Post by Nick Reynolds on Jun 14, 2015 14:39:40 GMT
From Bob Lawrence:
When the idea of taking part in Road Race Relays over short distances I was, at first, a little unsure how they would be received. How could anyone have doubted the willingness of the Harriers to have a bit of competitive fun in the evening sunshine in Beckenham. There is nothing better than seeing fellow Harriers giving everything in the final hundred metres of their race as they are shouted all the way to their handover point only for the supporting runners to realise that the roles would be reversed later when that point was reached on their lap. George Harris enjoyed it so much he ran it twice. (thank you George).
The Race started with eight deckchair clad Harriers disappearing on a downhill path amongst 100 teams for their lap of the challenging road and pathway course of 2.6 miles. The pace at the front was very fast to say the least but, not to be left behind, Chairman, Andy Howey stormed up the finishing hill to hand over to Alice in 5th position. Craig Chapman was not far behind leading our Vets ‘A’ team before handing over to Mark Gamage. The procession of Harriers up the final stretch never seemed to stop with each of our runners cursing as they finished on how hard it was before breaking into wide smiles of approval for the whole event. Checking on their individual times, how many of our athletes remarked that they didn’t think they could run so fast. It is quite amazing how the team ethic works. A special mention must go to George Harris who, on learning that one of our teams was short of a runner, was ‘asked’ to fill in for our absentee. Typical of the whole evening, it was no problem for George who seemed to finish his second run better than his first. Results wise, the only downside of the evening was that for the first time there were no Vets team prizes as our Vets ‘A’ team of Craig Chapman, Mark Gamage and Guy Jenner in finishing 5th overall were the first Vets team home. Never mind. We all know. What a great evening for our three non-running supporters to witness. Thanks to Mick Jarvis and Pete Jeffrey for assisting with the encouragement (shouting).
Please spare a thought for Steve ‘Mange Tout’ Bright who, after ensuring that everybody got to the venue from St Johns, was left in Beckenham nursing a sick car that had deposited its cooling fluid on the road: now that sounds like more like Harriers emerging from The Tap!!
Beckenham Relays - 13th May 2015
Tunbridge Wells Harriers Results
Vets 'A'
5th Craig Chapman 14:59 Mark Gamage 15:59 Guy Jenner 14:26
Mixed 'A'
12th Andy Howey 14:18 Alice Heather-Hayes 15:39 Dave Hadaway 16:09
Vets 'B'
23rd Matt Clark 16:15 Simon Howden 16:24 Steve Austin 17:02
Senior Men(ish)
28th Neil Clark 15:48 Terry Everest 16:06 George Harris II 18:16
Masters & Men
46th Tom Woolley 16:36 Mike Russell 18:34 Casper Morris 18:13
Mixed 'B'
51st George Harris 17:42 Lesley Mercer 19:49 Steve Bright 17:01
Ladies 'A'
51st Kim Deeney 17:49 Hayley Larkin 18:28 Nicola Morris 18:36
Ladies 'B'
80th Carol Tsang 19:32 Anita Venezia Yau 22:41 Nicola Withers 20:51
Fastest Legs
Men Overall Alex Lee Crystal Palace Tri 12:23 TWH Andy Howey 14:18
Ladies Overall Clare Elms Dulwich 15:27 TWH Alice Heather-Hayes 15:39
When the idea of taking part in Road Race Relays over short distances I was, at first, a little unsure how they would be received. How could anyone have doubted the willingness of the Harriers to have a bit of competitive fun in the evening sunshine in Beckenham. There is nothing better than seeing fellow Harriers giving everything in the final hundred metres of their race as they are shouted all the way to their handover point only for the supporting runners to realise that the roles would be reversed later when that point was reached on their lap. George Harris enjoyed it so much he ran it twice. (thank you George).
The Race started with eight deckchair clad Harriers disappearing on a downhill path amongst 100 teams for their lap of the challenging road and pathway course of 2.6 miles. The pace at the front was very fast to say the least but, not to be left behind, Chairman, Andy Howey stormed up the finishing hill to hand over to Alice in 5th position. Craig Chapman was not far behind leading our Vets ‘A’ team before handing over to Mark Gamage. The procession of Harriers up the final stretch never seemed to stop with each of our runners cursing as they finished on how hard it was before breaking into wide smiles of approval for the whole event. Checking on their individual times, how many of our athletes remarked that they didn’t think they could run so fast. It is quite amazing how the team ethic works. A special mention must go to George Harris who, on learning that one of our teams was short of a runner, was ‘asked’ to fill in for our absentee. Typical of the whole evening, it was no problem for George who seemed to finish his second run better than his first. Results wise, the only downside of the evening was that for the first time there were no Vets team prizes as our Vets ‘A’ team of Craig Chapman, Mark Gamage and Guy Jenner in finishing 5th overall were the first Vets team home. Never mind. We all know. What a great evening for our three non-running supporters to witness. Thanks to Mick Jarvis and Pete Jeffrey for assisting with the encouragement (shouting).
Please spare a thought for Steve ‘Mange Tout’ Bright who, after ensuring that everybody got to the venue from St Johns, was left in Beckenham nursing a sick car that had deposited its cooling fluid on the road: now that sounds like more like Harriers emerging from The Tap!!
Beckenham Relays - 13th May 2015
Tunbridge Wells Harriers Results
Vets 'A'
5th Craig Chapman 14:59 Mark Gamage 15:59 Guy Jenner 14:26
Mixed 'A'
12th Andy Howey 14:18 Alice Heather-Hayes 15:39 Dave Hadaway 16:09
Vets 'B'
23rd Matt Clark 16:15 Simon Howden 16:24 Steve Austin 17:02
Senior Men(ish)
28th Neil Clark 15:48 Terry Everest 16:06 George Harris II 18:16
Masters & Men
46th Tom Woolley 16:36 Mike Russell 18:34 Casper Morris 18:13
Mixed 'B'
51st George Harris 17:42 Lesley Mercer 19:49 Steve Bright 17:01
Ladies 'A'
51st Kim Deeney 17:49 Hayley Larkin 18:28 Nicola Morris 18:36
Ladies 'B'
80th Carol Tsang 19:32 Anita Venezia Yau 22:41 Nicola Withers 20:51
Fastest Legs
Men Overall Alex Lee Crystal Palace Tri 12:23 TWH Andy Howey 14:18
Ladies Overall Clare Elms Dulwich 15:27 TWH Alice Heather-Hayes 15:39