Darlington 10k and 3.5K Fun Run 10th August 2003

There were only two athletes from Richmond and Zetland Harriers in the Junior 3.5K Road Race which preceded the recent Sherwoods/Darlington 10K but they were the best two. Philip Fitzpatrick and Scarlett Gray were male and female winners and each took home a magnificent trophy. The race started in warm weather at 9.45 am with dark clouds on the horizon and they were both home, Philip in 11:50 and Scarlett 11th overall in 13:41, before the heavens opened.

Martin Scaife was a clear winner of the 10K despite the summer storm but his time of 31:01 reflected having to race through floodwater up to his calves. He was right about the weather when he said, “it was horrendous, really crazy, like a monsoon”. Behind him, Peter Grime of Durham University and John Hunter of Loftus battled with each other as well as the elements with Grime edging home second in 32:37 and Hunter taking third and first Vet 40. Fourth place David Lockett of Salford Harriers almost missed his prize as he mistakenly ran with his 10-year-old cousin’s Fun Run number and the Organisers wondered if he was a bandit.

The Club had eight runners in the 10K and pride-of-place went to Shaun Purkiss-McEndoo, finishing in 35:43 for 14th place and 4th M40 on his first outing as a Vet. He was backed-up by Brian McNabb, 30th in 37:15 and Ian Scott, 32nd in 37:25 to take 3rd team prizes and unofficially 1st Veteran team. Mike Brooks was fourth Harrier, 4th M55 in 38:32 and 58th place overall, his best-ever result as an over 50 despite the adverse conditions. Ed Devlin was a little less fortunate time wise as he missed the magic 40-minute mark by just 6 seconds, having stopped to help a disabled athlete who had fallen in the floodwater. Shane Gray continued his fantastic first competitive season finishing in 87th place with another PB - 30:14. Colin Sewell was pleased with his time of 42:03 and 121st place considering the conditions and how long he has been away with the RAF and colleague Sarah Gregory was similarly happy to see her name on page 2 out 6, 254th from 741 finishers in 46:45.