USUALLY at this time of year, a thousand or so runners would be assembling near Ripley Castle for the start of the Guy Fawkes 10, hosted by the man himself on a bicycle.

This year, there was a virtual version for members of Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers, part of the club championship series, to be run over any of three or four days – where fog was an issue at times.

The route was again along part of the Cleveland Way with some return stretches on road, and once more 50-plus people were involved.

Matt Jones was on top of the tree this time, having so often finished runner up, and completed in a time of 1.12.01, with Stephan Tomaszewski again close behind, second in 1.12.18. Evergreen Rob Burn came third in 1.17.50, Paul Peacock, another who usually features high up in the results, was fourth in 1.18.10, Gary Bastow fifth in 1.22.00, Gary Wilkinson sixth in 1.22.23, and equalling Alan Simpson with the same time, David Fawkes was eighth in 1.25.30, Brett Edgeworth was ninth in 1.28.09, and tenth was Martyn Coy in 1.28.26. Other men involved were Andy Butcher, David Tervitt, Pedro Carrasco, Dave Baker, Paul Chapman, Marc Davies, Duncan Fothergill, Geoff Bullock, Jack Fisher, Steve Billings, Paul Van Der Westhuisen, Richard Morrice, Mike Lowther, James Stephenson, Paul Adams, Alan Wikeley and Paul Goacher.

Trudy Morrice just goes from strength to strength and she was first lady, fifth overall finisher, in 1.20.56, with Lorraine Hiles, another who takes some beating, second, and ninth overall in 1.22.27, Esther Harrison was third in 1.24.30. with Olivia Mulligan in an equal time.

Clare Tempest came fifth in 1.30.03, Helen Ashworth sixth in 1.35.59, Louise Mayfield seventh in 1.37.47, Kirsty Naylor eighth in 1.39.05, Faith Coy ninth in 1.42.57 and Sonja Van Der Westhuisen tenth in 1.43.33. Other ladies completing the testing course were Jo Hunt, Tracey Lowther, Alison Butcher, Trish Radford, Bev Davies, Christine Burn, Margaret Wikeley, Kimberli Werner, Sarah Goacher, Rosie Gatenby and Liz Stephenson.