Tough Sutton Bank course for Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

Virtual races were introduced during Covid times and proved popular because members could run whenever they liked without having to be in a particular place at a particular time – it could be done any time over four days, and self-timed.

The advantage of a race is that everyone has exactly the same conditions to run in, but that was not necessarily the case last week. One consistent was the wind, which was strong on all of the days, and heavy rain was also a possibility, sometimes, both, on top of Sutton Bank. The figure of eight course began at a car park half way along, going up a path to the Cleveland Way, back towards Sutton Bank, then up the parallel road to the start, up the path again, this time turning right at the top to High Paradise, to Sneck Yat, along the road to the start again, and up the path and back once more to finish.

Lorraine Hiles at the Virtual 10 Mile Picture: ROB BURN

A testing course at any time with all its ups and downs, had an additional problem with pools of water accumulating after the rain. Thirty three members completed it, and more might have been expected but numbers were down due to the glut of other races happening at the moment. Fastest was the intrepid and consistent Paul Peacock, taking 1.08.58 for the ten-mile course. Gary Wilkinson, ever in the mix, took 1.12.06 and Richard Grant 1.16.40.

Geoff Bullock at the Virtual 10 Mile Race Picture: MARC DAVIES

Others taking part were Ken Wood, Mike Cropper, Rob Burn, Adrian Elsworth, Lorraine Hiles, Joe Joyce, Paul Bradford, Clare Tempest, Lindsey Collins, Martyn Coy, Kirsty Naylor, Duncan Fothergill, Marc Davies, Craig Atherton, Allison Whiteley, Rosie Gatenby, Geoff Bullock, Ruth Pollard, Lucy Sillars, Andrea Colls, Sarah Harrison, Sara Armitage, Stuart Hill, Steve Billings, Louise Mayfield, Christine Burn, Carol Thompson, Ken Evitt, Denise Gandy and Siobhan Woodland. Thanks to Lorraine Hiles for compiling the results, and to Rob Burn to sorting out the original course.

Just a day or two earlier, several of the above had been involved in the Cock Howe and Beyond Fell Race, race seven in the Dave Parry Summer Series, another tough one beginning with a tour of the car park before a hard uphill. Narrow tracks through heather made for ankle turning conditions but Freddy Wharton made light of them, coming 12th out of 90, and first MU23, in 47.03, with Richard Grant 21st in 49.16 and Josh Cooper 28th in 52.00. First open lady was Esther Harrison, second overall, in 33rd place taking 53.52 and just ahead of Cameron Balmain, 37th, and second MU23, in 53.56. Gary Wilkinson took 54.36, Alan Simpson 57.48, Trudy Morrice, first F50, 47th in 57.57, Marc Davies 61.39, Helen Ashworth 58th, and first F55 in 64.25, Hilary Coventry 69.26, Rosie Gatenby 69.37, Lucy Sillars 70.37, David Tervit 71.14, Ruth Pollard 74.16, Sara Armitage 78.53, Janet Balmain 79.58, Beth Haggath first FU23 in 80.17, Lynne Jackson 81.22 and Faith Coy 82.28.

Lucy Sillars, Rosie Gatenby, Esther Harrison, Trudy Morrice, Helen Ashworth, Hilary Coventry, Cameron Balmain, Freddy Wharton and Beth Haggath, prizewinners at the Cock Howe and Beyond Fell Race Picture: HELEN ASHWORTH

With such strong numbers, the ladies took first, fourth, fifth and sixth in the team positions, with the men coming third and sixth.

Bronwyn Mayo and Lindsey tested themselves on the Dales Runner 30, kilometres not miles, beginning at Muker then heading to Ravenseat, across the moors to Tan Hill before descending to Muker via Swinner Gill. Bronwyn finished 21st out of 75 in 3.39.47 taking the prize for third lady, and Lindsey came 47th in 4.10.04.

Club stalwart, Ken Evitt, always among the first to offer himself when the club needs help, completed his 50th park run at Northallerton on Saturday. He was among the field of 154 there.

Ken Evitt at Northallerton after his 50th park run