Dignon, 26th in 51m, 24s.
The Harriers Ladies Team comprising Jennie Ransome, Zara Hirst and Susie Hirst came 3rd in the team event.
Then it was the turn of the men to enjoy the supreme delights of pure liquid mud, rain and wind, to run their race (well ladies before gents). Seven Harriers men competed in the race with Danny Bennett (V50), doing very well coming 8th in 41m, 26s.
There was a bit of a gap before the next Harrier Michael Jackson (V40), finished in 48th place, in 51m, 35s. The spacings then got closer with Chris Gee (V45), 53rd in 52m, 58s, Neil Hirst (V50), 56th, in 54m, 10s, John Mayall (V60), 59th in 55m, 49s, Iain Aitchson (V65), 62nd in 56m, 36s, looking suntanned after his running trip to Lanzarote.
Last Harrier home was Matthew Cox (V65), 67th, in 59m, 1s.
The Harriers men’s
team was 4th overall, comprising of Danny Bennett, Michael Jackson, Chris Gee and Neil Hirst. 7th in the Vets over 40 category, 3rd in the Vets over 50 category and holding 2nd place in the Vets over 60 category (John Mayall, Iain Aitchson and Matthew Cox). So congratulations to the over 60s team for turning out and keeping the challenge up for 2nd place in the SEL race league.
Meanwhile, one of our members Bryony Sherry ran in the Heaton Park Half Marathon on December 2nd. This consisted of 4 laps and a mini lap around the park (brain damage material, running loops on a long race, seeing the same scenery and knowing how far you have to go).
Bryony was beginning to feel it on the last lap, but despite her exhaustion, managed a personal best for the distance of 2hrs, 2m, 53s, so well done to Bryony.
Mention must be made of two intrepid Harriers, Richard and Jackie Mason and their Brexit challenge to run 28 races in 28 countries.
They have published details of their exploits on Facebook.
Away from the joys of running in the British Winter, The Rochdale Harriers Awards Presentation evening and Christmas Party, took place on December 9th at the Bamford Bowling Club.
The Harriers celebrated another successful year with pies, peas and red cabbage, with over 45 awards being presented and a rather good DJ (well don Juliet Smith) for finding him. Lucky winner of the 2024 London Marathon place draw was men’s captain Kevin Holland.
Photos of the event can be found on the Harriers website, along with all the race reports, photos and news regarding what’s happening at the Harriers.