Harriers were out in force yesterday, competing in a number or races on what was a wet and miserable morning across the north of England.
A dozen runners participated in the Vale of York Half Marathon; the latest race in the club’s Road Championships. James O’Rourke was the first to complete the fast, flat, but very wet, course on closed roads south of York and north of Selby in 1:27:42. April Stewart was next, finishing in 1:29:45. Rachel Beaumont was third F55 in a new club record time of 1:38:50. Two Harriers raced in the 10k event. Will Stewart finished in 42:30 with Mark Crabtree winning the M65 category in 48:08.
A number of Harriers took to the hills and moors around Haworth and Ogden to take part in the Yorkshireman Off-Road Marathon. The course includes over 3,000’ of elevation and there was drizzle, rain and fog. With wet trails, paths, mud and bogs, it made for a challenging, but fun day out. Ryan Barker was first home, finishing first M50 and 16th overall, in 4:09:49. Next were Fred Carver and Will Carver, running as a pair, in 4:26:08. The father and son team were the third pair to finish. Tom Paget finished 77th in a time of 4:58:31; an impressive feat after falling off a bridge into a stream and stopping for fruit cake and port at Checkpoint 5!
Stef Dickinson and Jane Hobson competed in the Yorkshireman Off-Road Half Marathon, completing the nearly 15 mile course in 2:40:29 and 3:16:58 respectively.
Four club members made the journey to the North East for the Great North Run (GNR); the world’s largest half marathon with 60,000 runners. Stephen Rainbow led the quartet home in 1:29:33 followed by Paul Hopkinson (1:47:25) and GNR regular, Dave Cooper (1:56:45). Group 1 regular, Katie Tompkins, completed the team, finishing in 2:34:13.
Two Harriers competed in the latest in the Yorkshire Veterans’ Grand Prix race series. James Franklin completed the 5 mile undulating, multi-terrain course around Queensbury in 35:07, finishing third M45 in 12th place overall. Martin Ellis was 101st in 51:54.
Five Harriers competed in Tuesday's Crow Hill Reverse Fell Race on a perfect evening for running. This latest race in the club's Fell & Trail League takes runners from Mytholmroyd up to Crow Hill on Midgley Moor and back. The total distance is 4.3 miles and there is a total ascent of around 1,000' with some very steep climbs early on.
It was great to see some new faces taking to the fells as well as more familiar, seasoned campaigners. Amy Radford was third female finisher on her fell racing debut in 46:01. Well done to Amy, who was hot on the heels of second place.
Ryan Barker led the quintet home in 40:46 followed by Tom Paget (44:15). Recent fell racing convert, David Ingle, was third M60 (50:18). Martin Ellis (57:12) completed the team.
Eighteen Harriers made the journey east to compete in the 5,000 strong field at the York 10k. The latest race in the club’s Race Challenge started near the famous racecourse and took in many of the historic landmarks in the city centre on a flat and fast course. Ben Crowther (see photo) was first home in a highly impressive 30th place in 34:50 followed by James O’Rourke in 38:50. Next were the club’s two leading women; April Stewart (40:47) and Amy Radford (43:33).
Rachel Standish was second female finisher and first F40, clocking 51:14 at the Judy Jaunt 5.8 mile Trail Race. The multi-terrain course took runners on country tracks, footpaths and streets through woodlands and farmland in and around Judy Woods in Bradford. Proceeds go to support the resurfacing and maintenance of the athletics track at Horsfall Stadium.
Stef Dickinson took seventh place in the She Strides 50k Ultra in a time of 6:20:57. This challenging female-only event takes in woodland and open moorland trails around Hebden Bridge and Haworth and includes a total ascent of 5,000’.