–YDRRL ‘Summer’ League Race #1 – Pocklington.
The ‘Summer’ league got off to a great start, with 100 members of York Knavesmire Harriers taking part on Tuesday evening,
A nasty cloud burst before the start was somewhat ominous , but it was soon gone and conditions for the race were good , maybe a little too chilly , but a good tailwind on the way back into Pocklington.
Knavesmire Harriers are making a strong defence of their Men’s and Ladies Team titles, it would appear from the initial results that we are again the leaders so far. We had six men in the top twelve male places and four ladies in the top ten female positions.
Individually Emma Yates was the first Lady to finish (40:11), followed in third by Abey Lawrence ( 42:37), fifth Cassie Holmes (43:09), and seventh Lady Laura Hallett (44:16) to complete our Ladies team.
In the overall race Knavesmire’s Chris Roberts continued his fine run of form with second place and a great time of 33:13.
Knavesmire’s Mens team consisted of Chris, 6th Samuel Allin, 7th David Smithers,8th Harry Holmes, 12th Simon Collins, and 13th Jon Pinder.
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-Yorkshire Three Peaks Race.
The Weather made this already tough race somewhat more challenging, with fresh snow laying a foot deep on each of the three peaks and the lower parts being boggy or muddy.
First Knavesmire runner to complete the 23 mile circuit of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough was Neil Stabbs who on his first attempt at the race got a great time of 03:45:51.
Richard Ashcroft was next across the line with a time of 05:05:32.
Andrew Johnson worked his way up the field for a time of 05:10:55.
Stef Durkin finished in 05:55:11
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-Honley Vets .
The 2016 YVAA Grand Prix kicked off recently with the race organised by Holmfirth Harriers at Honley. As one of the longer hauls from York, it hasn’t always been the most popular race for Knavesmire runners – especially when added to the tough hilly course. So, it was just myself making the journey down the M1 for the first race of the season. Having a penchant for hilly runs, the Honley race is one of my favourite events from previous years and this time round it offered a great chance for a final hard session before the Three Peaks.
Neil Stabbs
The race starts with a high-speed dash around Neiley Fields, followed by a tough climb up through the woods. This sets the tone for first half of the race, with the route going steadily uphill for the most of the first 5k before a final steepening. If you can still see straight after all that exertion, you’re rewarded with a stunning view over the valley below and the promise from the marshalls that it’s all downhill from here. Well that wasn’t quite true, as an undulating section followed which required the negotiation of an inconveniently-placed electric fence (poor quality hurdling on my part) and then, finally, the compensation for all that climbing – 2k of glorious downhill. The previous week’s wet weather meant some slightly soggy conditions underfoot which almost led to a high speed collision with a stile, but disaster was avoided and I came into the finish in 4th place and 1st M35 having knocked over 4 minutes off my previous time from 2013. The race was won by Northern Ireland international fell runner Gav Mulholland of Stainland Lions/Calder Valley and 1st lady was Tanya Seager, also of Stainland Lions. Thanks to Holmfirth Harriers for organising another great race, for the photos and for some top-notch cake!
The next race is an altogether flatter affair at West Park, Leeds in 3 weeks time. This is the first of the evening events, with the race starting at 7:30pm. Unfortunately, this clashes with the Easingwold summer league race, but the cakes on offer will be far superior! If anyone wants some more information about this or any future Grand Prix races, then contact myself (Neil) or Maureen, email ykh_vets@yahoo.co.uk or visit the YVAA website (http://www.yvaa.org/).
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-Kirkbymoorside 10k.
Stephen Maddison was 13th (37:51) , Neil Strange 31st (40:20), Julian Harrison 73rd (44:42),David Scoreby 118th (48:51), Alistair McQueen 143rd ( 51:43), and Peter Lyth 148th (52:28),
Samantha Lyth was 89th female (1:01:43), Maddy Elliot 99th female (1:05:29).
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-Bluebell Trail Race.
This is a hilly 10 mile trail race held near Halifax, with a river crossing to negotiate just before the finish.
Darren Hendley was 42nd , completing the race in 1:22:09
Rory Henderson was 52nd , completing the race in 1:23:32.
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-Inveraray Jail Break and Dick Hudson’s fell race .
Harry Holmes has been busy again , aswell as the Summer League 10k on Tuesday he also managed to get lost on the Dick Hudson Fell Race on Thursday and had more success at the weekend with a second place and second fastest time ever at the Inveraray Jail Break in Argyll .
Cassie Holmes also ran at the Dick Hudson race in Wharfedale.
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-York Parkrun .
Paul Adams was celebrating as this was his 100th Parkrun , well done.
45 members of YKH took part.
Parkrun PB’s for :
Peter Schofield ( 1st Timer )
Mark Fennel
Jonathon O’Neill
Nuno Amalio.
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