The Herbert’s Hole Challenge took place on Sunday in mild, foggy
conditions with the tough, six and half mile multi-terrain course less
muddy than usual. The race organised by Chiltern Harriers was sponsored
by Gil-Lec Electrical Wholesalers, Ink-Link Lithographic Printers and
Fox’s Outdoors Shop.
There was another good turnout with 311 finishers.
Individual
winner was Chiltern’s Fabian Downs who came home in 36.56, Stephen
Norris from Thames Valley Harriers was second in 38.00 and Gade Valley
Harriers’ Guy Woollett was third with 39.18. Leading Vet 40 was Vale of
Aylesbury’s Andrew Rolt in 39.59. The Vet 50 prize went to John Nelson
from Alchester Running Club in 40.45 and the Vet 60 award to unattached
runner, James Stocker with 47.01.
A special mention
must be made of Leonard Smith who is over 70 yet ran 48.02 for 66th
place, a far faster time than any Vet 70 has achieved on this course
before.
Winner of the women’s race was Jo Pulsford of Rugby
and Northampton AC in 43.01. Second was Chiltern’s Ali Young in 44.41
with unattached Rebecca Nkoane third in 46.44. First Vet 35 was
unattached Debbie Channer in 47.16, first Vet 45 was Tring RC’s Alison
Harding in 50.01, and first Vet 55 was Looe Pioneers RC’s Lynne Harris
in 51.40.
Chiltern Harriers won both men’s and women’s team
prizes. The men were Fabian Downs, Adam Bowller, Michael Turney and
Grant Whittaker, whilst the women comprised Ali Young, Sarah Caulfield,
Tracy Edwards and Barbara Ralph. Second men’s team were Tring RC with
Alchester Running Club third. Second place in the women’s team
standings were another Chiltern foursome – Lyn Mellor, Kate Loach,
Sarah Empson and Helen Turner.