At the Herne Hill Harriers Open Meeting hosted at the weekend, strong performances by four of the club’s athletes resulted in national rankings in their respective age groups. In the youngest category, U13 girl Monae Winston ran 200m in 26.7sec, putting her into fifth place in the country and, at the other end of the spectrum, Gary Ironmonger’s 400m time of 58.05 edges him into the top ten for UK M50.
In the focal 10,000m race at midday, incorporating the HHH Club and Surrey County Championships, the times of M50 runner Dave Taylor (33.54.37) and M40 athlete Simon Coombes (33.14.06), saw them progressing to 2nd and 7th in the UK in their respective age groups for 2015 to date. Coombes, who isn’t Surrey qualified placed third overall in the open race and won the HHH club title, while Taylor in fifth overall claimed silver medals in both championships, a rarity for an athlete in their 50’s.
In the same race, Sara Roberts (42.24.63) reigned as the HHH women’s club champion and third Surrey finisher. Ben Savill of Croydon Harriers and Helen Cooper of Clapham Chasers were the overall first men and women finishers, and crowned Surrey County Champs.