News

Lamplight 5 and NYSD Road Relays March 2002

Richmond and Zetland Harriers had eight runners compete in the K J Tyres/Lamplight 5 at Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday 19^th. This was race number 3, the last of the Spring Grand Prix; the evening was cool and there was little breeze - good conditions conducive to good times.

Mark Slessor of Jarrow was the first-ever-junior winner, finishing in 25.24. Jon Orange of RZH was runner-up in 25.37 and, added to his second and fourth places in January and February, this was sufficient to earn him the Men's GP prize. Mark Price, continuing his comeback from injury and looking for the race fitness which might earn him a place in Salford Harriers 12 Stage team, was third home in 26.13.

Kevin Gordon was the second Harrier to finish, in 9^th place with 30.07, just 9 seconds and one place ahead of Tony Colmer. Mike Brooks improved his season’s best time to 30.41 and finished in 13^th place. Rachel Robinson was 16^th overall and 2^nd lady behind Alison Raw of Darlington. New man Wes Hodgens was 19^th in 32:35 and Shane Boulton knocked a massive 92 seconds off his personal best finishing 20^th in 32:42.

Nick Outhwaite ran and won the 2¼ mile Junior race in 17:12.

The NYSD Road Relays on Sunday 24^th were at Locke Park, hosted by Redcar Running Club and, despite a poor turnout, the Club had seven teams in three out of seven races.

Scarborough won the Under 13 girls race with Abbie Johnson running the fastest one mile lap in 5:46. Rowntrees were 2^nd, ahead of two RZH teams: the A team of Jessica and Scarlett Gray & Jessie Roberts (5:47, equal second fastest lap) were 3^rd and the B team of Jade Cawthrey, Katie Roberts & Jo Adams were 4^th.

« Ken Harker helping RZH to win Senior Men's race

Becky Robinson was the lone RZH Under 15 girl to run; she joined a composite team with girls from Loftus and Teesdale and ran her lap inside 6 minutes.

The Club had four teams compete in the Men's race - Juniors, Seniors A & B plus Veterans. The A team of James and Scott Wardman, John Aspell & Ken Harker ran-out winners ahead of Loftus with James and Ken recording identical 9:43 times for their 2 mile legs. The Juniors (Robin Carter, James Raper, Dan Brooks & Geoff Pinkney) and the Veterans (Ian Scott, Mike Brooks, Chris Peacock & Paul Zissler) also won their categories and the B team with Shaun Purkiss & Kevin Gordon made best use of limited numbers but, due to a technical hiccup, neither the complete results nor fastest laps are available.

The Ladies race was equally competitive with Darlington leading for the first two legs before being overtaken by the winning team from Loftus. The RZH team of Rachel Robinson, Steph Goodhall & Fiona Hughes all ran well and unofficially finished in 7^th place.