O'Donnell races to a new record

DES O'Donnell led the charge as 30 Tunbridge Wells Harriers, 18 men and 12 women, braved the chilly conditions, at Canterbury, on Sunday morning as they embarked on the first 2012 Kent Grand Prix race.

O'Donnell was the first Harrier across the line in 59min 51sec, a new over-50 club record, 15th overall and second male over 50.

Alice Heather-Hayes was the first Harrier woman in 62:24, a new over-35 club record, 31st overall and third woman, thus collecting a prize.

It was a great team effort all round, especially from the women.

Coming home with a trophy for first women's team were Alice Heather-Hayes, Tara Taylor (68:41), in a new over-45 club record, and Jeannette White (69:10).

For the men – Des O'Donnell, Craig Chapman (61:14), Tim Lucas (61:58) and Dave Hadaway (62:18) – unfortunately no trophy, but it was a close race for the team prize with the Harriers coming third behind Ashford and Invicta East Kent.

Several personal-best times were also achieved.

Tunbridge Wells Harriers results: 15 Des O'Donnell 59min 51sec, 21 Craig Chapman 1:01:14, 25 Tim Lucas 1.01.58, 30 Dave Hadaway 1.02.18, 31 Alice Heather-Hayes 1.02.24, 32 Andrew Shepherd 1.02.25, 42 Michael Thomson 1.03.45, 53 Ross Woods 1.04.59, 57 Terry Everest 1.05.11, 59 Matthew Clark 1.05.12, 63 Adam Steger 1.05.24, 69 Bruce Sandell 1.05.49, 90 Geoff Turner 1.07.04, 120 Tara Taylor 1.08.41, 130 Jeannette White 1.09.10, 169 Stephen Woodruffe 1.10.55, 197 Mark Taylor 1.11.50, 223 Derek Harrison 1.12.46, 264 Kimberley Deeney 1.14.03, 303 Sally Burton 1.15.45, 366 Catherine Thorp 1.18.04, 489 James Smith 1.22.43, 509 Ana-Maria Green 1.23.26, 515 Deborah Stamp 1.23.33, 521 Jacqueline Morton 1.23.41, 552 Lucille Joannes 1.24.42, 569 Amanda Paver 1.25.22, 788 Christopher Avis 1.38.05, 895 Graham Brooks 2.13.18.

Eight Harriers took part in the senior men's race in the Southern Cross Country Championships, held at Sussex University, near Brighton.

In clear, cold conditions, the course was quite firm, despite being the last race of the day, but had steep up-and-down slopes through laps over a forest area.

At 9.5 miles, it was one of the longer events of the year and by the third lap, those more used to shorter routes were becoming undone by the distance.

First home for the Harriers men was Chris Wolton in 144th, showing the high standard of competition out on the field, followed by chairman Andy Howey in 309th, returning to cross country after a long period of injury.

Third place was taken by Stuart Shields (339th), followed by Daryl Palfry (401st) and (417th) Ed Steele, the six to score being made up by indomitable Michael Russell, 614th.

The last two finishers were George Harris, 626th, and Steve Austin, 645th, in only his third cross country race.

In the women's race, there was no four-to-score team. The three women Harriers – captain Sian Roberts 148th, Clare Hayhurst 186th and Becky Smith 254th – made their best of the 8k route with its brilliant downhill finish.

Tunbridge Wells Harriers results: men: 144/57min 57sec Chris Wolton, 309/63:46 Andy Howey, 339/64:53 Stuart Shields, 401/67:12 Daryl Palfry, 417/67:35 Edward Steele, 614/76:27 Michael Russell, 626/77:13 George Harris, 645/78:36 Steve Austin; women: 148/38:34 Sian Roberts, 186/40:13 Clare Hayhurst, 254/43:47 Rebecca Smith.