THIRSK and Sowerby hosted the annual cross country relays to kick off the season in the NYSD cross country league on the Flatts in Sowerby, and congratulations are in order to Duncan Fothergill and his team for a very successful event, blessed by good weather. Lily Coy was the first Harrier to go, among the 19 runners in the Under 13 girls race and took 9.23. The women's relay team of Faith Coy, Olivia Mulligan and Jill Libby finished 5th out of 15 in a cumulative time of 57.47, with Diane Brown completing the course as an individual runner in 18.35.

The men's team of Bryan Miller, Tom Levi, Stephan Tomaszewski, and Josh Cooper were 10th out of 23 in a close fought contest with a total time of 52.50. Running as individuals, Duncan Fothergill and Phillip Craig took 35.02 minues.

The Sutton Park 10k, mainly through the lovely grounds of Sutton Park but also on roads and trails, attracted 175 finishers with conditions warm for running. Rob Lickley was first club member home, 24th in 43.01, with Jody Sygrove 33rd in 45.15, Andy Butcher 73rd in 51.40 and David Tervit 100th in 55.20.

Gillian Crane celebrated her 100th Park Run this weekend, for which many congratulations. She was among the 7 Harriers in a field of 336 at Fountains Abbey coming 198th in 31.00. Richard Bailey, in only his second Park Run, was 99th in 25.42, Linda Bamforth 169th in 29.36, Steve Isaac 251st in 33.30, Naomi Wood 276th in 35.17 and Paul Adams, supporting his young son, Thomas, was 329th in 48.01.

At Northallerton, Phillip Craig came 27th out of 125 in 27.14.

Charlotte Wilton decided to try the Tees Barrage event and came 17th out of 185 in 21.55.

Ian and Marian Codling did the Stonehaven Park Run, a 3 lap course over grass and footpaths with a very significant hill to be climbed each time. Accompanied by daughters and a granddaughter, Ian came 22nd out of 30 in 36.55 and Marian 25th in 42.33.

Marc Davies prefers fell races and has done a whole series recently.

His favourite race, at West Witton on a lovely evening, involved circumnavigating Penn Hill over 4.1 miles witth 1100 feet of climb, took 42.36 mintes and he came 5th out of 15.

At the Reeth Show Fell Race, over 2 miles with a sharp 800 feet climb to Fremington Edge and a fast downhill loop back to the showfield, he was 44th out of 85 in 22.44, improving his last year's time by more than a minute.

He was accompanied by Charlotte Wilton for the Roseberry Topping event - can you imagine going up and down the landmark as fast as possible? - 715 feet of ascent over 1.5 miles, and came 35th out of 89 in 17.07 with Charlotte 59th in 19.25.

Next weekend is a big one for the club, celebrating its 40th Anniversary. Plans include a mass gathering for a Park Run with a Gala Dinner in the evening.