Knott burns up the course for first place (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Knott burns up the course for first place

5:11pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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Graeme Knott scorched to Harwich Runners’ first open race win of the year at the Bury Pacers’ five-mile event.

The fourth race in the popular Friday night series drew a mass of runners to Nowton Park.

It proved a night to remember for the flying Knott.

Setting off at a good tempo, he was soon at the head of the field.

Knott’s smooth and long racking stride brought him across the finish line in a winning 27 minutes 14 seconds, well clear of his nearest rival.

Team-mate Jason Meachen was again well to the fore, this time taking ninth place with a time of 28m 41s.

Support came from the emerging Sam Matthews, 37th in 31m 40s.

Paul Kerrison (43m 48s) and Miranda Rayner (45m 54) have been consistently good performers in the five-mile series.

The black and white-vested Harwich Runners will be looking to challenge for further honours through the summer. Their men’s squad has never been stronger, with former track specialist Steve Cooper returning to form and the backing of Matthew Knowles, Mark Rutter and Marc Driscoll.

Young Luis Reynolds and Sam Matthews also look set to challenge their older team-mates. Only a few Harwich men are now able to finish in front of Becky McCquordale.

She will continue to lead the women’s squad, supported by emerging runners Kate Hodgkiss, Karen Mowle, Claire Gooding and Claire Bransby.

The fourth race in the Harwich five-kilometre series saw runners enjoy a fast opening three kilometres, before turning into a stiff headwind for the two-kilometre run for the finish, along the promenade.

In warm and sultry conditions, teenager Reynolds was the Harwich star performer, dipping under 19 minutes for an 18m 54s clocking.

The top places on handicap were taken by novices Katie Siggen and Anna Blewett, with Great Bentley’s Jamie Ash third.

The actual fastest time of the night was set by Ipswich JAFFA’s Gavin Davies in a quick 16m 22s.

Harwich’s Steve Cooper was back to race mode in a good 17m 8s, followed six seconds later by Colchester and Tendring’s Alex Gladley.

Meachen was again not far from the top of fastest times, fourth quickest in 17m 24s.

Harwich Runners packed the top 20 places through Justin Burls, eighth in 20m 30s, Russell Mowle, ninth in 29m 19s, and veteran Glyn Peck, pulling on his racing shoes after a lengthy absence, 11th in 23m 25s.

Louise Papworth ran strongly for 12th in 29m 7s, followed by Mila Burls, 13th in 29m 31s.

Completing a good night for the Burl’s clan was Jonathan, showing improving form in 21st with 20m 43s.

Fastest woman on the night was Colchester Harriers’ Sarah Ivory in a good 19m 26s.

Becky McCquordale flew the Harwich flag in second spot, only 20 seconds behind.

There was another fine run from Claire Gooding, who moves to third in the women’s overall table.

Team-mates Katie Higgon, Angela Paxon, Karen Mowle and Rachel Stock all hold top ten positions.

John Gibson, Sean Mills and Matt Hodgson were fifth, sixth and seventh and lead the Harwich challenge in the men’s overall table, with one race to go.

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