Despite a last minute change to the date of this event, due to the Horsforth Harriers summer run, allowing for the sunset times, and prior to the Leeds Country Way race along with it being a Bank Holiday week, we had 18 members raring to have a go, and 3 new faces on the night. At least the night was dry and fairly cool, ideal conditions for a fast blast from everyone? After some of the usual moans of not having a fair handicap and some last minute route descriptions (for those not sure of where they were going) all went accordingly to plan – as well as you can plan a handicap race, not knowing who would turn up. We also seemed to marry up the new faces who did not have a clue where they were going, to the ones who did know the route, and of similar speed. The handicaps are supplied by UK Athletics via a thanks to Malcolm Taylor – who ended up with a list of nearly 300 names of current and ex Harrier members, which are tweaked a little due to the current abilities of the runners. Some vastly improving, those having a bad time due to injury or those who do not run regularly in UK Athletic events.

 

As it worked out, less then 11 minutes separated all 21 runners and taking off the last two runners, this was reduced to less then 7 minutes, and only 2 minutes or less separated the first 8 finishers,  Surprise surprise???

 

Alberto Riveros a non member (hopefully for not long) was first over the line, but I think he was only being kind to Neil Marshal who had shown him round the route. Congratulations to Neil who was only one second behind him with a run time of 50.37 to claim the members winning trophy, despite starting 15 places behind everyone else. Just 13 seconds behind Neil came the ever improving Matt Sykes-Hooban, who started off in 12th  place and had a run time of 51.50 to claim 2nd trophy . Starting off at the very back (with Lee Hardy), was Ben Coldwell who had a run time of 41.02 and finished 12 seconds behind Matt to win the 3rd trophy. Just missing out on the prizes but well done for being so close were Kieran O’Brien 11 seconds later with 51.13, Alan O’Brien 42.51 just pipping Peter Brittain 59.52 by one second, Lee Hardy was next 42.21 and first lady home was Sandra Warren 60.51. Fastest lady on the night was Collette Spencer with 57.38.

 

Many thanks to the usual helpers, Jemma McConville-Roe for doing the timings, Vickie Hipkiss (injured) for guiding the runners through the housing estate correctly, Anne Ackers, (official photographer), Lucy Churm (who we may see back in action herself after a year off injured) and Sam Taylor expectantly waiting at the Rugby club to guide the runners home.

 

Peter Hey