Netley 10k
Victoria Country Park in Netley provided the backdrop for the final 10k of the HRRL season. Some 544 competitors made it to the start line, lining up intuitively next to the timing clock. After a bit of a shuffle and squeeze the runners were pushed back 100 yards. Apparently the clock was not the start. How silly of us to assume. The slight confusion caused a little consternation amongst our runners, and inadvertently Mike Harper found himself near the front of the pack.
What Mike did know however was that a fast start is important on this tight, twisty 3 lap course. Keen to make a good impression on his debut in Green, David Castle cheekily mentioned to Wayne that he'd be happy with 36 minutes. Very soon into the race Wayne realised that his idea of a very credible 35:50 was no match to David's 34:34! Dave Jeffery ran well, and finished just outside 36 minutes. These three made up the A team for the race, who finished second to Denmead. Andy Simpson was next home, and added enough weight to the scores to propel the 4 man A team into first place in the HRRL team scores. I managed to hold off Mike Harper to lead home the B team. But I need't have worried because Mike was pre-occupied with another personal dual that has been developing over recent weeks, with our current leading lady.
Emily Foran, who has had a very strong finish to the HRRL season, managed to track Mike for 8k before running the kick out of him over the last 2k. Not only did Emily beat our mens captain, run a pb, score 100% in the HRRL, she also WON the ladies race. Congratulations Emily, very well done. Susie finished 6th overall, 2nd V40, and Penny completed the ladies team, who also finished second, taking 17th, and 1st V60. Well done ladies.
Rachael also pb'd, and ran very well, as did Tina a week after her marathon experience in Stratford. Scoring well on her debut for Stubbington was Louisa Abbott, again in a pb time. Lucy maintained her recovery and build up for the South Downs with a good run, and was joined Georgie, and another debutant, Jen Woolford, in the ladies C team. Donna completed her 7th HRRL race of the season to qualify for a mug, and Jane looked like she enjoyed her three laps.
Back in the mens race Kev Wheeler, and Nick Kimber completed the B team. At the finish Nick was seen to be looking for the road to Amarillo, but that was probably just a flashback to his Saturday night "clubbing", coming back to haunt him.
Richard, Tim, Atiken, and Chris (another pb) ensured that we had a complete C team in the HRRL scoring. Thanks & well done guys.
| Pos | Name | race time | km pace | mi pace |
| 1 | Emily Foran | 00:38:19 | 03:50:00 | 06:10:00 |
| 6 | Susie MacGregor | 00:40:41 | 04:04:00 | 06:33:00 |
| 17 | Penny Forse | 00:43:22 | 04:20:00 | 06:59:00 |
| 37 | Rachael Openshaw | 00:46:29 | 04:39:00 | 07:29:00 |
| 42 | Tina Chantrey | 00:46:51 | 04:41:00 | 07:32:00 |
| 47 | Louisa Abbott | 00:46:58 | 04:42:00 | 07:34:00 |
| 55 | Lucy May | 00:47:43 | 04:46:00 | 07:41:00 |
| 60 |
Georgie Wallis | 00:48:03 | 04:48:00 | 07:44:00 |
| 69 | Jennet Woolford | 00:49:18 | 04:56:00 | 07:56:00 |
| 71 |
Donna Mitchell | 00:49:23 | 04:56:00 | 07:57:00 |
| 124 | Jane Butler | 00:53:27 | 05:21:00 | 08:36:00 |
| Pos | name | race time | km pace | mi pace |
| 5 | David Castle | 00:34:34 | 03:27:00 | 05:34:00 |
| 16 | Wayne Ewens | 00:35:50 | 03:35:00 | 05:46:00 |
| 22 | David Jeffery | 00:36:04 | 03:36:00 | 05:48:00 |
| 26 | Andy Simpson | 00:36:49 | 03:41:00 | 05:56:00 |
| 38 | Graham Bell | 00:37:47 | 03:47:00 | 06:05:00 |
| 48 | Mike Harper | 00:38:24 | 03:50:00 | 06:11:00 |
| 64 | Kevin Wheeler | 00:39:14 | 03:55:00 | 06:19:00 |
| 108 |
Nick Kimber | 00:41:50 | 04:11:00 | 06:44:00 |
| 14 |
Richard Edmunds | 00:42:07 | 04:13:00 | 06:47:00 |
| 120 | Tim Crumpton | 00:42:51 | 04:17:00 | 06:54:00 |
| 229 |
Aitken Hunter | 00:49:35 | 04:58:00 | 07:59:00 |
| 266 |
Chris Gallagher | 00:53:41 | 05:22:00 | 08:38:00 |
Full results are here http://www.hrrl.org.uk/2011/05_May/110515-Netley/result.htm, as well as some photos here: Tracy Bell | Tony Smith | Marcus Lee
A summary of the HRRL season will follow shortly. In the meantime Netley results can be found here http://www.hrrl.org.uk/2011/05_May/110515-Netley/hrrl.htm
Graham Bell