Well done to Team Fiji, the winners. We have done a bit of a different race report this time. Phillip Craig compiled all the messages from WhatsApp into a report which makes for great reading! Thanks Phillip. Read on for more…
Thirsk & Sowerby Harriers Tackle Kilburn Woods in 2026 Virtual Mountain Race
Thirsk & Sowerby Harriers took to Kilburn Woods for the 2026 edition of the Virtual Mountain Race. Set over a four-day window, the 6.3-mile course challenged runners with over 1,200 feet of climbing, taking in Hood Hill, Osgoodby Bank, and the infamous White Horse steps.
With mixed-ability international teams competing across virtual time zones, the club’s WhatsApp group came alive with trail reports, banter, and tactical updates. Member Phil Craig captured the spirit of the event in this rhyming chronicle of the four days:
The Ballad of Kilburn Woods
Day 1: Dawn Patrol & Words of Wisdom
At seven sharp the gates flew wide, as Rob laid down the line:
“Good morning runners! Gates are open, trust in your design.
Believe in all your training, and remember: do your best!”
And with those words of wisdom, runners set out on the quest.
First out to beat the morning heat and conquer Osgoodby,
The Dawn Patrol was lacing up beneath a quiet sky.
There was Duncan, Geoff, and Ken alongside Dave upon the track,
With Vanessa, Julia, leading out, and no one looking back!
Across the virtual borderlines, the Austrian squad was set,
Mike Saunders sent a WhatsApp ping—the keenest crew as yet:
“Team Austria is ready, plus interlopers in tow!”
As blue and yellow jerseys lined the woods to start the show.
From far away, Nigel cheered, though stuck upon the sideline:
“Come on Team Japan!” he called, “Enjoy the steep incline!”
They tackled Hood Hill’s climbs and faced the infamous steep stairs,
While messages kept rolling in, filled with support and prayers.
Thursday: Tractors & The Battle of the Flies
Word came through on Thursday noon to give the group a warning:
A tractor and flail were hard at work along the track this morning! 🚜
Cutting back the main trail paths from Osgoodby to Whitehorse,
Leaving debris, dust, and brambles right across the course!
Some arrows were obscured by brush, and flies were grim and biting—
Yet still the route was glorious, and every hill inviting!
Mike Saunders, Rosie Gatenby, and Sara crossed the line,
Looking fresh as mountain air and finishing in style.
Margaret Wikeley came in strong, though quick to warn the rest:
“The flies were worse on Hood Hill’s climb—a proper mountain test!”
From Team Italy, Sam declared:
“Another finish done! The humidity and flies are awful underneath the sun!”
While Geoff Bullock laughed and chimed right in, remembering the morning:
“We tried to sort the flies at seven!” (Though they ignored the warning!)
Sharon and Martin crossed the tape for Slovakia and New Zealand,
While Laura Till advised: “Bring spray! The bugs are truly fiendish!”
Andy reported: “Course is empty, another one for Japan!”
While Cathy Knott summed up her run as only Cathy can:
“A PB cause it’s my first time! Best bit: the downhill blast!
Worst bit: the hills and getting bit by flies that flew too fast!”
Then Phil Craig tackled steps and hills, and took the pace up higher—
Eight minutes faster than last year, his legs and lungs on fire!
“The steps were brutal, flies were bad, I swallowed two today—
At least one met a rapid end along the forest way!”
Friday: Jet Fuel, Wet Trails & The TaSH Smile
The morning broke as Rob checked in to open up Day 2:
“Gates are open, three out on the course—good luck to all of you!”
He checked the live times later on while garden-centre browsing:
“Perfect conditions out today, performance stats rousing!”
Then Hugh Jenyns checked in with his honest trail report:
*”I find this mountain struggle quite a challenge of a sort!
Hard on the climb, OK on the flat, but awful on the stairs,
And going down I shuffle slow with nervous little prayers!
Worried at my age I’ll twist an ankle on the track,
Just trying not to ‘do a Richard Grant’ and break my back!
And as for that energy gel I tried to take today—
First I couldn’t open it, then sticky hands gave way!
It made no difference to my pace, just left no extra swiftness—
Bit like putting jet fuel in a tractor—zero extra fitness!”* 🚜💨
Faith asked the question as the morning drew near:
“What’s it like underfoot? Are the trails dry and clear?”
Alan Browne replied with his update in hand,
Having tackled the loop with Suzie across the green land:
“It’s damp but not sodden, a bit slippy in places,
But overall decent for setting good paces!”
Maggie stepped out for her very first stride,
Wearing her brand-new TaSH top with maximum pride!
Natalie Lyth found the forest quite still,
Spotting only strong Maggie coming over the hill,
And cheered that the flies had decided to chill!
Then Lindsay, Faith, and Martyn stood ready at dawn,
Tackling the trails as the morning was born—
Declaring it glorious, bright, and sublime:
“Don’t trust the forecast when lacing for climb!”
Over in Team Poland, Alex Miller ran fast,
Knocking five minutes off his benchmark from last!
“Chalk up a PB! 1:11:47!” he cheered,
As the steep, muddy climbs of the forest cleared.
Alan and Carol crossed over the line,
Slightly wet, very thirsty, but feeling divine!
And runners out tonight echoed what we all feel:
Seeing blue and yellow vests makes the mountain race real—
Passing friends on the track with a cheer and a stride,
Supported all round by the TaSH smile and pride! 😊 💪
Saturday: Crowd Dodging, First Attempts & Evening Heroics
Kelly Grieve was chatting hard as she passed through the trees,
Forgot to take a picture till she caught the homeward breeze!
“Conditions were perfection, all the arrows clear and bright!”
Emma McQuillan crossed the line in 1:06:09,
With a sore knee and some whiplash, but her smile was doing fine!
“No black eye this week, though I tumbled once again—
(I only fall on flat paths, which I really can’t explain!)
First mountain race complete! Though a top tip for the group:
Avoid a Saturday midday when the walkers crowd the loop!”
Over in Team Slovakia, the contingent reached the end,
Claire Crawley thanked Ali Williams as her ultimate trail friend!
Ruth Elizabeth pushed right through the nausea and pain:
“First ever race and first 10k!”—she’ll soon be back again!
Beth Haggath logged her finish time with zero stress or fuss:
“No PB for me this year, but what’s the point in fuss?
I stayed right on my feet today, didn’t get lost out there,
Just crossed the line and made it home with time to spare!”
As Saturday evening arrived, one last runner shared her word:
“Managed to drag myself round the VMR this evening.
Very happy to have completed my first attempt at this event in 1:08:50. 😁😁😁
Photos are before and after 🥵“
Sunday: Greasy Trails, No Recce & Running Scared
Then Sunday morning broke as Rob declared the final gate:
“Good morning runners! Day 4 is open, three out to test their fate!
It’s damp and a little bit wet underfoot—perfect for the final stretch!”
Fran and Poppy checked in strong, representing Norway’s team:
“Greasy underfoot and muggy, but the flies are just a dream—
As long as you don’t stop moving, you’ll stay clear of the bite!”
Rachel winged it for Team Japan, navigating without a recce in sight:
“No recce, winged it with Strava, Garmin, and two personal marshals on course!” 😆
Joe Martlew pushed through weary legs to bring Team Fiji home:
“Shattered after racing yesterday, did a fair bit of hiking up the stone—
But it was good fun nonetheless!”
While Gavin Coventry closed out his run with an urgent pace:
“Had to run scared today—being chased by team member Shelley kept me honest in the race!” 🫣
Huge congratulations to everyone who laced up, supported, and represented their team over the four days!
