RICHMOND & ZETLAND HARRIERS 30/10
Richmond and Zetland Harriers
THE ATHLETES OF Richmond and Zetland were out in force over trail, road, 5kms, 5 miles, 10kms, 10 miles, half and full marathons, locally and others went a number of miles further for their racing. It was the last of the big marathons for the season, held over what’s described as a flat course around York, however if you’ve run it, then you’ll realise that it certainly isn’t! Carl Jones just gets quicker and quicker over the marathon distance and obviously enjoys the York course with another storming run to take another chunk off his PB and finish as the 2nd V45 (2:32:58), Rob Scott had a dream debut over the marathon distance finishing in 23rd overall (2:34:22) and Kimberley Reeve had another super run in her last ever road marathon, finishing as the 61st lady and the 11th V45 in a big new PB by over 7 minutes (3:24:59).
It was also the British Masters Relay championships held at Long Eaton and as usual Richmond took two strong squads in the V35 and V55 men's races. The team of Carl Jones, Ian Christon, Steve Middleton, Ken Harker and Leon Reeve took on the best of the vets in the country, finishing an excellent 8th overall from 26 teams in the V35 classification. In the V55 race the squad of Mark Forrest, Steve Sadler, Graham Ewart and Shaun Purkiss-McEndoo proved that they can still compete with the best in 7th with Mark running the 3rd quickest leg overall in the V55 category. It was also the Leeds Abbey dash well known for its quick course and one of the younger members stood on the podium with Ellie Rabjohn finishing 16th overall and the 2nd girl. Over the longer distance big brother Liam Rabjohn had a good return to form in the 10km finishing in 64th (30:55), Leon Reeve was next smashing his pb in the process in 381st (36:25, pb) and another ripping up their record books was Nicola Simpson in 896th and the 6th V45 (42:46, pb).
Ken Harker ran the Locke park 5 miler, which is also part of the North Eastern Masters Championships, racing to 6th overall and the 1st V45 taking it right down to the wire and winning in a sprint finish (29:50). John Gray and Pippa took on the Cragside trail dogs 5 miler, taking 2nd overall (35:50). Over at Hexham Ian Hepworth ran the 10km finishing in an excellent 211th and the 2nd V70 (53:57). Pauline Whittaker took on the Darlington trail series night run over 5km and had an excellent result to finish in 36th (26:39). Diane Adkins was in action at the York 10 miler and a welcome return to racing (1:36:04).
Hamsterley Forest was the setting for its annual half marathon and Steve Sadler had a cracking run to finish 3rd overall and the 1st V55 (1:34:23). At Pinchinthorpe 5km trail race, Tom O’Mahoney scorched round to finish 5th overall and the 1st junior (18:59). Helvellyn was the setting for John Gray's run over 15k on the fells with a great finish in 39th (1:08). Jenna McGreevy instead of relaxing and taking it easy on her holidays to Spain decided to take on a 21km trail race while there and obviously relaxing and enjoying the views during the race, still finished as the 3rd lady!
Garry Malton was 17th (21:29), Pauline Whittaker was 40th and the 6th lady (24:33) and Nicola Simpson was 47th (25:41) at Catterick parkrun. Anthony Jefford recorded his 1st ever win (20:08), John Gray was 3rd (20:23), Alastair Wilkin was 7th (23:22), Elaine Watters was 13th (26:09) and Ellie Robertson took on the bog that was Northallerton parkrun (26:17). Rob Scott was the 1st finisher at The Grange parkrun, Kirklevington where you need a special invite to run (19:18), Pete Richardson 8th (26:04), Elly Robertson also ran over the 6 lap course in 9th and the 1st lady (26:38).
At Darlington park run Garry Malton was 40th (21:48), Ian Hepworth was 138th (26:39). Over at Albert Park park run, Ken Harker was an excellent 6th (18:25), Joe Reeve was 13th (18:55) in front of Dad, Leon Reeve in 14th (18:56) and Rob Lickley had a great run in 34th (20:48). Pete Richardson ran at the Blythe Links park run (27:27). At Northallerton junior park run it was a Richmond and Zetland 1, 2 and 3, with Olivia Jackson-Bowers taking the win (09:04), followed by the fast finishing Matilda Ellis in 2nd (09:06), then Jim Wilkin in 3rd and the 1st boy (09:40), Charlotte Jackson-Bowers in 6th and the 3rd girl (10:23), Kiki Fletcher in 11th and the 5th girl (10:23), Abi Wilkin in 16th (11:48) and Mollie Ellis in 30th (13:45).
Further information on the club and training nights can be found on the website www.richmondzetlandharriers.co.uk