Sunday Summary 21 June 2009
Brand new - CHTV News- providing occasional snippits of news from around the club. If you have videos you'd like to share, please email us - cambridgeharrierspress@hotmail.com.
This first episode takes in Matt Winn-Smith's attempt to complete the Bob Graham 24 Hour Challenge.
Apologies must be made for a camera malfunction!
Winn-Smith joins unique group with arduous run
Bob Graham Round 24 hour Challenge
Matt Winn-Smith joins an elite group of just over a thousand runners as he completed the immense Bob Graham 24 hour Round challenge.
First completed in 1932 by Bob Graham, hotelier of Keswick, Cumberland, at the age of 42, the 42 Peak Round has become a testing ground for the supremely fit. Each summer around 100 of the most highly tuned ultra-distance fell runners will attempt the 27,000 ft of ascent over 72 miles within the allotted 24 hours. Only one in three return to the Keswick Moot Hall before the clock runs down.
Setting off from Moot Hall at 12:31am, Matt made the first stage in just over four hours, through overnight mist and sleet, to arrive at the first checkpoint at Threlfell, seven minutes behind target. Fellow clubman Kevin White, who was the support runner for stage two, met him.
The second stage saw Matt climb 6000ft over 9 peaks and endure minimal visibility all the way to the highest point at Helvelyn then another four peaks before decending to the next checkpoint at Dunmail. Upon the decent to Dunmail, the weather began to improve as the wind died and the clouds parted as he arrived just before 09:30. Here he was met by Harrier Martin Asp, who’s experience as an orienteer would come in handy.
This stage would prove to be very tough. Not just because of the nine hours already spent climbing 10000ft, but with 15 peaks culminating in the climbs up to the perilous Scafell Pike and some steep descents, this would test the fittest of muscles.
Awaiting with vital supplies, change of socks and valuable nutrition at the end of this stage at Wasdale Head, the support team of Matt’s brother, Simon (driving the support car over the 24 hours), Mark Newell, a recovering Kevin White and Matt’s wife Jo and daughter Lara were all delighted to see the pair descend together and arrive to scoff food and meet friend Aiden, who would support Matt through the fourth leg after supporting runners attempting the challenge over the third leg several hours earlier.
They set off five minutes ahead of the allotted rest time and approximately 25 minutes ahead of the overall schedule, now 15 hours in to the run. This would prove vital as Matt’s physical and mental condition would suffer as the hours, hills and the miles increased.
Descending in to the slate quarry of Honister to approach stage four at around 8.30PM, his supporters were pleased to see him. However, as Aiden led him down towards the support group, it was obvious that Matt was now suffering as he picked his was slowly to the checkpoint with smaller, tired steps.
Upon arrival, he slumped in to his chair to receive vital supplies looking like a boxer reaching his corner after 11 hard rounds. A member of the crew asked as he sat “Do you want to continue?” Showing characteristic strength of mind Matt replied slowly and tiredly, “No, but I shall.”
After the refueling stop, Matt was fortunate enough to have a good team of support runners for the final leg who would navigate over the peaks of Dale Head, Hindgarf and Robinson and also provide a vital moral boost as he flagged.
Martin Asp changed in to his running gear to support his good friend for the second time and would join Mark Newell, an experienced hand on the hills of the Lake District and ex-Harriers Claire Gibson and Nick Jelima.
Navigating down the decent of Robinson as night fell, the runners would reach the final 5 mile stretch on road towards the finish at Moot Hall. Jo would be waiting for a quick pit stop to supply a welcome change of footwear, from fell to road shoes.
As they set off they had an hour and 15 minutes to cover the five miles for Matt to reach the magical target. Easy enough in normal circumstances, but with the aches, pains and exhaustion of 23 hours worth of running, not an easy task.
The support runners were a boost to Matt as the pace quickened.
Midnight at Moot Hall and anticipation was rising as Jo, Caroline, Mark, Simon and Kevin awaited Matt’s arrival, hoping that all the effort of the last 23 and a half hours would pay off. The anxious wait ended at 12:13am.
A glorious sight, as Matt turned the corner in to the centre of Keswick, flanked by his support. Everybody joined Matt to jog the last 50 meters, led by encouragement, applause and the support of late night revelers too.
As Matt reached the steps of Moot Hall, he paused to summon the energy of one final climb and as he ascended the 7 steps to touch the door to mark the end of an epic journey, there were whoops of joy and hollers all round as Martin confirmed the time which saw Matt join a special and unique group of adventurous and tough runners.
Southern Championships
Curtis Griffith-Parker and Craig Lacy stole the show for Cambridge Harriers at the SEAA U20 and Senior Championships at Watford.
Curtis won both the U20 and Senior Shot competition, with his best throw of 19.16 meters in the senior competition.
In the discuss, a throw of 58.21m won Curtis U20 gold, while he had to be content with second place in the senior event with a throw of 53.08m, 2 meters off the gold position.
Craig Lacy continued a good season by securing an U20 gold with a throw if 58.31 meters. His throw of 62.56 gained a bronze in the senior men’s event.
On the track, Lee Coogan and Stefan Mitchell made the semi-finals in the 200m and 800m respectively. Stefan’s semi-final time in the U20 200m was 22.40 seconds, while Lee missed out on a final place in the Senior 800m with a time of 1:56.97.
Dean Lacy was running strong in the 5000m. In the front pack at the halfway mark and feeling fresh, Dean then suffered to drop to 13th place to finish in 15 minutes 20.
Beryl Davis Schools Meeting
The club once again hosted a successful evening of events for the four schools who attended this years Beryl Davis meeting.
The meeting gives the opportunity for local girls to compete against each other on the track and field and try out events for the first time.
Many thanks to club members who helped and officiated, especially Pauline Boorman, in organising the event successfully and providing an excellent job on the PA.
Club records tumble whilst the fat lady stays quiet!
National Youth League – Copthall
The club’s young athlete’s team made their way to Barnet Copthall Stadium on Sunday for the fourth match of the season in the National Young Athletes league. With exams over the Under 17 boys and girls teams were nearly at full strength and the club’s minis bus was roped into service as the 53 seat coach was full
Stars of the day were Cloe Garrett who smashed the club’s Under 17 girls Pole Vault record with a vault of 2.40m and seems destined to go higher as the season goes on and the men’s Under 17 4x100 relay team who lowered the club record for the second time this season with a time of 43.8 seconds which averages under 11 seconds per leg. Congratulations to Omari Markland Montgomery, Olawale Akande, Tolu Odusanya and David Bolarinwa
On the team front we had our highest score of the season to date and finished third behind strong teams from Reading and Shaftesbury Barnet. Crucially we also beat Aldershot Farnham and District and now it is likely all will depend on the result of the last match in the series at Woodford on July 19th – when the fat lady will be singing to close the show
As said the Under 17 age groups were very well represented and this showed in the results:
Under 17 girls
As well as winning the Pole vault, Cloe Garrett won both the B String 80 and 300 m Hurdles whilst Gabriella Ade Onojobi won the A String races. Anesa Wanogho was nearly as successful as Cloe winning the Hammer with 26.22, Shot Putt 11.72 and taking second in the Discus with 25.67. Faith Kareber made it a double first in the hammer wining the b String with 16.48 and then ran a pb of 45.2 for 3rd in the B string 300. Thirza Flemming won the B String Pole Vault with 1.90.
Elle Kimberly and Katie Irving nobly took on the 3,000m and seemed to enjoy the experience. Elle then jumped in at late notice for a run in both the 100m and the 4x300 relay. Sally Duggan threw the javelin out to 31.93m to take the javelin whilst Melissa Owusu Ansah won the 300m A string in 42.8. Melissa, Elle and Faith then joined Caroline Ford for a great win in the 4x300m
Under 17 boys
The team took double firsts in the 100m, 200, 400m and 400 Hurdles and almost the 100 hurdles as well. In the Longer races James Murphy showed great endurance to run the 800, 1500 and the 1500 Steeplechase against strong opposition in every race. Joe Simmons joined James in the Steeplechase and won the B string race. In the field all the team members helped out with all the sprinters either competing in a throwing or jumping event. New member Richard Edwards equipped himself well with a 12.88 triple Jump whilst twins Tola and Kola Elebiju picked up good points in the jumps and hurdles
Under 15 girls
Ruth Onyekwe won both 100 and 200m the latter in a pb of 26.9. Daryl Neita made it maximum points by wining the b string 100 and then added good points in both the High Jump and Long Jump. Deborah Kabahinda was over 30metres again in the Javelin with 31.01 and Leanne O’Donovan added a useful 21.28 throw so the club took maximum points in the this event. Leanne and Deborah then teamed up again in the 75m Hurdles with both running pb’s of 12.3 and 13.2 respectfully in a very competitive race
Under 15 boys
Rugby and illness led to a weakened team in this age group but the boys still acquitted themselves well. Max Collett took the 1500m in his usual front running style whilst Erife Williams came from behind to win the 80m hurdles. Joe Berth Jones had stiff completion and was just pipped in the 100 and 200 despite running 11.6 and 23.7. The day ended well as the boys won the 4x100 relay after Reading were disqualified!
Under 13 Girls
This time swimming was the main culprit for not all the team members being there and this along with an early injury weakened the squad. Despite this everybody rallied round and nearly all events were covered with several pb’s being run, jumped or thrown. Best performances were a double second in the sprint hurdles by Iona Williams and Lucy Daniel
Under 13 boys
Elijah Laidlow was the star performer on the day with a great new pb of 1.38m to win the High Jump. Ben Stanbury jumped well with 1.30m to give the club seven out of a possible eight points. Jack parries, Alex Louis Perez, Tayo Ayeni all added points as the afternoon went on.
