Eliot Taylor and Katie Synge-Curtis came out on top in the 3-race Couriers Virtual 5k Series.
The race was a first for the Hereford Couriers who had to change their plans due to Covid-19 and change their popular 5k-series to a virtual run with races taking part in July, August & September.
Over 290 runners took part in the Virtual series from all across the UK, competing virtually by creating their own course and tracking their run while maintaining the government’s social distancing guidelines.
In the men’s race, Cheltenham Harrier member Taylor was the fastest recording a times of 15:58, 16:05 & 15:53 to take the series win
He was chased virtually all the way by Presetigne Pacers Runner Sam Butler who recorded 3 consecutive Personal Best performances to take 2nd place, with Hereford Ghost Runners’ youngster Henry White picking up 3rd place.
Quickest female over the 3 races was Hereford Couriers’ own Synge-Curtis who finished in first position in all 3 races recording times of 18:35, 18:37 & 17:57.
Hot on Katie’s tail was Ludlow Runners’ Claire Thomas who recorded 3 second place finishes closely followed by Samantha Harris of Forest of Dean AC who took 3rd place overall.
The age categories were hotly contested with a number of runners going into the final race in contention, it was great to see so many runners involved representing a whole host of clubs from across the county and beyond
Men’s first placed category winners:
Senior Eliot Taylor Cheltenham and County Harriers; Junior Henry White, Hereford Ghost Runners; V40 James Rose, Severn AC; V45 David Bannister, Ledbury & District Harriers ; V50 Paul Mammatt, Hereford Triathlon Club; V55 Martin Carter, Hay Hotfooters; V60 Alan Whitby, Tewkesbury Running Club; V65 Alan Robertson, Forest of Dean AC; V70 Steve Herington , Hereford Couriers; V80 Bryan Markham, Croft Ambrey RC.
Female first placed category winners:
Senior Katie Synge-Curtis, Hereford Couriers; Junior Charlotte Broadhurst, Kidderminster and Stourport; FV35 Claire Thomas, Ludlow Runners; V40 Samantha Harris, Forest of Dean AC; V45 Bronwen Tyler-Jones, Hereford Couriers; V50 Linda White; V55 Suzanne Powell, Croft Ambrey RC; V60 Kathy Ratcliffe; V70 Margaret Crosswell, Worcester AC, Wheelchair Julie Lawrenson.
In the team events both the male and female prizes headed to the Couriers, The Couriers men’s team of Ryan Knight, Andy Tyler, Darren Broady, Will Maul & Ben Skinner helped the Couriers take first place ahead of Hereford Couriers B team (2nd) and Forest of Dean AC (3rd).
The female Couriers team of Katie Synge-Curtis, Izzy Axford, Clare Mallender, Amy Smith & Kate Morris held off the challenge of Croft Ambrey AC (2nd) and Wye Valley Runners (3rd)
The full results for the series can be found at https://herefordcouriers.com/club-races/couriers-virtual-5k-series/
Next up for the Couriers is a welcomed return to racing with the Jon Ward 5k on the 4th October, entries are going fast so don’t delay sign up today, full details can be found here: https://herefordcouriers.com/club-races/jonward5k/
