Herne Hill Harriers’ Simon Coombes cemented his place as one of the country’s leading over-40 runners after racing to double track success on Sunday.
Coombes – who is currently ranked 24th nationally in the M40 list for 10k – won the 1500m and 3000m at the Southern Counties Veterans League Final at Ashford. The 42-year-old, who clocked four minutes, 15 seconds, and 9.06 respectively, will now focus his running plans on representing Harriers in cross-country.
Gary Ironmonger was a victor in the M50 800m, clocking 2.16, while Keith Newton was a runner-up in the 3000m. Lloyd Collier was a further medallist, as he finished third in the M35 800m. Newton also ran a 4.31 season’s best in the B string M35 1500m – a time that places him tenth in the UK M50 rankings.
Harriers’ walkers were also successful, with Valdis Pauzers and Andy Simms winning silver and bronze medals in the M35 and M50 2000m walk respectively. In the field events, Akin Oyediran was a double medallist, claiming a silver in the M35 triple jump and bronze in the M35 long jump. Bob Fraser, meanwhile, celebrated silver in the M60 long jump. Garry Power also ended the weekend with two medals, having won gold in the M50 discus and silver in the M50 hammer.
Herne Hill’s veterans eventually came fifth out of seven teams in the league decider, with Cambridge Harriers emerging as overall winner.
The highlight of the Surrey Road Relays was Alan Barnes’ superb clocking of 14.47, as he led the senior men’s charge. Barnes’ time was the fourth fastest of any individual runner, but despite handing over in first place, the team slipped to sixth overall in the six-man team competition. A Herne Hill men’s B team was 13th. The senior women matched their male counterparts in finishing sixth, with Karen Ellison fastest of the quartet – and tenth quickest individual woman – over the 2.9-mile course at Wimbledon Park. A Herne Hill W45 squad finished fourth.
In the pick of the weekend parkrun action, Mohammed Ismail was third at Dulwich Park in 16.51, with Robin Jones fifth in 17.02.