RICHMOND and Zetland Harriers have been travelling up and down the country in recent weeks.

Saturday, November 5 was the Wooler trail marathon in Northumberland National Park, said to be one of the most challenging in the UK. Rachel Ross Russell took it all in her stride and was delighted to be the first female to finish in 5h20m. The following day and Ian Hepworth raced in the Derwent Water 10, he finished the hilly course in 1hr40m23s and was placed 297th.

The Guy Fawkes 10 at Ripley took place the same day with another hilly course taking in the stunning Nidderdale Countryside. Kimberley Reeve had a strong run finishing 142nd in 1hr18m05s (PB), Lucy Goundry 255th in 1hr25m04s, Pauline Whittaker 260th in 1hr25m14s and Diane Adkins 698th in 1hr51m53s.

The North Yorkshire Cross Country Schools Championship final was held on Thursday, November 10 in Settle and Mollie Ellis had a tremendous run finishing fourth out of 33 runners. On Saturday, November 12 Marc Scott raced in the Surrey men's League Cross Country as a guest at Wimbledon Common and Marc finished in first place in 25m30s for the five-mile distance.

The same day saw Joseph Reeve race in the British Athletics Cross Challenge in Milton Keynes. Up against a strong field he had a great run finishing 38th in 24m30s for the 7.2km distance in the U20 men's category. Joseph's mum had a successful time at the Hardmoors Goathland 10k (7.5m), Kimberley Reeve finished ninth overall, second female and first in age category in 1hr09m50s. The following day, Sunday, November 13 John Gray and his four legged friend Pippa raced the Traildog Druridge Bay Remembrance Run, they finished the 11k race in third place in 44m46s.

The second race in the NYSD Cross Country League took place on Remembrance Sunday at Foxrush in Redcar, and a minute's silence was observed before the first race. Although the weather was overcast the conditions were firm and dry underfoot. Mollie Ellis was the first Harrier to race in the Girls Under 11s and finished 22nd in 10m03s for the 2km distance. The Boys Under 13 race saw Tomas Hoole finish first overall in 11m02s, Sam Carter fourth in 11m44s and the Girls Under 13 Polly Spencer was sixth in 12m21s, over the 2.75km distance.

Next was the U15 Boys and Girls racing a distance of 3.1km. In the boys Henry Wright finished eighth in 11m57s and in the girls, Phoebe Haw was seventh in 13m38s followed by Matilda Ellis, eighth in 13m40s. The Under 17 men's race had a strong field of Harriers, over a 5.8km distance. Benedict Simpson-Alexander was first overall and had a convincing lead over the rest of the field in a time of 20m41s. Ollie Middleton was seventh in 23m05s, Josh Hammett eighth in 23m22s, Sam Archer ninth in 23m42s and Thomas Carter 11th in 24m33s.The superb results placed the team in first place.

The Senior and Vet Women's race (5.8km) saw Nicola Simpson (FV45) finish 26th and fifth in age category in 27m57s, Lucy Verrill (FV40) 29th and fifth in age category in 28m19s, Pauline Whittaker (FV55) 50th and second in age category in 31m12s, Gail Smith (FV60) 56th and third in age category 31m25s and Elly Robertson (SEN) 77th and 13th in age category in 33m44s. These results placed the team in ninth.

The final race of the day over a distance of 8.6km was the U20, Senior and Vet Men. Rob Scott (SEN) finished second overall in 30m44s closely followed by Jake Stephenson (SEN) third in 30m46s, Thomas O'Mahoney (U20) fifth in 31m05s, Charlie Stephenson (U20) sixth in 31m24s, Mark Forrest (MV55) had a tremendous race finishing 11th and first in age category in 33m25s, Dan Spencer (MV45) 21st and third in age category in 34m37s, Paul Ellis (MV50) 58th and fourth in age category in 36m52s, Anthony Jefford (Sen) 64th and 32nd in age category 37m19s and Paul Simpson (MV45) 72nd and 13th in age category in 38m19s. These results gave the team first place.

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