Miller, Potter, Wastell race for Britain
There were several impressive performances in the World Triathlon championships, but Ruth Miller’s 15th place in her age group stood out (that’s 15th in the whole wide world), and there were also strong showings from Martin Potter and Jackie Wastell in the worlds, and from Rob O’Grady and Clare Miller in the London Duathlon. In all, 78 of our members competed last week – triathlon, duathlon, half marathons, cross-country, track and field, fell runs and parkruns.
Potter, Wastell and Miller represent GB
It all kicked off on Friday when Jackie Wastell and Martin Potter represented Britain in their age groups in the sprint event (750m swim, 20k cycle and 5k run) on a rainy, cold Friday.
Martin, representing GB in the 45-49 age group, described his 1:13:43 performance as having comprised of “a good swim, OK, but safe, bike and then the second fastest run”. That run, by the way, was 16:54 – pretty nifty for a last leg of a triathlon.
Jackie, in the 50 – 54 group and still injured, showed guts in going ahead with the race – especially since flat, wet courses are not her thing (dry hilly courses are more like it). She was representing GB in the 50 – 54 age group and finished in 44th place in 1:27:47.
Two days later, on Sunday morning, Ruth Miller did the World’s in the 55-60 age group (she’s only 54, but turns 55 in December – Tri rules). She came 15th in her age group, which is mightily impressive, especially since she has struggled with injuries all year. The rain held off on Sunday morning so it was perfect triathlon weather but for some odd reason, they shortened the swim to 750 meters, although the rest was the usual Olympic distance fare. Ruth had a strong swim, looked very focussed on her tri bars on the cycle and full of the joys of life, in her GB suit, on the run. Her time was 2:22:58.
Six Heathsiders in the open events
Saturday was the open day (for those not good enough to represent GB). Dominic Jackson and Gavin Evans both did the Olympic event in the V50 category (and for those who can’t believe Dom is 50, you’re right – he’s a ridiculously youthful 49, but turns the big five-oh! this year, which is how age categories work in tri-world). It was a slightly chilly, drizzly day, with a very crowded field – a result both of the number of entrants and of the five-lap, twisty-turny cycling course and a four lap run. This made for traffic jams, particularly on the cycle (well, more like slowdowns around the corners where some of the cyclists were excessively cautious).
Recovering from a cold, Dominic went astray in the pond. His goggles fogged up and he ended up on the bank and had to be redirected by a canoeist marshal. Despite this, he came in 9th in his age category in a respectable time of 2:28.53. Gavin’s sense of direction issue resurfaced once more – this time he managed to take the wrong turn at the end of the first cycle lap (the home turn) and lost five minutes, finishing in 2:31:59 (13th in his age group)
The weather improved for the afternoon sprint events. Simon Hazel (who doubled up, doing both the triathlon and Sunday’s duathlon) finished in 1:21:53 (19th in his age group); Claire Morrissey had a storming finish, passing scores of runners to complete her run in 20:50, and the event in 1:32:05. Less than half a minute behind her was Jane Higgins, who ran with a smile and finished in 1:32:32. Both were in the 30 – 34 age group; Then came Gabi Johnson who completed her in 1:40:24 to come 18th in the 45-49 age group. And finally there was Steve Woolf, who said he “really enjoyed” himself and looked like he was having fun. He came eighth in the 60 – 64 age group in a time of 1:46:25.
O’Grady and Miller nail London Duathlon
Six of our club members participated in the London Duathlon in Richmond Park on Sunday. They all took part over what was billed as the standard distance but, in fact, the cycle was 44 km rather than the usual 40 (the runs were the usual 10km and then 5km at the end). Conditions were tough with a strong headwind hindering them on the runs and the cycle.
Rob O’Grady was the first Heathsider home in an impressive time of 2:16:20, which included runs of 37:12 (10k) and 18:47 (5k). Clare, relaxing after her World Duathlon Championships age group win two months ago, was the second Heathsider and also the first 25-29 woman, with a time of 2:22:48. She was followed by Simon Hazel, having his second multi-discipline event in two days. Not surprisingly, he said the second running leg (5k) was “tough-going”. He finished in 2:31:20. Then came Chris Hewertson (2:38:32); John Driscoll, having his first-ever multi-event race, in 2:42:16 and Sandra Buckton in 3:03:35.
Hewett first in age group in Dorney
Meanwhile, Rick Hewett survived Sunday’s driving rain and high winds (a regular drawback at Dorney Lake) to take first place in the 45-49 age group and 22rd overall out of 401 in the HSBC Triathlon (sprint distance). His time was 1:18:12.
Carter, Clower and Naylor fly in Middlesex Relays
Twenty-six of our youth athletes took part in the Middlesex YA Relays, and one in the Hertfordshire event, in Minet Country Park on Sunday. The U17 men’s team of Johnny Naylor, Alex Chown-Ahern and James Wooldridge came second out of nine teams, churning up the grass over the 3km course in 30:47. Johnny Naylor, who completed his leg in an eye-catching 9:53, was the second fastest U17 (out of 23). The U17 women’s team of Lucy Carter, Lily Beckford and Lauren Gee matched them, also coming second (out of seven teams) in a sprightly 34:44. Carter’s time of 11:15 was the second fastest out of 16. Another promising Heathside performance was seen in the U15 Boys with Tom Clower completinh his two laps in 10:46 – the fifth fastest out of 22.
Hamilton and Doherty in Great North Run
Two of our members travelled to Newcastle for the biggest half marathon in the world. Coming in behind Kenenisa Bekele and Mo Farah were Henry Hamilton (1:28:58) and Catherine Doherty (1:45:43). Henry reports: “As I stood on the start line someone pointed out that I was sandwiched between a Serpentine & a Highgate Harrier but I quickly left them behind (naturally) as I went off aiming to beat my time from last weekend in Greenwich (1:33). The incredible atmosphere and the crowd support plus the strong tailwind & driving rain pushed me along to South Shields and as I crossed the 12 mile mark at 1:21 I knew I was on for a sub 1:30. A brilliant day (and I thoroughly recommend it for anyone that hasn't ticked it off their race list so far).”
Hall and Owen at the Isle of Wight
Anthony Hall and Andy Owen both took part in the three very hilly races (3.8km; 12km; 21km) of the Isle of Wight Fell Running Series. Anthony came 7th overall and Andy 19th (out of 134 competitors) Here’s Anthony’s report: “It was postcard perfect views and grassy slopes aplenty this weekend over at the Isle of Wight fell running championships. This annual two-day, three race event gives runners the opportunity to run as few or as many of the races on offer. I opted to attempt all three and Andy Owen decided on two, combining the weekend’s running with a family break. It’s also worth mentioning that Andy actually ran the first, seafront section of race 3 with his six-year-old son (who’s in training for an upcoming school sports day) before tearing off to outdo the majority of the field - top work from both Owen Snr and Jnr. It was tough running but a truly fantastic weekend. If you’ve ever fancied a run out on the fells, I can’t recommend this event highly enough. With friendly and flawless organisation the Ryde Harries really has this event down to a tee and I can now confidently dispel the myth that fell running is exclusively for ‘mountain goat’ hardy types- it’s really great fun. I’ll certainly be back next year and rumour has it that our two time champion Andy Welshman may also be making a welcomed return, I’ll hope to see lots of you there.”
Mattson-Duggon, East & Mullee run half-marathons
Aside from the Great North Run three other our members took part in pure road running events at the weekend (other than the Park Runners). Emma Mattson-Duggon had to go all the way to Sweden to find hers – running the Stockholm Half in 1:41:50 on Saturday, while Elinor East, coming back from injury, ran the Bristol Half in 1:31:14 on Sunday, followed by John Mullee in 1:34:31 - he used his as a training run for the Valencia Marathon in November.
Track and Field
Eight of our athletes took part in two track and field meetings on Wednesday night, with several delivering PBs, including Izaiah Turner (shot put), Israel Nworgu (100m) and Richard McCaulay (1500m) who all took part in the Highgate Harriers/City of London Open Graded Meeting, while juniors Henry Damon and Darnell Plummer did well in the 100m and long jump.
Daumantas Dulius, David Ayre and Jeffrey Rice competed over 100m at the Lee Valley Sprint Evening Open, and Dulius won his event in the 200m.
And Michael Bense came eighth in the 100 m final of V 40 category of the British Masters Athletics Federation championships in Birmingham on Saturday. His time was 12:63 – 0.03 slower than he managed in his heat.
Aldred, Bunting and McKeown win Parkruns
Twenty of our runners took part in eight parkruns on Saturday with three winning. As always, our fastest man was Tom Aldred who romped through hilly Finsbury Park in 16:08, while the constantly-improving Dan McKeown won in Wormwood Scrubs in 17:57. Rebecca Bunting was the first woman (and 6th overall) in the Oak Hill parkrun, in a time of 19:19.
Results
Pru Heath World Triathlon Championships, Hyde Park
Worlds: Men’s Sprint, 45-49 (Friday, 13th)
38th Martin Potter – 1:13:43 (swim – 12:43; cycle – 38:10; run – 16:54)
Worlds: Women’s Sprint, 50 – 55 (Friday 13th)
44th Jackie Wastell – 1:27:47 (swim – 16:57; cycle – 40:04; run – 23:11)
Worlds: Women’s Olympic distance, 55-59 (Sunday 15th)
15th Ruth Miller – 2:22:58 (750m swim – 14.53; cycle – 1:13:24; run – 47:26)
Men’s open event, 50 – 54 (Saturday 14th)
9th Dominic Jackson – 2:28:53 (swim – 32:52; cycle – 1:07; run – 40:50)
14th Gavin Evans – 2:31.59 (swim - 32:47; cycle – 1:13:37; run – 38:01)
Men’s sprint event, 45-49
19th Simon Hazel – 1:21:53 (swim - 13:08; cycle – 41:00; run – 20:15)
Women’s sprint event, 30 – 35 (Saturday 14th)
12th Claire Morrissey - 1:32:05 (swim - 20:01; cycle - 43:45; run 20:50)
14th Jane Higgins – 1:32:32 (swim – 16:35; cycle – 45:11; run 22:32)
Women’s sprint event, 45 – 49 (Saturday 14th)
18th Gaby Johnson – 1:40:24 (swim – 17:37; cycle 46:50; run – 26:10)
Men’s sprint event, 60 – 64 (Saturday 14th)
8th Steve Woolf – 1:46:25 (swim – 21:24; cycle – 47:06; run – 25:53)
London Duathlon, Richmond Park, September 15th
1. Rob O’Grady – 2:16:20 (approx.: 10k run – 37:11; 44k cycle – 1:17:12; 5k run – 18:47)
2. Clare Miller – 2:22:48 (40;46; 1:18:46; 20:28)
3. Simon Hazel - 2:31:20 (44:15; 1:22:44; 21:18)
4. Chris Hewertson – 2:38:32 (44:19; 1:28:41; 22:19)
5. John Driscoll - 2:42:16 (40:25; 1:38:18; 19:38)
6. Sandra Buckton - 3:03:35 (48:58; 1:45:29: 25:18)
HSBC Triathlon, Dorney Lake (sprint event), Sunday, September 15th
22nd (and 1st V45) Rick Hewett – 1:18:12 (750m swim – 15:06; 22.2k cycle – 39:51; 5k run – 19:28)
Middlesex & Hertfordshere YA Relays, Minet County Park, Sunday September 15
Middlesex (approx. 3km)
U13 Girls
7th – 39:47
Phoebe Crockford – 12:46
Anna Richmond – 13: 32
Ella Conlon – 13:29
Incomplete team
Sylvie Allen – 17:11
Rachel Fink – 14:14
U13 Boys (no team)
Tom Swinton – 15:36
U15 Girls
10th – 41:51
Ottavia Ladler – 14:08
Naomi Conlon – 14:35
Molly Harrison – 13:08
11th – 43:36
Shanice Watt – 14:43
Rachel Isaacs – 15:19
Jessica Matthews – 13:44
U15 Boys
5th – 35:44
Isaac Costley – 12:02
Filmon Woldemichael – 12:56
Tom Clower – 10:46
U17 Men
2nd – 30:47
Johnny Naylor – 9:53
Alex Chown-Ahern – 10:51
James Wooldridge – 10:03
7th – 34:44
Marco Dryburhg – 12:33
David Clower – 11:09
Charlie Butler – 11:02
U17 Women
2nd – 34:44
Lucy Carter 11:15
Lily Beckford – 11:27
Lauren Gee – 12:02
Incomplete team
Genevieve Weston – 12:44
Rachel Seckle – 11:29
Hertfordshire
U15 Boys
Incomplete team
Joseph Harrigan – 12:47
Stockholm Half Marathon, Saturday September 14th
Emma Mattsson-Duggan – 1:41:50
Great North Run, Newcastle, Sunday September 15
805th Henry Hamilton – 1:28.58
Catherine Doherty – 1:45:43
Bristol Half Marathon, Sunday September 15th
616th Elinor East – 1:31:14
892nd John Mullee - 1:34:31
Isle of Wight Fell Running Series 2013 (Incorporating the SEAA fell running championships)
Race 1- St. Boniface fell (3.8km, 235m ascent, FRA class AS)
6 Anthony Hall 19:24
17 Andrew Owen 20:33
(135 competitors)
Race 2- Ventnor Horseshoe (12km, 443m ascent, FRA class BM)
8 Anthony Hall 58:37
(135 competitors)
Race 3- Wroxall Round (21km, 487m ascent, FRA class CL)
9 Anthony Hall 1:32:43
24 Andrew Owen 1:37:58
(134 competitors)
Overall series results
7 (SM) Anthony Hall, 3 races, 23 points
19 (M40) Andrew Owen, 2 races, 39 points
BMAF Track & Field Championships, Birmingham, Saturday September 15
M40 100m final
8th Michael Bense – 12:63
Lee Valley Sprint Evening Open, Wednesday September 11th
100m SX 5
2nd Daumantus Dulius (U20) – 11.9
100m SX 6
7th David Ayre – 12.24
100m SX 7
5th Jeffrey Rice – 11.7
200m SX 4
1st Daumantas Dulius – 24:00
Highgate Harriers/City of London Open Graded Meeting, Wednesday September 11th
100 m SX 3
2nd Henry Damon (U15) – 12.49
5th Darnell Plummer (U15) – 12.81
100m SX4
1st Israel Nworgu – 12.3 (PB)
400m SX2
5th Israel Nworgu – 54.96
1500 SX1
2nd Richard MacCaulay – 4:21.5 (PB)
Long Jump
3rd Darnell Plummer (U15) – 5.41m
4th Henry Damon (U15) – 5.39
Shot Put
1st Izaiah Turner (U20) – 10.50 (PB)
Parkrun results
| Results for Ally Pally parkrun (66 participants) |
| 6 Richard BUDD 00:20:35 |
| 28 Tim HALL 00:24:47 |
| Results for Bromley parkrun (337 participants) |
| 175 Claire SLIWERSKI 00:26:26 |
| Results for Bushy Park parkrun (803 participants). |
| 141 Usman HASAN 00:22:11 |
| Results for Finsbury parkrun (139 participants). |
| 1 Tom ALDRED 00:16:08 |
| 21 Russell WESTON 00:21:12 |
| 24 Carl HEAP 00:21:17 |
| 53 C ZACHARIDES 00:23:36 |
| 56 Joe SILVA 00:23:52 |
| 57 Jesper LYCKE 00:23:53 |
| 73 Claire THORNHILL 00:25:16 |
| Results for Gladstone parkrun (72 participants) |
| 12 Nick DE SAUSMAREZ 00:20:43 |
| Results for Hampstead Heath parkrun (132 participants) |
| 48 Andrew Simon CONWAY 00:23:49 |
| 59 Georgie KENNEDY 00:24:44 |
| 67 Bob GOULD 00:25:24 |
| 87 Shelly FENNELL 00:27:23 |
| 111 Laura BOOTHMAN 00:31:43 |
| Results for Oak Hill parkrun (73 participants) |
| 6 Rebecca BUNTING 00:19:19 |
| Results for Southwark parkrun (38 participants) |
| 10 Elspeth STORRAR 00:20:20 |
| Results for Wormwood Scrubs parkrun (49 participants) |
| 1 Daniel MCKEOWN 00:17:57 |