News

Press report 12th December 2001

The Help the Aged/Leeds Abbey Dash on Sunday 2^nd December attracted a field of almost 2500 runners, including 10 from Richmond & Zetland Harriers, who all enjoyed a now-traditional cold and frosty morning.

Martin Yelling of Bedford & County ran a controlled, even-paced race and timed his sprint finish to perfection, finishing 2 seconds inside the magic 30 minute barrier, ahead of Mark Hudspith of Morpeth and Neil Wilkinson of Salford.

James Wardman was first across the line for RZH with a personal best time of 31.49 and in 32^nd place, testimony to the hard work he put in at Loughborough University. James was doubly pleased with his time which was 35 seconds faster than training partner Ken Harker who ran in the Percy Pud 10K at Sheffield on the same day.

Second home for the Harriers was Men’s Club Captain Shaun Purkiss, 70^th place in 34.13, his fastest time for several years, spurred-on by thoughts of joining the Veteran’s ranks next year. Dan Brooks was another Harrier with a pb and also a family best; his 35.05 knocked 33 seconds off his time from last year and eclipsed his Dad’s 35.35 set in Bolton in 1983. Jim Robinson was fourth Harrier in 36.41 and won £20 for being third MVO55. Mike Brooks finished in 38.21 ahead of Ian Hepworth, Andy Whiteley, Duncan Fothergill and Neil Piper, but the Club had another prize winner in super, Super-Vet Grete Buck who was also third in her category with a 51.57 clocking.

Dan Brooks enjoyed his second race in six days in Leeds when he ran in the Universities X-C Relays at Boddington Hall. He finished the 2 mile loop in 11.47, gaining 2 places and helped the Sheffield Hallam A Team to finish 4^th. Andrea Woodvine also ran for her University team and, despite a cold, ran 13.55 on leg 2 (more than a minute faster than her year 2000 run) which helped Nottingham into 5^th place.

The next outings for the Club’s road runners are the 7 mile Poultry Run at Loftus on Saturday 16^th December, the Lamplight 5 at Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday 18^th and the Saltwell 10K on Tyneside on Sunday 23^rd, all before the Boxing Day Handicap which is now earmarked for Sedbury Back Lane, meet at The Angel in Gilling West at 10.30am.