Bedale and Aiskew Runners. – The popular Ripon Jolly Holly Jog filled its allocated places weeks in advance of the race itself. The weather was cold, but sunny and windless.
In other words perfect for running at this time of year. Over 700 competitors gathered at the start at Hell Wath common to run the 10km course taking in the beautiful Fountains Abbey estate and Studley Roger.
There were some icy conditions underfoot to start with, which slowed the pace, and with most of the uphill sections in the first half of the race the Bedale runners picked up the pace to finish well. First back for the club was Paul Bainbridge in 192nd place and a time of 50-54.
He was followed by training pals Rob Haw in 235rd with a time of 52-24, and Andy Gibb in 236th and 52-25. Chris Appleton was 331st in 55-22, with James McCormack 387th in 56-33, then Phil Johnston in 494th in 60-15. Caroline Walker, who has just got back into training followed, to finish 625th in 69-53.
Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers. – The Jolly Holly Hog 10k on Suday provided its annual blow out after the Christmas indulgencies and 23 Harriers were among the 704 finishers on a beautiful frosty morning.
The mainly off road course had ice and mud to contend with in places, but the lovely scenery, partly through the Fountains Abbey estate, offset the hard work up the hills. Julian Norton had another excellent run to finish 12th in 39.32, with Rob Lickley next, 111th in 46.50 and Charlotte Wilton, given the same chip time, but 120th on the gun time.
Always competitive Hilary Coventry came 169th in 49.49, Martin Cummins 191st in 50.14, Stuart Waters 220th in 51.42, Rebecca Burgess 244th in 52.01, Alan Pollock 269th in 53.40, Nicola Jenkins 284th in 54.31, Stephen Billings 410th in 57.49, Alan Rylance 419th in 58.14, Chris Sykes 479th in 59.47, Richard Easby 567th in 64.06, Gary Holmes 570th in 64.20, Malcolm Aitken 574th in 64.44, Lisa Brown 596th in 66.22, Andrea Almack 598th in 66.26, Jane Cummins 600th in 66.46, Ian Codling 618th in 69.52, Hayley Holmes given a chip time of 69.26, but a lower place by the gun time of 626th - which demonstrates the importance of getting a good starting position in a crowded chip-timed race, Phillip Craig 631st in 69.56, Marian Codling 694th in 80.35 and Liz Stephenson 701st in 90.17.
At the Fountains Abbey 5k parkrun the previous day, Steve Middleton finished a very good second in 18.34 with Martin Cummins 41st in 23.33 and Jane Cummins 133rd 0ut of 188 in 30.39. Peter Richardson was among the 198 finishers of the Darlington parkrun and came 110th in 26.26. John Yates, while spending the festive season in England, turned out for the Brutal 10 at Petersfield over two laps of forest trails and short sharp hills and was 6th O40 finisher in a time of 1.26.57.
Richmond and Zetland Harriers. – The best of Richmond took the long trip across the Pennines to a cold and snowy Clitheroe for the Northern Road Race Championships. Conditions were far from ideal with ice lying on the course in places and temperatures still well below freezing when the race started at 10.30am. A picturesque course, with an out and back had athletes queuing at the turn due to the ice which hampered a quick time. With high class fields of Commonwealth and GB athletes in both the men's and ladies races fast times were expected. Leaving this aside Ken Harker and Shona Fletcher ran as good team mates should, helping each other in the process and were still together at 9km. Ken showed his flat speed by pulling away to come home in a new PB of 35:35, Fletcher continued strongly and came home in 35:39 another PB by 37 seconds. Not only was it a new PB but she took 3rd place in the Northern Championships, a coveted Northern medal and 1st V35 lady. Commenting on his athletes result, coach Shaun Purkiss although pleased, noted that this was an improvement on Leeds Abbey Dash for both athletes but Shona needs continual work on the final part her race technique.
At Saturday's Darlington parkrun Richmond and Zetland juniors were out in force and put the seniors in the shade. Luke Hack flew round to an extremely well deserved third and he was followed home by the ever improving Harry Robson in ninth place. The seniors then followed with Dave Hack in 11th, Jeremy Pattison in 12th, Simon Withers in 39th and Andy Everard in 49th. Perennial bag holder Mark Fletcher came 74th just ahead of pacers Ken Harker and wife Shona Fletcher. Junior coaches Christianne Adams, Fiona Wilson and Graham Purvis are extremely pleased with the progress of their athletes and see great futures ahead for their squad.
The Jolly Holly Jog also took place on Sunday with Harriers travelling to Ripon for this festive event. First finisher was Andy Everard in 89th just ahead of sparring partner Simon Withers in 92nd. Sarah Gregory continued her return from long term injury in 149th, with Michelle Todd in a very pleasing 485th position and another new PB.
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