LAST week, Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers and friends completed a virtual Easter handicap, with handicapping based on at least two time trials over the term.

One hundred and fifty five members and guests, some as far away as Hong Kong, took place over the stipulated two miles, run near home, and Duncan Fothergill tabulated the results, with Marian Codling declared the winner, Liz Stepehenson second and Ken Evitt third.

Each runner paid a donation to Thirsk Clock, one of the club’s favoured charities, and with a contribution from the club, about £1,000 was raised, very much needed in these awful times. Marian eventually got her shield, which she will hold for a year.

Meanwhile, ardent fell runner Marc Davies has been collecting his reward. Marc has done fell races all over the place, and as well as regularly appearing in the Dave Parry Series, likes runs attached to shows and village feasts. Kilnsey Crag near Hebden Bridge is one such event, another, Osmotherley Show race, plus Pen Hill, and Charlesworth Chase, Simon Seat, to name but a few.

On one occasion on the way to a fell race, his tyres failed so he abandoned his car and thumbed a lift to the start of the race. His wife, Bev, later collected him. Generally speaking, like most runners, Marc is an “also ran”, and runs purely for the love of it, but this year he won his age-group section for the Winter Fell Race Series, his first ever trophy. Very many congratulations Marc, and well deserved.

He has been known to do the occasional parkrun, but generally speaking, he likes hills. He’s also a cycling enthusiast, covering many miles. He was out supporting riders at the Tour de France and had his house appropriately garlanded for the occasion. But Tour de Yorkshire, Tour de anything, he will be there.