Saltwell 10K Road Race 19th December 2004

The Saltwell 10K Road Race on Sunday 19th December was won by Martin Scaife of Morpeth in 31:10, Zoe Tucker was 1st Female in 37:18 and Richard Hunt finished 5th in 32:59. Richard was pleased with his race; both his time over the none-too-easy course which includes the notorious Chowdene Bank and the icy patches in Saltwell Park and with his final effort as he was in the middle of seven finishers despite being in a strength phase of training.

Loftus Poultry Run 19th December 2004

Ken Harker

The Loftus Poultry Run, incorporating race 4 in the Northern Runner Winter Series, close to 8 miles of varied terrain from Loftus Leisure Centre was on the same day. Paul Lowe of NYM outsprinted Shaun O’Grady of Loftus, to win in 44:16, with Alyson Dixon of Chester-le-Street finishing 17th overall and 1st Female in 48:22. Ken Harker ran the race again this year for the umpteenth time, placed 10th and was 40 seconds quicker than in 2003.

RZH Boxing Day Handicap 26th December 2004

The Harriers’ annual Boxing Day Handicap Road Race took place on Sunday 26th along the length of Sedbury Back Lane, from Gilling West to the A6108 near Skeeby. The Lane was icy in parts but that was the only “obstacle” as the skies were blue and the westerly breeze was more a help than a hindrance. Thirteen Harriers, aged from 11 to 57, made the effort and Katey Purkiss was first away, running off zero with a tough 14 minute target. Newcomers to the Race are always a bit-of-a-lottery and this year there were several but taking away the first and last finishers, only 70 seconds separated the field - proof that the handicapping was nearly right. This year’s winner was Doug Roberts, he beat his 11:10 handicap by 61 seconds to complete the 3000m course in 10:09 - a good time for any athlete, let alone one aged 13½; Jon Orange posted the fastest time of the day 9:12, just 5 seconds outside his 2002 record and the most improved or merit award went to Phil Fitzpatrick who trimmed his 2003 time by 13 seconds and was third fastest finisher.

Results: 1st Doug Roberts 12:59 (- 2:50 = 10:09), 2nd Steve Hunt 13:19 (- 2:20 = 10:59), 3rd Jon Orange 13:32 (- 4:20 = 9:12), 4th Colin Sewell 13:40 (-2:20 = 11:20), 5th Phil Fitzpatrick 13:46 (- 3:40 = 10:06), 6th Richard Hunt 13:57 (- 4:20 = 9:37), 7th Shaun Purkiss 13:59 (- 3:00 = 10:59), 8th Mike Brooks 14:01 (- 2:40 = 11:21), 9th Jessie Roberts 14:05 (- 2:30 = 11:35), 10th Ian Scott 14:12 (-3:30 = 10:42), 11th Fergus Roberts 14:23 (-2:20 = 12:03), 12th Dan Brooks 14:29 (-3:20 = 11:09) & 13th Katey Purkiss 15:10 (- 0 = 15:10).

Jolly Holly Jog - Ripon

The Jolly Holly Jog is another popular race; the entries were filled in record time this year and several Harriers had their monies returned - memo for future reference. Darren Bilton of Leeds AC made light work of the 10K course that passes through Studley Park and the famous Valley of the Seven Bridges, winning in 33:29; Dawn Richardson of Quakers was 27th overall and 1st Female in 40:33. Colin Sewell was the first Harrier home, finishing 31st and 1st M55 in 40:52, followed by Jessie Roberts, 45th overall and 1st U17F in 42:23 and Neil Piper 83rd in 45:42 from a total 310 finishers.