Athletics update

Over 300 runners took part in the Ivybridge 10K race on Saturday. May 15. Warm and calm weather conditions greeted the competitors who tollowed the route from Ivybridge Railway Station through the village of Bittaford and finishing at the new Ivybridge Ruby Clubhouse. No fewer than 10 East Cornwall Harriers lined up at the start line to take on this course, which induded an indecently steep hill climb out of Bittaford.

Stuart Hall of Tipton Harriers won the race in a near record time of 31.50. Rachel Wilson of South Devon AC was the first female runner to complete the course in a time of 38.47, finishing in 58th position.

The East Cornwall Harriers female team comprising Amanda Erith, Jess Hosken and Revis Crowle, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with, won the ladies team prize and were awarded an impressive silver shield and several bottles of wine to celebrate their achievement.

It was also a good evening for individual performances, with six Harriers achieving personal best times.

Brian Bilsborough demonstrating that his fast run in the Saltash Half Marathon was no flash in the pan, was the first Harrier to complete the course, finishing in 48th position overall, in a personal best time of 38.10. Brian also claimed third place in the Vets 50 age category.

Jess Hosken, still flushed with success from her brilliant London Marathon achievement, put in a personal best time of 39.16 (63rd position overall) for the distance, and 2nd in the female runners. Mike Erith beginning to recapture his form following the exertions of his own exceptional London Marathon performance, ran stride for stride with Jess throughout the race to share the same finishing time.

Mark Andrews running in his first 10k race finished in 76th position with a time of 39.59. Mike Palmer showing some good recent performances ran a personal best time of 41.13, finishing in 98th position. Bryan Bradbeer's natural athleticism was evident, despite very recently completing the rigours of the Duchy Marathon, finishing in a personal best time of 41.22 (98th position).

Revis Crowle enjoyed the event by regaining some of her pre-injury prowess and achieved a personal best time of 42.45. as well as wining second place in the female Vets 35 age category (124th position overall). The highlight of the video made of the race was Jeremy Bennett's sprint finish, securing 148th position in a time of 44.14. Tony Blank also showed his usual determination to put in a good run, crossing the finishing line in a time of 49.05.

A special mention must be given to Amanda Erith who had a particularly good performance, not only claiming first place in the female Vets 45 age category but also achieving a personal best time for the distance in a time of 46.28, and was a member of the winning female team.

Overall, it was a very successful performance by the East Cornwall Harriers. If you would like to run with them, please come along to the Liskeard Lux Park Leisure Centre where the club meets every Tuesday or Thursday evening at 6.30pm.