Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers were out and about in North Yorkshire over the weekend. On Saturday 5th September, harriers Brett Edgeworth, Gavin Coventry and Trudy Morrice took on the LDWA (Long Distance Walkers Association) event One Foot in the Gargrave in Malhamdale, organised by the West Yorkshire division. This is a 23-mile route starting and finishing in Gargrave, setting off north through Otterburn and then towards Malham, taking in the fantastic Gordale Scar before leaving the Pennine Way and heading east on Malham Moor and then turning south with views over Winterburn reservoir. These are low key, good value for money, extremely friendly events welcoming walkers and runners. There’s plenty of homemade sandwiches and cakes enroute, breakfast before you start and a welcome hot meal, cup of tea and certificate when you finish. What more could you want from a day out in Yorkshire?!
Harriers Brett Edgeworth, Gavin Coventry and Trudy Morrice with Chis Sullivan and Marianne Morrice at One Foot in the Gargrave 23-mile LDWA event
On Sunday, at a slightly faster pace, harriers took part in 2 different 10k races, again in North Yorkshire. At Wetherby 10k, Tom Levi came 4th overall in 35:03 and first in his age category. Sara Armitage and Jan Green also competed with Jan finishing 2nd in her age category. Sara reported that it’s a flat race, on mixed terrain road and track, very well organised and she would definitely recommend to others for next time, despite the torrential rain at the start! Labelled as ‘a cracking little Yorkshire run’, it’s organised by Wetherby Runners AC who raise funds for Leeds Hospital Charity. It’s also the last counter in the new ‘Yorkshire Tenners’ series which features 10k and 10-mile races organised by 6 different running clubs in the local area.
Paul Peacock with his age category prize at Wetherby 10k
There are different prizes open to those entering at least 3 of the races. In Tholthorpe, there was a great turn out of harriers for the annual Tholthorpe 10k, now in its 30th year and a chosen North Yorkshire Championship race this year. Always a firm favourite with TaSH, 11 members took part with Garry Dunn as first harrier in 37:35 and 2nd in his age category. Paul Peacock was second harrier and first in his age category with 38:13. Kirsty Naylor was first female harrier in 48:51 and Lorraine Hiles was second female harrier in 52:44. Also competing were Mike Cropper, Paul Atkinson, David Tervitt, Stuart Waters, Laz Mwandigha, Olivia Griffiths and Zoe Lawrence. The route takes in quiet country roads and finishes at the village duck pond with a very friendly family atmosphere.
Jan Green and Sara Armitage at Tholthorpe 10k race
Further afield, Natalie and David Lyth took part in the Norwich 10k on Sunday with their children Rich and Caz. Organised by Norwich City FC Community Sports Foundation, the route takes in iconic landmarks and has a great atmosphere with lots of support along the way. Natalie got a great PB finishing the race in less than an hour (59:52) closely followed by David in 1:03:17.
David Lyth and Natalie Lyth with children Caz and Rich at Norwich 10k
Also, over the weekend, we had the usual wide spread of parkrun attendance. At Millfield parkrun, there was a fantastic turnout of members with Les Williams (20:05) finishing 10th position followed by Sarah Fairhurst (21:36) who secured 2nd female, Rob Burn (24:36), Ali Williams (25:54), Clare Gwillam (26:42), Joe Joyce (28:16), Kirsty Naylor (28:16), Alan Longmire (29:16), Carol Longmire (30:47), Christine Burn (34:46), Tessa Grant (42:20), Hannah Thompson (57:36), Richard Grant (57:38), and Ian Codling (58:15).
Northallerton parkrun was the choice for Paul Atkinson (22:22), Pete Jackson (23:57), Phillip Craig (27:02), Julia Harland (27:18), Duncan Fothergill (30:05), Hugh Jenyns (33:38), and Colin Smith (33:50). At Conyngham Hall parkrun, Bronwyn Mayo (23:26) was 3rd female supported by Sharon Emmott (28:22) and Sarah Emerson (32:47). At Thorp Perrow parkrun, Ian Ord (32:27) and Sara Ramon Moore (35:18) took on the arboretum course. Nicky Hawkes (31:13) was at Kirkharle Courtyard parkrun in Northumberland set in a scenic estate. At Shrewsbury parkrun, Paul Adams (49:38) tackled a tree-lined course in the town’s Quarry Park.
At Land’s End parkrun, Vanessa Arthur (25:46) completed a windswept coastal course. At East Holmes Field parkrun, Isaac Myer (18:54) took 3rd place overall. Anna Whitham (28:34) was at Rothwell parkrun and Liam Nolan (26:00) completed Huddersfield parkrun while Fitzmaurice parkrun in Norwich was visited by Natalie Lyth (31:35) and David Lyth (32:05). At Brabrand parkrun in Denmark, Alex Miller (27:14) claimed the title for the furthest travels of the week around the scenic lake course near Aarhus.
Vanessa Arthur at Land’s End parkrun
