For the fifth consecutive year, Halifax Harriers had their annual club trip to Majorca. Once again, they had warm and sunny weather for the half marathon and 10k runs. These are one of the few races undertaken by club members intent on having a good time in the warm weather rather than worrying about setting PB’s. This does not stop runners trying their best, but, with the warm conditions and the nature of the course, times are less important than enjoying the day.
The 10k and half marathon both follow the same 6 miles from the start in front of the magnificent cathedral. The route follows the seafront for the first 3 miles, passing the harbour full of expensive boats, before returning back to the start for the 10k runners. The half marathon then follows a twisting, undulating route along narrow alleyways in the old town where there are spectators around each corner.
In the half marathon, which attracted 3,500 runners, Halifax Harriers were led home by Will Stewart for the second year in 1:38:34. The first lady finisher for Halifax Harriers was Jennifer Hopkinson in 1:54:03 and Susan Hall was first F70 in a time of 2:30:05.
Other runners for the club in the half marathon were Paul Hopkinson 1:56:33, Ian Giles 1:59:09, Deborah Kirkbride 2:10:54, Daniel Ryan 2:13:40, Andrea Ackroyd 2:14:38, Mark Crabtree 2:14:38, Christopher Kirkbride 2:18:07, Jane Dacre 2:20:02, Jenny St Romaine 2:22:22, Jude Baines 2:44:02.
In the 10k, Halifax Harriers had 6 runners. Once again, first back was Simon Johnson 41:53 and the first lady for the club was April Caufield 44:35 in a field of 2,700 runners. Other runners for the club in the 10k were Craig Empsall 47:37, Wayne Stevens 50:52, Hazel Berrett 55:07, John Moore 56:34.
Halifax Harriers Johanna Sutcliffe had an excellent run at the Chester Marathon where she was second lady in a PB of 3:04:38. Also running for the club was David Parrington 4:25:34.
At the Shrewsbury Half Marathon, Fiona Murphy just failed to break the two hour barrier with a time of 2:00:10 for third F60, which was a club record.
Halifax Harriers had two runners at the new Hopton Trail 10k. April Caufield was first lady in 47:39, with Will Stewart just in front of April in a time of 46:39.
At the Littleborough 10k, run in very wet conditions, both Halifax Harriers ladies and men’s teams were clear winners.
The ladies had the first three female finishers in the race and were led home by Johanna Sutcliffe 39:28, followed by April Caufield 41:53, just in front of Helen Ward 41:57. All three ladies also winning age group prizes.
In the men’s category, Halifax Harriers had runners finish in 5th, 6th and 7th positions with Niall Smith in 37:05, junior runner James Johnson 38:03 and Michael King 38:24.
The race started in Littleborough with a steady climb over the first couple of kilometres up to Hollingworth Lake. Then it was two laps of the lake, partly on dirt paths with many deep puddles across the course. The final kilometre was a welcome steady descent to the finish.
There were age group wins for Simon Johnson (M50) 38:47, James O’Rourke (M45) 41:36, Mark Crabtree (M60) 41:46, Raymond Hall (M70) 49:06.
Other runners for the club were – Will Stewart 40:42, Will Carver 41:36 (3rd M40), Fred Carver 44:20, Marc Rocheteau 44:36, Robert Hick 45:16 (2nd M60), Jessica Dixon 46:36 (3rd FSen), Ian Giles 46:58, Nigel Rigg 46:59, Samantha Layfield 51:21, Nigel Taylor 51:54, Paul Greenslade 51:58, David Parrington 52:39, Rachel McCauley 55:53, Christopher Kirkbride 58:44, Kirsty Carver 59:03, Deborah Kirkbride 59:15, Monica Gallagher 1:01:20, Susan Hall 1:04:14 (2nd F70).