Vet’s
Grand Prix Series.
-Race 9.
-Spen Stadium.
-Sun 14th
November.
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This, the last race of the 2010 series, got off to its
usual speedy start with 219 runners encouraged into a sprinting start on
the Spen track surface. Followed by one long road climb the going soon
gets tough! Mud! Mud and more Mud!
Our team of 14 all completed the course successfully
which is more than could be said for the ‘race winner’ who was
disqualified for taking ‘a short cut’. Inspection of the culprits legs
were evidence enough that he had missed out the downhill mud slide!
John Oliver was the first male Harrier home in a time of 36.30 mins
securing 3rd place in his age category. Pete Welsh finished
as our second male home followed closely by Joe Brown. Ian Bithell once
again ran competitively to achieve a third place age category success.
Our ladies were led home by Janet Cordingley finishing as 10th
lady overall in a time of 41.02 mins securing 1st place in
her age category. Irene Welbourn won our award for the muddiest kit
after having ‘lost’ a shoe and having to retrieve it!
Congratulations to all our team with special mention to
Pete Welsh, Dave Scoreby and Ian Bithell all of whom have flown the YKH
flag regularly this season. Liz Matthews, Irene Welbourn, Jean Wright,
and Vivian Fraser have all made a significant effort in gaining valuable
points for their club by completing a majority of the races in this
years series. Ian Bithell ,Jean Wright, Jean Snelling have all secured
second place in the individual age categories trophies for the series.
As a result of all this years efforts by one and all, our ladies team
secured third place in both the ‘ALL TO COUNT’ and the ‘REST TO
COUNT’ categories. Our mens team secured fourth place in the same
categories. These results recognise the dedication of all those who
regularly take part and run competitively for team YKH, so a huge thank
you to all our regulars who have participated in the years adventures.
Thanks also to our stalwart supporters Alan Wright (team coach) and John
Welbourn (team photographer).
The vets annual dinner on the 4th December
will include the presentation of both team and individual awards and
there are still tickets available. £10 for a three course meal if you
have completed at least one GP race during 2010 – really good value just
like the usual vets race entry fee of £3.
After another challenging and
thoroughly enjoyable season we look forward to seeing you all and
hopefully some new faces next year. Details of the 2011 race calendar
are expected soon so keep an eye on our website or alternatively at
www.yvaa.org
Hope to see you soon but if you need any further details
you can contact
Jane
jane@jhartas.freeserve.co.uk
Maureen Tel: (01904) 400568
m.medlar@btconnect.com
Vet’s
Grand Prix Series.
-Race 8.
-Skipton.
-Sun 10th
October.
Yet
another beautiful autumn day and twelve of our stalwart vets got on
their club colours and earned us valuable points at this the penultimate
race of this years G P series.
Fixtures clashes and the Black Sheep presentations reduced the total
numbers of runners to 129 but as usual our YKH contingent ‘did us
proud’.
The
‘new’ course was certainly different – but none the less challenging!
Typically cross country – ie running around in circles and typically
vets – ie running up up and occasionally down. Some of our runners
commented on the spectacular views whereas others mentioned the problem
of ‘runners wind’!
The
pre run pep talk by our support crew of John Welbourn and Alan Wright
seems to have the desired effect with Ian Bithell securing 2nd
place in his age group and Liz Matthews and Jean Wright both securing 3rdplaces
in their age categories. Ian had to dash off as he was once again flying
the YKH flag at a cross event later in the afternoon – hope you had
another good run Ian.
Once
again a really stupendous team effort by one and all. Thanks to you for
traveling such a distance and for making a real contribution to this
years trophy challenge.
Our
last GP race of this years series is at Spenborough on the 14th
November with a start time of 10.30. We really need as many Harriers as
possible to help us with our final push for trophy placings. Each one of
you can secure us valuable points and team YKH would love to see you all
there! Entry fee is £3 and we will be meeting as usual at the
Racecourse at 8.45am on the 14th to share lifts. We hope you
can join us.
Individual race and all vets
competition details can be found on the Knavesmire website or
alternatively at www.yvaa.org
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Vet’s
Grand Prix Series.
-Race 7.
-West Vale.
-Weds 18th August.
The only way is up…..
At least that’s how our 16 strong team reported on this race!
Unanimously voted as the most challenging event of the series to date,
this 6 mile toughie was successfully completed by all our team. |
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| Pete Welsh,
who was once again our first runner home did experience one of the few
‘downs’ as he took a tumble. He completed the race – somewhat bloodied
and muddied but we can report that he suffered nothing more serious than
a broken fingernail. You were in good company Pete as the race winner
ran into a tree! |
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Stefan Durkin
ran well to finish as second harrier home followed closely by Neil
Holdsworth.
Our only prize winner of the evening was Ian Bithell who continued his
season successes with another 2nd place age category win..
Well done lads your combined efforts are keeping you in the race for the
All to Count and Rest to Count Trophy competitions.
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| Our ladies
team led home by our youngster Kelly Temple and Liz Matthews was a
little depleted in numbers but not in attitude. Great going girls. I
hope all your fingernails are intact! |
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Our next
outing is at Skipton on Sunday the 10th October at 11.00 and we need as
many harriers to run as possible. It is the penultimate race of the
series and we really need the points that you can earn! It is a
completely new venue so should be fun! We will be meeting to share lifts
as usual full details will follow.
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York, Knavesmire
- 4th August.
Joint ‘Club and Vets’ race.
Worthy of a Oscar! - An amazing 55 club members turned out to compete in
this, the first ever, joint ‘Club and Vets’ race and what a team
performance!
On a near perfect running evening a record number of 227 runners
completed the course – well known to most of us - you either love it or
hate it!! Apparently our hill loving opposition find it a real challenge |
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Our ‘leading lady’ was just that!! Emma Yates was first
lady home in a time of 36.44 fighting off the challenge from Karen
Pickles, running for Pudsey, who had won all the GP races to date! Robyn
Oldham continued her recent spell of success by securing third place
overall followed by Fiona Strange who was placed 7th overall and 2nd in
her age category. Jean Snelling ran well to secure 1st place in her age
category. Great running by all our ladies who in total represented 1/3
of the ladies running!!
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The mens team of 29 secured an incredible number of points moving
them into 3rd Place in the Rest to Count trophy race. Leading them home, and
winning 2nd place in his age category, was Bill Shively who completed the course
in a very respectable time of 36.10. John Oliver gained yet another age category
success by securing M55 3rd place. Congratulations to all our ‘virgin’ vets, we
hope you enjoyed the experience and will join us again, and to our stalwart
competitors who keep coming back for more. Fabulous team effort lads.
One question for you all – Can you all come to the next race? -
Please!
Last, but by no means least, a huge thank you to our ever
increasing ‘supporting cast’. –Family, friends and club members - without each
one of you (and the wonderful assortment of food) this race would not have been
possible. Special thanks to our friends from Action Medical Research who always
ably assist with marshalling - at least the weather was better this year guys!
John Welbourn has once again provided some great all action
photos and it has been reported that he ran from his marshalling position to get
these shots. Could he be in training for our next race!!!
This was a really great YKH team event and I think you all deserve a round of
applause – and of course a reminder that the next Vets GP race is on 18th August
at 7.15pm at Stainland. Can’t wait to see you all there!!!
Individual race and all vets competition details can be found on
the Knavesmire website or alternatively at www.yvaa.org
Vet's Grand Prix Series. Race 5
Honley Sun 11th July
Hell to heaven?
With a reputation of narrow and precipitous paths, and only
barbed wire to prevent you from a headfirst plunge into the unknown, the Honley
course has always been the ‘Ugly Sister’ of the series.
Great news – it has been transformed into a real ‘Cinderella’.
Almost perfect weather conditions together with the re routing of the course
reminded all our team of what is so good about running!
Warmed up by a couple of laps around the field you negotiate the
first stile. A steady uphill climb follows with more stiles to straddle
(apologies to the Pudsey Pacer who I hope has recovered from my foot in their
face). Then onto open fields with the most spectacular panoramic views – you had
plenty of time to admire whilst clambering over even more stiles. Two of our
runners however were not satisfied with the numerous stiles on route they
decided to take a detour which included a number of closed farm gates to hurdle!
Appearing for the first time as a vet Andrea Lancaster put in a
stunning performance by securing 3rd Lady overall in a time of 47.50.
As one of our clubs leading ‘off road specialists’, Andrea who is recovering
from injury found the conditions ‘ideal for training’! Please come and
train with us again.
Congratulations to Pete Welsh who once again led our mens team
home in spite of his recent ‘exertions’ at the Wistow Summer League. He was
closely followed by ‘vets virgin’ David Leaf who ran in YKH colours for the
first time. We were informed he enjoyed the experience and we look forward to
him joining us again. A good run by David Bygrave and a ‘steady recovery’ run by
Martin Medlar both helped the points tally. Good running folks I hope you
all enjoyed it as much as I did.
The after race buffet (especially the cake and chat) was a great
way to finish with the added bonus of tea and coffee. Shame we did not win any
spot or raffle prizes but you can’t have everything!!
You will all know what’s next – Weds the 4th August
7.30 pm at the Racecourse -
Our Vets Home race
(and club run). Lets show our West Yorks competition that we mean business. We
need you to either run (and earn us points) or marshal (and earn us kudos).
Individual race and all vets competition details can be found on
the Knavesmire website or alternatively at
www.yvaa.org
Vet's Grand
Prix Series. Race 4
Meanwood Tues 22nd June
Yet another concerted effort by a 14 strong team of Harriers who
turned out to represent their club. Our numbers may have been depleted - by
injury and a clash of events with the York Summer League – but not our spirit.
Mean wood! – This course lives up to its name – it is mean and is
run through woodland.
Starting off with a short run around a field you soon encounter
the first of the steep up hill tracks quickly followed by tree root strewn
plunging downhill stretches. Unfortunately at least three of our runners ‘came a
cropper’ somewhere along the course but I am pleased to report they all bounced
back to complete the course. Martin Medlar will face interrogation as to how he
managed to trip up a fellow Harrier!
Pete Welsh, one of our real stalwart vets, led our men's team
home which was once again boosted by some new faces Phil Raddall, David Bygrave,
and Neville Callow all joining us for the first time this year. We hope they
enjoyed the run and will join us again.
Our Ladies team was headed home by Kelly Temple, who continues to
run as a guest, and Liz Matthews whose running is going from strength to
strength.
Congratulations to everyone who turned out to earn us valuable
trophy points and to our loyal supporters.
Its
Honley next folks! Another stroll in the park! Scheduled for Sunday the 11th
July at 11am we look forward to seeing you there. Full details are available at
www.yvaa.org
Vet’s Grand
Prix Series. Race 3
Pudsey Thurs 17th June
A bit like buses – no races
for ages and then three come along!!! Kirkstall, last week, Pudsey this
week, and Meanwood next Tuesday – and, yes, that does mean the usual
‘encouragement’ from your Captains to run for your club next week! No
thumbscrews this week we promise.
16 very ‘committed’ Harriers
responded to last week’s plea and turned up to help with our trophy challenge.
With a breakneck downhill
start avoiding the ‘organic’ mud the race continues through into the woods and
then the fun begins! A long uphill stretch follows, with time at the top to
catch your breath before the muddy plunge downhill! However you then get a
chance to wash your feet with a paddle through the ‘soothing’ stream only to
have to repeat the process by completing a second lap. To finalise the task
there is just the ‘2 in1’ hill from hell! But it was a lovely evening!
Rolls Royce performances by
Janet Cordingly, to win first place in her age category and Bill Shively who was
4th man over 50 just missing third place by 3 seconds! Great to see
Janet returning to form after her prolonged absence through injury. Jane Hartas
and Gill Waites both ran well having only just arriving back from a gruelling
walking and ‘wine’ week in the Alps. Liz Matthews and Martin Medlar once again
improved their times- obviously the training with Richard Gott on a Wednesday is
paying dividends. Determined running by Irene Welborn, Viv Fraser Jean Wright
and Jean Snelling boosted the Ladies points tally. Thanks Ladies – I know that a
couple of you have not been well of late and we really appreciate your efforts.
Good runs by Pete Welsh and
Maureen Medlar both of whom are returning from injury and wearing some very sexy
socks. Maureen secured third place in her age category – were the socks the
secret? Martin Parvin and Dick Hunter performed well adding valuable points for
our mens team challenge. Thanks guys.
Congratulations to this
weeks ‘vets virgins’, Des Durkin who we understand was ‘persuaded’ to run by
Martin Parvin (who did pay the race entry fee?) found the race exhilarating and
David Goult, running for the first time in a wasps vest. Sorry about this
introduction David but the vets series does present the odd challenge! Kelly
Temple ran as a guest (being too young to qualify) – now that really shows
enthusiasm!
No report would be complete
without a word of thanks to our most stalwart supporters Alan Wright and John
Welbourn. Whatever the conditions they offer us all much needed support and
encouragement. John aka David Bailey has also ‘kindly’ and brilliantly
photographed our agonies!
Our next race is at Meanwood
on Tuesday the 22nd June. We would love to see you there. We are
meeting at the Racecourse (back of the grandstand) at 6pm to share lifts
Vet’s Grand
Prix Series. Race 2
Kirkstall Abbey Tues 1st June
At last…..The weather may have been gloomy, but not our 24 strong
team of Harriers who turned out to represent their club, for this, the long
awaited second race of the GP series.
In the picturesque (if somewhat wet and murky) grounds of
Kirkstall Abbey a record breaking number of 236 runners set off at pace eagerly
anticipating the challenges of this new ‘flatish’ course…… Sorry folks, but this
is ‘West Yorks and vets’ type of flat – a bit lumpy and bumpy but very pretty!!!
- terrain that is not the runners! Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the ups and
downs of the new course and it was reportedly good training for the mountain
climbing at Pudsey??
Our mens team surpassed themselves with brilliant racing by all
including the following prize winning performances-
Billy Shively M50 2nd. John Oliver M55 3rd.
Mike Mc Grath M60 2nd. Ian Bithell M65 3rd.
‘Virgin Vet’ appearances by John Middleton and Stephen Phillips
(who competed for the first time in club colours) helped to secure valuable
points – Thanks guys. We hope you will join us again.
Once again our ladies turned out in numbers enabling us to
continue competing in the Trophy Race! Angie Arnell finished strongly as 12th
lady overall and congratulations to Pat Rowson who won her age category. Kelly
Temple joined us as a guest and we hope she enjoyed the experience. Well done
ladies – you all did good.
Yet another really great team effort which was commented upon by
the race organisers who appreciate that we have the disadvantage of mid week
travel. Apologies for not mentioning you all individually but thankfully there
were so many of you!!! Our next event is at Pudsey on the Tuesday 18th
June. Any YKH club member aged over 35 years can run to secure points for our
teams. Youngsters (under 35 years) can also run as guests. Just turn up, pay £3
race entry, then enjoy the race, the scenery, the buffet and of course the
company.
Individual race and all vets competition
details can be found on the Knavesmire website or alternatively at
www.yvaa.org
Race 1 Meltham Sunday 7th March
EARLY to bed? - not for quite a few of us who enjoyed the
YKH presentation dinner the night before racing!
EARLY to rise! – a race start time of 9.30 got us all out of bed on a
glorious but really cold Sunday morning.
As to the HEALTHY? – the first 1.5 miles of vertical ascent over frost
covered and extremely slippery grass/tracks had the heart racing and the feet
regretting the stilettos of the evening before! One of one runners nearly lost
their front teeth when the Pudsey Pacer runner in front struggled to negotiate
one of the numerous stiles.
A real WEALTH of YKH expertise was in evidence with Ian Bithell winning
his age category in an extremely impressive time of 49.58.Outstanding debut
performances by both Joe Brown and Angela Arnell secured them third places in
their 35 – 40 age groups. It was great to see our ‘youth’ doing so well.
Our ladies contingent, Angela Arnell, Fiona Strange, Maureen Medlar, Liz
Matthews, Carol Diggle, Gill Waite, Jean Snelling, Kim Middleton and Pat Rowson
all ran really well to score an opening points total of 604. Great start girls.
Some really determined running by our men, Joe Brown, Mike McGrath, Ian Bithell,
Alaistair MacLeod, Richard Gott, Martin Medlar and Gary Moss produced 925 points
to start off the season. Well done guys.
Fabulous running and clambering by one and all. Special congratulations to Carol
Diggle, and Alaistair MacLeod who ran for the first time as vets. Hope you both
enjoyed the experience and that you will join us again. A word of thanks to
Richard Smith for the loan of a vest – it ran extremely well!
We missed some of our regular runners and supporters, who we know were otherwise
engaged, but hopefully you all have the next race marked in the diaries!
Were we WISE to face the challenge of 6+ miles of frost hard, typical
West Yorks terrain? – I will leave that for you to decide – but we all ‘enjoyed’
our team outing in the sunshine! - even if the buffet left a little to be
desired!
Please note that the next race scheduled for the 20th
April at Kippax has been cancelled. Remember to check the
yvaa.org website for updates
as this race will be rearranged.
VETS CROSS COUNTRY SUCCESS
Saturday 6th February - Graves Park Sheffield
The murky and mucky (conditions that is- not runners!) did nothing to deter the
enthusiasm of our men’s team at this, the first vets competition of the year.
Spike or Trail shoes were recommended - at times a compass or sat-nav might have
helped! The 4 lap 10k
course is set in (apparently lovely parkland) and provided an excellent venue
for a fast race.
In the first of the two races Barry Atkinson was the first YKH
man home in a time of 40.20 securing an impressive 8th place overall. Gritty
competitive running by Barry, Sean McDermott, Dave Scoreby, Mike McGrath, Ian
Bithell, Mike Pemberton and Richard Gott secured first place and a winners
trophy in the “All to Score” category for the men’s 50-59 age category.
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| Sean McDermott. |
Mike McGrath |
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| Dave Scoreby |
Ian Bithell |
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| Mick Pemberton |
Richard Gott. |
Congratulations to both Joe Brown (running his first ever vets and cross
country race in a wasps vest) and Duncan Chambers who both completed well in the
second race of the competition for the ‘younger’ man age category 35-49.
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| Joe Brown. |
Duncan Chambers. |
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| Dave - just a warning - how not to apply the false tan! |
New vets headwear? |
Thanks to all those who ran and supported. A great start to the season.
The next vets competition sees the start of the 10 race GRAND PRIX SERIES and is
scheduled for the 7th March at 9.30am at Meltham. Full details can be found on
our website or yvaa.org.
Looking forward to seeing you all there.
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