Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers excell at York's Brass Monkey Half Marathon

Simon Bennett’s recent spell away from racing has not impacted on his speed, he ran a great race finishing in 1:19:32.

Bryan Astill always performs well over the half marathon distance and pushed to the finish line in 1:21:56.

John Davis was a couple of minutes outside his best time over the 13.1 mile distance, but gave it everything he had on the day for a 1:25:38 time.

Bill Hornby was the next Harrier to complete the run in 1:39:14, followed in by Simon Lawlor with a new personal best time of 1:39:53.

A fantastic result for Simon after months of focused training, he was very pleased to go under 100 minutes.

Phillip Thompson was next in 1:40:33 and Alan Robson also ran a new best time since joining the Harriers, he crossed the line in 1:40:37.

Coach Richard Hambly, who is training for ultra-distance races, took the half marathon in his stride and finished happy with 1:40:37. Andy Kane was next in 1:50:26.

The first female Harrier to cross the line was Angela Lawlor in 1:56:03, looking stronger over the half marathon distance than she did in September and clearly on the route back to full speed.

Claire Earle had a good run in 1:56:26, with Cary and Graeme Surtees running the course together in 2:01:59.

Last Sunday, neighbouring club Billingham Marsh House Harriers hosted the annual Absent Friends Trial Race, a five mile trail run through lots of mud, trails and a good hill.

It is quite a testing course, particularly when the rain has been falling and the mud gets extremely claggy and very difficult for runners to keep their balance.

The Hartlepool contingency were led round by Anthony Oliver who finished ninth in 32:58 and claiming the second Vet50 prize.

Greg Swinbourne was next in 38:41 (35th) followed closely by Carl Marchant in 38:46 (36th).

Phillip Thompson was next, slightly off Greg and Carl’s pace but a great run in 39:03.

Jo Beddow had a great run, taking the third Vet 35 prize in a time of 40:51.

New member, Marie Taylor, had another great run for the club, finishing strongly in 41:44.

Angela Lawlor was next in 47:54, with Pauline Ranson racing well to finish in 51:11.

Steph Dean’s second race for the club saw her racing to the finish line in 55:50.

The Hardmoors Saltburn Half Marathon and Marathon Races were also staged on Sunday.

Although advertised as half and full marathon distances, they are more towards 15 and 30 mile routes and not for the feint hearted.

Breathtakingly beautiful scenery goes some way to take runners’ minds off gruelling climbs into the fog and the whole day is always really well organised and a great experience for all who participate.

Leigh Owbridge and Bill Hornby, from Burn Road Harriers, ran the testing course together in 2:35:28 as did running mates Leisa Smith and Emma Williams, from Hartlepol Run Fit Club, who had a great time over the fells, finishing happy in just over four hours.

Great running from the Hartlepool crowd.

Burn Road Harrier Nichola Swinbourne is no stranger to fell racing and excels over these long, tough races.

She had an excellent run finishing six female and 52nd overall of over 150 runners in six hours and 42 seconds.

Stuart Whitaker is training for the Hardmoors 110 Mile Race later in the year and is preparing exceptionally well, finishing the Saltburn 30 in six hours and 31 minutes.