Athletes feel the heat in sunny Swaledale

The start is in Reeth and then goes through Arkengarthdale, Langthwaite, Whaw, with a long strength-sapping climb up to Great Punchard.

After this there is a breathtaking view of Gunnerside Gill and a nice downhill to Gunnerside Village. From there it is uphill yet again to skirt the middle fells back to Reeth.

This year saw a regular contingent of Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers, consisting of Andrew Minister, Dot Bird, Harry Bird, Mike Hall, Peter Johnson, David Johnson, Shaun Bruce, Mike Ludgate and Karl Edwards.

Andrew Minister was up with the leaders from the gun and showed his great form to be in third position at the 19-mile mark, but unfortunately for him at this point he had no skin left on his heels and the pain was unbearable so had to drag himself back to the checkpoint at Gunnerside and retire, a big blow to the team and Andrew.

Meanwhile over 50 veterans, including Mick Ludgate and Karl Edwards, were cruising around the course at a steady pace, and after picking off athletes who were suffering in the heat on the latter stages managed a joint-fifth placing, winning the Veteran class in a time of 3hrs 49 mins.

Dot Bird had an exceptional run due to the fact a few days earlier a recurring back problem arose and she could hardly move. Luckily the problem eased for her to get on the start line, and she finished 82nd in 5hrs 5mins, a little disappointed not to get under 5hrs and missing her Earl Grey tea in Gunnerside.

Mike Hall's first attempt at this event was a real eye opener, more used to the roads than the fells, but he thoroughly enjoyed the event and took the hills in his stride to finish strongly 119th (5hrs 21mins) and promised to be back next year.

Club stalwart Peter Johnson, who knows this course like the back of his hand, put in a good performance and actually finished with a smile and no cramp just for a change, in 134th (5hrs 28mins). Peter was closely followed in by his son David Johnson (147th 5hrs 38mins) who beat last years time by an hour, so next year could see a change in positions for the Johnson's.

A rare outing from a young looking Shaun Bruce gave himself a hard task with minimum training, he accompanied Dawn Williams around the course and they finished together in 6hrs 20min(219th). Dawn's husband Ron, himself a former Harrier, had the arduous task of spectating in the heat!

Last but not least, Harry Bird stomped around the 23 miles in 6 hrs 45mins(260th) and did have time for several cups of tea!

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

THE very hot weather once more made running difficult in the friendly Wheldrake 10k, and high humidity was also a factor.

At least the course was fairly flat, and Simon Cook of Leeds AC managed a winning time of 32.57. Phil Utley finished in 20th place in 40.31, David Goddard 64th in 46.33, Ian Codling 96th in 50.21 and Pamela Sherlock 168th in 66.36.

An evening run provides much more optimum conditions, and the 306 finishers in the Otley 10 mile race enjoyed the course. Predictably, Ian Fisher of Otley was the winner in 52.57 minutes, with Richard Hall an excellent 11th in 59.12 and Angela Hall 88th in 71.25.

The latest Harrogate League fixture was also an evening event, hosted by Swaledale Road Runners, and conditions were very pleasant - the course involved a 3 mile uphill run followed by 2 miles downhill!

Ian Fisher was again the winner in 26.13, and in this Club Championship race, Richard Hall came 6th in 29.17, Stephan Tomaszewski 15th in 31.20, just ahead of Phil Utley, 16th in 31.27, Dusan Svoboda 25th in 32.00, Angela Hall 61st in 34.49, Ken Evitt 80th in 36.04, Tom Thompson 101st in 37.53, the ever improving David Goddard 119th in 39.25, Nigel Morgan 133rd in 40.34, Ian Codling 143rd in 42.04, Maureen Gibbs 159th in 44.40, Cath Lumb 162nd in 44.55, Sharon Keegan 165th in 46.11, Pamela Sherlock 177th in 50.22 and Marian Codling 181st in 52.44.

*Thirsk and Sowerby are the hosts for the next fixture, on June 29.

Richmond and Zetland Harriers

SEVERAL Richmond and Zetland junior athletes got off to winning ways in the North Yorkshire Schools Athletics Championships at York on Saturday, June 10.

Thirteen athletes competed at the event, producing no less than eight wins across the board, on what was an excellent day's competition.

Ruth Hill (pictured below) maintained her winning ways for the junior girls in the 100m with a time of 13.0, with team-mate Rachel Holloway for company, while Brogan Fraser was equally adept, placing first in the 200m race. Holly Carrick took another win in the Shot Putt, while Doug Roberts, running for the intermediate boys, took a comfortable and well deserved victory in the 1500m.

Leanne Shaw was on good sprinting terms, taking second place in the intermediate girl's 200m and Sophie Broadway showed that she is returning to form, by gaining a second place in the 300m.

Jo Adams is in top condition at the moment and proved this by winning the 800m, while Katie Roberts displayed good stamina in the 1500m to take third place overall. Lyndsey Johnston was well ahead of the rest of the opposition, winning the javelin by a large margin, with a throw of 33.0m.

Scott Goodrum produced two excellent performances, by taking first place in the triple jump and second place in the long jump, while Nick Outhwaite finished in his customary top spot in the Pole Vault. James Brownfield-Pope ran his favoured distance over 800m, which produced a second place finish in a time of 2.13.9.

RZH Results: Junior Girls: Ruth Hill 1st 100m 13.0, Rachel Holloway 7th 100m 14.6, Brogan Fraser 1st 200m 28.4, Holly Carrick 1st Shot Putt 9.56m. Intermediate Boys: Doug Roberts 1st 1500m 4.27.8. Intermediate Girls: Leanne Shaw 2nd 200m 26.5, Sophie Broadway 2nd 300m 45.6, Jo Adams 1st 800m 2.24.8, Katie Roberts 3rd 1500m 5.39.2, Lyndsey Johnston 1st Javelin 33.0m. Senior Boys: James Brownfield-Pope 2nd 800m 2.13.9, Scott Goodrum 1st Triple Jump 12.13m & 2nd Long Jump 5.82m, Nick Outhwaite 1st Pole Vault 2.20m.

ON the same day, Shaun Purkiss chose a very different challenge in the form of the Swaldedale Marathon, which is a 23 mile off-road challenging course over the local peaks and moors, which competitors must navigate themselves.

This year's event was run in very hot conditions and one of the main issues was keeping well hydrated during the race, however, team-mates Jim Robinson and Chris Peacock were on hand to provide all the water Shaun required en-route and ran a fair distance themselves keeping him fully supplied.

This paid dividends, as Shaun reached the finish in an outstanding time of 3.37 hours, taking third place overall. The overall winner was Stuart Gregory in a time of 3.05 hours, however, Shaun is still the course record holder with a time of 2.56 hours, set twenty years ago.

Back on the track, Ken Harker and James Wardman put in two excellent performances at the British Miler's Club Grand Prix Meeting at Watford, also on Saturday, June 10.

Both athletes chose to compete over the 800m distance, in the face of some very stiff competition. Ken is returning from injury and has his sights firmly set on the World Master's Outdoor Championships in Poland in five weeks. His time of 2.03 shows he is in good form going into his remaining weeks of preparation, while James is also in great shape, with a superb time of 1.58.

The following day, Neil Piper elected to compete in the Thirsk 10 Road Race, on what was the hottest day of the year so far. Once again the heat and hydration were key elements in such taxing conditions, which many found difficult. Although the high temperatures tested his resolve on this occasion, he managed to finish the race in a well deserved 196th place from 320 competitors.

Chris Peacock was in action on the track at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow on Monday, June 12, taking part in the Veterans Athletics Association North East meeting. He took on the opposition over his preferred distance of 800m in the men's V45 race and promptly won by some margin in a time of 2.17. John Wild was also in action in the throwing events, proving to be the usual stalwart.

The provisional results are to be confirmed, but he accrued some impressive results, including a win in the Shot Putt with 10.30m, a further win in the Javelin with 33.0m and runner up in the Hammer, with a distance of 39.0m, the first time he has been beaten in the latter event in some eight years in the veterans league.

*For more information on Richmond and Zetland Harriers, click on www.rzh.org.uk

Shildon Athletics Club

SHILDON'S junior athletes have been very busy over the past couple of weeks as the track and field season gets into full swing.

The recent Durham County Schools Championships at Jarrow saw the club's athletes achieve no fewer than eight county titles.

Kate Avery was the pick of the bunch as she comfortably won the Junior Girls 1500m title with an impressive piece of front running. Her finish time of 4.38.1 was the fastest in the UK for her age group, this season by almost three seconds, and was a massive 14 seconds inside the qualifying standard for the English Schools T & F Champs next month at Gateshead.

Melissa Carr was also another athlete who produced a national qualifying performance, this time in the Senior Girls Triple Jump. A leap of 11.73m was enough to win the title.

Warren Roberts continued his winning streak in these championships, as he won his fourth consecutive 1500m title. Running in the Senior Boys event for the first time, Warren easily won in a time of 4.11.0.

Khalil Thompson continued the club's dominance in the event by winning the Intermediate Boys title in a season's best time of 4.11.5, whilst Alex Snook took time out from her A levels to win the Senior Girls 1500m title in a time of 4.58.5.

In the sprint events, Kate Ross put some of season's disappointments behind her to claim her second consecutive 100m title, this time in the Intermediate Girls age group in a time of 13.1.

Neil Pennock produced an excellent performance in the Senior Boys 200m to win the event in a time of 24.0. Alex Todd easily won the Senior Boys 100m in a time of 11.6.

Other club performances were Brendan Chadwick (3rd in the 3000m) and Amy Fleming (4th in the 300m)

The following day, a number of the athletes were back in Junior League competition. Melissa Carr won the Triple Jump in a personal best distance of 12.14m, which ranks her 4th in the UK this summer. Melissa also finished second in the Long Jump with a distance of 5.51m. Alex Todd won both the 100m and 200m in times of 11.0 and 22.8 respectively.

Alex Snook won the 3000m in a time of 10.55.8, whilst Amy Fleming finished 2nd in both the 200m and 400m hurdles.

THE Schools Inter Counties event at Gateshead saw a number of the club's athletes in action for the county team, producing some excellent performances, and 3 titles.

Warren Roberts ran himself into national championship contention with an outstanding piece of pace judgement in the Senior Boys 1500m. After a swift opening lap of 64 seconds, Warren found himself trailing by 10 metres at the half way point.

However, after a big effort on the third lap, Warren was on the shoulder of the leader as they entered the last 250m. Kicking away, Warren opened up a winning margin, to finish in a season's best of 4.01.1.

Kate Avery continued her outstanding form as she again dominated a major 1500m event. Taking the lead from the gun, Kate was already 10 metres clear at the end of the first lap. The lead was extended over the next few laps, with Kate finishing strongly up the home straight to record a time of 4.39.1, 12 seconds clear of her nearest rival.

Kate Ross produced a season's best in the 100m as she clocked 12.8 in the Intermediate Girls race, just outside of a national qualifying mark. Alex Snook won her second title in seven days as she easily won the Senior Girls 1500m in a time of 4.59.4.

Khalil Thompson made a big effort to gain the qualifying mark in the Intermediate Boys 1500m, but was unable to better his previous week's run, and finished with a time of 4.20.9. Neil Pennock was the unluckiest athlete of the day, as he fell just 20 metres short of the finishing line as he led the Senior Boys 200m.

At the North of England Track & Field Championships in Manchester for Under-20s athletes, Melissa Carr continued her excellent form by winning the Triple Jump title with a distance of 11.98m. This added to her silver medal on the previous day in the Long Jump with a best jump of 5.44m. Alex Todd just missed out on a final placing, finishing 4th in his heat of the 100m in a time of 11.34 seconds.

Evenwood Road Runners

EVENWOOD Road Runners travelled to Blackpool for the Full and Half Marathon on June 4.

Neil Douthwaite tackled the new marathon course, and despite the overwhelming conditions and lack of water, finished the 26.2 mile course in 3.37.17 for 161st position from a field of 627 runners.

In the half marathon event Darren Fairclough struggled at the last three miles with a injury but managed to cross the finishing post in 1.47.17 in 388th and Donna Douthwaite 1.49 35 taking 445th position.

Glynn Frith returned home in 2.05 45 for 882nd position from a field of 1364 runners.

On June 9, Evenwood's green and white quarters ran along the Scottswood road at the Blaydon races.

Sean Glasper brought the club home in 37.27 244th place followed by Neil Douthwaite in 39.02 334th. Donna Douthwaite 44.34 852nd. Kenneth Sams 44.40 859th. Glynn Frith 48.15 1291st. John Tully 55.29 2299th position from 3418 of runners.