A MARATHON OF A WEEKEND 12/10/17
Harriers this week were running over 10 miles and 26.2 miles at York, Richmond 10k, trail running, park running, running in the heat and sand in Afghanistan and also taking to the hills in the wild and wet north over another 13.1 and 26.2 miles at Kielder half and full marathons.
Three athletes took on the new 10 miler course at York run alongside the longer marathon route. Steve Middleton was first home for the club in 9th place (59:30, sb) and the 1st V40 runner, he was closely followed by Lee Davies in 13th (60:07, sb) and the 2nd V40 athlete and Sarah Gregory in 482nd in a seasons best time (79:29, sb). At the slightly longer version over an extra 16.2 miles, Carl Jones was the first harrier across the line (2:56), he was followed by Shona Fletcher and Ken Harker in the same time (3:07:5), Donna Riddler (3:23:58) and Robert Haw (4:03:5).
The Richmond Castle 10k is not known for being flat or particularly fast but Jake Stephenson flew round to finish in 5th in a new pb (38:02), Dave Hack was next in 19th (41:24), followed by Simon Withers in 39th (44:40), Lucy Goundry in 65th and the 2nd V35 lady runner (47:42), Ian Hepworth finished in 159th and the 2nd V70 (54:40), Pauline Whittaker in 144th (53:52), Diane Adkins in 204th (59:00) and Nicki Buckett in 228th (62:31).
It was the start of the Stockton trail series and the first one was held at Preston park over 5k with Daniel Francis having an excellent performance to finish in 5th overall and the 1st U17 runner.
After unfortunately missing the DT 40 trail/fell race held in the Dales due to being stationed overseas, Matthew Lawton decided to run it anyway – in Afghanistan! On a much drier and warmer day (31 degrees, but much less scenic), he took on the full distance around camp to finish in a very respectful time of 3:09:17 at an altitude of 1800m above sea level. The kind people at the Dales Trail series even sent him a T-Shirt for completing the alternative course!
Deb Pennick took the long trip to Kielder for the half marathon held over some fantastic countryside and scenery, but over a rather undulating course and finished in a very good 661st (02:21:41). The same day the full marathon is held and meanders around the sides of Kielder Water and is known as one of the most beautiful, but as one athlete put it, also the most brutal marathon anyone could ever undertake. So for her first marathon Natalie Wood chose this one, carrying a few injuries, but strapped up as best she could, she fought her way round with help from her friend Claire Baker (who was also in need of some patching up). The ladies duly finished in a superb 656th and 657th positions (06:25:18, pb).
At Catterick parkrun Kyle Rabjohn smashed his parkrun pb finishing in 2nd (17:19). He was followed closely by Daniel Francis also taking a big chunk of his pb in 3rd (17:39), Lucy Goundry was 16th and the 3rd lady with a big pb (21:55, pb), Thomas Greer also had a great run in 37th place with another huge pb (24:17). Ali Chisholm was just behind in 40th (24:53).
Josh Hammett took top honours at Northallerton parkrun in 1st (20:33), Dad Jason was next in 4th (21:43). Shona Fletcher was 5th and the 1st lady (22:38), Ken Harker was 6th (22:38), Shannon Robinson was 14th and the 2nd lady in a huge new pb (24:07, pb). Michelle Hammett was also in pb form with another good run in 35th (27:26, pb).