IT was the return of the popular Richmond Castle 10k race on Sunday, October 10, hosted by Swaledale Runners.

The undulating course starts on the Batts riverside area before climbing up Sleegill out of Richmond with a circuit round Catterick Garrison before returning back down to Richmond and a circle around Castle Walk, then finishing on the Batts.

There was a good turnout of Richmond and Zetland Harriers, and impressive running with a first and second finish from brothers Jake and Charlie Stephenson. Jake finished first overall in 34:35, with Charlie second in 35:04, Ian Christon fourth in 38:23, Tony Lambert fifth and first in age category in 39:15, Laurence Corbett 14th in 41:55. Rebecca Smith was the first female to finish and came 18th overall in 42:16, Steve Sadler 23rd in 42:54, Kane Tracey 26th in 43:28, Rebecca Simpson 32nd and first in age category in 44:17, Nick Turnbull 49th in 46:36, William Smith 61st in 47:46, Gail Smith 94th and first in age category in 51:45 and Pauline Whittaker 98th in 52:22. These results meant the Harriers finished first in both the male and female teams.

The same day was the Redcar running festival, with various distances to race. Tom O'Mahoney finished fourth overall in the 5.2k in 17:11. The half marathon route, which was actually 13.3 miles (21.5k), was two laps along the coast road. Paul Ellis finished 22nd overall and first in his age category in 1hr 28mins.

The day before, Northallerton Parkrun was well attended by the Harriers with junior Ollie Middleton finishing first overall in a new PB of 19:00, second was Rob Scott, who was recovering from the London Marathon, in 19:01, Steve Middleton third in 20:29, Ian Christon fourth, also in 20:29. Matilda Ellis 22:08 (PB), Elaine Watters 20th in 24:19, Elly Robertson 63rd in 29:52, Fiona Crisp 84th in 33:01 and Victoria Christon 87th in 34:23.

Midweek saw John Gray and his four legged friend Pippa, take on the Canicross 5k event at Hamsterley Forest. John and Pippa had a strong run, finishing first overall in 20:03.

Tom O'Mahoney was back out racing midweek in the English Schools Cross Country event at Preston Park and finished in second place overall.

Earlier this month, several Harriers headed south for the welcome return of the London Marathon. The months of training certainly paid off for Rob Scott, who had an exceptional run, finishing in 2:26:39 – a massive PB and new club record, which had been held since 1992. Rob was absolutely delighted and enjoyed the crowds and amazing atmosphere. Another great performance came from Steve Middleton, who was over the moon with his time of 2:54:25. Garry Malton had a strong run finishing in 4:19:33. Ian Hepworth, who was running his 25th London Marathon, finished in 4:50:06.

The same day saw the start of the NYSD Cross Country League with the first race taking place in Acklam. There was a great turnout from both juniors and seniors wanting to tackle the testing course. The first race of the day was the under 11 boys and a distance of 1.25 miles, James Holdsworth finished in 13th place in 7:53. The under 13 girls (1.75 miles) saw Matilda Ellis finish ninth in 10:24, closely followed by Isla Simpson in tenth in 10:29.

The under 15 boys (2.25 miles) saw Ollie Middleton finish fourth in 10:17, Sam Archer tenth in 11:01, closely followed by Oliver Rogerson in 11th in 11:04, Thomas Carter in 12th in 11:06 and Jack Vasey in 13th in 11:08. This placed the boys second in the team scores.

In the under 15 girls race, Phoebe Haw was fifth in 13:17and Olivia Jackson Bowers sixth in 13:20.

Thomas O’Mahoney had a great race in the under 17 men's race, a distance of 3.5 miles, winning in 19:22. Joshua Hammett finished fourth in 20:44.

The under 17/under 20 senior and vet women's race, also 3.5 miles, saw Rebecca Simpson the first Harrier home in fourth place and first in age category in 23:00, Rebecca Smith ninth and first in age category in 23:36, Alana Teasdale 22nd and second in age category in 25:28, Nicola Simpson 24th in 25:34, Elaine Watters 35th in 26:50, Katie Robertson 39th in 27:15, Pauline Whittaker 43rd in 27:41 and Fiona Wilson 63rd in 29:40. These results placed the women in second place in the team scores.

The final race of the day, of 6.2 miles, was the under 20/senior and vet men's race and brothers Jake and Charlie Stephenson both finished strongly, with Jake third overall and first in age category in 34:52 and Charlie in fourth, also first in age category in 35:52. Tony Lambert 17th and first in age category 39:04, Mark Forrest 20th and first in age category 39:58, closely followed by John Gray in 21st in 40:01, Paul Ellis 49th 42:04, Paul Berry 50th 42:10, Anthony Jefford 72nd 44:33, Paul Simpson 73rd 44:40, Will Smith 102nd 48:40 and Nick Turnbull 126th 51:42. These results placed the men second in the team scores.

Further information on the club and training nights can be found on the website www.richmondzetlandharriers.co.uk