Harriers Tackle Moorland Records, Brutal Mud, and Podium Finishes

Ashley Dodgson and Paul Chapman represented Thirsk & Sowerby Harriers at the Ravenscar Rumble Revisited, part of the Esk Valley Summer Series. Ideal summer weather fuelled a blistering pace on the coastal and moorland route, resulting in both the men’s and women’s course records being broken. Ashley crossed the finish line in a swift 47:51, with Paul completing the tough course in 64:55.

Tough Mudder 15k

Emma McQuillan represented the club at the gruelling 15k Tough Mudder event. Tackling a demanding course featuring over 20 brutal obstacles, she battled through to finish in an impressive time of 2:31:52—a fantastic showcase of strength and determination! Despite Kirsty’s “best wishes” that Emma might break a leg or get stuck on the monkey bars, those hopes completely failed to materialise. Emma returns fully intact, firing on all cylinders, and is more than fit enough to take on tomorrow’s championship race at Easingwold!

Clare Rowntree and Kelly Grieve excelled at the Borrowby 5k, held at Hillside Rural Activity Park during the annual Borrowby Show. Starting in the main ring inside the showground, the single-lap course took runners out onto the quiet country roads surrounding Borrowby before they returned to the showground for a grandstand finish in the main ring. In a brilliant club showing, Clare secured a fantastic second-place finish in 24:44, while Kelly claimed an impressive third place with a time of 28:36.

Sarah Emerson took on the epic Lakeland 50 ultra-marathon, conquering 50 miles of brutal but beautiful Lake District terrain. The event lived up to its reputation as an immense endurance challenge, with runners battling savage weather through the night on highly technical mountain trails.

Sarah delivered a spectacular performance over the gruelling course. Despite the punishing night conditions, she found the experience completely exhilarating—highlighted by an iconic run through a cheering Ambleside at 8:00 PM—and finished chuffed to bits in an amazing time of 17:07:45. Sarah expressed massive gratitude to her top-tier weekend support crew, including Liv Mulligan, Sam Munnis, Simon Munnis, and Abigail, who kept spirits high with porridge, coffee, and relentless cheering through a grand day in the hills.

Thirsk & Sowerby Harriers were out in full force on an overcast day for the Easingwold 10k, marking the 11th club championship race in the series. The undulating, single-lap course took a field of 48 members out onto quiet, closed country roads before returning to the town center for a fantastic finish. It was a hugely successful day for the club, with the TaSH men’s team clinching the overall team prize!

Representing the club were: Tom Levi 35:31, Paul Peacock 38:17, Gary Dunn 38:28, Ashley Dodgson 39:28, Esther Harrison 40:15, Adam Harper-Walker 40:47, Chris Coates 45:47, Andy Butcher 45:58, Paul Atkinson 46:12, Anna Jones 47:55, Trudy Morrice 48:01, Dave Wood 48:26, Alan Simpson 48:42, Pete Jackson 48:58, Lorraine Hiles 49:17, Kirsty Naylor 49:45, Michael Sanders 50:39, David Tervitt 52:47, Duncan Fothergill 52:53, Emma McQuillan 53:16, Martin Emmott 53:29, Helen Ashworth 53:34, Stuart Hill 54:24, Phil Craig 55:17, Alan Longmire 56:07, Simon Dodsworth 56:10, Paula Adams 56:38, Sharon Emmott 56:38, Cathy Knott 56:51, Alex Miller 58:30, Sara Armitage 58:47, Adrian Wood 1:00:00, Natalie Lyth 1:00:27, Elizabeth Wordsworth 1:00:44, Tessa Grant 1:01:34, Alan Docherty 1:01:35, Chris Wordsworth 1:01:49, Tracey Docherty 1:01:53, Julia Harland 1:02:07, Jan Green 1:02:45, Alison Butcher 1:02:57, Julie Dodsworth 1:02:57, Zoe Lawrence 1:05:52, Katie Butterworth 1:07:17, Christina Leach 1:07:31, Carol Longmire 1:07:36, Laura Till 1:08:13, and Hugh Jenyns 1:16:48.

Northallerton: Sarah Fairhurst 20:19, Vanessa Arthur 24:52, Anna Jones 26:14, Joe Joyce 27:32, Kirsty Naylor 27:32. Fountains Abbey: Bronwyn Mayo 22:07, Pete Jackson 30:14, Natalie Lyth 30:33. Albert Park: Esther Harrison 21:11, Ellen Brookes 36:52. Redcar: Nigel Morgan 29:04, Kerry Morgan 46:09. Millfield: Josie Burn 31:45, Ian Codling 58:00. The Demesnes: Andy Newing 28:27. Conyngham Hall: Anna Whitham 27:35. Thorp Perrow: Liam Nolan 19:56. Heslington: Richard Grant 22:45. Darlington South Park: Adam Harper-Walker 19:52. Mount Edgcumbe: Matt Jones 21:39. Evesham: Isaac Myer 18:11. Irchester Country: Tessa Grant 53:54. Pollok: Grace Rowland 23:00.