Bedale and Aiskew Runners

The Muddy Boots 10K, based at St Wilfred's RC Primary School in Ripon, goes from strength to strength.

There are ever increasing numbers of runners taking part in a race that is truly well established on the calendar. There was an improved revised course this year with chip timing for all athletes, and to add, the overhead weather conditions were perfect.

Seventeen Bedale and Aiskew Runners, along with some enthusiastic supporters, enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. Club champion runner, Nick Norris, was in the leading group from the start and completed the testing course in an impressive 40 minutes 27 seconds for 13th position out of the 437 competitors. Mark O'Connell was 43rd in 44.13, Paul Ellis 55th in 45.53 and Jonathan Fletcher 76th in 47.27, to record a creditable 6th position in the team event. New member Paul Berry ran well to finish 80th in 47.46, with Wil Goldsworthy 90th in 48.18, chairman Richard Woods 106th in 49.41, and Rob Haw, who is in the middle of marathon training for London, finishing strongly in 135th in a time of 51.39. Paul Bainbridge finished a tired 150th in 52.16, with Andy Gibb 163rd in 52.41.

Helen Shields was first lady home for the club in 203rd and a time of 54.46, with Chris Appleton close behind in 209th and 55.05. Amy Hall was second lady in 231st and 56.04, followed by Jackie Hay and Gary Fullegar in 236th in the same time of 56.33. Jayne Rosamond has been training very well and her confidence is increasing all the time. She ran exceptionally well over this difficult terrain, accompanied by husband Daren, to both record 67.11 for 378th place.

Three Bedale runners had competed in the recent York Brass Monkey half marathon, with Paul Ellis leading home the trio in a time of 1 hour 34 minutes 41 seconds for 391st position out of the 1420 competitors. Andy Gibb finished in 1-46.32 for 757th and Mark Stewart 2-08.33 for 1270th. Meanwhile Frank Webster ran the Dewsbury 10K to finish 992nd in 62.29. Sue Brown has recently joined the club and ran her first Parkrun at Darlington and finished in a time of 30.14 to be placed 189th out of 241 taking part. Jonathan Fletcher recorded 21.41, and Chris Appleton 26.08 at the Fountains Abbey Parkrun.

Richmond and Zetland Harriers

Sunday saw four of the club’s junior athletes head across to Hull to represent North Yorkshire in the sport shall athletics competition. These events are a combination of running, jumping and throwing which prepares and develops an athlete to be an all round sports person and has the added benefit of being indoors.

In the U13 girls Richmond were represented by Katie Wood, Abi Robson and Eliza Withers who all produced a fantastic performance and qualified for the national finals in Manchester.

Vanessa Roper was the sole representative in the U15s, but her team were unlucky to miss out and came second with only the first team to qualify.

Congratulations to Laura Kirkham and Anna Harrison, who have qualified for the English Schools Cross Country Championships and will also represent North Yorkshire at these prestigious championships.

Saturday morning’s Darlington parkrun got the go ahead with four harriers making the trip. Ken Harker was first across the line for Richmond in third place overall in 18:13, Ronnie Corbett was next back with an excellent run in sixth place in 18:39. Kathryn Fletcher (9th) continues to just edge her mother across the line in an excellent 19:07. Joe Withers understandably was controlling dad Simon’s running in preparation for the next day’s cross country, but allowed him to cross together to keep his confidence up (28:53).

Michelle Nolan was in action over at her local parkrun in Gateshead and stormed round in a new PB in fourth place.

Not only was it a new PB but it is now the new ladies record holder, taking it from GB ultra runner and Scotland marathon runner, Joasia Zakrzewski.

Further information on the club and training nights can be found on the website www.richmondzetlandharriers.co.uk

Crook and District AC

Last Saturday saw nine Crook athletes at the North Eastern Masters Cross Country Championships at Darlington. Some cracking performances saw Jayne Henderson come home sixth Vet 45 in her category. Allen Purdham and Percy Parkin both took silver medals in their Vet 75 and Vet 70 categories respectively and David Best was fifth in the V35 Cat. Performace of the day saw Chris Auld take a superb Gold medal in the Vet 45 cat which helped his team of Wayne Pearson and Jason Bridgewater take the overall team Gold medal in the V45 Cat.

Two weeks ago Preston Park was the venue for the latest Stockton Winter Trail series race. Michael Dufton came over the line in 28th place with a time of 22.49 while Darren Fairclough was 40th in 23.42 and Matthew Hargraves clocked 25.46 in 62nd place. Steve Manifold earned 65th position with his time of 26.00 while daughter Lynsey Manifold came 97th in 27.36 Saturday morning at Durham parkrun saw Paul Smith run 21.35 on his way to 43rd place with Graham Laverick clocking in at 25.00 for 126th place. Matthew Hargraves completed the 5K route in 25.28 to come 133rd while Sharron Hogarth was 148th in 26.16. Hot on her heels and just a place behind in 26.18 was Lynsey Manifold while Chris Clynes ran 27.44 for 185th place and Jessica Hague and Steve Manifold ran together in 28.45 to come 207th and 208th respectively.

Michael Dufton was the sole Crookite at Blackhill parkrun and he clocked a time of 23.07 to come 13th.

At Riverside parkrun Sam Beckett ran a time of 19.13 in 14th position while new member Gemma Frost clocked a good time of 19.57 in 27th place and first female to cross the line. Helene Pratt was third lady in 34th place with her time of 21.14 while Eric Moore was 36th in 21.41 and Joanna Beckett was 71st and ninth lady in 24.57.

Tony Murray continues his comeback from injury and ran 19.52 at Burnage parkrun to come fourth.

Matthew Brookes clocked a time of 31.12 on the hilly Hackworth parkrun course to come 56th with Allen Purdham running 34.40 in 66th place.

Caroline Teasdale ran a new personal best time at Hartlepool parkrun of 19.32 to come 10th and first female overall.

Last Saturday saw our annual Presentation evening held at The Green Pub in Billy Row.

A fantastic season for Chris Auld was capped by him taking the Male Athlete of the year trophy. Most Improved Male Athlete went to Jason Marr while the Female Athlete of the Year Trophy was collected by Joanne Raine. Most Improved Female Athlete went to Gemma Henderson while Jayne Henderson took home the Marathon Trophy. Club Member of the Year was jointly won by Alan Welsh and Harry Binyon, Geoff Hewitson collected the Captains Trophy award and Sam Beckett was awarded the Presidents Trophy.