World Masters Indoor Champs - Linz 16-17th March 2006

Ken Harker of Richmond and Zetland Harriers has had one of the best weeks of his career as an athlete, at the World Master’s Indoor Championships in Linz, Austria, taking the bronze medal for 3rd place in the M35 category for 800m on the track. This is the first time that Ken has represented Great Britain and said that “it was a great honour and that the experience was fantastic,” if a little nerve-wracking in the final.

Ken Harker takes 800M Bronze at World Masters

The heats got underway on 16th March, but the trip wasn’t without drama, as Ken was taken ill shortly after arrival and spent a lengthy amount of time in bed. However, he managed to get some practice in on the track beforehand and had an excellent run to finish in 2nd place in his heat and qualify for the final in a season’s best time of 2.02.64.

On paper, Ken was the slowest of the 8 athletes making it through to the final on 17th March and also had the disadvantage of being drawn in lane 1, meaning he had a tight run round the first bend. As the race progressed, he found himself in fourth place, close on the heels of third placed competitor, but unable to overtake. Running a tactical race, Ken waited until the final bend and then kicked to take a fantastic 3rd place in a time of 2.02.36. This excellent performance earned him yet another season’s best time and a place on the winner’s podium for the bronze medal.

Ken said he was extremely proud of his achievement and that the training and hard work had all been worth it and wanted to thank his coach and friends for all their support. Following such a fantastic result at the Indoors, Ken has now decided to extend his ambitions and compete in the European Master’s Outdoor Championships in Poland in July and we wish him all the best of luck.

NYSD Road Relays - Redcar 19th March 2006

From the track to the road, as Redcar played host once again to the NYSD road relays on Sunday 19th March, marking the end of the Cross Country season. The Under 13 boys (Thomas Allen, Sam Woods & Fergus Roberts) had another fantastic result, winning their race and “doing the treble” by adding to their victories of first team at the Cross Country relays at Darlington in October and the overall team Cross Country trophy in their age group.

Presentations were also made for the Cross Country season, where all athletes scoring 20 or more points over 5 races in their respective age groups receive a medal. There were several Richmond and Zetland members who stepped up to receive prizes; Marc Scott and Fergus Roberts (3rd and 4th for Under 13 Boys), Doug Roberts (5th for Under 15 Boys), Jon Orange and Shaun Purkiss (3rd & 5th for Vet1 Men), Maddy Winzer (1st for Under 13 Girls), Jo Adams (5th for Under 17 Women), Cara Penfold and Jenny Fenwick (3rd & 5th for Under 20 Women) and Heather Halliday (1st for Vet2 Women). The club finished an extremely respectable 3rd overall from 19 teams and would like to thank all the athletes who participated throughout the Cross Country season to achieve this result.