The Amersham 5 Events were held at Hervines Park last Sunday, 17th September. It was a perfect "Indian Summer" day - but a bit warm for running at this time of the year. The surface was still very firm, despite the rain in recent weeks and the fields behind Tesco's, that the runners must cross, were dry, flinty and stubbly from the harvested wheat. There are three races organised by Chiltern Harriers Athletic Club. The first event was the 4-km Fun Run at 10:30am. This is hotly contested by the junior runners and this year the first three home were three young Chiltern Harriers:- Alex Shelley, first in 14m:20s, Mike Belcher second in 14m:27 and Nick Lingley third in 14m:47.
The main event was the Amersham 5 Multi-Terrain Race at 11:15am. Last years winner Owain Jones was the winner again today. Running under the colours of 'Chiltern Sparrows', he finished in 27m:05s. The next two runners were Chiltern Harriers:- Eddie O'Gorman racing to the line for second place just ahead of his club-mate Matt Bennett. Matt is still a junior, under 18 runner, but is in excellent form at the moment and was just three seconds behind in third. Fourth-placed Mark Booth from Wycombe Phoenix took the Junior prize, because Matt Bennett took the third place prize. With two more Chiltern Harriers - Alister Mellor and Fabian Downs - finishing in 6th and 7th place respectively, it is no surprise that Chiltern Harriers won the men's team prize. Sam Williamson of Tring RC won the Men's Vet 40 prize and Tony Richardson of Chiltern won the Men's Vet 50.
Claire Pusey, the talented and consistent runner from Burnham Joggers, was the women's winner, finishing in 20th place over-all in a time of 32m:02s. Laura Butt of Chiltern Harriers was second woman home, finishing 31st over-all in 33m:13s, followed by Tamsin Neale of Burnham Joggers in 3rd. Cath Holloway was 1st woman vet (over 35.) Chiltern Harriers managed to win the women's team prize, just slightly ahead of Burnham Joggers.
Race Organiser Ken Huxham reported another successful event - a fine day, a good turn-out and a good race for all.
Nigel Derby