NEARLY 60 members and guests took part in the Easter Handicap held by Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers, on a course based on the Sowerby Gateway track.

Times were calculated based on at least two monthly time trial times from the previous three months, with Duncan Fothergill working out the necessary maths.

Brett Edgeworth was presented with the winner's shield during a socially distanced club session last night and Kimberli Werner was in second place.

On the evening of the run, Matt Jones had recorded the quickest time, 11.32, with Tom Levi second in 12.26 and Joe Lofthouse third in 12.26.

Over the past difficult year, the club (ie mostly Rob Burn) has organised 23 virtual races, nine monthly time trials, and four annual club handicaps. The virtual races, with prizes, have been the foundation for the club championship and many more members have participated than would have been the case during normal times, when members would have needed to enter in advance and turn up on a specific date to run.

This year, members could run at any time over four stipulated days, often on a course near your home when travel any distance was banned. An unexpected result has been the number of guests who have taken part, many of them then deciding to join the club – at least 30 on the last count. A beginners' group started this week, and was oversubscibed, with 40 people signing up.

Paul Chapman was again instrumental in encouraging members to take part in a "not the park run" park run 5k, with almost a dozen taking up the challenge. Paul himself was quickest in 22.58, with Gary Wilkinson 23.35, Duncan Fothergill, again comfortably under his target 25 minutes, taking PB 24.36, Rob Lickley 25.37, Sarah Harrison PB 26.38, Andrea Colls 26.40, Pete Jackson 27.02, Liz Stephenson 34.42, Sharon Keegan 35.14, Maureen Worley PB 36.19 and Rosie Gatenby 36.23.