Harriers looking cheerful before the Cod Beck Canter Fell Race
Once again the ladies were in fine form, this time at the latest cross country fixture at Richmond on an unbelievably fine, bright morning – no wind and less mud than usual! With three coming in the first 15, this allowed the team to take 3rd place. Esther Harrison continued her fine form to come 6th out of 72 in 27.24 minutes over the 2 lap, 3k, hilly course, with Bronwyn Mayo 9th in 28.18 and Clare Rowntree 15th in 29.09. The improving Olivia Mulligan was 18th in 30.17, Nicola Jenkins 46th in 37.42, Trish Radford 39.01, with Sharon Keegan 63rd in 45.38 and Margaret Wikeley 64th in 47.29, Denise Gandy 68th in 50.25 and Diana Williams 70th in 51.27.
The V65 men again ran with the ladies, with 75+ Geoff Bullock taking 37.15, Ken Evitt 42.28, Hugh Jenyns 46.11 and Alan Wikeley 50.25.
A reduced men's contingent saw Paul Peacock again leading the way over a 3 lap, 9km course to come 34th out of 91 in 41.07, Mike Cropper 62nd in 47.15, Gary Wilkinson 72nd in 49.27, newcomer Luke Shannon 85th in 53.37 and Stuart Hill 91st in 62.07.
A clash of fixtures once again caused members to have to choose between a cross country and a fell race, and the usual runners decided on the Cod Beck Canter Fell Race. Full results are not yet to hand, but suffice it to say the ladies again showed the way, with Lorraine Hiles, Helen Ashworth and Trudy Morrice winning age-group prizes.
Prizewinners Lorraine Hiles, Helen Ashworth and Trudy Morrice at the Cod Beck Canter Fell Race
Park runs continue to be popular with 14 members among the 373 at Fountains Abbey, Anna Whitham, Craig Atherton and Allison Whitley all recording PBs. Members were also at Northallerton, Millfield, New Earswick, Bolton, Sewerby and Witney – Matt Jones finishing 3rd out of 210 there in 19.37.
A race with a difference took place the previous weekend with Gavin Coventry, Marc Davies and Hilary Coventry travelling to Appletreewick, Wharfedale for the Runners and Riders Fell Race, which is exactly “as it says on the tin” and event in which runners and cyclists competed against one another. Four cyclists were among the top 5, but the race is being constantly tweaked to try to even out the odds, and a great feeling of camaraderie existed throughout. Over 4.7 miles and with almost 900 feet of climb, Gavin finished 109th out of 173, Marc 119th in 48.56 and Hilary 121st in 49.20. Welcome tea, sandwiches and cake were available at the end, and a generous donation was sent to the local mountain rescue team.
Marc Davies, Hilary Coventry and Gavin Coventry at the Runners and Riders Fell Race in Wharfedale