There was an air of celebration at Fountains Abbey on Saturday for the 400th parkrun there, doubly so for Thirsk and Sowerby as Bronwyn Mayo completed her 300th parkrun and Paul Adams did his 250th Fountains Abbey parkrun.
Bronwyn Mayo at her 300th parkrun
Heavy rain during the night might have deterred runners but this was not the case and a massive field of 572 completed the course in certainly damp but pleasant enough conditions. Instructions for the run were given by Richard Hall, a speaker noted for his wit and humour, and as always, with a political bent. The field listened in attentive silence – even the dogs were quiet – and the National Trust manager, Justin, spoke of his appreciation from the Trust for the support of park runners over the years. 16 club members, plus some volunteers, were there in support of Bronwyn with Esther Harrison first club finisher, 27th, and delighted to get a PB time of 19.54, under 20 minutes for the first time at Fountains. Bronwyn, running with Liv Mulligan, took 25.30. Paul Chapman was in the field, pushing Ewan Harrison in his wheelchair, and Marianne Morrice did her first ever park run. Everyone was delighted and surprised, when arriving at the cafe for a post run drink, to be supplied with a large piece of cake, courtesy of parkrun! It really was the icing on the cake on a very happy morning.
Four members were among the 131 at Millfield, and Caroline Pearce was the sole member at Northallerton.
Races are coming thick and fast just now, and the Harrogate League came to a very successful conclusion with the League Handicap, hosted by Ripn Runners, on Thursday. A long, long walk to the start on Hell Wath meant a shorter distance to run in the actual race, an undulating, multi-terrain event of about 6 miles. The game and cheerful Denise Gandy was first club finisher in 17th place, followed by David Tervit, Lynne Jackson, Helen Ashworth, Janet Balmain, Rosie Gatenby, Adam Harper-Walker, Paul Peacock, Andy Newing, Louise McVay, Liz Stephenson, Adrian Elsworth, Martyn Coy, Tracey Docherty, Liz Wordsworth, Gary Wilkinson, Cameron Balmain, Faith Coy, Lisa Scott, Chris Wordsworth, Alan Simpson, Josh Cooper, Bronwyn Mayo, Lorraine Hiles, Phillip Craig, Dave Baker, Richard, Soper, Luke Shannon, Beth Haggath, Duncan Fothergill, Fran Jeffery, Craig Atherton, Allison Whiteley and Kirsty Naylor – who arrived late, thus missing her starting slot and finding the extra distance to the start a real “handicap”! Congratulations to the team who worked out the handicaps, a logistical nightmare I would imagine, but it gives runners who would normally come near the end chance to be higher up the finishing field. Congratulations also to Ripon Runners who put on a superb spread for supper in the rugby clubhouse. Special mention to Esther Harrison, unable to be present on the night, but the only club winner in the series, 1st in the F35 age group. Well done Esther.
Fran Jeffery coming into the finish at the League Handicap
Dave Baker and Richard Soper in a sprint to the finish at the handicap
Photos Helen Ashworth
The Viking Chase 4 peaks fell race, race 8 in the summer series, had 93 finishers, eight of them from Thirsk and Sowerby, the race beginning at Lordstones and taking in Falconers Seat, Broughton Bank, Wainstones and Hasty Bank in windy conditions, was slightly more sheltered for the return. Prizewinners were Freddy Wharton and Beth Haggath in the under 23 categories, and both men's and ladies' teams came 4th.
Simon Spence in the Viking Chase Fell Race – Photo Marc Davies
