The Harper Scarper is the final race in Telford AC’s annual Sexarathon series, and thus tends to mark the end of the summer’s racing season. This year coincided with one of the hottest September weeks ever recorded in the UK, making for a tough evening of racing. The race to finish the series is on a 5k course with around 35 metres of elevation change, run anti-clockwise around the campus of Harper Adams University and the surrounding countryside.

Liz Holbrook (left) and Anne Richards

As ever, Newport & District RC were well represented, with 24 runners taking on the course, out of a field of 354. Alex Millington was the first Novaportan home, taking 28th place overall in a time of 18 minutes, 10 seconds, just 17 seconds ahead of David Clarke, who was 31st. Robin Guy, who took 2nd in his category and 40th overall, also beat the 19-minute mark with his time of 18:47.

Carrie Stokes leads Selwyn Plant

David Brown clocked a time of 21:23 for 106th, just 1 place ahead of Phil Dolding, who was 107th in 21:30. Phil Link stopped the clock at 22:21 for 128th place, and he was followed by David Evans, who was 148th in 22:58, and Graham Rogers, who finished 164th in 23:33. Oliver Stokes was next, taking 175th overall in 23:58, whilst Kirsty Greenhead took 194th, and 3rd in her category, with a time of 24:32. Annabel Bolton ran a time of 27:04 for 240th position, and Helen Mason was 248th with her time of 27:27. Ralph Humphries finished 249th in 27:31, just ahead of Louise Patterson, who was 252nd in 27:43. 

Annabel Bolton chases down Helen Mason

Carrie Stokes was next, 259th in 27:59, with Selwyn Plant not far behind, finishing 260th with his time of 28:07. Mathew Richards clocked 28:59 for 280th overall, whilst Steve Cannon took 285th place in 29:36. Tracy Hartridge finished 306th in a time of 31:13, not far ahead of Sarah Higginson, who was 311th in 31:33, and Wendy Tonge, who finished 312th in 31:34. Matthew Humphries was 314th in a time of 31:51, just ahead of Anne Strowger, who took 1st in her category, and 315th overall, in 31:56. Anne Richards (333rd, 34:28) and Elizabeth Holbrook (334th, 34:29) both ran together and finished at the same time.

Anne Strowger picks up her series category winner prize!

Having won her category in every race in the series, Anne Strowger picked up the winner’s prize for her age category, defending the title she won last year!

David Brown leads Phil Dolding through the woodland section
Ollie Stokes gives the thumbs-up for another successful Sexarathon Series!