R&Z at Stewart Park
Another big week of great performances this week from Richmond and Zetland Harriers. On Thursday night Richmond took 7 teams of runners to the Tom Wall 1 mile relays held at Stewart Park. After a few late withdrawals and unavailabilities the 5 men's and 2 ladies teams made the start. Rob Scott led off for Richmond 1 and handed over in 6th place to Liam Rabjohn who climbed the places picking off runners at will to pass on to Scott Wardman in 3rd position, Scott duly scorched round, over taking the two runners ahead to hand over to Carl Jones for the final leg, who consolidated and extended the lead to bring Richmond home victorious by 6 seconds from the next team. Richmond 2 which was made up of U17 runners (Reece Dalton, Luke Hack, James Greer and Harry Robson) were an excellent 7th, followed closely by the well matched Richmond 3 in 9th (Steve Middleton, Dan Holdsworth, Dave Hack and Tony Lambert) and Richmond 4 were 12th (Richard Bug, Mark Flannery, Lee Davies and Rob Scott). The ladies of Richmond 5 were just beaten into 2nd place and were represented by Jo Adams, Donna Riddler, Rosie Adams and Holly Flannery. Jo flew round the course and ran the quickest leg of any female runner. Richmond 6 was also a ladies team who finished a fantastic 4th and consisted of (Laura Kirkham, Chloe Dalton, Shona Fletcher and Jo Adams). The final Richmond team of the more mature members (total age to add up to over 200), were 5th in their race (Ken Harker, Shaun Purkiss, Chris Peacock and Tony Ditchburn).
Tony Lambert was back on the podium again this week with a great run at the very testing, 6.5M, Wynyard trail race. Tony finished 3rd in 38:53. Ken Harker also took to the trails at the Auckland Castle 5m race. Ken managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory after getting lost while at the head of the race (a compass is now required as this is the second time Ken has got lost in under 6 months!).
On Wednesday night it was the return of the annual Sessay Swift 6k. Richmond took a large number of runners to this local event. Reece Dalton was just off the podium in 4th (20:10), Steve Middleton had a good race to finish in 5th (20:22), Rob Scott just behind in 7th (20:32), Ken Harker who used his guile and slip streaming in 10th (21:24), Dave hack in a new pb (15th, 21:40), just ahead of the 2nd lady Jo Adams (16th, 21:52) and Luke Hack (17th, 22:04) with another pb. New member Steve Sadler was 26th in 23:10 and the 3rd V50 and a pb. Donna Riddler was 34th (23:49 and 4th lady), Shaun Purkiss was 35th in 24:02, Rosie Adams was 5th lady and 39th in 24:31 and a new pb, followed by Shona Fletcher 6th lady (41st, 24:48) and Mark Fletcher in a new pb (91st, 29:37). Another excellent run by both Jane Bond in 135th in 34:04 and Jane Hack in 139th (34:22) who also achieved new pb's! Shona also won the V35 prize and Rosie Adams won the U35 prize. .
At the weekly Parkrun at Darlington, Harry Robson produced a great run to finish 2nd in 17:36. Dave Hack was 4th in 17:53 just ahead of Luke Hack in 6th (17:58). Holly Flannery continues her good form with a new pb and 3rd lady (14th, 19:30), Shona Fletcher was the 4th lady in 23rd (20:10), Ken Harker (20:11, 24th) and just ahead of the charging Shaun Purkiss (25th, 20:12). Nick Mason was 57th (21:45), Laura Kirkham was 86th (22:51), Ian Hepworth again broke his pb (109th, 23:43), Eliza Hack (116th, 23:53), Mark Fletcher (123rd, 24:05), Jane Hack (193rd, 28:03) and Laura Dunphy who continues to improve (296th, 36:49). Northallerton parkruns course record was broken this week by Steve Middleton who took the top honours in 17:14. Dave Hunt was 15th in 23:02 and a brand new pb. Rob Scott was heard to say that this new record won’t last long.
In other last minute transfer news Mark Fletcher was reported north of the border trying to get a last minute transfer as a runner/ coach but the deal fell through as they looked at his injury profile and decided against a free transfer even with all the lettuce and broccoli.offered (this was Scotland after all). They enquired after Shaun Purkiss as he had a similar profile to Fletcher, but a much better past form. The deal could be resurrected as he offered logs and kindling for the winter. Agents were even spotted at the relays some seen in cars on the phone, brown envelopes and some last minute deals were even completed at the start line. The importance of the relays can’t be under estimated as athletes travelled from all over the counties of Yorkshire and Durham to compete in this prestigious race.