August Stats Summary by Andrew Deighton

It was a fast start to a slow (but hot) racing August, with Dillon Hobbs speeding round the 5000m at the Hercules Wimbledon track meeting to celebrate Yorkshire Day on the 1st.

The Sunday saw Steve Austin hit the trails at the Harting 10 Mile, while Margaret Deighton topped the F70 rankings at the East Peckham 5k.

In the East Peckham 10k - the latest race in the Club Road Grand Prix - there were 4 harrier men under 40 minutes (Dave Weston, Mike Armitage, Peter Bell and Keith Mitchell) on another scorching, sunny morning, while Ali Farrall led home the women. There were age group wins for Ali (F50), Rose Sawyer (F55) and Keith Mitchell (M45) and podiums for Nicola Morris (2nd F55), Dave Weston (3rd M40), Stuart Corke (3rd M5) and Mr President, Mark Taylor (3rd M70).

It was a busy night of track action at the penultimate TAC Open meeting of the summer. Katie Baker led home 5 other harriers on her track debut in heat one of the 1500m, before Clifford Gray set his first club record of the evening (having already run the 100m) in heat two. In the 200m Clifford set another M60 record, beating the mark held since 1993 by Jim Simmons, while just behind him Steve Austin improved his own M65 record. Kudos to Keith Mitchell too, for an excellent 1500m/3000m double.

The first Friday of the month, saw lunchtime action at the monthly Ealing (road) Mile race, with Colin Timmins smashing the M60 club record and Ali Farrall missing her PB by a second. In the evening, Mike King and Dan Foster ran the penultimate Rye 10k of the summer. Sunday saw Sonja King as the sole harrier racing at the Mount Ephraim 10k (not that one) inspired by the junior Kings, who were both junior race winners.

Mid month saw Karina Kitshoff flying the deckchair at the Saxon Shore Half in Whitstable, while Julie McPherson wore hers (with son Dan in his TAC vest) at the Unity 5k in Birmingham, held as part of the European Championships on the marathon race course. Alex Reid then posted another great 1500m time at the British Milers Club Meeting in Tooting Bec midweek.

After another fallow racing weekend, the final Wednesday of the month saw our 5th annual Summer Memorial Relays held at Club HQ. 23 teams of 3 took part (plus one solo runner) supported by a multitude of Harrier volunteers on the usual route over sun scorched ground. Dave Weston was fastest man on the night, with Katie Baker (nee Allen) being fastest woman and Paul Kromm first supervet. A fine time was had by all and we ended the running with birthday celebrations for Geoff Turner.

Just four harriers ran this months Serpentine last Friday 5k, with tarmac loving (not) Ed Steele being first one home on his LFOTM debut. The last weekend saw the annual Harriers takeover of RTW parkrun in Dunorlan where a terrific (if slightly wet) morning saw 50 harriers running or pacing and many more volunteering to marshal, set up, close down and all things in between.

Bank Holiday Monday saw the latest Club Track Mile Championships held as part of the TAC Open Meeting in Tonbridge.
Before the main action of the day there was a new M60 club record for Andy Howey in the 1000m race walk and a PB for Chris Walmsley in the 200m.

The first club championship race of the day was for Men - M50/M60/M70 - with race winner Andy Howey landing the M60 title and another club record. Tom Evans (M50) and Paul Kromm (M70) also won their age categories.

The second race saw all the female age categories contested, with Amelie Karlsson taking race victory and the overall title.
Steph Hanes (F35), Ali Farrall (F45), Maria Gandara (F55) and Lucille Joannes (F65) won their age categories after strong competition in each race. Ali posted a new F50 club record and Stella Richardson set a new F70 record.

The final race - for Senior Men and M40s - saw Mark Mellor taking the overall title and M40 win, with third place finisher Peter Bell taking the SM crown. Alex Holmes posted a new M45 club record.

Lots of great performances throughout the races and well done to Luca Calton and Mike Brann on their harrier racing debuts. A great way to round off the month, with 38 harriers competing in the meeting, supporting by many other harriers, family and friends.