THE short HDSRL season drew to a close this week with the final event admirably hosted by Nidd Valley.

The 9k course was very uneven underfoot in many places, made worse by the hard, dry conditions, and a steep descent and then climb added to the difficulty. (All was forgotten with a wonderful and plentiful supper afterwards, very efficiently served!) 353 runners completed the race, with Stephan Tomaszewski once again first club finisher, 58th in38.08, with Josh Cooper next, 65th in 38.28, Martyn Coy 100th in 41.16 in a nail biting finish with Mike Lowther, 101st in 41.20. Rob Burn came 106th in 41.31, the consistent David Tervit 176th in 45.56, Duncan Fothergill 192nd in 46.59, David Baker 201st in 47.20, Clare Tempest 227th in 49.22, Rosie Gatenby 262nd in 51.50, Tracey Lowther 265th in 51.58, Heather Bell 266th in 51.58, Faith Coy 278th in 53.07, Phillip Craig 283rd in 53.57, Sara Langstaff 290th in 55.16, Joanne Hunt 295th in 55.39, Helen Heatlie 308th in 56.55, Christine Burn 321st in 59.14, Linda Bamforth 324th in 59.23, Gillian Crane 336th in 61.49 and Ian Codling 351st in 73.55 - his second tough race in three days!

The following evening was something of a red letter event for Ian when he completed his 800th race since starting running at the age of 60, 7 years after a hip replacement operation! The Summer Cost Road 5k, an altogether easier flat, 2-lap race along the coast between New Marske and Redcar, had 198 entrants, with Ian finishing 196th in 36.33 and Marian Codling bringing up the rear in 37.56.

Members were at a sprinkling of Park Runs this week, and among the 346 at Fountains Abbey, Linda Bamforth came 221st in 30.04, Ian Codling 316th in 37.55 and Marian Codling 319th in 38.21.

At Northallerton, Lorrains Hiles came 23rd, and 2nd F, in PB 22.57, Pete Jackson 28th in 24.16 and Phillip Craig 54th in 29.18. Rob Burn at Wetherby was 17th out of 104 in 21.05 and Rosie Gatenby came 48th in PB 26.06.

Paul Adams returned to home ground for the event at Skipton, finishing 112th out of 204 in PB 28.59, and at Sedgefield, Peter Richardson came 136th out of 204 in 27.21.

Nigel and Kerry Morgan had an away day at Woking, with a 3-lap course, narrow in places making it awkward for lapped runners. Nigel came 184th out of 345 in 27.44 and Kerry 324th in 39.48, and at Sewerby, Diane Brown was 123rs out of 215 in 30.19.

With just 3 weeks to go, arrangements are well in hand for the Sessay Swift 6k on Aug 22nd, 7.30pm, a fast, flat 1 lap road race. It's not too late to enter, on line or by post, (or on the day with payment of an extra £2,) and full information can be found on the club website.