North Yorkshire Schools Athletics Championships - York 10th June 2006

Several Richmond and Zetland junior athletes got off to winning ways in the North Yorkshire Schools Athletics Championships at York on Saturday 10th June. Thirteen athletes competed at the event, producing no less than eight wins across the board, on what was an excellent day’s competition. Ruth Hill maintained her winning ways for the junior girls in the 100m with a time of 13.0, with team mate Rachel Holloway for company, while Brogan Fraser was equally adept, placing first in the 200m race. Holly Carrick took another win in the Shot Putt, while Doug Roberts, running for the intermediate boys, took a comfortable and well deserved victory in the 1500m.

Leanne Shaw was on good sprinting terms, taking second place in the intermediate girl’s 200m and Sophie Broadway showed that she is returning to form, by gaining a second place in the 300m. Jo Adams is in top condition at the moment and proved this by winning the 800m, while Katie Roberts displayed good stamina in the 1500m to take third place overall. Lyndsey Johnston, was well ahead of the rest of the opposition, winning the javelin by a large margin, with a throw of 33.0m. Scott Goodrum produced two excellent performances, by taking first place in the triple jump and second place in the long jump, while Nick Outhwaite finished in his customary top spot in the Pole Vault. James Brownfield-Pope ran his favoured distance over 800m, which produced a second place finish in a time of 2.13.9.

RZH Results: Junior Girls – Ruth Hill 1st 100m 13.0, Rachel Holloway 7th 100m 14.6, Brogan Fraser 1st 200m 28.4, Holly Carrick 1st Shot Putt 9.56m. Intermediate Boys – Doug Roberts 1st 1500m 4.27.8. Intermediate Girls – Leanne Shaw 2nd 200m 26.5, Sophie Broadway 2nd 300m 45.6, Jo Adams 1st 800m 2.24.8, Katie Roberts 3rd 1500m 5.39.2, Lyndsey Johnston 1st Javelin 33.0m. Senior Boys – James Brownfield-Pope 2nd 800m 2.13.9, Scott Goodrum 1st Triple Jump 12.13m & 2nd Long Jump 5.82m, Nick Outhwaite 1st Pole Vault 2.20m.

Swaledale Marathon 10th June 2006

On the same day, Shaun Purkiss chose a very different challenge in the form of the Swaldedale Marathon, which is a 23 mile off-road challenging course over the local peaks and moors, which competitors must navigate themselves. This year’s event was run in very hot conditions and one of the main issues was keeping well hydrated during the race, however, team mates Jim Robinson and Chris Peacock were on hand to provide all the water Shaun required en-route and ran a fair distance themselves keeping him fully supplied. This paid dividends, as Shaun reached the finish in an outstanding time of 3.37 hours, taking third place overall. The overall winner was Stuart Gregory in a time of 3.05 hours, however, Shaun is still the course record holder with a time of 2.56 hours, set twenty years ago.

British Miler's Grand Prix -Watford 10th June 2006

Back on the track, Ken Harker and James Wardman put in two excellent performances at the British Miler’s Club Grand Prix Meeting at Watford, also on Saturday 10th June. Both athletes chose to compete over the 800m distance, in the face of some very stiff competition. Ken is returning from injury and has his sights firmly set on the World Master’s Outdoor Championships in Poland in five weeks. His time of 2.03 shows he is in good form going into his remaining weeks of preparation, while James is also in great shape, with a superb time of 1.58.

Thirsk 10M Race 11th June 2006

The following day, Neil Piper elected to compete in the Thirsk 10 Road Race, on what was the hottest day of the year so far. Once again the heat and hydration were key elements in such taxing conditions, which many found difficult. Although the high temperatures tested his resolve on this occasion, he managed to finish the race in a well deserved 196th place from 320 competitors.

Veterans AA North East Meeting - 12th June

Chris Peacock was in action on the track at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow on Monday 12th June, taking part in the Veterans Athletics Association North East meeting. He took on the opposition over his preferred distance of 800m in the men’s V45 race and promptly won by some margin in a time of 2.17. John Wild was also in action in the throwing events, proving to be the usual stalwart. The provisional results are to be confirmed, but he accrued some impressive results, including a win in the Shot Putt with 10.30m, a further win in the Javelin with 33.0m and runner up in the Hammer, with a distance of 39.0m, the first time he has been beaten in the latter event in some eight years in the veterans league.