Fellsman Hike 60 miles 8-9th May 2004

Richmond and Zetland Harriers have had their variety of events in recent weeks, on the roads, on the fells and in track and field, but the Fellsman Hike is different again. Neil Piper has a background in long distance walking and enjoys the challenge. Over the weekend 8th/9th May, he finished the 60 miler in 35th place out of 197 starters – “my slowest time for years, 21 hours and 8 minutes, but the conditions were the worst since the bad old days when walkers used to disappear without trace on Fleet Moss; deep bogs, 11,000 feet of climbing, thick mist and old age are all a conspiracy”.

Cleveland Midweek Fell series Carlton Challenge 11th May 2004

The second race of the Northern Runner/Cleveland Midweek Fell Series, the Carlton Challenge, was on Tuesday 11th from the Car Park at Carlton Bank Top near Stokesley. Had he not been recovering from his previous exploits, Neil would’ve relished the 5 miles and 860 feet of climbing on a pleasant evening, a mere sprint! The Harriers had a gang-of-four and Dan Brooks was first home in 23rd place, followed by Phil Hill 26th, Mike Brooks 33rd (& 2nd M50), Danny Alexander 58th and the team finished 4th.

Yorkshire Track & Field Champs Don Valley Stadium 15/16th May 2004

Scott Wardman in action

The following weekend, eighteen Harriers competed in the Yorkshire T&F Championships over the two days at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield. Serious competition against the pick of the County, many of them internationals, brought out the best in all of them; most made the finals of their events and Scott Wardman came home with a silver medal and a PB of 10:13.8 for 2nd place in the 3000m steeplechase.

RZH results: Under 17 Men - 800m Simon Robson 2:12.6; 1500m Philip Fitzpatrick 4:19.1, Simon Robson 4:35.4, Chris Archer 4:51.6 & Chris Andrade 4.54.6; 100m hurdles Marcus Clarke 16.8 & long jump 4m62: Junior Men - 1500m Edd Richards 4:23.1: Senior Men - 800m Ken Harker 2:04.6 & 1500m 4:30.8 and 3000m steeplechase Scott Wardman 10:13.8: Under 15 Girls - 200m Sophie Broadway 27.5 & Leanne Shaw 28.5; long jump Leanne Shaw 4m12; 800m Jo Adams 2:29.3: Under 17 Women - 200m Georgina Zissler 27.3 & 300m 43.8; 1500m Jessica Roberts 5:05.5: Junior Women - 1500m Erica Moks 5:53.2: Senior Women - long jump Kim Bartram 4m30, shot 8m20 & javelin 27m32: 1500m Louise Jackson 4:46.1; 3000m Fiona Hughes 11:41.1.

North Eastern Counties T&F champs

Two more Harriers, qualified by birth, chose to compete in the North Eastern Counties T&F Championships at Gateshead International Stadium on the same weekend and both came back with bronze medals. Nick Outhwaite placed 3rd in the Under 15 Boy’s Pole Vault with a clearance of 2m10, his first season in the event. Not to be out-shone, older brother, Carl Outhwaite also placed 3rd, in Under 20 Men’s Hammer with a throw of 34m54, only the third time he has thrown the 6K, a new weight having moved up an age group.