Pinchinthorpe Plod Fell Race Sunday 3rd October 2004

The Northern Runner sponsored Winter Race Series commenced on Sunday 3rd October with the Pinchinthorpe Plod Fell Race. Following-on from some degree of success in the Summer Series, seven runners taking part and an overall 2nd M50 place, Richmond and Zetland Harriers are looking forward to greater participation over the next six months. The race has undergone many route variations in the past and this year was no exception with the route being lengthened to 6.8 miles to avoid the restoration work, taking place at Blue Lake. The latter half of the race was therefore more paths than fell as it followed the main forest tracks. This suited Rob Cole of Middlesbrough AC who, on a fine sunny morning, made a welcome return to the Series and was an impressive winner in a speedy 42:06, 30 seconds ahead of Andy Burt of York Acorn with Joe Blackett NYM in 3rd place (and 1st M40) in 43:24. The Ladies race was an equally close contest with Jenny Grindley of Wigton winning in 55:56, finishing in 36th place overall, beating Sue Milburn of Newton Aycliffe by 17 seconds and 2 places with Sharon Gaytor of New Marske Harriers finishing one place and 13 seconds behind and taking 3rd prize. Mike Brooks of RZH, having finished runner-up to Mike Hetherington of York Acorn in the Summer Series, found himself in familiar territory, finishing 15th overall in 50:31 - 15 seconds and 3 places behind his nemesis!

BOFRA series No 11 - Wasdale Head - Saturday 9th October 2004

As one Series began, another closed - the eleventh and last BOFRA race was on Saturday 9th at Wasdale Head Showground in Cumbria. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Gary Bastow’s day and he finished in 15th place, 4th M45 and worst-of-all, behind Paul Tuson who has pipped him in the chase for the M45 title. Gary ran well and was probably a minute faster than his best over the course (although the timings are missing from the results as the hand computer timer ran out of ink!) but he says “Paul pulled away and gained about 20m by the cairn at the top of Kirk Fell and that was that - because he has no peers coming downhill! There were some very good Cumberland fell runners there, notably one of the Bland family; these guys are a-class-apart, they come into their own when the climbs are going over 2000 feet. Despite the outcome I'm really happy, I’ve had a great year, will work hard over the winter and will be back next year.”

Winter training is now established at Le Cateau Gymnasium on Tuesdays and Catterick Garrison Athletics Stadium on Thursdays and is geared towards the X-C season. There are six NYSD League Races, County, Regional and National Championships, plus Schools fixtures, Open Events or Veterans Championships depending on your years. Athletes are also training for Indoor T&F, Fell Running, Road Racing and, given the 22nd October closing date, for the London Marathon next April.