Thirsk and Sowerby played host to the latest fixture in the NYSD Cross Country League, the penultimate race in the Club Championship. Joanna Jackson of M & C won the ladies' race in 20. 38.

Angela Hall was the first of a large contingent of runners from the home club, in 13th place in 23.07. Pat Kirby finished 39th in 26.21, Kaye Mechie 44th in 27.07, Fiona Wilson 45th in 27.10, Nicola Thorpe 47th in 27.23, Sarah Somers 49th in 27.57, Sharon Keegan 55th in 29.34, Pamela Sherlock 58th in 32.50 and Marian Codling 60th in 36.10. The team finished in 6th place.

The men's race was won comfortably by Rob Cole of Mandale in 28.09, with Richard Hall 17th in 30.56, Merv Burn 27th in 32.07, David Granger 54th in 34.10, Cameron Choules 73rd in 35.31, Oliver Harrison 77th in 35.53, Alasdair Thorpe 91st in 37.13, Hywel Smith 95th in 37.33, David Shorrocks 100th in 37.52, Richard Soper 109th in 38.38, Alan Somers 110th in 38.45, Alan Wikeley 111th in 38.53, Nigel Morgan 112th in 39.04, Steve Harrison 125th in 42.05 and David Read, finishing in spite of picking up an injury, 130th in 43.36. The men's team were in 8th place.

William Hayward came 18th un the U15 Boys' race in 16.09 and in the U15 Girls' race Laura Shorrocks was 33rd in 20.19 and Katie Rayner 35th in 22.39.

On the same day Caroline Pollard was the only club runner to compete in the Guisborough Three Tops Fell Race but it was a case of quality not quantity, as Caroline was the first lady to finish, in 21st place, in a course record time of 73.19 minutes.

Nine Harriers took part in the prestigious Leeds Abbey Dash 10km race on Sunday, 30th November, a race designed to raise funds for Help The Aged. From a field of 2,475 runners, first home for the club was Martin Grainger in 37th place in a time of 33.18 and fourth Male 40 Vet. New member Steve O'Neill was 45th in 33.44. Jack Mason 80th in a personal best time of 35.19. Ben Wilson 84th 35.29. Alison Raw 155th 38.04 and second Vet Female 40. Hon Lee making a welcome return to the road racing circuit 231st 39.33. Brian Hannah 367th 41.42. Emma Morley 1203rd 50.16 and Steve Dauber 1315th 51.22.

Martin, Jack, Ben and Alison then went on to race in the third N.Y.S.D. Cross Country meeting at Thirsk racecourse in the afternoon. Results from that meeting: Under 13 Boys: Michael Parry making his debut 14th, 13.45. Andrew Jones 16th, 14.49. Under 13 girls: Rebecca Noble 8th, 13.28. Verity Pratt 10th, 13.45. Jenifer Rusk 33rd, 15.57, 4th Team with 93 points. Under 15 Boys: Jamie Rutherford 12th 14.55. Gareth Simpson 20th, 17.01.

Under 15 Girls: Emily Saxby 14th, 17.00. Emma Clifford had to pull out with injury. Under 17 Men: Theo Panayi 11th, 29.31. Senior Ladies: Susie Rutherford 2nd , 20.51, Bernadette Taylor 3rd, 21.17. After her exertions in the morning Alison Raw an excellent 9th, 22.22. Gill Wallis 59th, 35.07. Gill Waite 61st and Sandy Wallis 63rd. Second Team with 73 points. Senior Men: Joe McCreedy 8th, 29.57. Nigel Orr 10th, 30.05. Martin Grainger 18th, 31.05. Ron Read 34th, 32.54. Jack Mason 48th, 33.45. Ben Wilson 55th, 34.11. Steve Hutchinson 80th, 36.03. Ian Barnes 92nd, 37.18. John Brant 124th, 41.28. Fourth Team. At the Yorkshire Dragoon 7.7 mile race on 23rd November Jack Mason was the sole representative finishing 6th in 45.58. First male Vet 40.

The Harriers will be hosting the North Eastern Cross Country Championships at Branksome on 13th December. Training is at Eastbourne Sports Complex on Tuesday and Thursday from 6.15 and Ladies only on Wednesday. Contact John Brant on 01325 2576762 for details.