Harnden hoping marathon scene gets the love and care it deserves

Big-race nights should all include marathons says Harnden

Peter Harnden is looking forward to another two years - at least - as the trainer’s practitioner director of the GBGB after his bid for another term was unopposed and welcomed - with no new name stepping forward.

However, while his intention remains to improve the trainer’s lot in the sport and be a voice of experience on the various committees he is asked to participate on, his real passion is to revive marathon racing in 2026!

“There’s just nothing for marathon dogs at the moment and we’ve got to do something about it,” he said. “It’s such a popular code of the sport. People love marathon races and we’ve got to get one on each of the big nights, at least.

“It’s not been since the Sky nights that we’ve had regular marathons. They used to be great. You’d get hugely popular dogs and bitches get a real following after appearing on those shows in the eight-bend races and people loved them.

“Some tracks are trying and putting the effort in. Sunderland, for instance, had a 828m on the night of the (Arc) Classic final with £828 to the winner which was a nice touch, I remember Crayford first introducing pound-per-metre marathons they worked well.”

Harnden, trainer of a marathon performer himself in Salacres Belleza, last year’s Dorando Marathon runner-up on English Derby final night at Towcester, concedes the dominance of Mongys Wild might be a factor just now.

“He’s brilliant is Mark’s (Wallis) dog and maybe trainers are just not willing to take him on which means some marathons aren’t filling,” added Harnden. “But Mongys Wild is currently in the (Arc) Cesarewitch so can’t run in that as well as a marathon.

“And even when he is around, increasing the prize-money for the runner-up might be a way to go. Either way these big nights need a marathon on the card - and the more we have the more marathon dogs and bitches we’ll discover out there!”