A COLD and frosty morning, with the tempertaure at minus two degrees, saw 42  members of Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers head for the Dalby Forest Park Run, for the second club championship race of the year.

It is unusual for a park run in that it is a one lap course, and conditions were picturesque, with no head wind, but a nasty uphill section at the end.

Matt Jones was first club finisher, in third place out of 194 in 19.04. Bronwyn Mayo again came high up the table, tenth overall and first lady finisher in 20.15. Alan Simpson was 14th in 20.46 and Esther Harrison, really getting back into her stride, 17th, and third lady, in 21.07, with Trudy Morrice 18th, fourth lady, in 21.24. It was good to see Joseph Busuttil out for the club, 19th and first in his age group, in 21.26, and veteran Rob Burn 21st in 21.38, Lorraine Hiles 22nd in 21.42, and Ken Wood came 24th in 21.45.

Gary Wilkinson took PB 22.17, Dave Baker PB 22.34, David Tervit PB 22.45, Adam Harper-Walker 23.00, Joe Joyce 23.40, Anna Whitham 23.57, Louise Mayfield 24.23, Adrian Saunders 24.30, Andrew Pollard PB 24.34, Hilary Coventry 24.57, Duncan Fothergill 25.33, Andrea Colls 25.34, Sarah Harrison 25.36, Nick Swatton 25.38, Helen Ashworth 25.57, Rosie Gatenby 25.59, Trish Radford 27.27, Geoff Bullock 27.31, Ruth Pollard PB 27.35, Liz Wordsworth 27.36, David Palmer 27.57, Alison Butcher 28.06, new member, Claire O'Sullivan 28.57, Craig Atherton 30.29, Christine Burn 31.51, Ellie Atkins 32.48, Kimberli Werner PB 33.16, Sharon Keegan 33.24, Diana Williams PB 34.52, Ian Crane 35.41, Gillian Crane 36.33 and Liz Stephenson 38.30.

As well as Joe Busuttil, Trudy Morrice, Rob Burn, Lorraine Hiles and Trish Radford were first in their age-groups. For many, it was their first outing wearing a club vest, and all enjoyed the feeling of being part of a team.

A mention must also be made this week of Fran Jeffery, who has run every day for 1,000 days, including all through Covid. On occasions, she ran inside her own home when nothing else was possible.