Phil's New York Marathon November 2004

One member of Ledbury Harriers participated in this years New York Marathon. Phil Reader was hoping to do the run in under 5 hours but confesses he didn't put enough effort into training in the weeks leading up to it!!

Phil completed the course in 5 Hours 19 Minutes and thought it was a fantastic run, the weather good and millions of people cheering all the runners on. Setting off across the bridge from Staten Island to the melody of Frank Sinatra singing 'New York New York'. Phil ran the first half of the course without too many problems. However he paid for his pace in the second half one cause possibly being due to a number of signs suggesting to all runners it was unsafe to walk in the Bronx may have induced Phil to pick up his pace a little bit too early for a grandstand finish. Still Phil made it to the end and got his medal, only just behind Paula Radcliffe (infact 3 hours behind!).

Harriers Raise Money for Childrens Charities

This years London Marathon saw months of training pay off for three members of Ledbury & District Harriers. Both Clifford Berry and Peter Scott-Jones have run the event before but for Glyn Fletcher this was his first attempt at the London Marathon.

Clifford, coming home in a time of 3hrs 19mins raised £450.00 for the Dreams Come True Charity, whilst Peter, in a time of 3hrs 29mins raised £600 for the James Hopkins Trust, with Glyn crossing the finishing line in a time of 4hrs.

Both charities raise money to help seriously & terminally ill children, most people will recognise the Dream Comes True Charity whilst the James Hopkins Trust is a Gloucestershire based charity which provides practical help for severely disabled, life threatened and life limited young children, aged 5 yrs and under. Both Clifford and Peter would like to thank everyone who sponsored them to help these two very worthwhile childrens charities.

We would also like to pass on our thanks to Physio Ann Barnes who was able to treat Clifford at very short notice to enable him to carry on training and run the marathon.

Harriers Race News

Sunday 7th March saw Clifford Berry, as part of his London Marathon training, take part in the Ballycotton 10 mile road race in Eire and return a time of 67 mins for the event.

Glyn Fletcher, training for his 1st London Marathon travelled to Frampton On Severn to take part in the Gloucester 20 mile road race and returned a time of 2 hrs 55 mins.

On Sunday, 14th March, five members travelled to the Forest Of Dean to take part in the Forest Of Dean Trails Half Marathon, despite the very wet, windy and cold conditions everyone completed the course which followed the cycle trail through the forest.

Results (499 starters) Bruce Butler - 200th 1:47:33, Nikki Hodgkiss - 357th 2:00:19, Annie Fox - 358th 2:00:19, Philip Reader - 385th 2:03:38 and Wendy Bevan - 477th 2:24:36

Harriers Enjoy Good Times At Silverstone

Wet, snowy, blustery conditions welcomed the 6335 runners at Silverstone on Sunday 7th March for the 2nd running of the Adidas Flora London Half Marathon. By Midday though the rain and snow had cleared which led the way for all four members of Ledbury & District Harriers to record personal best times.

1st home for the Harriers was Bruce Butler in 1:42:41, posn 1111, followed by Andrew Thwaites 1:48:19, posn 1821, Annie Fox 1:49:13 posn 1930 and Wendy Bevan 2:14:01, posn 5004. Well done to everyone, especially Andrew and Wendy as this was their first appearance in such a large event.