Full results

HARRIER NEWS

Ten Harriers toed the start line of the Brent Knoll race on Sunday November 30th. The 5.5 mile race takes competitors from the BASC sports ground along the muddy rynes to the foot of the Knoll, and then straight up and around before retracing steps. The race was well organised by Burnham-on-Sea Harriers and attracted 120 athletes. It was also the 13th and final race in the year long Somerset Race Series.

First home for the Harriers and starting to get back into his racing form of old was Steve Masters in 6th place in a time of 39.42, behind the race winner Rob Smyth of Taunton AC who ran 36.52. Steve was awarded 1st V40 prize for his performance. Not too far back, 2nd V40, in 8th place was Dickie Wythe with 41.35, who judged the race to perfection so as to finish ahead of club mate Dan Culliford, 42.08, and thereby pip Dan for the honour of being highest placed Harrier in the final Somerset Series standings.

For the women Laurie King showed off her Fell Running form to take 3rd place in a time of 45.24, behind race winner Linda Cummins of Yeovil Town who ran 42.50. Sue Cook claimed the 3rd place F35 prize with her 5th place time of 50.38. Other positions and times: 13th Rod Appleby 42.21;25th Paul Knight 44.59; 28th Pete Darton 45.59; 56th Phil Rainbow (in new shoes) 51.22; 67th Chris Storie 53.51.

The Harriers Chairman Paul Chadwick, assisted by Crewkerne's Roy Smart presented the Somerset Series 2003 awards immediately after the race. The final standings, based upon an individual's best 8 performances from the 13 races in the Series, saw a number of Harriers carry off the awards of engraved glasses and Kingston Black Cider Brandy aperitif.

The overall women's winner was Linda Cummins for the third successive year, with the Harrier's Sue Cook coming back from mid-season injury to finish 3rd overall. Also appearing in the final rankings, but just outside the prizes was the Harriers top F55 Kay Franklin. The overall men's winner was Peter Rigler of Tipton AC, with Dickie Wythe finishing 1st V40 in 3rd place overall, just ahead of Danny Culliford, 3rd Senior man in 4th place overall. Wythe and Culliford have enjoyed a year-long tussle at the top of the rankings. Also in the Top ten and gaining prizes were Rod Appleby, 6th, and Pete Darton, 10th, indicating strength in depth. Just outside of the prizes but also in the rankings were Adam Hawkins, Phil Rainbow, and Paul Chadwick.

The Somerset Series 2004, comprising of 14 races, starts on Sunday February 29th with the Harriers supported Babcary 7.5 mile Road Race, and followed a week later by the Butleigh Multi-terrain race. Entry forms for both races are now on the Harriers website www.wellscityharriers.org.uk.

Fixtures:
Sunday Dec 7th Full MontyCute Race (entries closed); Wed. Dec 10th Street 5km and junior races 7.30pm; Sunday Dec 14th Wessex XC League, Newbury; Sunday Dec 21st Harriers Xmas handicap and social event. Sunday Jan 4th Somerset County XC Champs, Edgarley.