Six Halifax Harriers headed to Elche in Spain to take part in the ‘Oldest half marathon in the world’ – the ‘Elche Media Maraton,’ close to Alicante, on 12 March.
Harriers Hazel Berrett, Mark Crabtree, Simon Johnson, Ryan Barker, Will Stewart and April Caufield faced challenges just being able to travel out of Calderdale, due to severe weather, with heavy snow before departure from Manchester.
In Elche, the opposite was true, with unusually high temperatures and strong winds making the 50th anniversary of the race extremely tough. Around 3,200 runners from 30 different countries started the race through celebrations with confetti and fireworks, into the streets and parks of the historic city (a UNESCO World heritage site.)
Johnson, Barker and Berrett were using the race as a training platform for spring marathons and hoping for a strong performance.
Soaring temperatures above 30 degrees affected performances, and at around 7km Berrett had to retire from the race with breathing difficulties. With a strong first 5km Barker then also suffered through the heat, and his pace slowed through the event (1hr 32:17.) Stewart paced the race well, with a slower start but strong finish to overtake Barker, through the picturesque gardens south of the city, at around 18km to complete the 21km course in 1hr 30:37.
Caufield ran a strong race, moving through competition to finish as 16th female with a fantastic time of 1hr38:22. Although she was affected by heat exhaustion, having pushed hard during the race, and collapsed after the finish line, needing some recovery time to cool down and recuperate.
Crabtree, despite struggling with injuries achieved 1hr 50:42 to finish as 19th in his age group. Unfortunately, Johnson suffered a shin injury days before the race and was unable to start the run.
Despite the difficulties, a great time was had celebrating the 50th event, spending time in the historic city and famous palm groves of Elche, before relaxing on the Costa Blanca.
However, this exciting edition of the race did end on a sad note. It was marred by the tragic death of a 21 year old Spanish competitor who collapsed after the race. Despite receiving immediate medical attention the young runner passed away in hospital. Our thoughts are with their family and friends.
Fred Carver came 23rd out of 132 runners. He he was second MU23 in a time of 0:56:17.
I was 74th in 1:10:16 and first female Harrier back. Stef Dickinson ran in a time of 1:18:41 and was 104th.
We were the only three Harriers that ran.
It was good running weather, cool but not really cold and not windy. Pule Hill was a challenge and all but the winner of the race walked up it!
Standish Hall
April Caufield was the first woman home at Saturday’s Standish Hall Trail race near Wigan. April completed the approximately 10k off-road course on bridle paths and woodland trails in 44:10 and was 20th overall. Will Stewart finished tenth in 41:58.
Midgley Moor
Six Harriers competed in the local Midgley Moor fell race on Sunday morning; the last race in the club’s 2022-23 Fell Challenge. Fred Carver consolidated his position as the season’s men’s champion, completing the tough five mile course in 48:04 and finishing sixth overall. Will Carver (55:08) and Nigel Crossfield (56:37) also ran. Will finished in second place in the Fell Challenge with Paul Hopkinson third. Congratulations to Fred, Will and Paul.
All three contenders for the women’s crown ran. Jane Hobson was the first to finish in 1:01:39 with Andrea Ackroyd hot on her heels in 1:01:58. Hazel Berrett completed the trio, clocking 1:06:42. Incredibly, these results meant that all three tied for first place for the season! Congratulations to all three.
Great North West
Sharon Cousen and Nigel Jamieson took part in Sunday’s Great North West half marathon along the coast in Blackpool. The two Harriers crossed the line together in just under two hours three minutes.
Bolton 5k
Also on Sunday, Sarah Cumber and Geoff Cumber participated in the Bolton 5k with both taking first place in their age groups in 19:31 and 25:57 respectively.