THIRSK and Sowerby Harrier Paul Peacock put in a great performance to win the Round Ripon Ultra over a challenging multi terrain course of 35 miles, with Andrew Price in third place not too far behind.

Eight Harriers out of a field of 92 set out under broken cloud following the Ripon Rowel route.

Paul was the eventual winner in an astonishing time of 4:40, with Andrew third in 4:48. Trudy Morrice, in her first ultra race, was third lady, and first in her age group, in 6:33, Joe Poole 29th in 6:38, Alan Simpson 45th in 7:12 (taking about one and a half hours off his 2019 time), with injured Kirsty Naylor, in her first ultra race, 50th in an amazing 7.77. Fran Jeffery and Rosie Gatenby, ran together, coming 76th and 77th respectively in 8.27, Rosie in her first ultra, and Fran taking about an hour and a half off her 2019 time.

The next day, a fine dry morning, was the first fixture of the NYSD Cross Country League at Acklam over a lovely course across fields, through woodland and a few gentle climbs. Bronwyn Mayo was first club lady to finish in eighth place in a very good 23:35, with Katie Wadsworth 56th in 28:58, Nicky Jenkins 86th in 31:35, Alison Butcher 100th in 32:45, Margaret Wikeley 122nd in 36:43, Christine Burn 125th in 37:26, Sharon Keegan 128th in 39:07, Ellie Atkins, in her first ever cross country, 131st in 39:27 and Marian Codling 136th in 50:36.

Rob Burn was second fastest in the over 65 group in 24:39, with Geoff Bullock 28:14, Ken Evitt 31:25, Richard Easby 35:22 and Alan Wikeley 43:49.

With several other races on that weekend, only four senior men were involved, and Joe O'Keefe finished 112th out of 153 in 50:11, Gary Wilkinson 118th in 50:31, Andy Butcher 124th in 51:25 and Duncan Fothergill 141st in 55:09.