THE virtual races just keep coming for members of Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers because of the enthusiasm of Rob Burn.

The latest one, the virtual Holme House Prison cross country, a distance just over three miles, could be run over four days, with a choice of route.

The icy cold weather and rutted terrain with a good covering of snow meant that care was needed, and for the first time for many months, the top ten finishers were all men. Andrew Price is unbeatable at the minute and finished in a time of 20.11 with Josh Fothergill second in 20.46, Matt Jones third in 21.16, just ahead of Paul Peacock, fourth in 21.16. David Fawkes, a couple of minutes slower, came fifth in 23.27, Joe Lofthouse sixth in 23.27, Adam Leigh seventh in 23.34, Ken Wood eighth in 23.39, Josh Cooper ninth in 23.46 and Walter Busuttil, finding some of his early form, tenth in 23.55.

Trudy Morrice is usually among the top finishers and this time she was first lady in 25.12, with Lorraine Hiles second in 26.06, new member, Gemma Tutty, third in 26.11, Lyndsey Collins, another newish member, fourth in 26.34, Hilary Coventry fifth in 26.48, Helen Ashworth sixth in 26.54, Clare Tempest seventh in 27.33, Kirsty Naylor eighth in 27.54, Sonja van der Westhuisen ninth in 29.20 and Joanne Hunt tenth in 30.33.

The popularity of these events is borne out by the fact that almost 90 members and guests took part on what were, for the most part, bitterly cold days, with winds for good measure.

Other finishers were Tom Levi, coming back from injury, Gary Bastow, Mike Lowther, Gary Wilkinson, Richard Morrice, Paul Chapman, Brett Edgeworth, Adrian Saunders, Pedro Carrasco, Dave Baker, David Tervit, Marc Davies, Andy Butcher, Dave Wood, Alan Simpson, Mike Cropper, Duncan Fothergill, Geoff Bullock, Joe Joyce, Martyn Coy, David Palmer, Jack Spence, Andrea Colls, James Stephenson, Steph Hawkins, Paul Goacher, Sarah Harrison, Lyndsay Goom, Sarah Scott, Steve Billings, Tracey Lowther, Louise Mayfield, Trish Radford, Faith Coy, Alison Butcher, Ken Evitt, Paul Adams, Richard Easby, Rob Burn, Hugh Jennyns, Sarah Goacher, Bev Davies, Heather Bell, Jacob Condor, Pat Kirby, Sharon Keegan, Clare Jones, Drikus van der Westhuisen, Margaret Wikeley, Carol Morrison, Phillip Craig, Gillian Crane, Christine Burn, Liz Stephenson, Rosie Gatenby, Beverley Ayres, Alan Wikeley, Esther Harrison, Ian Crane, Kimberli Werner, Maureen Worley, Siobhan Woodland, 11-year-old Reuben Coy and Marian Codling. A mention to eight-year-old Matilda Price, who was introduced by her father, Andrew to running on hard rutted ground in a biting wind, finishing in 35.47.