BMAF Cross Country Championships Durham 20th March 2004

Saturday 20th March saw the end of the 2003-04 Cross-Country season for Richmond and Zetland Harriers with the BMAF X-C Championships at Maiden Castle near Durham. Local organisers from N E Vets and Durham University had considered cancelling the event the previous day because strong winds prevented work on the course. Saturday’s weather was kinder and more than 500 runners converged on the sports complex to contest the three races on a course laid-out by the master - Max Coleby, the only Richmond lad to earn a GB vest for athletics. This was as boggy a as you could find, more uphill than down and always into the wind, and proved a test for competitors and officials alike.

The Women were first to test the course, along with the over 70 Men, over two laps totalling 5.2K. Sue Ridley of Edinburgh Southern H was first home in 20:24 and Gerry Spink of Bingley H was first Man in 25:00.

The second race was over four laps, 10.2K for Men 50 to 69, and Nigel Gates of Brighton was a clear winner of the over 50s, finishing in 37:03, more than 3 minutes clear of second place. Charlie Dickinson of Belgrave H was first of the over 55s in 40:15, Martin Ford of Cheltenham won the over 60s category in a time of 42:48 and Steve James of Southport Waterloo finished in 44:31 to take the over 65s title. A little way behind, Mike Brooks of RZH was having one race too many (nine races in eleven weeks since the New Year) and struggled round in 45:47 to finish 23rd in the over 55s. Mike noted from the results that he finished behind six MVO60s and commented “ that shows just how good a Harrier Bill Atkinson was when he won these Championships a few years ago.”

The third and last race was for over 40 Men and was keenly contested by local lad Brian Rushworth of Sunderland H&AC and Guy Amos of Norwich. The race was again over four laps and by now the bog had become a morass. Rushworth was the stronger and smarter runner, moving wide to find a firmer footing - a move which led to a protest from Amos which the officials rejected - and won in 36:11. Amos was second, Rob Hand of Durham City H was third and Dave Neill of Staffordshire Moorland won the over 45s category.

London Marathon Preview

With a little more than two weeks before the London Marathon, the six remaining Harriers are putting the finishing touches to their preparations. Jon Orange continues to churn-out hundred mile plus weeks with renewed vigour having continued sponsorship from Peacocks of Richmond. He is reluctant to forecast a win in the MVO40 section of the race despite being in better shape than last year when his 2:29:51 finishing time saw him miss third place by just six seconds. Mike Brooks is now easing down after an epic racing programme, the highlight of which was his 85:18 clocking at the Redcar Half Marathon, and thinks - maybe the magic three-hour mark isn’t just a dream. Tony Hewson ran a PB 90:00 in the same race and looks set to make a major revision to his 3:51:39 marathon PB. Mark Mullin is the dark horse; having just left the Army after 9 years to pursue a career in security and with a new baby in the house, it is anybody’s guess as to how fast he’ll run on the day. The Harriers have two Ladies competing and both are enjoying a structured build-up to the marathon. Sarah Gregory’s first run over the distance last year produced a 4:15 clocking but, with advice-a-plenty whilst training and a half marathon PB 1:37:37 set this year, another drastic revision is on the cards. Conversely, Grete Buck has mixed skiing, cycling, swimming and long runs with her dog in her training programme and the net result should see her wind the clock back and run a time which will put her back into the Vets good for their age category.