Richmond and Zetland Harriers

A fantastic team performance capped an excellent weekend from Richmond and Zetland Harriers athletes.

On Sunday at the Snake Lane 10, while battling horrific conditions, distance specialist Shona Fletcher led the ladies race to win from fellow harrier Michelle Nolan and 10 mile novice for a Richmond first and second, capping an excellent team performance along with R&Z junior legend Donna Riddler the ladies carried home the team trophy.

In the men's race Ken Harker was first across the line in 59:39 and was followed by the ever consistent Nick Mason in 64:23.

A bus load of runners headed to the big smoke of Parliament Hill in London for the National Cross Country Championships.

The U13 boys saw George Veitch in 269th and Lewis Moore in 361st. Laura Kirkham led the U15 girls in 158th and the stylish Vanessa Roper in 370th. Harry Robson continues his excellent running and was 70th in the U15 men. The U17 men’s trio of Luke Hack in 194th, James Greer in 201st and Aaron Auton in 241st continue to improve with every race. Issie Starkey was the sole U17 woman and was rewarded with a good run and 81st. In the senior ladies race Jackie Keaney was first lady harrier home in 256th and was followed by Pauline Whittaker in 656th and Michelle Sprent 760th. The men’s field had over 2000 runners and some great performances from Rob Scott (346th), Mark Crawford (717th), Dave Hack (1369th) and Simon Withers (1513th).

At the Darlington parkrun, Liam Rabjohn came home in first place, followed by Carl Jones in second. Mark Flannery was sixth and Ronnie Corbett ninth.

Holly Flannery continues to impress with a new course pb and first lady. Lucy Goundry was second lady. Alexandra Sutherland was 51st, just ahead of Mark Fletcher in 54th with a season’s best. Ken Harker and Shona Fletcher were taking it easy in preparation for the next day’s racing and were 58th and 60th. Michelle Todd was 117th, Joe Withers in 137th and Nicki Billows in her parkrun debut was 141st. The lesser spotted Brian (Taff) came 27th.

Crook and District AC

FIVE athletes headed to London to take part in the National Cross Country Championships.

Rob Teasdale crossed the line in 52.14, Craig Downs next in 56.15, Paul Brennan clocked a finishing time of 1.01.41 while Darren Fairclough registered 1.04.39 and Neil Douthwaite completed the route in 1.10.04 amongst the 2005-strong field.

The Snake Lane 10 mile road race attracted five runners where Aiden Stephenson was first home for the club in 1.16.17. Sharron Hogarth set a great new personal best in 1.25.11, while Matthew Hargraves ran 1.25.54. Not far behind was Lynsey Manifold, who also ran a new PB in 1.26.01 with Joanne Renaut-Evans completing the run in 1.30.53.

Albert parkrun saw Caroline Teasdale continue her run of form by coming first lady in 23rd position with a time of 19.40. Newcastle parkrun saw Sam Beckett come ninth in 18.26 with wife Joanna crossing the line in 27.13 to come 320th.

David Goodfellow ran 24.51 in 22nd place at Consett’s Blackhill parkrun.

At Durham, Paul Smith clocked a time of 23.04 in 59th position, club chairman Graham Laverick ran 25.15 in 103rd place. Junior Jessica Hague was 194th in 29.43 while Steve Manifold was just a second behind who had accompanied her all the way. Chris Clynes wasn’t far behind in 194th with a time of 29.52 while sisters Victoria and Lynsey Manifold clocked times of 32.38 and 32.42 in 264th and 267th places respectively.

Tony Murray is coming back to form and collected first place at Riverside parkrun in 17.45 while Jason Allison is another who is returning after illness and came third in 18.16. Junior Alfie Allison ran 30.10 to come 141st with Elizabeth Allison just behind in 142nd and 30.12. Jason Bridgewater was running his 50th parkrun and ran round in 31.13 supported by his son Ashton in 157th and 158th positions. Amanda Taylor collected 200th place in 37.41 while Natalie Mulholland completed the 5K route in 43.17 to come 216th.

Another winner was Kevin Saville this time at Hackworth parkrun in a time of 20.51 while Allen Purdham measured 30.41 to come home 36th.

Michael Dufton was the sole Crookite at Hartlepool parkrun and ran a time of 20.59 to come 13th on the coastal route.

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

STEVE Middleton was among 11 Harriers at the Fountains Abbey parkrun and was first finisher in a new personal best of 17.24, a full 30 seconds ahead of the second runner.

Bryan Miller was 9th, also in a new PB, of 19.54. Charlotte Wilton came 30th in 22.05 ahead of young Charlotte Knowles, who was 40th in 22.33. Martin Cummins was next club finisher, 49th in 23.05, Brian Smith 52nd in a new PB 23.17, Steven Scott 63rd in 24.27, Clair Gillan 65th in a new PB 24.31, Louise Knowles in a new PB 25.38, Jane Cummins 163rd in 29.39 and Gillian Crane 209th in 32.43. There were 247 finishers in an event which gets more and more popular.

The Snake Lane 10 had 964 finishers. Alan Harman was 534th in 1.22.40, Ian Codling 950th in 1.57.39 and Marian Codling 959th in 2.05.05.

The previous weekend, Alan Harman completed the tough Liversedge Half Marathon in 1.56.15, his time in this event and his fastest time for eight years. He came 326th out of 485.

Pete Wilkin was the sole club entrant at the Commondale Beacon Fell Race over 8.8 miles with 1200 feet of elevation. He was 35th out of 90, and second M55, in 64.17.

Fran Jeffery did the Osmotherly Trail Marathon having been given a late place. She eventually, and joyfully, reached the finish back at Osmotherly in 7 hours 8 minutes, 101st out of 130 runners in a valiant effort.

Shildon Running and AC

THE club was represented at the National Cross Country Championships in London.

In the U15 boys over a distance of 4.5km, Cameron Stainsby was first Shildon runner home in 152nd position in a time of 18:29 with Harrison Daglish next in 335th position in 20:58.

The U13 girls ran over a distance of 3km and Shildon was represented by Chloe Fairclough, who finished in 201st place in a time of 15:09. The senior women ran over an 8km course and Lizzie Wood represented Shildon, completing the course in 277th with a time of 40:00.

Emma Flynn ventured to the coast to compete in the Blackpool Great North West Half Marathon. Despite the blustery, wet and cold conditions she managed to post a PB of 2:32:21.

Saturday, February 14 saw the 100th running of the Hackworth Park parkrun. The organisers were aiming for 100 runners to mark this milestone but were overwhelmed by the response with 242 runners of all ages and from all over the country completing the 5km run.

Numerous members of the running club competed, volunteered or supported the event. 18 Shildon runners completed the run with one first timer (Emma Flynn) and 2 PBs achieved by Lizzie Wood and Cameron Stainsby.

Well done to everyone involved and a huge thank you to everyone who turned out to support. For full results and information as to how you can get involved simply go to www.parkrun.org.uk.