Matt Jones had a busy weekend at the Bloodaxe 2 hour Challenge, based at the York Sports Village. The idea was to do as many of the flat 1k laps as you could manage in 2 hours, with plenty of drinks and energy boosts available at all times, and with such favourable conditions, many PBs were achieved. During the 2 hours, Matt completed no fewer than 28 laps, and when totals were tallied at the end, he found that he had come 2nd out of about 170 entrants – not a bad morning’s work, Matt!
The previous weekend, a dozen or so enthusiastic members completed the Cod Beck Canter, which certainly did not live up to its name, though the powder blue skies and light winds made for good conditions. This 10 mile fell race, Race 7 in the Dave Parry Winter Series, started at Ingleby Cross and had several tough hills, amounting to 2000 feet of climb, with Ken Wood quickest Harrier, 55th out of 159 in 96.34, the in-form Trudy Morrice 61st, and 1st F50, in 97.10, Alan Simpson 74th in 99.48, Lorraine Hiles 80th, and 2nd F55, in 100.49, and Joe O’Keefe 100th in 106.03. Having changed places several times during the race, Helen Ashworth and Duncan Fothergill were in a sprint finish towards the line, Helen just getting it by a whisker to finish 110th, and 3rd F55, in 108.51 with Duncan 111th in 108.56. Fran Jeffery came 120th in 111.27, Hilary Coventry 124th in 111.47, Rosie Gatenby 134th in 115.45 and Pedro Carrasco 145th in 124.58.
21 members were at various park runs, including Fountains Abbey, Millfield, where 13 year old Tom Gwillam finished 13th out of 148 in PB 21.41, Lorraine Hiles and Bronwyn Mayo were 3rd and 4th ladies respectively, and Allison Whiteley achieved yet another PB, 28.45. Paul Atkinson and Andy Whiteley were among the 182 at Northallerton, Anna Whitham and Kirsty Naylor came 2nd and 3rd lady respectively out of 54 at Flatts Lane, Mike Cropper was trying out the York event prior to taking part in the club championship race this coming weekend and finished a very creditable 96th out of 599 in 22.17, and Gary Wilkinson had another way day, this time at the Ancholme Valley Way in Lincolnshire, finishing a very good 4th out of 89 in 21.00.
