Here is the round up of the weeks (10 – 16 August) news.
Wednesday evening, 12th August saw runners gathering in Sessay for the Sessay Swift 6k – a fast road race held on quiet country lanes. It was a hot, but pleasant evening for the 393 runners taking part.
It was a true club-wide effort on the night. An impressive 77 runners took to the course, powered by a brilliant team of 35 helpers (including 8 star volunteers who doubled up as runners!) working before, during, and after the event. The energetic atmosphere and constant encouragement along the route gave every runner a fantastic boost.
Thirsk & Sowerby Harriers ready for Sessay Swift 6k
Thirsk & Sowerby Harriers fielded a strong squad at the event, securing impressive performances across all categories.
Tom Levi led the club home in 20:19, followed by Sam Wainwright (21:43), Paul Peacock (22:14), Gary Dunn (22:21), and Ashley Dodgson (22:25). Charles Lamb clocked 22:36, Adam Harper-Walker finished in 23:17, Matthew Morrice recorded 23:40, and Les Williams crossed in 24:02.
Sarah Fairhurst was the first female Harrier across the line in 24:42. She was joined in the sub-30 minute group by Jody Sygrove (25:15), Richard Grant (25:24), Neil Cooper (26:20), Andy Butcher (26:51), Anna Jones (27:15), Brett Edgeworth (27:19), Chris Coates (27:22), Paul Atkinson (27:22), George Jackson (27:33), Sean Parle (27:38), Alan Simpson (27:44), Dave Wood (27:51), Leanne Robinson (28:18), Robert Burn (28:54), Sarah Harrison (29:19), Michael Sanders (29:19), Kirsty Naylor (29:32), Clare Tempest (29:40), Ken Wood (29:40), and Ruth Pollard (29:52).
Sub-35 minute finishes were posted by Vanessa Arthur (30:03), Andrew Pollard (30:13), Martyn Coy (30:25), David Tervit (30:25), Alan Browne (30:48), Alan Longmire (30:55), Ali Williams (31:11), Lazaro Mwandigha (31:23), Stuart Hill (31:27), Sharon Emmott (31:58), Martin Emmott (31:59), Alan Docherty (32:13), Phillip Craig (32:15), Cathy Knott (32:30), Evie Rawling (32:31), Sara Armitage (32:56), Alex Miller (32:59), Adrian Wood (33:25), Peter Molyneux (33:35), Kelly Grieve (34:08), Elizabeth Wordsworth (34:20), and Julia Harland (34:44).
Completing the field for the club were Olivia Griffiths (35:02), Natalie Lyth (35:17), Alison Butcher (35:55), Chris Wordsworth (36:11), Nigel Morgan (36:29), Zoe Lawrence (36:30), Faith Coy (36:36), Tess Grant (36:46), Gillian Fiske (36:48), Tracey Docherty (37:05), Christina Leach (37:14), Carol Longmire (38:09), Nicky Hawkes (38:42), Sue Hoernig (39:34), Caroline Pearce (39:49), Laura Till (39:54), Hugh Jenyns (40:15), Sara Ramon Moore (42:03), Tracy Hayden (43:01), Christine Burn (43:21), Margaret Wikeley (45:08), Carol Thompson (45:25), Maureen Worley (45:31), Denise Gandy (50:10), and Rosie Gatenby (54:14).
Head Coach Rob Burn presents Tom Levi with his Prize
Runner’s Perspective: Pushing Through the Heat
While the flat profile of the Sessay Swift offers prime potential for fast times, the warm conditions made for a grueling mental and physical battle on the night:
“My race didn’t go to plan—I set off too fast, felt sick in the first mile, and wanted to give up by 3k. I had to stop to walk a few times because it was just too warm. Other runners nearby offered great encouragement, calling out, ‘You can do it, only a mile to go!’ My reply was ‘Yes!’, but that still didn’t stop me from doubting I could finish. In the end, I dug deep and crossed the line in 32:15—which turned out to be 14 seconds faster than last year!”
It was a tough outing in the heat, but fighting through to secure a course personal best proved that the grit and determination paid off!
Saturday 15th August saw Harriers taking part in various parkrun fixtures, including.
At Northallerton parkrun, a large contingent turned out with Anna Jones (24:47) leading the club home closely followed by Vanessa Arthur (24:54), Grace Rowland (27:02), Julia Harland (27:37), Phillip Craig (28:04), Alex Miller (28:05), Sam Wainwright (30:31), Luke Barletta (33:37), and Hugh Jenyns (34:36). Millfield parkrun saw strong runs from Bronwyn Mayo (23:04), Michael Sanders (23:48), Robert Burn (24:55), Lorraine Hiles (25:48), Natalie Lyth (29:39), Catherine Cundy (34:30), and Christine Burn (36:03). Catherine Knott (27:57) completed Thorp Perrow parkrun, Paul Adams (34:23) was at Fountains Abbey parkrun and Isaac Myer (18:00) was the first finisher at Redcar parkrun.
In South Yorkshire, Sarah Fairhurst (25:34) represented the club at the Rother Valley parkrun. Adam Harper-Walker (20:52) was north of the border, taking on the steep climb and descent at Holyrood parkrun in Edinburgh. Nicky Hawkes (31:06) ran the Watermead Country Park parkrun in Leicestershire on tarmac paths, finishing with two laps of King Lear’s Lake. Duncan Fothergill (24:06) travelled to the Lake District for the Keswick parkrun. This course is run along the former railway path with grand views of the fells. Pete Jackson (28:38) ran in very different scenery at Finsbury parkrun in London set amongst the formal McKenzie gardens and boating lake.
Participants at Northallerton parkrun. L-R Luke Barlette, Alex Miller, Sam Wainwright and daughter, Phillip Craig and Hugh Jenyns
Several races took place on Sunday 16th August.
Fran Jeffery was the lone Harrier tackling Roseberry Topping (no less than three times!) during the Othnesbery’s Revenge MMXXVI Trail Half Marathon, hosted by Silver Back Trails. The race took place on tracks and trails on the moors and through woodland surrounding Roseberry Topping, Kildale and Guisborough. Fran completed the challenging course in 3 hours, 36 minutes.
Fran Jeffery at Othnesbury’s Revenge trail half marathon
Several Harriers headed over to the Langdale End village show race, part of the Esk Vallery/Dave Parry/Lets Run Summer Series. They reported back on the excellent 11km long moorland route and welcoming homemade scones on offer afterwards. Joe Martlew (55:26) was first home and 5th overall, followed by Ashley Dodgson (63:00) who was first in his age category, Esther Harrison (64:08) 2nd Lady, Paul Chapman (74:29), Alan Simpson (76:46), Helen Ashworth (82:47) second in age category, Sarah Harrison (83:45), and Marc Davies (87:00)
Ashley Dodgson, Joe Martlew and Helen Ashworth – prize winners at Langdale End fell race
Anna Jones represented the Club at the Scorton Fest 10km, a multi terrain village race. Anna completed in 51:59.
