Ryan Barker once again took on the ‘Dark Skies’ race series at Kielder Water and Forest Park in Northumberland. The ‘dark sky zone’ is the second largest area of protected night sky in Europe, and offers incredible stargazing opportunities. The races this year included a 26.6 mile marathon on Saturday night and an 11 mile race on Sunday night. Both events take on tracks and paths close to the waterside around Kielder Water reservoir, through stretches of forest, using head torches to navigate.
Saturday night started in drizzle, with the forecast worsening to see heavy rain and stronger cold winds after a few hours. The marathon was increased to almost 28 miles due to rerouting, because of fallen trees. But otherwise ran anti-clockwise all around the reservoir. Having missed a big chunk of training due to injury, Ryan paced the run conservatively, but fell back a few positions, during the first hour, with some daylight still helping progress. Over the dam and on the opposite side of the water, Ryan pushed on alone, through cold, wet weather and slippery underfoot conditions on steeper, tighter paths, but maintaining a consistent pace. As he neared the far end, heading towards the tourist spot at Kielder Castle he could see head torches in the distance getting closer and realised he could increase pace, when others were tiring. Turning back towards the finish after going over Kielder viaduct, Ryan passed several runners in the final 5 miles, despite a chilly headwind and heavy rain making it a tough finish.
Ryan finished in 6th position and 1st Vet 50 for the marathon.
For Sunday, and the 11 mile race, the weather improved, with sunshine and later, excellent views of stars, planets and the moon, during a much faster and closer race. The 11 miler had new runners as well as some marathon runners taking on the ‘double’.
On the out and back route, the pace was fast and relentless from lead runners. Ryan was lucky to stay in the top 20, with tired legs from the previous night. Although conditions were much better, a few runners took a wrong turn and lost places, through haste.
Ryan kept a good pace with some ‘fresher’ runners up to the turn point near Kielder viaduct. Using knowledge of the area, to help stay on track, pushing the final 5½ miles back. In the final ½ mile Ryan was closing on 4 runners ahead, but didn’t have the distance eventually to close the gap (the distance was almost exactly 11 miles this time)!
Ryan finished in 11th place and 2nd Vet 50 for 11 mile race.
Overall Ryan was 2nd in the ‘double’ and 1st Vet 50 for the ‘double’, picking up 3 trophies in total. To complete the series there is also a 15 mile race in May.
On Tuesday 19th March there will be a CPR / EAD Training session at 6pm in the school café. If you are interested in this please give your name to Victoria Midgley either in the café of by email to tor10@hotmail.co.uk. For more details see the forms in the school café.
This Sunday several Harriers travelled to Alicante in Spain to participate in the oldest half marathon in the world.
A few thousand runners twisted and weaved through Elche's undulating, but mainly flat city centre route, which culminated in a very colourful and packed finishing area.
In good cool conditions and sun shining, Hazel Berrett fantastically brought home the silverware by winning her age group category and, cheered on by her teammates and the big crowd, she duly collected her winning trophy on the podium.
Harriers results (chip times):
105th Simon Johnson 1-25-03 2nd V55
369th Ryan Barker 1-34-46
640th Will Stewart 1-40-17
641st April Stewart 1-40-18
1097th Paul Hopkinson 1-49-03
1099th Hazel Berrett 1-49-09 V60 1st
1546th Mark Crabtree 1-56-56
2063rd Fiona Murphy 2-12-59