THE 34th Running of the Melmerby 10k took place at the weekend, on another very hot day which makes the course, more undulating than you might think, that bit harder.

There were 305 finishers, of which 15 were Thirsk and Sowerby members, and Josh Fothergill was once again in superb form, coming 15th in 38.16 and picking up the prize for the 1st U18 male.

Rob Lickley was next, also in going well, 45th in 41.50, Stephan Tomaszewski 60th in 43.06, Jody Sygrove 75th in 45.25, Martyn Coy 87th in 46.41, Andy Butcher 94th in 47.01, Alan Simpson 122nd in 49.56, Duncan Fothergill 153rd in 52.28, Faith Coy 183rd in 54.57, Peter Richardson 194th in 55.41, Trish Radford 199th in 56.16, Kirsty Naylor 205th in 57.20, Carrie Anne Wise, in her first outing in a club vest, 268th in 66.45, Marian Codling 304th in 84.51 and Ian Codling, running in spite of illness and injury, 305th in 92.34. Ian and Marian were presented with a Special Achievement Award for their regular attendance at that and other local races.

It was good to have a junior member in the children's race, and 11 year old Lily Coy finished in 21.43.

What a pity that the newly formed Northallerton 10k, in its 3rd year, should set up on the same date as another, long established local race, and it was just as hot for the 725 finishers! Mike Lowther was first club member home, a very pleasing 58th in 44.21, with David Tervit, improving all the time, 262nd in 54.13, Alan Harman - good to see him in action - 284th in 54.57, Tracey Lowther 402nd in 60.18, Phillip Craig 410th in 60.39, Caroline Pearce 496th in 64.07, Liz Stephenson 660th in 75.33 and Siobhan Woodland 672nd in 77.05.

A busy weekend saw the usual crop of park Runners, with 7 members among the 392 at Fountains Abbey. Lorraine Hiles again performed well to come 37th in 22.03, Dave Baker 72nd in 23.25, Martin Cummins, trying to get back after injury, 27.15, and ably encouraged along by Ian Crane, 149th in 27.17, Paul Adams 199th in 29.20, Linda Bamforth 243rd in 30.54, Gillian Crane 256th in 31.22 and Jane Cummins 332nd in 34.41.

Peter Richardson, another runner struggling to find full fitness, was 250th out of 253 at Catterick in 46.02.

Rob and Christine Burn had a trip to the Dalby Forest event, where Rob came a very good 13th out of 220 in 21.00 and Christine 140th in 29.45.