World Masters Preview - Italy September 2007

Ken Harker has been busy preparing over the last weeks and months, in order to take part in the World Masters Athletics Championships, which will be held in Italy in early September. He will once again be competing in the Male 35 category over his strongest distance of 800m and will fly out on 3rd September for his final preparations. It has not been an ideal training period for the Bronze Indoor Medallist from 2006, having had problems with his back since March and although it has not prevented him from racing, it has required treatment to prevent any restriction in movement, meaning that preparatory races have been few and far between and training sessions rather curtailed.

Undeterred, Ken managed to put in a strong performance at just the right time, racing into 2nd position at Stretford on Tuesday 21st August over 800m, clocking 2.05 in the process and showing that he is quickly returning to form. He will undoubtedly meet some stiff opposition at the World Masters Championships, making it difficult to qualify from the heats, but Ken said “my confidence is now boosted and hopefully I can get another 12 days solid training in and I will give it my best shot” and we wish him all the best.

Darlington 10K - 12th August 2007

Jon Orange (earlier in year)

There was a team of five Richmond and Zetland athletes, at the recent, ever-popular Darlington 10K Road Race on Sunday 12th August, with Jon Orange looking to equal last years outstanding performance of 2nd overall. This year he had to settle for 3rd place, finishing in another fantastic time of 32.30 only 10 seconds behind two highly accomplished athletes; Martin Scaife and Stewy Bell, as well as taking 2nd MV40 in the process. Dan Spencer was next across the line in 49th position, running another excellent race and crossing the line in a swift time of 37.44. Taff Rogers had a good run to finish in 82nd place, clocking a very respectable time of 39.37 in the process and was pleased to go sub-40 minutes, but looks to improve on this very soon. Kelley Haniver was the ladies’ sole representative and didn’t disappoint, still under 40 minutes and 8th in the ladies race, with 39.51 and 90th overall, while Ian Hepworth rounded off the quintet in 45.56, producing another solid result in 284th position from 941 runners on the day.

York Millenium Bridge 5K and 2.5K - 7th August 2007

James Wardman was in action in his Richmond and Zetland colours at the York Millennium Bridge 5K on Tuesday 7th August, which like the Darlington 10K, proved to be a very competitive race. There were over 290 competitors taking part in the race, which was started in 2 waves, allowing for better running conditions around the course. Showing that he has maintained his excellent form, James finished strongly taking a fantastic 9th place overall, with an excellent time to match of 16.17.

Marc Scott was also in York, at the same venue, in the slightly shorter race over 2.5K, run over a similar part of the route. Demonstrating that he is as much at home on the road, as he is off it, Marc finished 3rd overall and was 2nd M13 in a decidedly fast time of 8.24 from a field of 37 runners. However, it wasn’t long before he was back on the fells at the Cray Fell Race between Aysgarth and Kettlewell, over a challenging course of approximately 2 miles, with an ascent of over 800 feet, showing that he is back to his winning ways, claiming the 1st Under 14 age group prize. Saturday 18th August also saw him compete in the BOFRA Championship race at Gargrave Show, which follows an interesting, if not demanding route, with a river to cross twice, as well as walls and fences to vault over, which proved no obstacle for Marc, finishing as 2nd Under 14 in a fabulous time of 8.40.