It was great to see some new , unexpected and not seen lately faces out racing on the North Yorkshire Moors. Contributing to probably YKH’s greatest number of runners at a fell race in some time, a total of ten.
The healthy turnout meant we were able to field full teams for both sexes, and in the spirit of equality both YKH teams placed second in their respective competitions.
Continuing the theme we also had 3rd Man Chris Roberts (42:07) and 3rd Lady, Anwen Darlington (47:10) making her Harriers debut.
The Men’s team comprised Chris, Giles Hawking (8th 44:08), Neil Stabs (11th 44:52), and Darren Hendley (44th 51:28) making a rare foray off-road.
The Ladies team was Anwen, fell novice Cassie Holmes (62nd 54:15) , returning to the club after injury Sarah Nettleton (63rd 54:20), and Janet Cordingley (95th 61:30).
Also enjoying the great scenary, fine weather and challenging 5’ish mile route which traversed a wooded hillside, plummeted downhill, before a long climb onto the open Cold Moor and returning on a muddy trail along the top of the woods, were Andrew Johnson (50th 53:09) and Matthew Page (86th 58:50).
The race was won by Charlie Stead of Northumberland Fell Runners but the run of the day was by Bronwen Owen of Scarborough who was third overall knocking 8 minutes of the female course record, at only 16 or 17 years old a talent to watch for the future.
The next race in the NEHRA Winter Series is the Commondale Clart on the 16th February. This would be a great race for anyone who is thinking of giving the Fell Running a go, just over 8km’s long with very little climbing, just an initial climb along a road then mostly level running across lovely open moor, and a very old fashioned pub for a beverage afterwards. If interested please feel free to ask Giles or Chris about details lifts etc.