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The low cloud and biting cold rain of the afternoon held off on Sunday morning to allow for a dry, but cold and windy Herbert's Hole multi-terrain race. The course of just over 10K, starting in Lowndes Park in Chesham wends up the muddy Herbert's Hole footpath and loops around the top of the Pednor vale to finish back at the park and provides a stern test, containing long climbs and some very steep sections.
This was the last event of the year hosted by Chiltern Harriers and an excellent end to 2007's events with a total of 341 finishers, 70 up on last year. The club provided a good turnout, and also won both men's and ladies' team events. There was a Chiltern 1,2,3 in the men's race with Eddie O'Gorman repeating his success of 2006 with a time of 38.52, two minutes quicker than last year's performance. Stuart Ellerby was second in 39.43 with Matt Bennett third in 40.57. Richard Quantrill completed Chiltern's winning team coming eighth in 42.42. Tring Running Club were second team home with Bearbrook Joggers third.
Leading Vet 40 was Owen Byrne of Bearbrook Joggers in 42.35, winner of the Vet 50 prize was Watford Harriers' Mikk Bradley in 44.53, and first Vet 60 was Herts Phoenix' Mike Dixon in 50.56.
Chiltern's successes amongst the category winners were first male junior home, Elliott Mocharrifie, overall 18th, in 44.08 and Barbara Ralph was winner of the Vet 45 ladies prize. The event provided an opportunity for one of Chiltern's younger runners to compete against his elders and Alex Watson, who still competes at Under 15 level in the Chiltern League, had an excellent run to be 20th, and 2nd junior, in 44.24.
The ladies also had a successful day with Laura Butt second in 46.57, Sarah Quantrill third in 47.42, Cath Holloway fifth in 48.51, and Barbara Ralph eighth in 50.29 comprising the winning team. Deborah Steer of St Albans Striders was individual winner of the ladies race in 45.05. In a mirror of the men's event Tring Running Club were second ladies team home with Bearbrook Joggers third. Vet 35 winner was Julie Humphries of Alton Runners in 48.17 and the Vet 55 prize went to Judy Pomphrey of St Albans Striders in 55.57.
Leading fun team were Chiltern Sparrows comprising Simon Balderson, Andy honour, Paul Lofty, and David Spikings.