Easter news

The Easter Sunday Helmsley Multi Terrain 10k Challenge is all of those things – and especially the Challenge part!  There is a long drawn out uphill on road  to begin, followed by stretches through forest trails and finishing by a run across fields and back to the start, and the downhill is so gradual you don't even notice it.  Yes it certainly is a challenge, and weary but satisfied runners come to the end, to get egg and mug!  Andy Whiteley was the fastest club finisher, 49th, and 2nd M55, in 45.43, with Kirsty Naylor 88th in 49.54, David Tervit 97th in 50.30, Louise Mayfield 110th, and 2nd F50, in 52.42, with Allison Whiteley and Craig Atherton coming in together, 176th and 177th respectively out of 226 in 60.43.

   The previous day, 15 Harriers, several along with family members were in the field of 495 at the Fountains Abbey park run, Bronwyn Mayo, Lorraine Hiles, Pete Jackson, Craig Atherton (PB), Allison Whiteley (PB), Faith Coy, Martyn Coy, Liz Wordsworth, Paul Adams, Chris Wordsworth, Gillian Crane, Diana Williams, Trish Radford, and Ian Codling all supporting Marian Codling in celebration of her 150th park run!  A sociable coffee and biscuits took place afterwards!  Esther Harrison, still going great guns, was 3rd lady, 20th out of 158, at Millfield in 21.16, accompanied by Olivia Mulligan, Geoff Bullock and Rob Lickley.  Among the 155 at Northallerton were Jason McLaughlin, Ken Evitt and Phillip Craig.  Travelling Gary Wilkinson did the Wakefield Thornes Park event, coming an excellent 13th out of 243 in 21.07, and Thomas Gwillam, with his Mum, Clare, were among the 395 at Walsall Arboretum, young Thomas coming 43rd in 21.34 and Clare 87th in 24.05.  Lucy Sillars did the event at Whitehaven coming 61st out of 96 in 30.16, and at Yarborough Castle, Rosie Gatenby was 90th out of 205 in 25.35.  Rob and Christine Burn were at probably their favourite event at Dalby Forest, Rob coming 37th out of 211 in 22.54 and Christine 161st in 30.16.

  Earlier in the week, on a damp dismal evening at Sowerby Gateway, the Easter Handicap took place with 46 braving the conditions to get their Easter egg if nothing else!  The devised 2 lap, 1 mile course had a very short stretch on the lovely course, with most of it off road on the cycle track and higher up where there was mud aplenty!  The handicapping system supposedly gives everyone an even chance, and thanks to Duncan Fothergill for sorting that out, based on 2 time trials during the term.  Janet Balmain, fulfilling all the conditions, was the winner, though her two sons would have been well ahead given an even start!  Ken Evitt came 2nd and Rob Burn 3rd.  Matt Jones did the fastest time of 12.18, with Cameron Balmain 13.10, just quicker than Gary Wiklinson 13.12.