Seven county medals for Sutton Harriers

This race included the Nottinghamshire Half Marathon County Championships, where the seven medals were won.

First home for Sutton Harriers was Paul Whittingham in a time of 1hr 20min 13sec, making him first VM in a time of 50-59.

Next was Dean Cross, second VM40-49 in 1h 20m 55s, first lady back for Sutton was Rebecca Barson (pictured), third SF in 1hr 31min 09sec, with Laetitia Moakes second VF 35-44 in 1h 34m 06s, Alan Dickens first VM in 60-69 in 1hr 40m 39s, Tony Staniland first VM over 70 in 1hr 51min 32sec, and Ken Hensby third VM 70 in 2hr 06m 11s.

The remaining results were Keith Brown VM55-60 1hr 36m 41s, David Herbert VM 40=44 1hr 43m 03s, James Simpson SM 1hr 43m 46s, James Bird SM 1hr 44m 28s, Kerry Shooter, in her second half marathon, VF 40-44 1hr 50m 54s, Claire Watson SF 1hr 51m 03s, Paul Beasley VM 55-59 1hr 53m 55sec, Sue Lomas VF 50-54 2hr 06 57s, Paul Wilbraham VM 50-54 2hr 11m 42s , Steve Saunders VM 55-59 2hr 24m 12s.

While running, John Dale, the club press officer and a coach for the Harriers, caught up with a female runner from Newark Striders competing in her first half marathon and, from about mile six, helped and assisted her to finish without stopping in 2hrs 25min With over 200 clubs and most of the top cross country runners from all over England competing, any team achieving a top 10 position could consider it an excellent achievement.

l Mansfield Harriers’ U17 men were the star performers at the National Cross Country Relay championships at Mansfield’s Berry Hill Park.

The U17s team were the top performing team from Mansfield Harriers, finishing in an excellent eighth position, also being the top-placed club from the Midlands.

Archie Raynar ran first leg and came home in first position, running the sixth fastest time of the day in 9.08.

Alex Reiley continued the good work, maintaining Mansfield’s presence contesting at the head of the field, dropping only one place to second in running 9.32.

Cameron Walker had a difficult task on leg three, when the other top clubs ran their fastest runners, but still did well to bring the West Notts-based club home in an excellent top 10 position, clocking 10.13 for his leg.

The U17 ladies squad of Beth Williams, Alice Venderlesen and Jade Bacon combined to finish in a very creditable 34th.

with the girls’ B team of Phille Mitchell, Emma Cundy and Jessica Tomlinson not far behind in 52nd position.

A mix-up by the officials prevented the Mansfield third leg runner in the girls’ U15s going off at the right time when the club was placed 42nd after two legs.

The team of May Roberts, Hannah Shaw and Eleanor James would undoubtedly have finished in a very creditable position in the top half of the quality field had the officials been on the ball.

In the U13 girls’ race the Mansfield trio of Hannah Shakespeare, Rebecca Hyatt and Abi Kemp finished 88th.

The club’s senior ladies’ A team of Kahli Johnson (12.20), Helen James (13.25) andHannah Hardy and (11.17) finished 57th.

The B team of Amanda Hardy, Amanda Shaw and Eva Williams finished 88th with the C team of Catherin Hough, Sharon Armatage and Rachel Chadwick 91st.

England international runner Mark Johnson was the quickest of the Mansfield runners in the senior men’s race, clocking 16.11 for the 5k course.

Mark was supported by Phil Shaw (19.12), Lewis Ashmore (17.26) and Paul Butcher (17.20) for the Mansfield Harriers team to close in 55th position.

Finishing in 109th position was the Mansfield B team of Chris Ashmore, Gary Morley, Steve Davies and Tim Raynor.ith the club’s other team finishing in 136th, made up of Jon Hardy, Julian Wood, Dave Blount and Trevor Hiscox.