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Click on photos to enlarge - use browser back button to return Pictures by Martyn Loach and Steve Perkin |
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Click on photos to enlarge - use browser back button to return Pictures by Martyn Loach and Steve Perkin |
A near-record field of 357 finishers tackled the 16th running of the hilly and muddy Herbert's Hole Challenge on Sunday.
The multi-terrain route takes runners up from Lowndes Park in Chesham to the Herbert's Hole footpath, round the top of the Pednor vale and back. A mild, still morning provided good cross country conditions and recent rain had turned much of the course into its usual autumnal wet and muddy state.
Chiltern Harriers hosted the event and had a successful race, winning the men's and women's team prizes and had, in Eddie O'Gorman, the individual winner.
The winning men's team consisted of Eddie O'Gorman, 1st in 39.14, Fabian Downs, 2nd in 39.34, Matt Bennett, 5th in 42.17, and Allan Stewart, 8th in 42.44. Allan also won the prize for first junior. Second team were Bearbrook Joggers and third were Tring Running Club.
Third place in the men's race went to Steve Mead running for The Askars fun team in 41.02. First Vet 40 was Tring Running Club's Paul Allen in 41.35, first Vet 50 was Mikk Bradley from Watford Harriers in 44.24, and first Vet 60 was Tring's Tom Griffen in 49.22.
The women's race was won by Fiona Kennedy of Ealing, Southall, and Middlesex in 46.05. Second and third were Chiltern Harriers Laura Butt and Debbie Wenman in 47.19 and 48.07 respectively. First Vet 35 was Michaela Colwell of Tring Running Club in 50.01, first Vet 45 was Alison Harding, also from Tring in 51.16, and first Vet 55 was Judy Pomphrey of St Albans Striders in 57.49.
Chiltern's winning women's team was Laura, Debbie, Barbara Ralph in 14th place, and Kate Loach in 24th. In second place were Bearbrook Joggers and third were Ealing, Southall and Middlesex.
Leading fun team was the foursome from GE Healthcare, John Taylor, Stuart Plant, Julian Algar, and Donal Phipps.
The race was sponsored by Gil-lec Electrical Whoesalers, Ink Link Lithographic Printers, and Foxes Outdoor Adventure Clothing And Equipment.