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Ford
Wins Tough Tussle
Peter Ford and Colin Aldous battled out the closing stages of a thrilling race
on Sunday when Hayes and Harlington Road Runners contested the Wyvern Tough Ten
Challenge. The Hayes based runners entered one of their strongest teams for the
multi terrain event at Weston-Super-Mare. Braving biting winds, more than 1000
runners started the race on the sea front. Ford the established a comfortable
lead over his team mates through the mud and steep climbs of the hill section and
looked set for an easy victory. However, once back on the more familiar road
section, Colin Aldous drew level once more with his colleague. The tussle ended
with a bronze merit badge for Ford and the honour of being the first Hayes
runner home. A bruised and battered Aldous followed just seconds behind.
(Gazette 18 February)
Hall
Powers Home
Hayes and Harlington Road Runners injected a little pace into their Spring
Marathon training programme in the Brent 10K Road Race. Despite having completed
a 13 mile training training run earlier in the day, the prospect of finishing
under the Royal Box at Wembley Stadium caused most of the 12 man team to forget
their tired legs and produce some fine performances. True to form Ernie Hall
made short work of the hilly course and powered home in 36:20 claiming 21st
place out of an 800 strong field. Welcomed home by a large and enthusiastic
crowd inside the stadium, Hall later said it was one of the most satisfying
finishes he could remember! The final 400 metres around the famous pitch
produced a spectacular finish and resulted in Colin Aldous narrowly beating
colleague Peter Ford to become second Hayes runner home with Geoff Castle being
placed fourth. The growing ladies section was represented by Jac Williams who
was obviously inspired by the venue to set a personal best of 48:52, a 40 second
improvement over the distance. However celebrations were muted as Jac aggravated
a tendon injury in the closing stages and now looks doubtful for the Hillingdon
Half Marathon. (Gazette 3 April)
Marathon
Men from Boston to London
A team from Hayes and Harlington Road Runners completed a remarkable double in
the Boston and London Marathons in the space of six days. The first stage saw
the team in Massachusetts for the 100th Boston Marathon. The 38,000 competitors
caused severe congestion at the start with some taking 30 minutes to cross the
start line. Paul Evans made the most of his seeded start to run a well paced
race, finishing first Hayes runner Home in 3:12. Brian Matthews followed close
behind. Just six days later the team were back home for Sunday's London
Marathon. The unexpected warm weather took its toll on some of the Hayes squad
but Peter Ford rose to the occasion finishing in 3:14. Paul Evans followed in
3:25. (Gazette 21 April)
Smith
Finds Form
Hayes and Harlington Road Runner Ian Smith made amends for a disappointing
performance in the London Marathon by claiming his first trophy of the year at
the Hayes End 10K on Sunday. One week after narrowly failing to break the three
hour barrier, Smith found the form that eluded him to storm home in third place.
As the race entered Hayes End Recreation Ground for the closing stages, Smith
had built up a 200m lead over his closest challengers to finish comfortably.
Smith hopes to build on the performance on May 12 when a full team from Hayes
and Harlington Road Runners compete in the Concorde 10K at Cranford Park.
(Gazette 28 April)
Peter
Conkers London to Brighton Road Race
A freak accident at 15 miles failed to stop high mileage road runner Peter Ford
from finishing the gruelling 55 mile London top Brighton Road Race on Sunday.
Ford said " I was in touch with the leading group when I slipped on some
wet conkers. My ankle turned over as I fell leaving me practically helpless.
Luckily a first aid station was close by and they did an excellent job of
strapping up the leg, but I lost a lot of time. The next 13 miles were hell, but
once I realised I had passed the half way mark quitting was out of the
question." The Hayes and Harlington Road Runner battled his way up to 75th
position by 50 miles and eventually finished joint 68th in a time of 9 hours 8
minutes on his debut in the event. (Gazette 6 October)
Tomlin
Run
Hayes and Harlington Road Runners' Paul Tomlin gave an early indication of his
potential when he finished 13th at the Bedfont Lakes run on Sunday. In only his
third competitive outing for the club, the newcomer stunned his teammates by
showing them a clean pair of heals in the five mile race. Tomlin narrowly
overcame a spirited challenge from Hayes veteran Tony Betteridge to finish in
34:26. Betteridge claimed 14th place in 34:33. Meanwhile Paul Evans gave a
massive boost to his ranking in the club championship with an impressive late
surge to finish 20th in 35:58. Ian Robinson (37:59) and Vince Farelly completed
the Hayes line up. (Gazette 20 October)....... to appreciate how stunned we
really were, you had to see the shape and size of Paul
Hall
Does It at Long Last
Hayes and Harlington Road Runner Ernie Hall achieved his ambition when he won
the Middlesex Marathon Championship on Sunday. The Sipson based runner who
previously claimed third and second places in 1993 and 1995 respectively, raced
home at the Harrow Marathon to claim the County Championship Trophy. Hall
finished 5th overall in 22:48.(Gazette 3 November)
Nisbet
and Tye Take the Road Race Honours
Hayes End Community Association held their second 10K Road Race and children's
fun run on Sunday. The winner of the men's race was Hayes and Harlington Road
Runner Jack Nisbet who clocked 38:27. He ran a tactical race staying with the
leading pack through the testing stages of Stockley Park. Making his move at
8km, Nisbet opened up a 25 second lead and held on to claim his first ever
victory. The winner of the ladies race was Joyce Tye in 45:05, Cathy Foggerty
was second in 46:06 and Hayes and Harlington Road Runner Jac Williams was third
in 47:13. Other Hayes and Harlington Road Runners taking part were Ian Smith
(6th), Ian Robinson (21st) and Bill Hart (27th).
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