Six members were among the 1700 runners at the popular Darlington 10k race on Sunday, a rarity these days in being a road race, fairly flat ofer 2 laps and finishing along High Row. Jamie Bentley was fastest of the members, 81st in an excellent 37.32, with the always competitive David Tervit 420th in 49.51, Craig Atherton 959th, running with Allison Whiteley – who knocked 9 minutes off her previous best time, 960th in 56.33, Louise McVay taking 59.22, and Phillip Craig 62.29. Indeed, all were very happy with their times.
Duncan Fothergill and his band of helpers have been running a Couch to 6k course, preparing for the Sessay Swift 6k on Aug 16th. As a trial, several of them did the Fountains Abbey parkrun accompanied by a strong group of 19 members in support. Of these, Gary Wilkinson, who seems to get better with every race, came 11th out of 417 in PB 19.04, with Jody Sygrove 25th in 20.07, Rob Burn 65th in 22.34 and Paul Bradford 99th in 24.07. Others taking part were Andy Butcher, Alan Simpson, Duncan Fothergill, of course, Dave Baker, Richard Raper in his 1st park run, Craig Atherton, Allison Whiteley, Alan Docherty, Steve Strong – another 1st time park runner, Christine Burn, Nikki Manders in PB 35.11, Amanda Johnson, Kimberli Werner, Sheila Atkinson – another 1st timer, and Bev Davies. Caroline Pearce and Hugh Jenyns were at Northallerton, Pete Jackson at Prudhoe Riverside, Nicholas Webster, having a splendid run to finish 7th out of 232 at Darlington South Park, Richard Grant at Grove Fields and Jason McLaughlin at Cafarella!
Josh Copper prefers a harder challenge and he undertook a 5 day orienteering event in Lossiemouth, Scotland. There were 3 long courses of between 9 and 12k, and 2 middle distance courses of between 5 and 6k, with checkpoints along the route to make sure you go the right way. At the end of the 5 days, when totals were added up, Josh finished in Bronze Medal position, a superb achievement, and along with his medal, he got a box of shortbread!
Josh Cooper, right, with his bronze medal at the Scottish 5 day Orienteering event, Lossiemouth
The previous weekend, 205 runners completed the tough but popular James Herriot Trail Race over 14k with some hard climbs and a long run in to the finish, and Bolton Castle in view for ages! In wet and windy conditions, Paul Peacock was our first club finisher, a superb 12th in 66.46 with new member, Joe Argo, 22nd in 69.41, Kirsty Naylor 75th in 82.25 and Phillip Craig 202nd in 120.50. An excellent effort by all.
Paul Peacock at the James Herriot Trail Race
Kirsty Naylor at the James Herriot race
With races coming thick and fast just now, rather fewer than usual members took part in the Reverse Commondale Clart, (ie going the opposite way round to usual) and out of the 59 entrants, race 9 in the Summer Series, members came away with several prizes. Freddy Wharton, really on a roll, was 5th, and 1st MU23, in 40.51, with Esther Harrison 20th and 1st open lady in 46.42, Gary Wilkinson 23rd in 47.07, Alan Simpson 26th in 49.33, 28th Andreas Kruger in 50,50, Rosamund Kruger 34th in 53.20, Marc Davies 40th in 55.36, Gavin Coventry 41st in 56.31, Helen Ashworth 44th and 1st F55 in 59.39 and Lucy Sillars 50th, 1st F45, in 66.11. The Ladies won the team prize and the men's team finished 2nd.
The club's attention now is moving to the very popular Sessay Swift 6k, in its 11th year, (it would have been 12 but for covid) on August 16th, 7.15pm. The race has been full for some weeks, but do come along and support.