Danny Bennett Selected for English Age Group Masters Team

4th April 2026

Honours this week go to Danny Bennett (MV55), who having finished the Wilmslow Half Marathon, in 162nd place, in a time of 1hr 19m 44s, has been selected to run for England next year. The Wilmslow Half Marathon was one of the five qualifying races, for the England age group Masters Team. The Masters age group competition is for runners over 35yrs of age, to give them chance to compete against other runners in their age category, ultimately to compete for England. There are five qualifying half marathon races held throughout the year, with the top three finishers in each age category, qualifying for next year’s international race. So a big well done to Danny for his achievement and our best wishes for next year.

Racing wise, most Harriers are resting themselves or tapering down, as some are running in the Manchester Marathon on April 19th.

Saturday saw two Harriers heading down the M62 to (you’ve guessed it) Heaton Park, to run in either a 10K or Half Marathon race. Sean Farnsworth, ran in the 10K, finishing 112th from a field of 394, with a time of 54m, 41s, beating his previous PB for the course by 1m 28s. The Half Marathon saw Gary Marshall completing it in 2hrs, 5m, 27s, finishing in 168th position from 276 finishers.

Harriers Louise and Andy taking in a South African Parkrun on honeymoon

Fifth and sixth overseas adventures to report this week, one serious, one not so serious. First and most exotic of the two, Louise Mayall and Andrew Whitehouse enjoying a late honeymoon in South Africa, ran in the Cape Town Park Run. Park runs started in the UK, can now be found all over the world. Many Harriers take the opportunity when on holiday to join in, if there is one where they are staying.

Julie, happy as always, on her way round the Berlin Half Marathon

The serious one, is the Berlin Half Marathon, which if my memory serves me right, I reported on last year. This time Julie Smith, was the Harrier running the race in this historic city. The race starts near the victory column, following an anti-clockwise direction around the historic sites of the city. Finally finishing at the world famous Brandenburg Gate. Julie finished the race in 2hrs 5m 27s and smiling this time.