Richmond and Zetland Harriers: Richmond renewed their road racing rivalry with Otley AC at Ackworth on Sunday, March 23 in the Wilkinson-sponsored Yorkshire Half Marathon Championships but they were edged-out on points.

Otley had their first man home ahead of Richmond; the Harriers won the Veteran race; neither Club contested the Ladies race and the Otley team came up trumps to take first-blood in this year's contest.

This was the third consecutive year that Ackworth RR had hosted the Championships which says a lot for the tough, undulating, out-and-back course around the sleepy villages of this part of South Yorkshire. Ian Fisher of Otley has won both previous races and is a five-time Champion over the distance but, with £5,000 in prizes on offer, there were some big names in the line-up and thoughts of a hat-trick were a non-starter.

A field of over 700 toed the line in bright sunshine and John Mutai, running for Bromsgrove & Redditch, led a group of four through three miles in less than 15 minutes. Mutai eventually broke away from fellow Kenyan, Benson Matheka running for Mizuno, to win in a course record 65:18 and pocket a cheque for £1,000 for his morning's work. Behind them, Julian Moorhouse running for Birchfield overcame Longwood's Andrew Pearson to take the Yorkshire title.

Ian Fisher was seventh in 68:39, 45 seconds and one place ahead of the Harrier's Jon Orange - who won the Veteran's race from Mark Hall of Otley. Jon set a personal best time through ten miles enroute to a Half Marathon best and proved that his sponsorship from Peacocks of Richmond is paying-off and that his London Marathon prospects are both serious and on target. John Aspell was second counter for RZH, finishing 13th in 72:49 but, with Eric Williams and Karl Povey both unavailable, the club had a long wait before Mike Brooks made-up the three-to-count team, finishing 125th (5th MVO55) in 87:58. The team finished third behind winners Otley and second place Dewsbury but the race budget didn't extend to bronze medals!

The clubs now have another three weeks before their next clash as two of nine clubs competing in the Harrogate and District Summer Road Race League although the two main protagonists have an outing in London on Sunday, April 13 to look forward to.

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

Three Harriers took part in the Wilkinson Ackworth Half Marathon, which is now a gold star event attracting runners for the big prize money.

The winner was Kenyan John Mutai, running for Bromsgrove, in a time of 1.05.18. A Kenyan was also in second place, and the first lady was Kenyan, Miriam Wangari, representing Tipton Harriers, in a time of 1.17.53.

John Yates finished in a creditable 63rd place in 1.22.28, with Alan Harman 175th in 1.36.52. Roy Bainbridge was first in the V65 category in a time of 1.37.52.

The weekly club night for the Harriers will be held at Thirsk Athletic Club from now on, at 7pm on Wednesday evenings. Runners of all ages and abilities are always welcome.