Well… “All roads lead to Braids” don’t they? Well they obviously did on Saturday as we saw yet again record numbers for both the 5k and the 10k! The annual runs hosted by the club had 288 finishers in the 5k and 209 10k with some familiar faces in the mix of it all. Including Jacob Adkin which after his very successful Summer running fancied the trip from his new residence in Keswick running for his new club Keswick AC in the 10k. Jacob told me in a short message with him that “it was a real treat of a weekend” and “not only did I lose my Braids Race virginity, but I returned to the finest city to experience the best atmosphere of any event, amongst the best people!”. He also mentioned a Salomon Bell which was used maybe too excessively for some but he was super proud to hear it and all the cheers he had along the course! Another Ex. Harie Beth Hanson was also spotted on the course in Ambleside colours putting in an impressive time of 39:12 which was 1 minute 22 seconds faster than 2015!
Before I go into the real meat of the Haries performances (I’ll get there soon) there has to be a special shoutout to Arianne Holland who despite having many hurdles to overcome with organising the race managed to put on yet another amazing Braids Hills XC Race! And without the work she has done this event wouldn’t have been possible, and I’m sure this wouldn’t have been an easy job juggling the Vet Degree… (However you’ll hear more in her HOTW interview I’m sure #Hype)
Now the results: I know I’m not gonna be able to mention everyone before even looking properly through the results as there was simply so many Haries running! But what’s not to like about that! Good to see you guys all out!
Starting with the 5k Results (cuz everyone knows why do two loops when you can do one…?)
From the results the 5km race was one of strength with 95 runners managing to go under the 20 minute barrier and of those we had 39 who broke the 18 minute Barrier! I’m also happy to report that Alex Carcas was having an absolute stormer – further showing his dominance on Jack Leitch (Who wasn’t even racing… Although Matthew Leitch was in disguise running for Worthing). In second place was Jack Turner from Lancaster University and third place went to Callum Hanson from Newcastle University, who were both also flying coming in at 15:41 and 15:46 respectively on the (just shy of) 5km course. Just 3 seconds behind third though as if by magic was “Mr Bertie” from Sheffield University who despite not having Eykelbosch’s shouting managed to cruise himself into 4th place (a true legend)! However it may have just been Elisha de Mello’s encouragement from behind on his return to running encouraging Mr Bertie on the hilly course as on his comeback he managed to get a well deserved 5th place. It looks like a midday start time and local race is just what Elisha needs to turn up on time! Still staying in the top 10 we also saw the return of Jack Eykelbosch himself who after a long run of injury that has came, gone, came back again and then now gone as he’s back by the looks of it and lets hope to see this continue and I wish Jack the best of luck as he goes into the final year of his masters!
Elsewhere there was Oliver Langselius who is on his year abroad with us and hoping for a place at Armagh this year and with a time of 16:43 he’s well on his way to achieving that! Now I’ve heard this boy is good and I feel there is a lot more for him to show us after speaking to him at the social after the event! But maybe he was just running fast because Naked Joe was behind him (if you know you know, you weren’t in danger Oliver…). Speaking of Joe he had a very good run as well, getting his way across the finish line in a time of 16:45 for Aberdeen University. Not sporting his mankini, (Joe would have been proud) but wearing his Harie Potter green glasses was Andrew Lawler. He is still struggling with injury after having his surgery in the summer but the ex. GB internationalist still managed to get a solid finish, finishing in 17:42 tied with Manchester runner Harry Parker (almost potter).
As the field got more and more packed further down the order we had 4 finishers across the line in a time of 18:13 including last weeks HOTW our treasured Matthew Dailey along with our equally treasured Amy Frankland (Franko). They both crossed the line along with Leeds University runners Jemima Elgood and Andy Williams. Next Harie home was Alex Bell who was struggling with his race getting stuck behind runners as he found the race to be busier than expected, however still thoroughly enjoyed the race (must be still adjusting to life in a city as he’s from IOM…?).
Other Haries to cross the line under 20 minutes included Rhiannon Kirk, Michiel Kooijman, Polly Edwards, Rona Tyler, Tucker Owens, Laura King and just missing out with a time of 20:01 was Alexandra Kiltie. Not too far behind was also Eve Mackinnon back from her year abroad last year. Chasing each other down to the finish was also Carly Cameron and Josephine Edmunds both having good runs, and were followed closely by Tara Schwarze-Chintapatla.
Also to complete the course was Sally Stewart (21:04), Alastair White (21:12), Abi Plowman (21:15) and Lydia Blythe (21:17) (who is still on her year abroad right now #dedication). We also had a further 21 Harie’s who completed the course, which was a great turnout for the club!
And the 10k Results (10/10 for effort but why two loops…?)
With an impressive looking start list it was looking to be a very interesting race and that it was! Kris Jones was in super shape and established the lead from the offset and now with many titles under his belt it was time for him to secure another Braids Hills XC Race title (that’s better than National XC winner isn’t it?). The course proved not hilly enough for Jacob Adkin tho as 2nd place could not be his as he settled for 3rd place with St. Andrews man Kevin Fulton taking the second spot on the podium. Unfortunately for the “Hare and Hounds” the “Hare(s)” had their first runner home Andrew Merry in 5th place ahead of our Harie Eddie Narbet (or Pedley I’m still unsure), who was continuing his string of good runs on from Scottish Uni’s! There was also Ex. Harie Ewan Davidson chasing him down who is also in top form running for his new club Moray Road Runners, making his name now up in the north, rising to that superior fame that you just can’t find down in Edinburgh (hope you got in the paper this week Ewan!). Still breaking into a top ten finish there was Ali Masson in a time of 33:05 which was the same time across the line as 9th position Andrew Milligan from Durham University.
Just outside the top ten we also had one of our new Haries Max Bloor also showing his strength in the 10k coming 14th in a time of 33:51. Followed closely behind Max were a team of Haries lead by Rowan Dunn-Capper, Tom Lines and Robbie Peal who were 16th, 17th, and 20th respectively. Not far back was Nick Bennet in 29th, HBT and forever Harie Alex Luetchford in 34th followed by team mate Ewan Crawford and more Haries Alasdair Bisset & James Haynes who were 36th and 37th respectively.
Just missing out on sub 37 minutes was Tom Scrutton crossing the line and completing the gruelling 10k course in 37:07 and chasing him down was ex. Captain Ben Murphy running in Brown colours to take 65th place! Another new and keen Harie Emma Gill (@fruitsandroutes) just missed out on going under 38 minutes on the course coming in, in a time of 38:05. Other Haries to cross the line included Andrew Lindsay, Calum McLeod, Toby Linley-Adams, Ben Williamson, Jacob Milburn and Fay Walsh among many others!!
On to the Team Results:
5k Race
Men | Club | Athletes | Time |
1st | Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds | 612.Alex Carcas | 15:26 |
34 points | 633.Elisha de Mello | 15:53 | |
(1,5,10,18) | 434.Jack Eykelbosch | 16:21 | |
395.Oliver Langselius | 16:43 | ||
2nd | Liverpool University | 16.Elliot Martier | 15:58 |
62 points | 28.Alfie Devine- Wright | 16:35 | |
(6,16,17,23) | 4.Calum Mitchell | 16:42 | |
33.Daniel Cooke | 17:13 | ||
3rd | Durham University | 78.John Campbell | 16:00 |
68 points | 81.Alex Goodall | 16:23 | |
(7,11,22,28) | 63.Johnny Alexander | 17:06 | |
70.Michael Pitchers | 17:29 |
Females | Club | Athletes | Time |
1st | Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds | 464.Amy Frankland | 18:13 |
285 points | 604.Rhiannon Kirk | 19:02 | |
(48,71,80,86) | 487.Polly Edwards | 19:27 | |
386.Rona Tytler | 19:39 | ||
2nd | Leeds University | 164.Beth Garland | 17:51 |
305 points | 161.Jemima Elgood | 18:13 | |
(36,49,105,115) | 179.Antonia Fann | 20:20 | |
191.Steffi Luker Edwards | 20:34 | ||
3rd | Durham University | 35.Kate Brown | 19:16 |
364 points | 37.Emily Strathdee | 19:45 | |
(76,87,90,111) | 36.Emma Bramley | 19:49 | |
46.Lucy Marquand | 20:30 |
10k Race:
Men | Club | Athletes | Time |
1st | Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds | 368.Eddie Narbett | 32:47 |
47 points | 358.Alistair Masson | 33:05 | |
(7,10,14,16) | 314.Max Bloor | 33:51 | |
300.Rowan Dunn-Capper | 34:02 | ||
2nd | Leeds University | 183.Nathan Marsh | 32:12 |
60 points | 177.Rian McCawley | 33:11 | |
(4,11,22,23) | 184.Joe George-body | 34:28 | |
175.Joe Walton | 34:32 | ||
3rd | Durham University | 74.George Grasfy | 32:47 |
66 points | 71.Andrew Milligan | 33:05 | |
(6,9,24,27) | 61.Jonty de la Harpe | 34:34 | |
58.Marco Arcuri | 34:46 | ||
Females | Club | Athletes | Time |
1st | Manchester University | 238.Anna Mackenzie | 39:58 |
488 points | 223.Georgia Baynes | 40:41 | |
(104,114,126,144) | 235.Becca Whalley | 41:40 | |
226.Tamzin Hull | 43:22 | ||
2nd | Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds | 275.Emma Gill | 38:05 |
513 points | 310.Fay Walsh | 41:25 | |
(73,122,147,171) | 288.Hannah Havelock-Allan | 43:45 | |
268.Alexandra Boloux | 45:51 | ||
3rd | Hunters Bog Trotters | 599.Jill Stephen | 37:09 |
580 points | 365.Sarah O’Neil | 45:18 | |
(64,165,170,181) | 271.Catherine Magill | 45:49 | |
303.Jess Husbands | 47:11 |
Overall a very good race and a superb effort by Arianne who managed to organise the race along with fellow committee members. We’d also like to thank everyone that helped marshal, time-keep and just make sure that the event ran smoothly! Well done guys and bring on KB 5!
Spell checked and Grammar Checked by : aLasdair pedley