North Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Championships - Tadcaster 22nd January

The North Yorkshire Schools X-C Championships took place on Saturday 22nd January at Tadcaster Grammar School. There were eight races, for Year 7, Junior, Inter and Senior Boys and Girls, and there were nine boys and eight girls from Richmond and Zetland Harriers in their midst. The first fifteen in each race received an invitation to compete in the Schools Inter-Counties fixture (this year versus Humberside Schools, to be held on Saturday 26th at York) and they earned their County Colours. The first six in the Junior, Inter and Senior races are also invited to represent North Yorkshire in the English Schools X-C Championships on Saturday 12th March at Norwich with another two to be selected after the Inter-Counties fixture.

On a cold and frosty morning, the first race was for Inter Boys; Josh Miers finished 11th and typically was a little disappointed not to make the first six but happy to secure a place in the Inter-Counties fixture. Doug Roberts, Iain Wilson, Adam Scott and Tom Osborn competed in the Junior Boy’s race and finished 2nd, 29th, 30th and 34th respectively. Although Tom has competed in equally big races, he finished 21st in the Under 13s at this year’s Yorkshires, he was at the younger end of his age group in his first year as a Junior. In the Senior Boy’s race, Phil Fitzpatrick had a determined run and finished 4th, Chris Archer was 10th, Callum Watt 21st and James Brownfields-Pope finished a respectable 24th.

Philippa Abrahams in action

Rosie Adams and Jessica Ainsley-Gill lined-up in the Junior Girl’s race and finished 14th and 38th respectively. The Inter Girls set off at a tremendous pace and Jessie Roberts hung in to take 5th and secure her place at the English Schools for another year. Behind her, Katie Roberts had one of her best races to date, finishing 12th and showing perseverance and determination in equal proportions. Jo Adams finished a respectable 22nd and, although not running competitively this season, she helped the Richmond & Hambleton Schools to 2nd team place. In the Senior Girl’s race, Erica Moks finished with her customary smile in 10th place, Mally Dolphin 17th and Becca Ayre was 20th.

It was noticeable that there were no Harriers in either of the Year 7 Boys’ or Girls’ races. An invitation is extended, to all those who live in the area and would like the opportunities of more training and competition, to contact the Club or their School’s PE staff for more information.

Brass Monkey Half Marathon - York 23rd January

Away from Cross-Country, on Sunday 23rd, Sarah Gregory was unable to compete in the Brass Monkey at York through injury but Philippa Abrahams ran her first half marathon. Sarah and Philippa are good examples of the benefits of more training and competition: both were social runners until they joined the Harriers, both were 4 hour plus marathon girls and, despite occasional hiccups, both are enjoying their improved running. Although Philippa has the New York Marathon on her CV, that was a jog and the Brass Monkey was a race. It was a late decision to run but a good one as she finished 194th overall and 12th Senior Woman in a time of 1 hour 30 minutes and 18 seconds.