Port Angeles, Washington USA

Sunday 7th June 2026

Thousands of miles from Sussex, Jo Davis 🐿️ proudly represented HH🖤❤️ on the other side of the Atlantic as she took on the stunning North Olympic Discovery Half Marathon in Port Angeles, Washington.

Widely regarded as one of the most scenic half marathons in the United States 🇺🇸, this point-to-point course follows the spectacular Olympic Discovery Trail, weaving through towering forests 🌳 before opening out to breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains 🏔️ and the sparkling shoreline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca 🌊

The race finishes on the Port Angeles waterfront, where runners are welcomed by a fantastic festival atmosphere 🎶

With picture-postcard scenery at every turn, Jo embraced the unique challenge of racing in the Pacific Northwest, producing another determined performance in the black and red vest.  Crossing the finish line in 2:28, she showed the resilience and enthusiasm that epitomise our club, proving that our club’s colours can be found flying proudly wherever there is a start line.

Running abroad 🌍 always brings its own challenges, from unfamiliar courses and travel to adapting to different conditions, but Jo took it all in her stride while enjoying an unforgettable running experience in one of America’s most beautiful race destinations.

During her travels she wrote a daily blog capturing her adventures, courage and exciting experiences, here’s her recollection from the day she ran the half marathon ……

📔 Day 4 and time for what started this whole adventure – the North Olympic Discovery half marathon in Port Angeles, Washington, USA! After finally getting a decent sleep, it was time for ‘oatmeal’ (this time with a spoon🥄 ) and glitter freckles, and to pull on my Harriers superpower vest 😁🖤❤

Quick stroll for the free shuttle bus out to the start point where an amazing view of still snowy mountains waited.   8.30am rolled around and we were off! The course was more inclined than I’d usually do but a few long runs along the A27 cycle path proved effective and helped a lot. Mile 6 was just plain evil 😈 but mile 9 made up for it with a lovely long stretch of down!

My playlist did its thing after mile 10 when I was starting to flag, and seeing a couple of eagles 🦅 swooping about and a seal 🦭 swimming around also gave me a big boost.   A couple of walk breaks later and it was time for a final push to the finish with a time of 2.28, not bad given I was aiming for 2.30 😁 The party 🎉 at the end was fab and I’d pre-booked a massage which really helped my legs get going again! Beautiful scenery, lovely people and one heck of an adventure later, and another half marathon medal 🥇 to add to my collection 😁

Oh – and I hope we like the glitter freckles, because I don’t think they’re coming off ever…😬😂😂😂!!

🎤 Jo, from us all at Hailsham Harriers well done 👏🏻 and congratulations 🥳 on another fantastic achievement and for proudly representing us on the international stage.  Can’t believe you didn’t wear your squirrel costume though😂 🖤❤️