The hills are alive!

Report: Peter Powell -

International participation continues to come Stockport Harriers' way with senior Great Britain runner Elle Vernon competing in the BO classic Raiffeisen New Year's run in Bolzano, in the spectacular lower alpine region of Northern Italy.

This classic international race around the town centre saw her take a creditable 8th position out of 21 runners for the 5 kilometre circuit. The winner's spoils went to Kenya's Janet Kisa (15:49:4) with Stockport's competitor and the sole British representative finishing just under a minute behind in 16:37:1.

Also in the hills but this time in Mountain Ash in the Cynon valley in South Wales things really began to stir following on from the revealing of the pre - race annual mystery runner and torch bearer which turned out to be none less than British Lions and Cardiff Blues prop forward Adam Jones.

The annual night time New Year's eve and hotly contested “Nos Galan” road races then commenced and Harrier Andrew Davies (coached by Steve Vernon) who took the accolades in the recent Stockport 10 road race was about to put his marker down.

Organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf council, the race saw a five man burn up at the end of the event with just five seconds separating them all. Davies turned out winner in 14:40 with Mike Ward of Cardiff A.C. being awarded a photo finish 2nd position whilst last year's winner Steve Mitchell of Bristol and West had to content himself with a bronze medal finish.


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