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Harriers return to Green Belt Relays

After ten years the Green Belt Relays seems to go from strength to strength. Exceptionally well organised by the Stragglers, all of the teams taking part in the event contribute to its smooth running by helping out with marshalling and feeding stations at various stages around the course. This has contributed to the great feeling of fun and camaraderie which  makes the event one of the high points of the year.

This year saw the Harriers meet up early on Saturday morning for the traditional full fried breakfast before heading off to the start at Hampton Court. Our lead runner Mark Lacey did not seem fazed to be toeing the line with Sonia O'Sullivan, and we watched the runners set off before heading off to man a water station. Andy Henegan took up the baton next and ran strongly to pass the baton to Jeff Hinsley for the Boveney to Little Marlow stage.

The threatening skies finally delivered the rain that they had been promising, and it was difficult to know what to wear with warm sunshine alternating with cold wet and windy spells. Ray McIlmurray took the optimistic view and clad in singlet and shorts headed off on his13 Mile leg about five minutes before the sky turned black and the heavens opened with hailstones and the most torrential downpour of the weekend. Ray passed the baton to John Mac who enjoyed his leg so much that he ran an extra three miles. Johns detour allowed us time to prise Juliet out of the pub and send her on her way on stage six. Next away was Kevin Dwyer who confounded expectations by not going  hopelessly off course in the urban jungle that is St Albans.

Mike Hughes was next away and running well, he passed the baton to Gerard who ran a strong leg to hand over to Ian Edwards who ran a strong last stage to finish day one. The Sunday dawned brighter and it was time to drag the tired legs back to the start to begin again the process of running, meeting up with back up vehicles and organising drinks and support for the team.

All in all a memorable and enjoyable week end. One that I would certainly put down in my running diary as a must do. Hope to see you there next year.

 

Here are the Harriers team results

LegStartRunnerDistanceTimePositionTeam
Position
1 Hampton Court Mark Lacey 12.8 1:20:14 7 7
2 Staines Andy Henegan 9.7 1:16:32 22 16
3 Boveney Jeff Hinsley 11:2 1:20:30 16 16
4 Little Marlow Ray McIlmurray 13.0 1:23:57 4 10
5 Gt. Kingshill John McClelland 13.8 2:05:12 30 19
6 Chipperfield Juliet Kingsford 8.4 1:12:28 29 21
7 St. Albans Kevin Dwyer 13.15 1:44:30 25 24
8 Lt. Berkhamsted Mike Hughes 11.3 1:24:13 22 23
9 Enfield Lock Gerard Lissenberg 10.8 1:18:54 17 21
10 Passingford Mill Ian Edwards 8.15 1:02:11 17 20
Finish Day One - 112.3 miles, 19 hours 45 minutes
11 Blackmore Andy Henegan 10.9 1:28:24 24 21
12 Thorndon Park Ian Edwards 11.0 1:50:00 32 DNF 23
13 Q.E.2. Bridge John McClelland 9.2 1:18:38 20 23
14 Lullingstone Park Mark Lacey 13.3 1:31:25 8 23
15 Tatsfield Mike Hughes 10.5 1:21:26 24 24
16 Merstham Ray McIlmurray 8.9 0:53:37 4 21
17 Box Hill Kevin Dwyer 10.5 1:32:00 25 23
18 West Hanger John Willmott 8.5 1:14:23 29 23
19 Pyrford Lock Juliet Kingsford 6.9 0:55:47 30 24
20 Walton Bridge Gerard Lissenberg 9.5 1:03:36 21 24
Finish Day 2 (Hawker Centre) - 99.2 miles, 17 hours 35 minutes
Overall Total - 211.5 miles, 37 hours 20 minutes

Full results can be found on the Stragglers Green Belt Relays Website www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk