JUST as training and time trial type races were gathering momentum for members of Richmond and Zetland Harriers, the second lockdown brought another abrupt halt to matters.

During the lockdown, club members paid tribute to Dan Upton, who died suddenly at home aged 45. He will be remembered as an athlete who would have a go at any event and will be thoroughly missed at the competitions he took part in throughout the country. Dan was a former decathlete who competed for the Harriers as a junior then re-joined the club again two years ago to concentrate on trying to throw things, to varying degrees of success (in his own words).

He had much success competing in the senior track and field league, and because of his fantastic performances in the discus and shot-put, he was ranked number one in the UK in the M40 age category, and in September 2020 threw his lifetime best in the shot-put with a distance of 13.54m. He also had fantastic running PBs across all distances from 100m (11.48secs) to half marathon (1:22:37) and PBs in the 5K and 10K events of 17.39 (2007) and 35.54 (2007) respectively.

Prior to the second lockdown, Sam Jenkins tackled the Yorkshire Trod 50k ultra on October 24, battling the wind and rain all day but a quality race through the Yorkshire Dales finishing 14th.

Joseph Smith had a great race in the Northumberland Castles Half Marathon on November 1, finishing 18th in 1:26:17, a new PB.

With the lifting of lockdown members were keen to get the bit between their teeth again and 11 Harriers travelled to York on Tuesday, December 8, for the York 5k Evensplits Timetrial at the cycle circuit at York Sport Village.

The cold, wet weather didn't hamper some outstanding performances and a number of PBs.

Five Harriers were in the top ten finishers with Rob Scott first overall in a lightening time of 15:19 followed by Charlie Stephenson 15:38 in second place. Another impressive run by Carl Jones saw him finish fourth and a new PB of 15:44, Stefanos Stephanou ninth 16:22, Tom O'Mahoney tenth 16:26 (PB), Steve Middleton 16th 16:47, Joe Reeve 28th 17:19 (PB), Ken Harker did his fastest 5K since 2015 finishing 36th in 17:42, Paul Simpson 80th 19:24 (PB), Ollie Middleton 100th 20:45 (PB) and Nicola Simpson 103rd 20:51 (PB).

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